Fox Farm

This is a very heart warming recount of your first century ride. I had a similar experience on my first century in 1992 when I chose to ride the Assault on Mount Mitchell in North Carolina. It has about 11,000 feet of gain and in the final 30-miles, it just goes straight up the mountain. As I rolled across the finish line with my legs cramping, I burst into tears. This surprised me because I was not anticipating this to happen - it just did. Of course, choosing this ride as my first century might not have been the wisest decision but nevertheless it was a great one as I was motivated to ride it many times again, improving my overall time significantly.

dralways

Congrats! What was your time, OP? Just wondering..

dan911

Bravo !

rpenmanparker 

OP, I surely know whereof you speak. A good part of my love of cycling comes from the fact that there is no team to play on and no team to play against either. Even in golf and tennis one feels compelled to provide a decent game for one's opponent. If you can't find a ridng buddy you are well matched with, no biggie. Just ride by yourself. The exercise is the same, and for many so is the fun. Then when you least expect it, you may find that you really are pretty good at this cycling thing. Back BHA (before my heart attack in '97) I routinely averaged 20 mph on the bike for up to 50 miles solo, no pack riding and no paceline. I never gave it much thought at the time, but now when I read what other folks are doing, I think, "Wow, that was pretty good!" Let me assure you I never had a thought like that about baseball, basketball, football, etc. Even now I'm happy with 15-16 mph for 30 miles. I don't have to satisfy anyone else. Cycling rules.

modelmartin

I know waht you are talking about. I got a little emotional after my first 40 mile ride, then a 60 mile ride. The next year I rode RAGBRAI and did 420 in a week. I have now done many centuries and some 200K. Two weeks ago I did 300K. Keep it up and congrats!

FLvector

Congrats on your first century! Hope you get to enjoy many more. The great thing about cycling is - it is what you want it to be. Whether you're into racing, fast rides, or go at a more casual pace to enjoy the scenery. It's all good.

elephino

Congratulations!

It's inspiring to think of you busting up the hills like they were made for ants.

RIRview

I remember the couple in the matching New Zealand kits quite well!

RIRview

We rolled out at 0730, and crossed the finish line around 1530 (that's 7:30 am and 3:30 pm for you civilian types). Of course, that includes time spent at the rest and lunch stops.

RIRview

I didn't mean to brag, but I've found that in climbing, you have to go at your own pace to hit that magic 90-100 cadence. Trying to go too slow to stay with your group just means mashing the pedals and burning yourself out. I started at the bottom of the climb and quickly dispatched my group, and after that continuously passed up other riders. (I can recall only one guy passing ME up). As I was overtaking people, it really did remind me of watching le Tour a few weeks ago and seeing the climbers dropping the sprinters and domestiques...it was very satisfying for me.

motorthings

nice work! i'd suggest sticking with the centuries for a while (rather than doing something "crazy" like a double), and just work on getting your speed up. this is assuming you want to keep improving, of course. some people are cut out for much longer periods of suffering, and I admire them, but don't want to do more than a century myself. i just want to keep lowering the time it takes to go that 100.

caloso

Well done.

Reynolds 

Congrats, that's a great achievement! I can relate, sucked at ball sports as a kid, then discovered cycling is my sport.

linnefaulk

Congrats on your century and finding a sport that everyone can excel at.

Lanterne Rogue

This is terrific. Congrats. The only thing better than surprising other people is surprising yourself.

Jseis 

Way to go and congratulations! I felt that same way (bug flew in my eye I think) when I finished the STP 3 years ago. I was 56 then and had a history a few years ago of scary (not life threatening though) arrhythmia. The wife, step daughter, sister in law, sister, met me at the Portland finish (and I think more bugs flew in my eyes). One of the most satisfying days of my life.

snidely

Congrats! There's a lot of pride to be had in pushing past what we think are our limits! Thanks for sharing your story!

goenrdoug

Nice Work! You should send your post to the Cool Breeze folks!

I am so disappointed in myself for not knowing the Cool Breeze was happening. I woke up and rode the local club ride here in Thousand Oaks, completely unaware. I only figured it out, later, while reviewing Strava and seeing what all the folks who were notably absent from the club ride had been doing instead.

bbattle

Congratulations!!

Awesome Job!!

Now go ride some more!!

and post pictures!

kbarch

Good deal!

As another kid-who-was-picked-last, I can sort of relate. I've also found myself to be a capable (but not particularly smart) climber. I did my first century the other day and was fairly exhausted by it, but not surprised, because I'd done lengthy rides before without beginning to sense that I was approaching my limit. However, I probably will have a few tears in my eyes the first time I finish a race with the field....

rms13

Awesome!

knobster

Great job. Nice inspirational story. Was it an organized ride or just one you did on your own? My first was an organized ride and by the time I got done, there was nobody there... Was kinda a let down.

Bassmanbob

I've only been riding 3 months, and I found this story very inspirational. Thank you so much.

When I first started, I could barely go 2 miles at 12 mph. I'm up to 17 now at about 15mph. I look forward to posting about my first century some day. When I do, I'll remember your post!

ILUVUK

Congrats!

lazyeye

Congrats Sir, from another awkward nerdy guy that always got picked last!