my first century !!!

[luvs2ride]

Hey Gals, just completed my first Century, America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe, CA (on 6/3). DH and I trained with Team in Training down here in sunny Southern California. I felt we were prepared for the ride but we were still out there for 9 1/2 hours. It was a LONG day. It was DH's first century also. He "bonked" quite a bit and was throwing up after crossing the finish line (I had to lead him back to the hotel because he lost all sense of direction and put him to bed). Also rode with two other members of our TNT team and all four of us were able to cross together (two guys, myself and another awesome lady). We stuck together even though DH and my other team member (who was also a guy) were very "cranky!!!" The girls felt strong but we couldn't leave those poor guys in the dust . . (or could we?!?). The weather started out in the low 50's and ended in the low 80's. The winds were not too strong. The view of the lake was BEAUTIFUL and BREATHTAKING !! You wanted to pull over and take a picture! It truely was a beautiful ride!!! The most difficult part of the ride was a hill called "spooner" which is about 9 miles long and you hit it at around mile 80. The grade is not too steep but at mile 80, who wants any grade at all . . my legs were cooked!!! It was fun to see where other teams were from by their helmets. This was new to me as I've done a few marathons and instead of decorating your singlet, in cycling, you decorate your helmet to represent your State. Since we were from Orange County/Inland Empire, we had Mickey Mouse ears zip-tied to our helmets with our names written on the back of the hats (my DH was the only team member who refused to wear the hat-he can be a "party pooper"). Some of my favorites . . the TNT team from Florida had bright pink Flamingos and TNT New Mexico had Chile Peppers, etc.. I especially liked our shiny gold MICKEY ears because I could easily recognize my other team members. It was lots of fun . . helped to pass the time as you were riding along! Were there any other TE gals out there in Tahoe with me ?? Already making plans to return next year! Best part is that DH and I raised over $8,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to participate in this ride. Collectively, all the teams together raised $8.5 million in the fight against cancer-AWESOME !!!

Happy riding to you all,
Susan

[LadyinWhite]

Congratulations!! That sounds so awesome! Well done! I think the hats sound really fun!

Worried about DH though - sounds like he was struggling at the end . Was he eating and drinking enough through the ride? Do you think he was dehydrated?

Am glad you ladies had a great ride! Will you do another long ride before this one again next year?

[luvs2ride]

Yes, definitely plan to ride again before this. Not sure about another Century though because of all the training and time involved in preparing for that long of a ride. We have kids, 8 and 10 years, so it's quite a sacrifice to train (and they miss us after training for 4 months to get ready for this ride). DH is much better now! After he rested and ate he felt like a new person! I do think he may have been dehydrated and it was very hot towards the end of the ride. Who knows how your body will react after an endurance event ?!?

[Brandy]

Congratulations on what will hopefully be the first of many centuries for you!

I understand the training time involved...I've done three double centuries and ????? centuries this year and the time away from the kids (4.5, 7, 9) is always hard. I'm leaving them for 11 days starting next Monday to crew Race Across America and I'm suddenly feeling huge mommy guilt about it! Most of my goals have been accomplished for the year though and I am going to pull back a little with my cycling during their summer vacation so we can enjoy the beach and the pool!

[rapid cycler]

Congrats, Susan!

Lake Tahoe does make for a beautiful ride, and at 72 miles around there isn't much chance of repeat scenery!

Hey, if you do the Great Tahoe loop race in September, you'll have every excuse for leaving the guys behind!

http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/Bike.html

[Fredwina]

woohoo!
Soon, you'll be thinking about another century....
Even though i'm not a mom, I've got a Job that takes 12 hours out of my day, so I know about finding time. I'm also teaching a class part time (as part of muy cunning plan to find a less insane job )
and the population of Cucamongans is growing on Team E. Soon, I might have to admit I'm not from Sandy Place Ranch

[Kano]

First, and mighty important -- congratulations Luvs2ride! I'm so awed! (by all the centuries that got ridden this past weekend)


And now my little hijack:

Congratulations on what will hopefully be the first of many centuries for you!

