Last week-end I did my 1st metric century of the year (with the implication that I'll do more?). It was a 1st time local charity ride that I felt somewhat obligated to support. Additionally, a friend wanted some company along the early section. What can you do?

The routes were quite nice, reasonably well marked and had about 3500-4000ft of climbing which is pretty typical around here. The weather was cool at the start but was hitting 90 with a fair amount of humidity by the middle section. I was well hydrated and had enough food that calories weren't an issue. After a parting of the way with my friend, who opted for a shorter route I continued on my own. Being a reasonably experienced rider, I kept a comfortable pace until... At the rest stop where I got to chatting with a younger fit rider with whom I started riding. Oops! He was about 1-2mph faster than I knew I should be going. He was a nice guy and kept waiting for me at the tops of the hills despite my suggestion that he not let me hold him up. By the time we were about 15 miles from home, I was pretty well toasted. At the last rest stop I finally gave up the ghost and he rode off with another faster rider. That last 15 miles was all about trying to keep the leg cramps down to a dull roar.

Now intellectually I know better than to ride outside of my comfort zone, at least on a longer more strenuous distance. In my defense, the company was welcome, the conversation good, and my ego was working a bit as well. Just because I'm 65 doesn't mean I can't ride as I did 10-15 years ago, right? Literally, three blocks from home I had to stop, get off of the bike and spend 5 minutes stretching. I think that I would have had a problem walking those blocks at that point. A painful statement in the case for pace!