After last weekend's debacle of cutting a mountain century short and being "brutalized", I managed to finish the Hilly Hellacious Hundred in the mountains of NC today. It was not one of my best times but I could feel the legs coming back and the climbing is getting better. I think I finished in around 6 hrs 20 mins which for all the climbing this ride had was about average for me.

I was very strong the first 65+ miles (pulling groups up hills and the like) but then cramps started setting in big time so I backed off and "soft pedaled" most of the last 35 miles. I stopped at a rest stop at 65 miles and as I was stopping my left hamstring cramped up and I almost didn't get stopped!! It took a little while to figure out how to even get off my darn bike!!!

Hydrating well before and during a rode sure makes a difference, doesn't it? I drank more fluids late this week to the point I was hitting the toilet about every hour. I've just got to get better at watching my clock and drinking every 15 mins while riding. It was cool to start with today and I just didn't drink enough the first 3 hours and paid for it later.......

You would think that after 5 years of riding I'd know better, wouldn't you??

This cycling stuff is so fickle. Last week I was so discouraged and frustrated. The first 65+ miles today I was having a blast and enjoying the heck out of it. No need to worry about what lies ahead......probably just more "fickle"!!