I understand the training time involved...I've done three double centuries and ????? centuries this year and the time away from the kids (4.5, 7, 9) is always hard. I'm leaving them for 11 days starting next Monday to crew Race Across America and I'm suddenly feeling huge mommy guilt about it! Most of my goals have been accomplished for the year though and I am going to pull back a little with my cycling during their summer vacation so we can enjoy the beach and the pool!

Brandy -- no guilt needed: you'll be a much better mommy for having had a vacation from your kids doing and thinking only about adult things! "Mommy" is a 24/7 job with no time off for good behavior (it will follow you, of course, as you ride this trip) and often it's in addition to other full time job(s) too. Just like people need a vacation from a "regular" job to recharge their batteries, we mommies need to recharge now and again too! (I just did grandma for four days, and didn't even get private bathroom breaks every time -- if I went to the back bathroom, where I thought I could hide out, I had boys peering in through the glass door! I guess I need a new curtain on that thing after all.)

Karen in Boise

[SadieKate]

Congratulations! I love your story about the guys and their aches and pains. When a friend and I rode Tour de Tahoe several years ago now, her hubby and his friend were constantly complaining about upset stomaches, headaches, whatever. At the end of the ride when ran into another couple and the BF started telling us how awful he had felt. I don't think he appreciated it when Jenny and I burst out laughing. Bunch of wussy guys.


Some awesome scenery. Did they take photos of everyone as they summited Emerald Bay?

[bikergal]

Hi Susan! I was at the ride with Team in Training too! My chapter is Silicon Valley and we had shark fins on our helmet(San Jose Sharks Hockey). I did the 72 mile option last year on my own so this was my first full century too! I absolutely love this ride and will most likely do it again next year. Our ride group was all women except for the coach who was male, so we didn't have any of that male whining to worry about! Congratulations on finishing the ride and all the money you raised!

Shelley

[Celeste]

Were there any other TE gals out there in Tahoe with me ??

Hi Susan and Shelley!!

YES!! I was there too!! It was my first Century rids as well!! It was amazing wasn't it??

I was with the Tx. Gulf Coast TNT team and we had Spurs on our helmets. I saw a lot of the gold mouse ears as well as the shark fins too. I was getting a kick out of trying to identify all the different areas by their helmet additions.

I was not feeling well that morning and had a boo boo going up to Emerald Bay. My bike jumped up and bit me in the leg! Gosh darn. I was dying at mile 12 up those switch backs and had to walk one of them. My leg was gashed pretty good and every third person reminded me to get it checked out. Blood running down my leg and into my sock. Ruined my favorite socks; bummer. (Tortise and the Hare. LOL).

Went to doc when I got back and he said I should have gotten stitches. oops. Received a tetnus booster and some cream to help with any potential infection. I guess I have my badge of honor for my first Century!

The scenery was fabulous! Since I was not feeling well (I think due to altitude), so we downgraded from the 100 to the 72 around the lake. I have no regrets. We finished with our team and I rolled across the finish line with my team and under my own power; which was a goal of mine. Texas flags flying high thru the cheering gauntlet...I was so amazed!!

I loved that people were all thru the course cheering us on. That really helped. I met so many wonderful people and I have no idea what their names are. I even met one of the Unicycleists!! That was sooo cool! Those guys are amazing, I had to have my picture with one of them named DonO. They did 100 miles on those 36 inch monster tires. They have to pedal up AND down the hills! Talk about stamina!

I am a leukemia survivor. So this ride ment a lot to hubby and I. We raised over $11,000 between the two of us. Can you believe that the entire group raised $8.5 million?? Wow!

Congrats to you both for taking on this ride! It was certianly challenging, huh??

The part of my TNT team that did not ride on June 3rd will be ridining here locally 100 miles in a ride called Tour de Brazon June 10. Hubby and I will be joining them during the ride as well. I might not have made the complete 100 miles in the mountains, but I can in the flats with no problem!

Go Team! Feels great dosen't it??!!

Hugs,
Joyce