Not the fairytale ending...
I tried, I really tried. But I didn't make my century...YET. The wind made my toughest, longest ride so far. The woman who drove the SAG wagon (loaded to the gills!) said the storm was declared the first nor'easter of the season and the winds were 40 mph & over by the time we hit the causeway bridge. Even walking it was a struggle, and the wind tore off C's helmet visor and threw it in the drink. On the island road, the wind was blowing so hard our bikes were really slanting in to the wind, and with the sand under my tires & the traffic whizzing by, I knew I had come to the end of my energy, courage and skill.
I did feel better when I learned that half the registered riders never showed. I was hoping for more camaraderie, but the pacelines blew by (lord, I really did feel like I was standing still) and the few other slower riders were all grimly pressing on, same as me.
I haven't checked the math, but I think making to the island might at least give me a metric century. And I'll train all winter to be a little more like those smiling chipper women who zipped on by. (and hey, not all of them were young, or thin!)
still relentless, LLB
ps - a big thankyou hug to ALL of you who have advised and encouraged me. And a special thank you to Trekhawk, who offered to be my century training partner. She has been a great cheerleader and cyber-shoulder, and perhaps most importantly, sent me a decent seat. Thanks, Leslie!