1st Century Report ... Amtrak

[Jiffer]

So, today I did my first century on my own bike. WOO HOO!!! I did the same century a year ago on the tandem, but certainly a bigger challenge on the single. I posted yesterday about how I was sick with a head cold, plus PMS-ing and worried I was going to start my period during the ride. Well, I didn't, so yay. And I'm pretty sure the head cold didn't really affect me, but something did. PMS or the past few days completely off the bike or something. All I know is, the first 10 miles or so were kind of hard and when I went up hills, my tummy felt sick. Luckily all that passed, though, and once I was warmed up I did pretty darn good! However, I did seem to have more issues than usual on hills in particular and kind of over all. I was glad it wasn't just me that was thinking this. On the way home my husband and friend both said I seemed a little "off" today.

All in all, I'm very proud of myself, though. My goal was to "finish" a century and I did that and did it pretty well. Could have done it better, but that will make the next one more exciting when I do IT better. I ended up with a 16.3 average pace, being pulled most of the time by my ever so strong and manly husband. He was so sweet and supportive. :p He only did it today because my other friend, who was going to do it, had that bike accident last week, blacked out and went to the hospital. As you may recall, she was gung ho about dong the century anyways, but her Doc said no riding for 2 weeks. A wise thing, I'm sure.

So, yay! I did a century!!!

[jobob]

Congrats Jiffer! :cool:

[ridenread]

Congratulations on your first century!!! You must feel great that you finished and mastered a big goal

[Southside Sally]

Congratulations! You should be very proud!

[makbike]

Congratulations. Sounds like you have been bitten by the "century bug."

[Jiffer]

Thanks guys! I forgot to post pictures! I was going to post two, but it doesn't seem to be loading the 2nd one. This is me ZOOMING around at the end of the century! I SO wanted to get off that bike, but you cant tell by my happy face. :D

[wackyjacky1]

100% AWESOME! Mucho congratulations.

[malkin]

Yay!
You look happy and strong!

[Aquila]

Congrats!

You look like you're just getting started! Fresh and smiling :)

[spindizzy]

Way to go! Looks like gorgeous weather!

[Kvixen23]

Way to go!! I just did my first century ever on the 6th!!! It's an awesome feeling to complete the challenge!!! Congratulations and keep on biking!!!

[Jiffer]

Thanks, everyone. The happiness in the photo is definitely the happiness of being DONE!!! Having accomplished the goal. Woo hoo!

Yes, the weather was pretty nice. It was actually overcast for more than half the ride, and a bit humid, but over all nice cycling weather. When the sun came out we started to feel the warmth, then during the last ten miles, we actually faced some pretty strong head winds around Mission Bay, which we did NOT like. :mad: My husband had my friend's husband come up to the front next to him to form a better draft for us girlies. :)

[Fujichants]

Good job Jiffer! I was at the finish line (or finish location more like it) to pick up BF and it was HOT! He told me there was a tough hill over at Torrey Pines...I am happy I didn't have to ride that!

You (and your bike) look great in that picture!

[smilingcat]

The infamous Torrey Pine Grade. Did they go through the park or stay on the road??

Strange my friend didn't say a peep about working the Amtrack Century. It is a beautiful ride.

And congratulation on your first century. A very pleasant century ride.

BTW, weren't you wearing a glove??

smilingcat

[sundial]

Wow, you did a GREAT job on that century. Your pace is certainly nothing to sneeze at. :eek: Congratulations on an excellent ride! :D

[Jiffer]

Yes, Torrey Pines was a big challenge, but I've done it twice on the tandem, so I was familiar with it. Yet, I was definitely nervous about conquering it on my own bike without my crazy hill loving husband to help get me up. I made a point to take a break just before the last down hill before Torrey Pines. I stretched really good and finally said to Dh, "Okay, I procrastinated as long as I can. Let's go do it." ;) So, the hill came (all on the road, smilingcat) and I have to say, it wasn't nearly as horrible as I was anticipating. Yay! I was one of the slowest ones and it was certainly no small deal, but I have done a lot of hill work this year, some of which was more difficult than Torrey Pines. And, having done Torrey before and remembering how it seemed like forever to finally get to the top ... this time I was actually thrilled when I was at the top a bit sooner than I expected!

Fujichant, it's funny how I didn't really notice the heat at the end. I was just in the "get 'er done" zone. It's hotter standing still, than moving "swiftly" on the bike, as I was doing! Hee hee! Definitely noticed the heat whenever we stopped at a signal, but not so much in between. I've got some nice biker tan lines now, though, which I'm not so happy about. :( My husband has "cycling helmet" sun burn on his bald head! I can't believe he's never gotten it before, but this is the first. He's done lots of centuries, but has probably never been out on his bike as long as this because he finishes so much faster without pulling ME along!