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08-22-04, 10:28 AM
I completed my first metric century on Saturday, the Cool Breeze Century (61 miles) It runs along the Southern California coastline, on a mostly flat course. The elevation gain for the metric is under 1000 feet. Other rides available were the half metric, full century and a double.
I was a bit apprehensive about this ride. My longest ride to date has been about 40 miles. I ride my bike to work about once a week, (14 miles each way) and do 20-30 mile rides on weekends when I can but that's not always consistent.
The weather yesterday was overcast with fog, coolish, temps in the low 60's.
Riders were allowed to begin at 6:30 am. I arrived for check-in at 7 and was surprised to find the place packed. The event was a sold out 1500 riders strong!
Got the route sheet and joined the crowd.
The first six miles snaked us through the seaside town of Ventura. Shortly afterwards, we began a straight shot along the coast for the next 12 miles.
I run 5K races from time to time and one of the toughest parts of a race are the beginning where all of us tend to start out too fast. It's a trait I've had to work hard to overcome.
I told myself that I would need to pace myself in this event as well.
Ha! I was stunned at the speeds I was riding at. I was at the ride alone so I was not part of any organized group, but from time to time I found myself encased in one.
At one point, a 3 person paceline zoomed by me. I was too intimidated to ask if I could join them, a bit gun shy of looking stupid. Instead I stayed a bit behind them, trying to match their pace. I actually did pretty well. I stayed far enough back to not be on their wheels or be intrusive so I doubt I got much of a drafting effect but sure thought I was!
I lasted a few miles then let them go.
Later in this section, a group of 50 or more riders came along side, not too tightly bunched.
"On your left!" they called, one after the other. Wellllll, that kinda got me motivated. At a gap, I joined the group and found myself cruising along the road at 20-23 miles per hour.
Finally, we came to the first rest stop. I checked the computer...good gawd...I had averaged nearly 17 miles per hour for the first 18 miles, way above my "normal" avg of 14.
After reading so many posts here about bonking, I tried to be sure to refuel at all of the rest stops. Each was well stocked with peanut butter, bagels, fruit and more and eager volunteers ready to lend a hand.
Off on the 2nd leg. A bit of climbing on this one, nothing long or tough. The course wound through agricultural areas where various flowers are cultivated for the marketplace. Scenic with occasional smells of the blossoms. This area sported more curves and the groups had begun to stretch out. I tried to keep my pace slower to rest up a bit. My wife and I had ridden part of this section last week so I was familiar with the territory. On one section, one of the volunteers was entertaining riders by juggling pins!
Into the 2nd rest stop, the turn around point for the metric. They had a station where you could weigh your bike. My Giant OCR2 came out at 25 lbs, a bit high but not surprising given I have a Brooks B-17 and a seat pack that contained tools, cell phone, tube and various other stuff.
On the return leg, we followed a different route taking us back to the same rest stop we had used for #1. I hooked up with a small group for a while, learning bunches about hand and voice signals for hazards, slow downs, cars and like. I normally ride alone or with a friend so this was pretty new to me. I hope I didn't seem too goofy as I sometimes hesitated to parrot the "car back!" signals that were being passed along.
As we waited in line for a red light to change to green, the couple behind me remarked
"Hmm, really liking the look of that saddle. How is it?"
"Thanks!"
I do like the Brooks, purchased after much thought and debate. I wasn't fond of the Selle Viper that came with the Giant, though it was light weight. In the end, I realized there was no point in worrying about the weight of a cheeseburger? Not important to me. And I have no butt worries. In fact, as others have said, it disappears beneath you. But I digress.
Third and final pit stop. Popsicles! Hmmmm, a bit more food and we're off.
Six miles on the freeway, with cars zooming by way too close. Wondered briefly if we get any drafting effect from the 18 wheelers that pass by.
Not much of a crowd to ride with; actually the majority of riders were doing the full century. I rode for a time with someone, talking a bit as we covered several of the 18 miles back to Ventura. His pace was too high for me and I dropped off in time, making some excuse like "well, got to call my wife to see if she is meeting us for lunch!"
The truth was I was now in uncharted territory, behind the 40 mile marker. My quads and inner thighs were telling me they had exceeded their warranty period! This was starting to hurt. I backed off a bunch and after several miles found that the pain was subsiding.
"Come on, hang on, just 8 more miles!"
Bit by bit, I returned to town. Out of sight of anyone now, riders spread out over miles of roads, some ahead of me, some behind. I wound back through Ventura, back to the harbor where we started. Found some 2nd (or 3rd) wind and energy and brought it home.
Pulled into the driveway of the hotel to see my wife and 9 year old daughter holding a sign "To our biker hero. You Rock!"
Sweet as can be! Still had enough legs to make it to the luncheon. All of a sudden, all I wanted to do was eat! Two full plates of pasta, salad, 6 rolls, it was unbelievable! You would have thought I'd never eaten!! I probably could have gone for another serving.
Final totals: a bit over 61 miles. saddle time: 3:55:34 average speed a bit over 15, surely dropped by those last miles where I was toast!
I feel pretty good this Sunday morning. Legs not overly sore. I'm already thinking "hmmmm, could I train for a full century?"
Final Notes: to those who put on the Cool Breeze: thanks! You did a great job of providing food, support, maps, etc. There wasn't a moment anywhere that I felt I couldn't have gotten anything I needed from your well organized and enthusiastic volunteers, whether at a rest stop or 8 miles away on a rural road.
To the other riders: I am in awe of those of you to do the full centuries and beyond. We watched you return after lunch. I want to be one of you someday! I am also in awe of those of you who do the half metrics. You did it! Nice job!
Thanks also to any of you to let me tag along and sorry to anyone I messed up or interfered with.
