Fifty Plus (50+) - My first century of the year

I rode the Tony Serrano Century in Monroe, GA today on a picture perfect day. About 50F at the start, rising to about 72 during the day. The wind was calm at the start, becoming a very mild headwind later on. The record crowd of 670 rode the gently rolling terrain and enjoyed the best rest stop food assortment I've ever seen.

I was a little unsure about riding 100 miles with so few longer rides under my belt this year. My longest ride since November was a couple of 50 milers. But being careful not to work too hard and staying well nourished and hydrated paid off and I finished feeling just fine. I could tell I was getting a little tired after about 70 miles and was ready to be done by the end, but I never had the dreaded doldrums that used to always come late in centuries.

Next century comes in two weeks at the BRAG Spring Tune Up which will run through the same general area.

The Garmin is acting up and didn't map the first 46 miles of the ride, but did show the distance and timing for the full ride. This happens occasionally and is frustrating.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/165759839

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/sets/72157629764879117/show/

Rolling through Monroe at the start.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7055637261_81f328da82_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055637261/)
under way (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055637261/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

Dates stuffed with peanut butter was my favorite of all the incredible assortment of homemade goodies served up at the rest stops.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/7055638473_edb2d1018a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055638473/)
PB & dates (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055638473/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

More rest stop offerings.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/7055639191_937724b7cb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055639191/)
RS2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055639191/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

This kind of view was on display all day.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/6909549922_b2ecdcb5bf_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/6909549922/)
typical scenery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/6909549922/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

Still smiling a little past half way, I decided to go for the century instead of the short ride to the finish for the metric option.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/7055639759_2a61fd34a5_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055639759/)
decision point (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055639759/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/6909550844_2ecd68a37a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/6909550844/)
more scenery (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/6909550844/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

Did it!
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7188/6909551232_52efe0de02_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/6909551232/)
102.6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/6909551232/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

Days just don't get better for riding than yesterday. Spring in the SE is so wonderfully lush. Good work using your experience to get through the longer distance.

I never seem so much homemade items for rest stops. Someone did a n incredible amount of work.

Thanks for the post and the photographs, BluesDawg. I'm glad you managed your ride well and had a good time. That's where the 50+ experience and wisdom pays off.

That certainly looks like a great area for cycling.

Looks like a gorgeous day for a bike ride in Jawjuh. :thumb:

I never seem so much homemade items for rest stops. Someone did a n incredible amount of work.

The pictures don't begin to capture the incredible assortment of delicious food. Joyce, "The Rest Stop Queen" puts her heart and soul into running the best rest stops to be found.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5326/7055637901_d199d581a5_n.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055637901/)
Joyce, the rest stop Queen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/7055637901/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

Well done.

If the Strava data extrapolates, you did quite a bit of climbing.

I can climb and I can do distance, but when I combine the two my legs are shot by about 50-60 miles.

Again, nice job.

Well done.

If the Strava data extrapolates, you did quite a bit of climbing.

I can climb and I can do distance, but when I combine the two my legs are shot by about 50-60 miles.

Again, nice job.

Not sure exactly what to make of the elevation number. The RidewithGPS map from the ride site says 2660 total. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/918490 . But this other one posted on Strava yesterday shows 3449. http://app.strava.com/rides/6357411#

Overall it did not seem as hilly as what I usually ride, even if the total elevation gain was similar.. The grades were much gentler than what I see around home.

Excellent ride!

Nice job.

Rest stop fuel looks yummy.

Off to an early start this year, Dawg. Way to go. I love the "Beer from arond here."
:beer: