Bike Forums - My First Century!

After accomplishing a 60 mile ride, followed by a 70 mile ride, recently, I decided it was time to attempt a century. Early yesterday morning, I made sure I had all the bases covered; snacks for each hour consisting of Fig newtons, peanut butter crackers, cereal bars, a Polar water bottle with water, and another bottle with Fulfill sports drink, and also some Advils for aches and pains. I also had a lunch stop figured in, at about the halfway point, where I could have a decent lunch, and also refill my water bottles. The one thing I didn't figure in was the heat! Up until yesterday I had rode with very mild temps and low humidity. Yesterday's midday temps were around 90 degress and that along with the humidity really took a toll on me! That's probably not a big deal, to most of you guys, but I'm an MS patient, (diagnosed in 2000), and heat is one of an MS patients worst enemies. I was OK until about the 60 mile mark, and then I slowly started to overheat. I was drinking plenty of fluids, and eating every hour, but I could feel my body slowly submiting to fatigue. Chronic fatigue is something that all MS patients suffer from, and I have to take Provigil, once a day, to help fight it. By midday I believe the Provigil had worn off and that, along with the heat, was taking it's toll on my body. By mile 70, I had to take breaks alot more frequently than I'm used to. By mile 85, my body felt like it had been pushed to the limit, and I admit I came close to throwing in the towel, and calling someone to come pick me up! The one thing that wouldn't let me give up was thinking of the many MS sufferers that are immobile, and would love to be able to ride a bike, if only for a short distance. Three years ago, before my condition began to improve, I was one of them. That one thing is what kept me pushing forward. I felt like I was carrying them with me, and I couldn't let them down. By mile 90 fatigue had taken over, and I was starting to get clumsy, and slightly disoriented (red flag), but I could see the light, at the end of the tunnel. Mile 99, my street is in sight, but I then realize that I'm going to come up a half mile short, of a century! I turned the bike around and headed back down the street to finish out the half mile. After allowing myself enough distance, to finish, I proceeded to very slowly and sharply turn the bike around. My exhausted and fatigued body got off balance, and before I could unclip........... You guessed it! Down I went! Can you believe it? Less than a half mile from completing my century, and I hit the pavement! I skinned my knee and elbow, and bruised my hand. The only damage to the bike was the bar tape was scuffed up, pretty badly. Now I have a excuse to replace the soiled tape. :) As I sat here, this morning, typing this post with my bruised, skinned and tired body, I have a smile on my face, from accomplishing what I sat out to do :) I learned from yesterday's ride that I'll need to save my longer rides for more favorable weather conditons. Even though I'll probably never be able to ride with a group, for fear of getting dropped, and I'll always have to ride with limitations, I'm just happy that I can ride. I'm a very happy man! :) :)
Oh yeah! I almost forgot! My average speed was 15.1mph with a time of 6:38. I won't reveal my overall time, due to embarrasment :D
Cheers, Mike