wannaride

Sunday was the Snowbird Century down here in Miami. A well attended and well run event. The start and first five miles was a bit hairy with all the bikes and a lot of passing going on but it was pretty exhiliarating. This was only the second outing for the bike which did great. I made it the metric version (64.4 miles) in 3:16. That put me solidly mid pack which was far better than this newbie dared hoped for particularly with the headwind that blew hard out of the east mostly. I was really burned out afterward and it has taken a good 24 hours to reasonably recover.

The trick to a Century is teamwork and drafting. No way could I have made that time on my own. I hooked up with a couple of different groups until I found one that was moving at a pace that was a a bit of a pull but still marginally comfortable. I introduced myself and did my share of the pulling although it seemed that only one of the group did any really pulling. Thanks John, Chris, and Bruce.

After seeing more zoot bikes than I could have remotely imagined I am no longer Poseur Supreme. They were all there in force: Colagno (especially), Cervelo, Pinarello, Serrota, Look, Kuota, Orbea, Seven, - the only one I didn't see was a De Rosa. I saw one Scott, many Treks, more copies of my bike than I would have cared to see - especially when they were passing me - all a great visual treat.

If you have a chance to do a Century don't pass it up. I'm already signed up for my second. Just remember what my new buddy John told me: There is no substitute for long distance practice when doing long distance events. I've got to work on mileage now.

Beachguy

Hi So. Fla

Hey, if you liked the Snowbird Century come north to Boca Raton for the Frank Stark Memorial Ride in July. Check the ride out on BocaRatonBicycleClub.com and meet some 750+ riders from all over.

Beachguy

Hipcycler

Beachguy...I want to be you. I'm a beach guy stuck in the north. If I had a job I could go to there my wife and I would move in a second. Heading down to Sanibel for the annual vacation first week of May. Nothing like riding the island on an old single-speed.

wannaride

I'll be there. I think the Camelback will get fully utilized in the July heat.

Machka 

Congratulations on the Metric Century.

The trick to a Century is teamwork and drafting.

Actually, the trick to a Century is practice and fuel.

fsor

Congratulations on the century. How did the name snowbird come about, or is it REALLY cold in Miami this time of year?

Machka 

Because "snowbird" is what they call the people who live in the north (northern States or Canada) who go to Florida for the winter.

wannaride

Now, assuming the metric counts, I only have to do 76 more to catch up with you.

Since I've only been semi-seriously riding since the end of December it realy was more about drafting and team work - along with keeping hydrated and fueled - that got me through it. I did the same race about 25 years ago and I think I did better now than I did then. It really seemed liked there were alot of people semi-seriously racing. A couple of groups even had a pace car.

Next "century": South Florida Ride for Education Metric Century March 11.

Machka 

Hate to burst your bubble, but I'm talking about 77 REAL centuries (100 miles) including some much longer rides (brevets) . . . I haven't counted metrics, but I'm probably well over a hundred of them. But a metric is a good start!


Keep up the mileage and train yourself to eat well while you are cycling, and you'll be able to do a solo 100 mile ride.