I had a rough night (just couldn't sleep) and I ended up getting started much later than I had planned. I hate getting late starts on long days! Oh well, I rolled across the starting mat at a little before 7:30- by now convinced that I would not be attempting anything longer than the 100K. I just wasn't feeling that good with so little sleep under my belt. With that in mind I decided I would challenge myself against my time from last year on the 100K to see how far I've come in a year of cycling.
Riding solo gives you a chance to meet other people, and I hooked up with various groups of riders throughout the day and enjoyed chatting with all of them, as well as trading pulls. I met one group who drove 7 hours from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to ride today- did anyone come from further away?
It started raining about 10 miles before the 2nd rest-stop and though I was dreading riding in the rain (brooks saddle, steel frame!) I found that I really didn't mind it. I did hold back on a lot of the descents. I passed the guy who slid out on High Point Road not long after it happened, I think. There was a group with him already and the ambulance was on it's way so there wasn't much I could do but keep pushing on to Tower Hill.
Man- I loved the rest stops on this ride!
The wind really picked up in the last 20 miles- that was uncool. My legs felt pretty burned when I hit the last series of climbs in the last 6 miles or so. I guess that's why I ride a triple!
I finished my ride around 12:30 in bright sunshine. The air felt like a sauna with the water evaporating off of the blacktop and I was happy I didn't attempt anything longer than I did. I certainly would have run into problems today. I don't have any of my ride data as my computer kept shorting out from the rain (at one point I had traveled -648 miles, yikes!). I'll have to wait for the chip-timing data to be posted- but I feel like I did well despite having an "off day" physically.
I'll go 200K another day, perhaps. Congrats to all you who completed any distance- and thanks to the volunteers! (Next up- Wright Stuff Century- 9/2/07) -JB