Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.MrClyde
10-05-09, 09:55 AM
Well, I completed the Poway Century yesterday. Right at 100 miles, 4500 feet of climbing. It was a lot of fun, and a lot of work. The volunteers were great, good aid stations, well marked course, this is a good century to do.
I got there early enough to be at the front of the start. They had a patrol car lead us out of town, that was pretty cool. The lead pack took off from the start, we were going 25-30 mph through town behind the police car. I was able to hang towards the front until we hit the Poway grade, then I just settled into my own pace. I did not want to bonk 20 miles into it.
I made it to the top, then was able to hang with pacelines now and then. A few cool things were
-A group of about 15 of us came up on a yellow light, and the car coming the other direction actually waved us all through so we could stay together. That was cool to see instead of some of the other reactions we get from cars.
-About 70 miles in, my calves started cramping. Another cyclist noticed, and offered me some of his electrolyte tablets. That helped me keep going. Everyone I came across was friendly and supportive.
-At the 80 mile aid station, when I leaned my hybrid up against the fence, a couple guys asked me if I had started at 7:00 (the start time for the 100 miles) and seemed pretty impressed at the pace I was on for the bike I was on. That was cool, and motivating.
I was dragging at the end, but a group of us bunched up for the last 8-10 miles and kept pushing each other on to finish strong. I finished with a total time of 6:35, my computer showed 6:04 of pedaling. Can't wait for next year!
I got there early enough to be at the front of the start. They had a patrol car lead us out of town, that was pretty cool. The lead pack took off from the start, we were going 25-30 mph through town behind the police car. I was able to hang towards the front until we hit the Poway grade, then I just settled into my own pace. I did not want to bonk 20 miles into it.
I made it to the top, then was able to hang with pacelines now and then. A few cool things were
-A group of about 15 of us came up on a yellow light, and the car coming the other direction actually waved us all through so we could stay together. That was cool to see instead of some of the other reactions we get from cars.
-About 70 miles in, my calves started cramping. Another cyclist noticed, and offered me some of his electrolyte tablets. That helped me keep going. Everyone I came across was friendly and supportive.
-At the 80 mile aid station, when I leaned my hybrid up against the fence, a couple guys asked me if I had started at 7:00 (the start time for the 100 miles) and seemed pretty impressed at the pace I was on for the bike I was on. That was cool, and motivating.
I was dragging at the end, but a group of us bunched up for the last 8-10 miles and kept pushing each other on to finish strong. I finished with a total time of 6:35, my computer showed 6:04 of pedaling. Can't wait for next year!