This ride has been planned for a couple months. The most I'd ridden before in one day was 42 miles and I started out genuinely not sure that I'd be able to finish - the 42 miles was in pretty flat terrority and the 100k is in Western PA - you CAN'T avoid all hills.

Anyway, there were 6 of us, I was the only woman. I was unfamiliar with the route - when we came out to a road I recognized as being only 5 or so miles from our finish point, I got teary eyed because I knew I could make it! And I did, although some of those last 5 miles were sheer hell, some steep hills to get up on my tired, dead legs.

I still can't believe it. The feeling of accomplishment is hard to describe.