Early/Mid 90's, I had been road riding 3-4 years, had joined a local club (Long island Bicycle Club - a fine group) that would go out of Westbury, LI (NY) at 10AM. I was a USCF Cat 5 at this point and had started racing, was friends with a couple of the guys at my level in the club, as well as a bunch of Triathletes I would swim and ride with. This particular late spring morning I had met the Tri folks for an 8AM weekend 35 miler on the north shore/gold coast area of Nassau County, NY and was about back at the cars when I saw the bike club just heading out. I did a quick goodbye to the Tri folks, and headed out for a 50 with the roadies.

At some point near the end of the "Roadie" ride, my buddie Ray also a Cat 5, now aware that I was shortly to have 85 miles, suggested we keep going and stretch it to a century. "It's not really that much further" was the line he used. I was pretty fit at this stage in my cycling career and in my mid-30's, so agreed. Ray proceeded to pull me around the somewhat hilly Gold Coast for another 15 and I ended up with just slightly over 100 on a totally un-planned century, done with little fuel and few stops.

I did 4 other centuries that year, have done 12 total, including 2 as solo's as training for other multi-day rides. It's addicting.

Sadly, Ray Wiezak, my buddy and riding companion, died a few years later of sudden heart failure, in his sleep at a young age. He was a great cyclist and good person and will always be remembered.

Steve B.