While it takes something out of you, at that time, it helps you become stronger, both physically and mentally. I remember the way Monica looked, in 1981, when she finished her first century. She had hung back with a friend that was contemplating bailing out at 90 miles, Monica talked her through the feeling and they crossed the finish line together, smiling and crying, at the same time. This was when I realized how much a Century meant to a cyclist, mine have all been solo, or with a few friends, so it wasn't any kind of final experience, just the end of a days riding for us. She had the accomplishment of a difficult event to carry her through and to build on.

I have always worked support, and lay out, for the club organized centuries, back in the "old days". I was active in our club as the road captain and a board member so I felt that I needed to be a worker drone bee, and let the others enjoy the day. That is going to be cured here shortly, probably within the next 8 months, depending on the event calendar. I am simply a club member these days, and I want to enjoy some things while I am still able to do so.

Bill