First really long ride...

[FunSize]

I'm super nervous.
So, I'm going to be riding 74 miles tomorrow.

http://theassaults.com/marion

I've never even ridden a metric century before. So I'm a little nervous. I've ridden 50 miles on my own, in the wind, and at the end of it thought, "Huh, i could maybe suffer for another 24 miles at a godawfully slow pace."

This is also a really popular ride, so I'll be surrounded by lots of people. I'm tiny enough that I can draft off of anyone if they'll let me. I've been on 30 miles rides in groups where you can definitely notice the difference in recovery and endurance. So, if I can suffer for 50 miles on my own I should be able to push through 74 while in a sea of bodies and bikes, right?

I dunno. I'm terrified.

[skywalkerbeth]

Good luck!

I just started training... only doing 15 mile training rides, so far.

[azfiddle]

I think you can do it! I did a 72 mile ride in February, and I had been restricted by an injury from October -December, so I didn't ride more than about 25 miles during that period, and my longest ride in January was about 40 or 45. I didn't do any longer rides again until April I did an organized 74 mile ride in April. So yes, if you can do 50, you can do 74!

[FunSize]

I survived the 74 mile ride! It helped that every 20-25 miles there was a rest stop! I felt awesome by the end actually! No cramping, the hills were fine. I actually passed people on hills! One weird thing is that I was alone, no people around me for about 45 minutes? It was after a "big" climb around 47 miles. I grabed some solid food at the top and quickly got back on the bike. There were enough people there that I figured someone would either catch up to me or id catch up to someone. It wasn't until around 62 miles that I caught up with some middle aged guys who let me ride with them. They celebrated my metric century milestone with me. Ended up finishing the ride with those gentlemen.

I am so pround of myself and I feel so strong! Now, I don't think I could ride 74 miles straight, yet. But maybe someday!

My boyfriend did the whole mt. Mitchell ascent. He finish the 102 miles in the same amount of time I finished my 74. The group he was riding in was averaging 25 mph!!! Crazy!

[jlnc]

Congratulations! What an accomplishment!!

[sazza]

well done. sounds like you had a fab day.

[Biciclista]

fantastic! that training paid off, didn't it.

[emily_in_nc]

Congratulations! That is a super hard event, even just the part you did (not to mention the part your bf did!!) so you right to be very proud of yourself! What a great effort and accomplishment!

We really need a clapping smiley!

[azfiddle]

Way to go!! It's great to accomplish something like that!

[westtexas]

Congrats, that's truly an achievement!!

[Velocivixen]

Congratulations on a job well done! It sounds like you had a great time.

Will you do any more organized rides?

[callmej]

Awesome.....and you should be proud!

[Orange utopia]

That is super inspiring! Congratulations on a great ride

[FunSize]

Yay! I'm so glad you all are excited with me! I don't have many cycling friends so its nice to share here!

Velocivixen - I think I will probably do some more organized rides. They are definitely nice as a goal. Its also really nice to know that you can take a break when you're tired and have people pointing where to go at every turn.

AZfiddle - your assurance really helped me before the ride. Thank you.

P.S. Sorry to everyone for the typos. I fixed some of them. I posted on my phone before work and I didn't really proof read.

[sgtiger]

That is quite an accomplishment! Way to go, FunSize!