Joined the Century Club!

[wavedancer]

Thanks to the inspiration and support of all you wonderful TE gals, I am happy to report I did my first century! It is called The Flattest Century in the East, although the organizers acknowledge that it no longer is the flattest. They've used the name for the last 35 years, however, and they are sticking with it. I mapped it out on Routeslip and it appears to have about 2800 feet of climbing. Mostly rolling hills, but I was certainly glad I had switched over to a compact crank from a standard double.

It was a gorgeous day through some beautiful rural and coastal scenery in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I usually ride alone, so it was really fun to be with 1800 other riders...well spaced from each other, no mass start. I passed a few, was passed by many, got to ride on the tails of a few, and met some really nice folks. Best of all was meeting up with some other TE friends to share the excitement of the day as we each headed out on our respective rides.

I obsessed about having enough fuel and fluids to get the job done and should have been towing a trailer to carry the snacks I had in my Camelback! The ride was well-supported and I really didn't have to worry about the food part, although I did eat my fig newtons and had a couple shots of Hammer gel. I carried some Gookinaid powder to mix in with the water at the rest stops, and just kept reminding myself to drink it.

The last 30 miles was more work, but after a shot of Hammer gel I found myself singing Little Richard tunes "I feeeeel good..." to get me up the last few hills and into the 20mph headwind. (drafting behind two tandems helped, too!)

Not feeling bad today, either. I've been wearing my Jenny Ewing T-shirt all day, and feeling blessed to be healthy and strong. :)

Linda

[eclectic]

Welcome to the Club! :D

Let me be the first to offer many many kudos and congratulations!

Nothing can beat the sense of accomplishment! (AND with a nasty headwind making conditions challenging)

[Bikingmomof3]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Geonz]

YOu get bonus points for dealing with the headwind :-) You ROCK !!!

I did a metric Sunday and then made smoothies and got my pic in the paper, but alas, it's not online to broadcast to the masses! (No story, just a long caption.)



... but I didn't do a century... that's awesome ...

[eclectic]

I did a metric



... but I didn't do a century... that's awesome ...


Say what ? ? ? since when is a metric century not a century? ? A hundred is a hundred! you go girl and give yourself Metric Century credit

I found that once I did a metric century the Imperial (or whatever it is called) century was no more difficult. it just took a little longer. You'll be doing one in no time too :D

[Denise223]

Hi Linda!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

It really sounds like you had an awesome time :) -- Well done!


Originally posted by wavedancer: Not feeling bad today, either. I've been wearing my Jenny Ewing T-shirt all day, and feeling blessed to be healthy and strong.

That says it all!

Peace & Love,

Denise

[Bad JuJu]

Woo-hoo, Wavedancer! High-fives! Sounds like you had a great time.

[Surlygirl]

Way to go Linda!
It was great to meet up with you guys at the beginning. DH and I only did 50 miles. He did the Connecticut River Valley Century on Saturday in 5 hours so this was his recovery ride. What a beautiful day it was. We decided to make it a leisurely ride. The rest stops were great though we didn't spend much time at them. Its amazing how good a PB&J tastes after a few hours of riding. The ride down by the beaches was nice but the wind did start to pick up. I wouldn't exactly call it flat, more like gently rolling. What a great ride though and well supported. Glad you had a great ride.
Wavedancer (Linda) Plushride (Renee) Pap103 (Patty)
2nd Pic
Linda, Renee, Patty and Me

[CorsairMac]

and the fans go wildddddddddddd!!! felt great didn't it!!! congrats and job well done!!!


so when if your next one? ;)

[spokewench]

Way to Go. The first is always a great remembrance !

We all knew you could do it!

[drijo]

Hi Girls,
Just a quick "howdy"! I also joined the Century Club on Sunday. The "Flattest" century was not quite flat but it was alot of fun. Once the headwinds came in it made it more difficult but just made me more determined to complete it. My time was good and ready to do it again! (next year) There's a charity ride on the 24th that is a metric century. It'll be a piece of cake,now! Hoped to meet up with everyone on Sunday but I left too early. This is a great forum! Thanks all of you for the support.

Deb

[Popoki_Nui]

Congrats, Linda and Deb!! :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Amazing!!! One day I aspire to ride that far like you incredible women! Yay for YOU!!! :D

[presfoxm]

Congratulations. The TFCE (2002) was my first century also, its a good place to start. The last 25 miles were killer. Way to go!

NBW's spring South Shore Century is very nice (though not supported, but there are plenty of places to stop) and much flatter than TFCE.

Treat yourself nicely this week. Go get a massage!

Emily

[Jo-n-NY]

Sending a huge congratulations your way....I know the wonderful feeling of accomplishment you are feeling. Welcome to the century club :)

~ JoAnn

[Lise]

Congratulations! Never has a pb&j or a shot of gu tasted so delicious, right?!?

[mary9761]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a361/mary9761/My%20Smilies/gogirl.gif
CONGRATS to the new CENTURIANS!!!! Beware... they are ADDICTIVE! I just got #7 over the weekend with 118 miles. I'll post more in another thread:D

[Triskeliongirl]

BIG CONGRATS! I guess all those treks down to woods hole paid off!

[Crankin]

Good job guys... I knew you could do it, Linda. Well, I get my chance in ten days...

Robyn

[wavedancer]

Thanks for all the hugs and handshakes everyone! Good luck to all who are also doing centuries this fall...And to everyone who is pushing herself to go a little farther! Every extra mile or extra push up the hill makes us stronger. I love reading everyone's stories of their struggles and accomplihments.

Linda