Sierra Century

Oh pshaw...it was challenge enough, to the point where I'm thinking of adopting SK & Bubba's "a metric is enough" outlook. I did the double metric but was in sorry shape for that last 20 miles. Luckily I found other equally-suffering riders to hang with. I met so many great people on this ride, moreso than on others, perhaps because we were all riding soooo slow for that last bit. I think it was about 10k of climbing total. You'll be happy to know that Slug Gulch kicked my butt. I had to stop halfway up and shed my jersey.

I rode for a time with the "Senior" Mt Diablo Cyclists (that is, quite a bit older than me!), until of course they smoked me. I also rode for a very short time with a gal from CO for whom Slug Gulch and the "Challenge" were nothin'.

The law enforcement presence was great, the food was good, and the weather was nearly perfect (except for the very last climb on the double...it was freakin' hot and we had to listen to a couple bickering as they rode...sheesh).

I, too, give it 5 chainrings.

My back and hips feel almost normal again today. :)

This was my first solo century (previously I've done them on a tandem) and it was wonderful. I dare to be a turncoat and say it was better than my local clubs century. I did Slug Gulch and at the top the skies were clear for an awesome view in all directions. The kids with hoses on the first part of the climb were a great help!

Yay Deanna! I bet you and Doug just smoke on a tandem!

Kim I'm glad the back held up.

Yellow - did you have any pork? :p

V.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by yellow

You'll be happy to know that Slug Gulch kicked my butt.

---

Nope, why would we be happy about that? The fact that you could do Slug Gulch, then still have enough left for several K more feet of climbing is pretty impressive.

What is with all these "old" (um, age-challenged maybe?) guys who don't really look in shape, but smoke on these climbs, often with only double chainrings?? Whatever it is they're on (I know, their bikes), I want too.

Deanna, which century does you club do?

Perhaps yellow should do the Furnace Creek 508. I'll drive the crew car! :D :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by aka_kim

What is with all these "old" (um, age-challenged maybe?) guys who don't really look in shape, but smoke on these climbs, often with only double chainrings?? Whatever it is they're on (I know, their bikes), I want too.

Deanna, which century does you club do?

---

I hear you on those older guys. I also don't get the insistence on using a double when there are triples available. I call my third ring my "knee saver". I've seen some older riders with bad looking knees and I don't know how many surgeries I've heard about.

My club puts on the Wine Country Century.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Veronica

Yellow - did you have any pork? :p

---

My meat eating is strictly chicken and fish so no pork for me :rolleyes: .

I do have to amend my earlier post and drop it to 4.75 chainrings. The line for food after the ride was so long we left and got food elsewhere. I was mighty, mighty hungry and couldn't wait 45 minutes to eat.

Deanna: did you get a nice mid-Slug Gulch shower from the kid with the garden hose? That was really, really nice! He had snaked it all the way across his yard into the road.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by yellow

The line for food after the ride was so long we left and got food elsewhere. I was mighty, mighty hungry and couldn't wait 45 minutes to eat.

---

How's the upholstery in your car? :p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Veronica

Yay Deanna! I bet you and Doug just smoke on a tandem!

V.

---

We would smoke if I didn't make him slow down so much on the downhills--he's a speed demon. I have to sit up and be a wind-block.

Yellow--not only did I get the kid part way up (he also had a water dispensor when I went by), there were also two girls a little further up. They were great about yelling out encouragement and telling us how much further we had to go.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deanna

I have to sit up and be a wind-block.

---

Sometimes I'll do a Meg Ryan impression from City of Angels back there. Thom's eyes are open so we avoid trucks.
:)

I think it was descending fast on the tandem that made me really enjoy descents. I know Thom doesn't have a death wish and he's not a very reckless person in general so when that finally REALLY hit home (on a Diablo descent), I started asking him to lay off the brakes. I suppose not having had any accidents (yet - fingers crossed) also helps.

V.