I survived! The lack of hills was made up by the powerful wind that felt like I was pushing into a brick wall. (Towards the middle of the ride, it was so bad I could only muster about 9 miles/hour for about a 1/2 hour...didn't think I was ever going to break out of that pace. Everyone was passing me...) Nearly got knocked into the rails of the bridge (as well as the people that stopped at the top in a very dangerous place.) After (a very windy) lunch, I felt re-energized as I remembered to "break-up" the ride in my head. ("Less than a quick "weekend ride" to the pie rest stop then a "weekday night ride" to the end....")

I've been doing mostly hilly rides this season so this ride felt completely different with all.that.pedalling.constantly with no coasting or break at all. Wow.

We experienced one front flat (mine around mile 50) and one broken spoke (his at mile 89. It wiggled but made the wheel made it all the way to the end.)

I would certainly do it again and I feel like I earned bonus points for braving the rain and wind. (However, next year, *please* let the sun be shining!)

Congrats to everyone that finished the ride and, even, congrats to those that went out there and braved the weather (even if you didn't finish the full amount you wanted to) those were some pretty bad conditions out there early in the ride.