Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - PPTC Century Report, 9/16/07

Rode in the Potomac Pedalers Historic Back Roads Century on Sunday, 9/16. My first 'official' century, although I did two solo centuries earlier this year on the W&OD trail.

It was in the mid-high 40's at 7AM, so it was pretty chilly out. Lots of riders were well-equipped for the temps, but some were shivering in their shorts and short-sleeved jerseys. I started out with my warm-weather helmet liner, base layer, knee warmers, polypro gloves over my cycling gloves and a jacket.

Ride was very well organized, and most riders were very friendly - although there were a few guys out for a hammerfest and little patience for having to wait for a real opening to pass.

Only saw one vehicle problem - I don't know what precipitated it, but some guy in a quad-cab dual-wheel diesel truck was SCREAMING at some cyclists ahead of me - yelling "GET ON THE BIKE TRAIL!" along with some less-savory remarks....although there was no bike trail within 20 miles of this ride. Every other driver I saw was very courteous, and the riders were doing a good job of riding in what little traffic there was.

Rest stops were well-staffed - stops at 28, 50.8, 63 (short distance, but it coincided with 2 of the other rides), and 79 miles. Lots of good food, fruit, snacks, gatorade and porta-potties. Hand sanitizer was available all stops. Bike repair help was available at all stops, too. The course consisted of 2 loops, with the 1/2 way point back at the start/finish. More extensive bike help was provided by Spokes Bicycle Shop there.

At the end, we got our t-shirts, and they had hot sandwiches/snacks for the riders. Showers were available, but since I was pretty tired, (and I couldn't stay in the locker room too long), I just put the bike in the car and drove home. (I had forgotten that high school locker rooms smell like my old bike gloves).

The course was mild to rolling hills, but the 2nd half was definitely hillier than the first. I was running a sub-6 hour pace for the 1st 3 rest stops, but the worst hills were from mile 83-93. I ended up finishing at 6:05, 16.5 MPH average, 5000 feet of climbing.

Took yesterday off, and did an easy pace into work this morning. All in all, a great ride.

Sorry, I may have been one of those hammering.

The morning started out quite chilly. I wore a second
layer under my jersey (Under Armor loose warm gear
"T") and a removable membrane (read: tall kitchen
trash can bag!) in front of me, under my jersey, for
the descents. Better hand covering was called for, so
I wore a pair of glove liners over my riding gloves. A
cycling cap for the head and arm warmers were the only
other Fall season apparel worn. A was still chilled at
the onset of the ride, but after awhile only a couple
fingers on my right hand remained cold. By the second
rest stop, I stashed the removable membrane and the
arm warmers in a jersey pocket, soon followed by the
glove liners. This ride is composed of 2 x 50 mile
loops, which really came in handy, because we could
stop back at the car and get rid of unnecessary
clothing for the second 50 miles.

I believe it may have been the second rest stop that
Jeff hooked up with Janet and me. I couldn't believe
that he was going to ride what looked to be a Dahon
folding bike for the entire century. Suprisingly, on
most of my pulls, he was able to stay tucked in behind
me. I found him there more times than not until the
last 15-20 miles where apparently the weight and the
non-aeroness of the folder finally started to take
it's toll.

At the finished we compared averages. I had something
like 18.4 MPH and Janet had 18.3--a new personal
record for her. Jeff didn't have a computer. All told, 100
miles with 4,879 feet of climbing at over 18 MPH.

Anyway, here's a few pics I was able to snap at a
couple of the rest stops and while riding down the
road. Sorry there aren't more, but it's hard to take
pics and be the locomotive at 20 MPH:


http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v285/NoRacer/PPTC%20Backroads%20Century%202007/?action=view&slideshow=true

Sorry, I may have been one of those hammering.

No apology necessary - I was happy to get the 16.5 that I got out there - as I said, most riders were great - just a couple impatient ones coming up to the crossings over 50 and 7....regardless of whether it looks clear or not, I'm clipping out when there are 4 lanes of 60MPH traffic to cross.

I saw 2 folders out there - and talked to one of the guys - he had on one of these:

http://www.primalwear.com/images/clothing/PFDSJERLSL_LG.gif

His bike had a 105 drive train with some interesting gearing. I was impressed.

Coming down one of the steep hills (I think it was around mile 20), some guy flew by my little group while we were all braking because of the 10MPH warning sign at the bottom of the hill - he wasn't hurt, and his bike wasn't damaged (so it's OK to chuckle), but he didn't make the turn, and ran into the fence at the bottom of the hill.

I ended up riding solo after the 63 mile rest stop - I was riding with two riders from Herndon - one had some knee problems, so they were riding easy for the rest of the ride....up to the last rest stop was OK, but mile 83-93 were pretty tough for me - no one to chat with, some bigger hills, etc.

Thanks for posting the pics - it was a very pretty ride.

I did this ride also. I only did the metric century.(had family coming to the house and I made a compromise with the wife ). I've only been a "roadie" for about a year now so this was a great experience and chance to meet some other cyclist.I kept an average of about 14.5 for the day,which ain't bad for a newbie with an old steelie. I have to say the majority of people were more than willing to talk. The very cool thing I experienced was whenever someone was on the side either with mechanical problems or just taking a break everyone who passed would make sure they were ok. What a great community to be a part of... I live near the route so I'm keeping the cue sheets so I can do the routes on a regular basis. If anyone from the Potomac Peddlers club reads this I have to say "THANK YOU!" for putting on such an event and I'll see ya next year....Jeff

Had a great ride, and echo your thoughts on the organization, route, and weather. Very nice. This was my second organized century (first was Reston, and this was a LOT easier.) I wore tights, long-sleeve jersey, and full-finger gloves (for the first half.) I was still pretty cold for the first 25 miles, but after that the weather was fine. I never got too hot even with the tights.

My only hassle was a slow leak that flatted my rear tire. I changed the tire at about mile 30, and it was flat again by mile 98 (right in town.) Luckily I was able to just pump it back up and limp back to the start without having to change it again.

I'm definitely doing this ride again next year.

I saw 2 folders out there - and talked to one of the guys - he had on one of these:

http://www.primalwear.com/images/clothing/PFDSJERLSL_LG.gif

His bike had a 105 drive train with some interesting gearing. I was impressed.



Yes, that was Jeff wearing the Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon" jersey from Primal Wear. He told me that he'd recently completed a Santa Fe Century on that folder.

I was wearing a pink TeamBBC jersey and rode a blue Giant TCR C2.

I was wearing a pink TeamBBC jersey and rode a blue Giant TCR C2.

I was wearing a PPTC jersey and rode my blue Giant OCR C2. I rode the first 2/3 or the ride with Mike and Susan, cousins from Herndon - he was on a blue Jamis, and she rode a red Specialized Allez - they were great company to ride with - but her knee started bothering her after the 3rd rest stop, so I ended up riding the rest of the ride solo.