Sorry for the long post! I'm jazzed to have been able to make it. Not too bad for a guy of 50, huh?
Happy Sunday to you all.
Sheldon
Giant OCR2
I was a bit apprehensive about this ride. My longest ride to date has been about 40 miles. I ride my bike to work about once a week, (14 miles each way) and do 20-30 mile rides on weekends when I can but that's not always consistent.
The weather yesterday was overcast with fog, coolish, temps in the low 60's.
Riders were allowed to begin at 6:30 am. I arrived for check-in at 7 and was surprised to find the place packed. The event was a sold out 1500 riders strong!
Got the route sheet and joined the crowd.
The first six miles snaked us through the seaside town of Ventura. Shortly afterwards, we began a straight shot along the coast for the next 12 miles.
I run 5K races from time to time and one of the toughest parts of a race are the beginning where all of us tend to start out too fast. It's a trait I've had to work hard to overcome.
I told myself that I would need to pace myself in this event as well.
Ha! I was stunned at the speeds I was riding at. I was at the ride alone so I was not part of any organized group, but from time to time I found myself encased in one.
At one point, a 3 person paceline zoomed by me. I was too intimidated to ask if I could join them, a bit gun shy of looking stupid. Instead I stayed a bit behind them, trying to match their pace. I actually did pretty well. I stayed far enough back to not be on their wheels or be intrusive so I doubt I got much of a drafting effect but sure thought I was!
I lasted a few miles then let them go.
Later in this section, a group of 50 or more riders came along side, not too tightly bunched.
"On your left!" they called, one after the other. Wellllll, that kinda got me motivated. At a gap, I joined the group and found myself cruising along the road at 20-23 miles per hour.
Finally, we came to the first rest stop. I checked the computer...good gawd...I had averaged nearly 17 miles per hour for the first 18 miles, way above my "normal" avg of 14.
After reading so many posts here about bonking, I tried to be sure to refuel at all of the rest stops. Each was well stocked with peanut butter, bagels, fruit and more and eager volunteers ready to lend a hand.
Off on the 2nd leg. A bit of climbing on this one, nothing long or tough. The course wound through agricultural areas where various flowers are cultivated for the marketplace. Scenic with occasional smells of the blossoms. This area sported more curves and the groups had begun to stretch out. I tried to keep my pace slower to rest up a bit. My wife and I had ridden part of this section last week so I was familiar with the territory. On one section, one of the volunteers was entertaining riders by juggling pins!
Into the 2nd rest stop, the turn around point for the metric. They had a station where you could weigh your bike. My Giant OCR2 came out at 25 lbs, a bit high but not surprising given I have a Brooks B-17 and a seat pack that contained tools, cell phone, tube and various other stuff.
On the return leg, we followed a different route taking us back to the same rest stop we had used for #1. I hooked up with a small group for a while, learning bunches about hand and voice signals for hazards, slow downs, cars and like. I normally ride alone or with a friend so this was pretty new to me. I hope I didn't seem too goofy as I sometimes hesitated to parrot the "car back!" signals that were being passed along.
As we waited in line for a red light to change to green, the couple behind me remarked
"Hmm, really liking the look of that saddle. How is it?"
"Thanks!"
I do like the Brooks, purchased after much thought and debate. I wasn't fond of the Selle Viper that came with the Giant, though it was light weight. In the end, I realized there was no point in worrying about the weight of a cheeseburger? Not important to me. And I have no butt worries. In fact, as others have said, it disappears beneath you. But I digress.
Third and final pit stop. Popsicles! Hmmmm, a bit more food and we're off.
Six miles on the freeway, with cars zooming by way too close. Wondered briefly if we get any drafting effect from the 18 wheelers that pass by.
Not much of a crowd to ride with; actually the majority of riders were doing the full century. I rode for a time with someone, talking a bit as we covered several of the 18 miles back to Ventura. His pace was too high for me and I dropped off in time, making some excuse like "well, got to call my wife to see if she is meeting us for lunch!"
The truth was I was now in uncharted territory, behind the 40 mile marker. My quads and inner thighs were telling me they had exceeded their warranty period! This was starting to hurt. I backed off a bunch and after several miles found that the pain was subsiding.
"Come on, hang on, just 8 more miles!"
Bit by bit, I returned to town. Out of sight of anyone now, riders spread out over miles of roads, some ahead of me, some behind. I wound back through Ventura, back to the harbor where we started. Found some 2nd (or 3rd) wind and energy and brought it home.
Pulled into the driveway of the hotel to see my wife and 9 year old daughter holding a sign "To our biker hero. You Rock!"
Sweet as can be! Still had enough legs to make it to the luncheon. All of a sudden, all I wanted to do was eat! Two full plates of pasta, salad, 6 rolls, it was unbelievable! You would have thought I'd never eaten!! I probably could have gone for another serving.
Final totals: a bit over 61 miles. saddle time: 3:55:34 average speed a bit over 15, surely dropped by those last miles where I was toast!
I feel pretty good this Sunday morning. Legs not overly sore. I'm already thinking "hmmmm, could I train for a full century?"
Final Notes: to those who put on the Cool Breeze: thanks! You did a great job of providing food, support, maps, etc. There wasn't a moment anywhere that I felt I couldn't have gotten anything I needed from your well organized and enthusiastic volunteers, whether at a rest stop or 8 miles away on a rural road.
To the other riders: I am in awe of those of you to do the full centuries and beyond. We watched you return after lunch. I want to be one of you someday! I am also in awe of those of you who do the half metrics. You did it! Nice job!
Thanks also to any of you to let me tag along and sorry to anyone I messed up or interfered with.
Sorry for the long post! I'm jazzed to have been able to make it. Not too bad for a guy of 50, huh?
Happy Sunday to you all.
Sheldon
Giant OCR2