Fifty Plus (50+) - Epic Finish to my 1st 1/2 century charity ride.

Completed the 50 mile portion of the Dempsey Challenge in Maine today in a respectable 3 hours (including couple of stops at the 10 & 20 mile rest breaks). But it was the end of the ride that truly made my day. I hit some broken pavement about a mile from the finish, but everything seemed ok; but making the last turn onto the footbridge leading to the finish shoot, the rear went flat:eek::eek: What to do? I did what any self-respecting glory-hound would do; I threw the bike over my shoulder and ran to the finish with cheers ringing in my ears and flash bulbs going off everywhere. It was a EPIC ending to my first 1/2 century. I was humbled (truly) to hear the MC state 'now that's a great example of the true spirit of those who came to support this wonderful cause". :thumb:

You did it all wrong- 3 hours for your first 50 miler and you are supposed to be dead about 10 miles from the finish. You obviously hit the Broken pavement too hard- What were you thinking of? Trying to stay with the 20year olds that were doing a sprint at the end no doubt:(:(

And then to show your lack of mechanical skills by not repairing the puncture in 1min 30secs as any repspecting old "Geezer" would have done is a bit over top. Then to sprint the last mile carrying your bike only shows one thing------------


-------You are no longer a newbie to distance riding. Well done but don't do it again- You might get DnvrFox thinking he will have to emulate you after the 3rd Goathead of the morning. :innocent:

Nice, really nice ride report. Congrats on your first 50'er! You may have cyclo cross in your future!

16.6 mph..... Hmmmmm........Must be a whippersnapper of barely 50!

pics or it didn't happen :)

The Evie Stevens of old coots!

pics or it didn't happen :)

Hoping someone publishes one of the pics.......But now the rest of the story; after my ride and the great folks at the Specialized tent repaired my rear tube, and I had my lobster, corn on the cob, baked potato, and a 'custom' Gritty's Ale....I got back on the bike and rode back to home Augusta, 27/28 miles. Note to self, next time I think it'll be a good idea to ride nearly 30 miles after a 1/2 century....DON'T Do IT!!!!!!! And for the record, I'm 57 years young......

You had to ride home? Which raises the question of how did you get there?

Hoping someone publishes one of the pics.......But now the rest of the story; after my ride and the great folks at the Specialized tent repaired my rear tube, and I had my lobster, corn on the cob, baked potato, and a 'custom' Gritty's Ale.... I got back on the bike and rode back to home Augusta, 27/28 miles. Note to self, next time I think it'll be a good idea to ride nearly 30 miles after a 1/2 century....DON'T Do IT!!!!!!! And for the record, I'm 57 years young......

The ride's not finished yet. No pie.

Good job. It is kind of nice that "bad events" conspired to give you a memorable finish.

Way to finish!

Oh yes... way to cross the finish line!

Food sounded good, ride home... not so good!

... lobster, corn on the cob, baked potato, and a 'custom' Gritty's Ale...

Clearly I am doing all the wrong charity rides!

Way to go. I would have been tempted to ride my rim the rest of the way.

I had wanted to ride the Dempsey Challenge, family issues prevented it. Congrats to the OP and his ride.

Clearly I am doing all the wrong charity rides!

Same here. Saturday, I got a grilled chicken sandwich, a bag of chips, a cookie and a glass of iced tea.

Running in riding shoes! That's stuff of legends!!

The club I just joined is running a grueling century early next month, the "Heart of Arizona". We are only grilling hamburgers and such, but we are giving away merino wool arm warmers. Lobster sounds better!

Thanks Folks! Bear in mind, the Dempsey Challenge was started by Patrick Dempsey to honor his mother and other cancer survivors in Maine. We had 34 states and 5 countries represented, 1.1 MILLION Dollars was raised AFTER expenses for the Dempsey Cancer in Lewiston, Maine. Burgers & Fried Chicken was also available for any of the riders, who had to raise a minimum 0f $150 to participate, there were over 1500 riders, and the top individual fund raiser was sponsored to the tune of $10,300+........ A great cause, a great ride (although 37 degrees at start was a little chilly, an all around great day! Hopefully some of you bf'rs can make it next year.

You had to ride home? Which raises the question of how did you get there?

Got a ride with "TOP' another forum member, but he was doing the century, so I finished a little bit before him.....................