Savannah Century Labor Day weekend

[cyclingmom01]

aicabsolut,
If you wouldn't mind sending me some of the shorter routes, that would be awesome. I'm not sure that I'll have time to get out on Saturday as we probably won't arrive until 11 and my family is coming with me. I don't want to push my luck.

[nonsmoker3]

Hey Cyclingmom - did you ride? We came in Friday night (in the rain), got up Saturday morning (in the rain), drove out to the starting point (in the rain) and chickened out. From what I understand, only 8 riders went Saturday. Brave souls, because it wasn't just a drizzle. We decided to ride Sunday come He!! or highwater, and it was just that, highwater. We rode the 25 miler in the pouring down rain. I just wasn't brave enough to ride that bridge in that weather.

I have to say, the police escorts in Savannah were awesome for our little group of 12 or 13. The local cycling club served as ride leaders and were super. When they tried to release us we refused to be released , and ended up doing a slow, very enjoyable group ride in the rain. It was as nice as could be in that weather.

How did your ride go?

[cyclingmom01]

I rode, but only did the 56 mile ride. I woke up that morning with it in my head that I would only do the 50+ mile ride. I emptied the extra food from my bag and headed out. I got to the start and as we were taking off, I signaled to my husband that I forgot my gloves. Yep, I'm the virgin Century cyclist. My dear husband wanted to make a mad dash back to the hotel and bring them back, but I said no. I was totally soaked before we actually even left the start. This was my first ride in the rain, as I've been in a drought all summer. Remember, I've only been cycling for 7 weeks.
My thought was, as long as there was no lightning or thunder, I was ready for an adventure. The police escorts stopped traffic so we had the whole bridge to ourselves. That was very cool. It was also the only time I was in my smaller front gear. The rest of the ride, I stayed in my big gear. There were times that we literally pedaled through 6" deep water and I asked myself wtf was I doing out there. When I got warmed up and settled in, I tried to lead as much as possible, only to keep down the splash from the other cyclists tires. Selfish yes, but as I told my kids, this weekend was all about me! When I was able to, I broke away from the group and rode by myself. I love to use that time just as in my marathons. I think about my family, my friends, my health and the charity for which the ride sponsors. I realize how very rich my life is and I embrace it. I also tried to work on my cadence because Savannah is so very pancake flat. We don't have that in the Athens area.
At 27 miles, I stopped at the 2nd rest stop. Nutter Butter cookies rock! They're my all time favorite. The rain had let up and I pondered with doing the 100. Made a phone call to DH and he was supportive. He just asked that I let him know what my plans were. I talked with a Boy Scout leader that said the storm had just parked over Savannah and it wasn't moving. That was enough for me and I went on to do the 50 miler. Thank God, because 2 miles down the road, the sky poured rain by the buckets. The only animals I saw were road kill. Armadillos by the dozen. A few snakes, a deer, a turtle and the largest damn frog I've ever seen. I'm telling you that they all probably damned drowned! No dogs to contend with as they were smarter than me and stayed inside. When the rain, was light, I heard the croaking of frogs, the singing of birds and the chirping of crickets. It was a beautiful ride and I hope that when I do it next year, the sun is bright and shining.
I will tell you that there were a couple of times when I took my glasses off because they were either fogging up or they were so wet that I couldn't see. I ended up with a laceration and a bruise on the side of my eye. I didn't even realize that I got something in my eye. So now I'm on an antibiotic and steroid. Lesson learned that I will keep the glasses on, no matter what.
I'm still looking for my 1st Century ride and I'm thinking of Claxton.

[aicabsolut]

oh no! Sorry the weather was so terrible. I suppose it's good for the drought situation, but bad timing, huh? Good for you for pushing through the mayhem for so long.

[HoddyToddy]

I'm still looking for my 1st Century ride and I'm thinking of Claxton.

The Beautiful Backroads Century in Cartersville, GA is a gorgeous ride. I've never done the full century, but it is one of my favortie rides, by far. It is Sept. 22.

http://hugeelvis.tripod.com/

The Wilson 100 is also this month, the 16th.

Sorry about the Savannah Century! Good luck on your next one!

[cyclingmom01]

Hilly & hundred in the same sentence kinda scares me. I think I'm going to do the 50.

[nonsmoker3]

Fair on the Square in Lumpkin, GA is a really nice ride. We did it last year, and it had good support and was a nice group of people. Some rolling hills, but nothing too wicked, plus the T-shirts were really cool! It is on Oct 15th this year.