simplyred

So after reading Vino's ride report I was inspired to punch out a base 2 ride.
I've done centuries - but only in groups, getting armchaired out of the city and then I ride it out back home. This is my first solo century and interestingly, not that I planned it - it was 60.40 mi.

I'm stoked - it's overcast but a SW wind and I'm headed north, hopefully I'll get an easy ride on the out - and use my legs on the back. 150 150 150 150 150 - I keep telling myself, that's the HR I want to be at. On my warmup out of the city - my HR's already touching 160 - ouch. This is not a good start.

I go through my usual 10mi jaunt - I have to go through the wall - it's a steep short valley, a b!itch to have at the end of any ride - I know this will haunt me on my way back. I decide to push it north. I'm hoping for that supposed tailwind to kick in...

In 40 mins my heart has settled down to high 140's - better... wait - WTF? Hills in the distance - TONS of them. So much for 150. And looking at some of these hills reminded me I forgot my carabiners
Out of the saddle - mash mash mash/fly down the other side. I'm thinking - why am I doing this because I'll have to see them on the way back.

I finally hit a flat plain - the music is bumping - the tailwind allows for big ringing @ 100 rpm - OH MY GOD! Cycling nirvana right here. The sun breaks - everything is just right. Please don't stop. I just want this moment to last...

Unfortunately, it does - with some more hills - WTF? I thought Toronto was a pancake - I guess not. Granted, I'm no longer IN Toronto. It's getting windy and cold - descending and ascending have really become the bulk of this ride.

2 hrs out - I decide to turn it around - but I realize on the way back... THE WIND! It's in my face - I'm dying, swearing as I'm crawling up the hills for a second time - I'm running out of food - and I know the wall is approaching. I stop at the local gas station for a recharge - and proceed to blow myself up on the wall

Pictures are much easier - next time I'll bring a camera for dem hills. My bike which was spotless - turned to this in 4 hrs... I think I need fenders

huytheskigod

Mmmm...Yummy. Those tailwinds sure are lovely. I generally try to plan a ride to get them on the way back in though. Any ride is better than no ride right?

Vinokurtov

Simplyred, my ride reports are cautionary tales, not something to be emulated

Nice job though. I rode yesterday and we wrapped up a 40 miler right as it began to snow. Given the half dozen accidents I saw driving home, I was kinda glad I didn't make a big day of it. 4-6" inches of snow on the road and frantic Xmas shoppers. Yikes! Bad enough when it's dry, we got buzzed close a couple of times by people who were obviously full of the Holiday spirit (one guy had and entire extra lane on an empty road).

BTW I ended up getting a "slop" bike for ugly days. Disc brakes and full fenders. 29 pounds. Climbs like a goat, if you shot the goat them threw him in a 55 gallon drum of cement.

jrennie

I was wondering if you were going to ride today Vino. I rode the mtn. bike up to Wedge parkway but alas no one to be seen. Going up hill and riding around in the snow wasn't to bad but the down hill gets a little rough.

Vinokurtov

I ended up taking the Chessie and skinny skis out for an hour and change, then enjoying disc one of the Vuelta DVD set that showed up in the mail yesterday while I rode the trainer. I'll be back out later in the week if the roads clear enough for the cars to have a little traction.

RatherBeBiking

Thanks for the story and pics - I managed to get in a 43 miler yesterday... managed to hit a nice 40.3mph, which ain't bad for only 10 miles out of NYC.

voltman

Solo century?

Sprocket_Jockey

Metric. They're Canadian.

Pico

But, yet the cycle computer is set to use miles. Why can't we all just use metric and be done with it?

NJWheelBuilder

Um, isn't a metric century 62 miles?

Kuma

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor??!!"

Forget it. He's rolling.

Hipcycler

.....and it ain't over now!

Nice mud bath too.
How long did it take you to clean that baby?

El Diablo Rojo

You can say that again brotha!!!!

fore0121

Sounds like you got out to my area.

It was a great weekend to ride. Nice report. What road did you take North.

f