The (soggy) Strawbery Century
Saturday, June 9th, Darcy, Suzie and I did the 72 mile option of the Strawberry Century in Lebanon, OR.
Also accompanying us was my DH, but he did the actual century, and my step BIL, Steve, who, at the last minute, wanted to ride with us even though he's only had his bike for a month and ridden a total of 50 miles. :eek:
We met at the Lebanon High School and started off at around 7am. Here I am with my morning hair...
http://www.footeco.com/ellen/Strawbe...rawberry01.jpg
And this is my DH strutting his Hill Slug Jersey proudly. I got this for him on his birthday...mine is still in the closet waiting for me to shed a few more pounds...
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The weather was cool and cloudy and we were hoping it would stay that way. I had been watching the weather the previous week and was confident about the 30% chance of rain that had been forecast for the ride.
So, off we go! The route is clearly marked and very scenic. After stopping to help Steve raise his seat, my allergies start to act up. I never knew you could stay upright on a bike after sneezing about 20 times in a row. My eyes started to water so much that I could only see straight ahead, and I would have felt quite good scratching them out of the sockets! Steve jokes that my allergies didn't start to act up until he started riding ahead of me...hehe.
Here is Darcy at the first water stop...
http://www.footeco.com/ellen/Strawbe...rawberry06.jpg
The SAG on this ride was excellent! Very friendly volunteers and a great spread of food. And we discovered Suzie's secret weapon...Cheese Whiz!! I swear, with a can of that in her jersey pocket she can conquer anything!
At about mile 35 there was a steep monster hill that Darcy and I walked up. "Cheese Whiz" Suzie shot right up it and we caught up to her a few miles later as she was assisting Steve with a flat...
http://www.footeco.com/ellen/Strawbe...rawberry05.jpg
Did I mention Steve is a newby? Anyway, I think he was a bit embarassed to have Suzie change his tire for him while other guys (and gals) rode by...
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Two nice gentlemen stopped to help Suzie get the tire on the rim. Then Steve did the hard work...pumping the tire up!
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All went well...until about mile 45. That's when it started sprinkling. No biggie, I told Steve. At least it's not raining hard.
As soon as those words came out of my mouth, the downpour started. Thank goodness we had gotten all the major hills out of the way. We had some nice flats where we could really book, because all we were thinking about was the finish!
I have never been so wet in my entire life! At one point, you just don't care anymore, ya know? Oh, my nose is running? I'll just blow it in my hand. Not like I'm going to get any more wet or gross. I had grand plans of taking a picture of all of us looking like drowned rats, but the only thing I could think of as I got back to the school was getting out of my soggy, sopping, sloshy shoes and clothes and into something dry. I'm so glad I thought to bring towels just in case. Ooooh, that towel? Heaven!! And my dry clothes? Divine!! I felt 1000% better!
After getting changed, I enjoyed some strawberry shortcake (although a nice hot chocolate would have been welcomed!) and chatted with some very nice people. And...SCORE...I bought some cute Strawberry Century socks!!
http://www.footeco.com/ellen/Strawbe...berrySocks.jpg
I'll definiately do this ride next year...weather permitting, of course. Probably even the century!!
