my first century

[beccaB]

I did it, my husband and I both! I rode 102 miles on my bike in a whole day of rain, the afternoon part being a torrential downpour caused by side effects of IKE.
I won't mention the name of the ride just yet because I have some issues with the lack of support, and would like to contact the directors before I mention the name of the event.
There were 2 snack and potty stations, but one was 6 miles from the other, and then lunch at mile 46. The last 56 miles were basically unsupported. A van came out to check on us around 70, and then again around 95, and there had been only one porta potty in the last 56 miles. I will say that the terrible weather made most participants stay home. But the thing that really gets me is there was nobody at the start/stop place at the end. The bathrooms and showers inside were locked down tight, and we had to change clothes in our car. Fun thing to do in the middle of a city. There were probably only 25 riders in attendance, and many of them probably did the shorter distances. I was a little, more like a lot, miffed that the organizers closed up shop with riders still out on the road. I know we signed a waiver and all, but that was irresponsible!
I will do another one, but not that particular event.

[Blueberry]

That sucks:( That's a rough first century. And it's absolutely NOT OK for the organizers to do that. Either decide the weather is too bad and call off the longer rides, or support them as you were supposed to. You basically did an unsupported century. I'd have been out of water, etc. Plus to have everything locked up at the end....GRRRRRR.....the longer I think about it, the madder I get...

Good for you for sticking it out, though! Congratulations!!! After that, I would think a properly supported century would seem like a breeze:)

[andtckrtoo]

Congrats on your first century! But, MAN! I'd be a bit more than miffed, too! I'm sure you paid a fee to particpate and were expecting to get something out of that fee. I am sorry you went through that, but wow, to have ridden a century in those conditions? I'm impressed!!!

[Grits]

Yeah, I would have some issues with lack of support, too! What on earth? Good for you for making it those last 50+ miles with no rest stops. I don't think I could have done it having just completed a 76 mile ride with 5 rest stops plus great support at the end. I was living for those rest stops! Let us know what the organizers say. I'd be interested in that.

[wildhawk]

What a rough way to do a century!! But so proud of you for your accomplishment under such adverse conditions! Your next century should be much more comfortable - hope you can give them #$%^% and next time they will know how to properly manage an event!!

[spindizzy]

Kudos to you and your DH for finishing that terribly unsupported ride. And if there is one thing you need at the end is a place to get into dry clothes. The organizers have done a terrible disservice to the cause. I just did a metric century, in the rain. Lots of ride support and rest stops every 25-30k.

[kacie tri-ing]

Good for you!

I have only done one with my DH too...but we did one on our own. I was nervous about something like that happening, so we planned our own route where we knew there would be stores, etc. along the way.

I hope that you enjoyed it anyway. I was so proud of my legs...and back...and mind for making it through!

Great job!:D

[RoadRaven]

Doesn't sound like a well-organised event but you did it regardless. You got out there and finished. Well done you.
And in a true 'baptism' into century rides... water from the heavens...
Like others have already said - if you can ride your first century in those conditions, impressive - and future centuries will be more pleasant.

[beccaB]

We did the "One Helluva Ride" metric century back in July, and it was very well supported. I guess I expected all of them to be like that. On another note, aside from the uncomfortable pelting rain and wind, does anyone feel like cool wet air is performance enhancing? I used to like to run in the rain for that reason. Almost like the air has more oxygen in it?

[sundial]

Wow, what a first century! :eek: :eek: You must be very of your accomplishment. That certainly wasn't for the faint of heart. :p Any century hereafter will be a walk in the park compared to this one. ;)

[gabriellesca]

CONGRATS!!! I just did my first Century a month ago and loved the experience. But I would have never been able to finish under those conditions!

GOOD FOR YOU!

[Kvixen23]

Way to go on your first century!!! Especially under the circumstances. I just did my first century on 9/6.....It was awesome and very well supported. I hope you find another one to do. At least you know you can finish with little to no support!!!

[Jiffer]

Congrats on finishing your first century!!! :D You get tons of extra points for doing a basically unsupported century ... and in the rain, no less!

Good for you!!! :)

[beccaB]

I kinda wonder if the constant rain made me so mad that the anger fueled my adrenaline. I still can't believe I did that. I actually didn't feel overworked at the end. we went on a short 20 miles last night, and I had some sore spots. But it was nice to ride in the sunshine!

[Smilie]

Wow, great job! That is a truly horrid experience, I know I wouldn't have made it-I need my water!