Hwy 40 Blue

Well, I made it. I did the Santa Fe Century, finished, didn't quit, didn't wreck, had a pretty good time. I had never ridden anywhere near that far before, so it was a bit of an accomplishment for me. Two miles in, we've barely started, and this distinguished older fellow rides by and says, "Are you (my name here)?" I thought, wow, and said yes, and he'd read my posts on this very forum and recognized me and my bike! We rode together for a few minutes, and it really boosted my morale. Hey, Anapolis, hope you made it, too!

I was such a newbie I pinned my ride number to the front of my jersey not knowing that every single person pins it to the back. I also carried enough food to feed an army, aware of the "food stops" but afraid they wouldn't have enough or anything I would eat. Wrong on both counts. I still ate a bunch of my own food. Mostly to lighten my load!

I met many friendly people, including Lee from Santa Fe, a lady of graying hair and billowing pink shirt and long years of wisdom, who kept "leapfrogging" me and we'd talk and ride awhile each time. She was a Santa Fe Century veteran and helped me through the tough spots.

Speaking of tough spots, I rode up Heartbreak Hill, didn't walk it, for you SF riders. I refused to get off the bike. So there.

Mile 60: Breezin'. Mile 70: Both my knees started to hurt. Mile 80: Everything below the waist is hurting, my calves, knees, butt, hamstrings. Mile 100: Who cares, I made it. Fell into my husband's arms and cried.

Two Advil, a shower, a hot tub, a great Santa Fe meal and one beer, fell asleep by 9:30.

Why my last century? It could be my still-tweaking hams and calves, but I know in my heart I have more fun riding for 1-2 hours. This is a treasured memory. I'll always have...Santa Fe!

Red Baron

And a BIG Congratulations are due !!!!!!! Way to GO!!!!!!

A very pround moment!!!!!!!

Jaguar27

That's fantastic, congratulations!! It won't be your last Century, when the next opportunity comes along you'll forget all about your aches and pains believe me!!

Tip: Take a couple of Advil BEFORE you ride next time....

Digital Gee

Woohoo!!!! You're inspiring!

DnvrFox

Wow!

Trsnrtr

I agree. They get easier with experience. Now get back out there!!!

DnvrFox

This thread has been memorialized in the Rogue's Gallery

roccobike

You're an inspiration to those of us who have not yet made a century, congratulations.

Louis

I agree with Big Paulie, you'll be back doing another one sooner than you think.

Congratulations

cruzMOKS

cheers

Old Hammer Boy

My wife said the same thing after her first century. We just did one on Saturday and she'll do another one in two weeks, can't remember how many in between...

Hwy 40 Blue

I'll let you know, but you guys gotta be kidding....

GrannyGear

+1 Yeah, right. We'll see. You paid your dues, now you get to ride for free. Never say never. It would be fun to be the wise experienced rider helping out some newbie wouldn't it. And one reason for long hours in the saddle is because it feels so good when you get off...not to mention that warm shower after.

Digital Gee

Someone said (P8Rider?) that once you ride a century, you have to ride another, just to be sure the first one wasn't a fluke. You don't want to go on forever wondering, do you?

(Like I have anything to say on this subject, having never ridden a century!)

nmichell

Great Job Blue!! I looked for a blue Bike Friday, but never saw one. Congratulations on finishing the ride, and also on making it up Hearbreak Hill.

Nick

Polonswim

1-2 hours starts to get easier. 2 becomes 3 and 3 becomes a leasurely 4. 12 months later, the 40 miles you did seem like a warm-up and a century becomes fun.

Big Paulie is right "Get back to us in a few days about that "my last century" crap." And if not in a few days, then in a few months of riding 1-2 hours a ride.

It's in our blood.

stapfam

Not only is Big Paulie right, So is everyone else. You have just done a century, and with that amount of pain it is a real achievement. Last Saturday I did a long ride and at 7pm there was no way I was attempting it again. Sunday morning and we were discussing doing it again in the Summer when the weather will be a bit kinder.

TaosWoman

Way to go! I'm sure you'll change your mind about this being the last one.

rule

Welcome to the club! I'm guessing that you haven't done your last one either. Nice going either way!

jppe

Great job Blue!! I knew you could do it!! You pointed out some great things about cycling....meeting folks along the way, meeting the challenges and certainly the beer afterwards!!

Seriously, congratulations on completing an extremely challenging event. I really enjoyed your comments on getting up Heartbreak Hill and succumbing to the desire to walk!! That shows a heck of a lot of fortitude!!!

p8rider

Congrats on a great accomplishment. You made it sound like a fun ride, meeting people etc. Despite what you stated, here's to a few more!!

old99

Yes, congrats indeed! Ditto to what everyone else has so eloquently stated!

JiO

nmichell

Yeah, I had trouble with that, too! I couldn't decide which side to put it on -- I finally put it on the back since I thought it would bother me on the front, and I hoped I wouldn't see everyone wearing it on the front

That was steep. Does it count if I stopped but didn't get off my bike?

While my wife was thrilled that I made it back in one piece, she wouldn't give me a hug until AFTER I took a shower

An aspirin, a shower, dinner at the Georgia O'Keefe cafe, a glass of wine, and asleep by 8:30

jisaak

Congrats on your first century! I was in the same frame of mind when I finished my first century last fall - in a few weeks I will ride it again and can't wait to do so.
Yes the butt gets sore and the legs want to quit but the feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line makes it all worth while. You'll be back!

Blackberry

OK. Somebody maybe oughta say: If you don't want to ride another century, then that's cool. I went 20 years between century rides, and life was just fine. Just throwing in an alternative viewpoint.