First Century -- Done!

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10-23-2005, 07:12 AM
Rakekay

First Century -- Done!

I rode -- and finished -- my first century yesterday. What an experience. It was great fun (well, most of the time) and the other riders and people working the ride couldn't have been nicer. I wish I'd had a friend to ride with however. There were only about 750 riders registered for the ride and there were four different route options (20, 40, 60 and 100), so there were many long stretches where I was all alone, out in the middle of nowhere. I didn't mind that much at the beginning, but I sure could have used a companion to ride with for motivation at the end. Couldn't really hook up with any of the other century riders since we were all so spread out and the ones I did run into were all much more advanced riders than I am.

But, I still feel like it was a major accomplishment. I've been riding for fewer than three months, so to complete this in under seven hours (6 hours and 47 minutes to be precise) gave me quite an ego boost.

I must say, however, my crotch is mighty sore today!
10-23-2005, 08:49 AM
Trekhawk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakekay

I rode -- and finished -- my first century yesterday. What an experience. It was great fun (well, most of the time) and the other riders and people working the ride couldn't have been nicer. I wish I'd had a friend to ride with however. There were only about 750 riders registered for the ride and there were four different route options (20, 40, 60 and 100), so there were many long stretches where I was all alone, out in the middle of nowhere. I didn't mind that much at the beginning, but I sure could have used a companion to ride with for motivation at the end. Couldn't really hook up with any of the other century riders since we were all so spread out and the ones I did run into were all much more advanced riders than I am.
But, I still feel like it was a major accomplishment. I've been riding for fewer than three months, so to complete this in under seven hours (6 hours and 47 minutes to be precise) gave me quite an ego boost.
I must say, however, my crotch is mighty sore today!

Rakekay - WOW congratulations thats one great ride. Good on you for getting thru those stretches on your own with no riding buddy. Sending champagne toasts your way. :D
Trek
10-23-2005, 09:24 AM
Selkie

Which Century did you do? We were going to do the Seagull this year but the rain/wind was too brutal, so we opted out. CONGRATULATIONS!! Treat yourself to some goodies (I see that Hershey's come out w/kisses filled w/peanutbutter!!! Perfect recovery food--protein, carbs, etc). Was the weather OK or did you encounter rain/wind?
I'm in Arlington and could have ridden w/you :-) Do you ride much on the W&OD? I'm pretty much a "lone wolf" about riding, although sometimes my husband comes along with me. There are days were I would love some company, though. Maybe we can ride together some time?
Again, CONGRATS!!!!
10-23-2005, 10:49 AM
SandyLS

Congratulations, Rakekay! Wow, and after only threee months of riding! Treat yourself to something nice today.
10-23-2005, 12:18 PM
latelatebloomer

Champagne and Godiva chocolates for you, my dear!! Congratulations, high fives, and the Snoopy dance, too!!! :D
10-23-2005, 01:02 PM
Rakekay

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickchick

Which Century did you do? We were going to do the Seagull this year but the rain/wind was too brutal, so we opted out. CONGRATULATIONS!! Treat yourself to some goodies (I see that Hershey's come out w/kisses filled w/peanutbutter!!! Perfect recovery food--protein, carbs, etc). Was the weather OK or did you encounter rain/wind?
I'm in Arlington and could have ridden w/you :-) Do you ride much on the W&OD? I'm pretty much a "lone wolf" about riding, although sometimes my husband comes along with me. There are days were I would love some company, though. Maybe we can ride together some time?
Again, CONGRATS!!!!

I did the Between the Waters Bike Tour (http://www.cbes.org/events_biketour.htm) on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. It was about 75 miles south of Salisbury, where the Seagull is. I, too, was going to do the Seagull and let that be my first century but also backed out because of the weather (got the Tshirt in the mail yesterday though!). I'd highly recommend the Between the Waters. It was a very small group of riders, about 750 of them, split among 20-, 40-, 60- and 100-mile options. So all in all, there were probably only about 300 people riding the century. It made it all very manageable. Weather was good. Well, not good, but fine. They had called for rain and thunderstorms, so I had rain gear with me, but the early morning was just foggy, then it was sunny and blue skies for a while. The whole afternoon was overcast and a little breezy but the rain stayed away the entire time so I counted myself lucky.

Would love to ride with you sometime. I usually do the W&OD as well.
10-23-2005, 01:37 PM
wavedancer

Congratulations!

Wow! What an impressive accomplishment. You must feel great (crotch soreness not withstanding) and deserve lots of hugs and high-fives. Sending some your way! :D
10-24-2005, 10:52 AM
CorsairMac

and the She-Ra Princess of Power Tiara goes to:

Rakekay! goodonya my friend. Ain't a century grand? I know what ya mean about wishing you had someone to chat with during the last third. I've done all but 1 of mine alone and I have to have some "serious talking-tos" sometimes to get my hinney pedalling on to the finish. but I keep doing em - and you will to!

Job well done!
10-24-2005, 11:31 AM
Rakekay

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsairMac

and the She-Ra Princess of Power Tiara goes to:

Rakekay! goodonya my friend. Ain't a century grand? I know what ya mean about wishing you had someone to chat with during the last third. I've done all but 1 of mine alone and I have to have some "serious talking-tos" sometimes to get my hinney pedalling on to the finish. but I keep doing em - and you will to!

Job well done!

I did get "caught" on more than one occasion singing to myself when I thought I was all alone and then having someone say "on your left." They must have been laughing all the way down the road (cause I'm a pretty horrible singer!)
10-24-2005, 11:50 AM
AllezGirl

Way to go!

Yeah Raykekay...I knew you could do it!!

I'm not too too far from you (PA), and will travel to ride when I can. So if you ever need a riding partner, let me know!
10-24-2005, 01:46 PM
WarriorPrncs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rakekay

I rode -- and finished -- my first century yesterday. What an experience. It was great fun (well, most of the time) and the other riders and people working the ride couldn't have been nicer. I wish I'd had a friend to ride with however. There were only about 750 riders registered for the ride and there were four different route options (20, 40, 60 and 100), so there were many long stretches where I was all alone, out in the middle of nowhere. I didn't mind that much at the beginning, but I sure could have used a companion to ride with for motivation at the end. Couldn't really hook up with any of the other century riders since we were all so spread out and the ones I did run into were all much more advanced riders than I am.

But, I still feel like it was a major accomplishment. I've been riding for fewer than three months, so to complete this in under seven hours (6 hours and 47 minutes to be precise) gave me quite an ego boost.

I must say, however, my crotch is mighty sore today!

Congratulations! :D That is awesome after only riding 3 months. You definitely need to give yourself a big hand especially since you did it all by yourself and under 7 hrs. Keep up the good work! :)