I did the CRW Spring Metric today. It was a beautiful day; about 65 when we started at 9:30 and sunny. I think it must have gone up to around 72 or so.
The route was pretty flat, with some rolling hills, which were unfortunately in the last ten miles. Well, I know now why I don't like big group rides... people just ride poorly, piss off the cars and do other squirrely things. We got into a couple of nice groups going fairly fast for me on a long ride. But I kept up, going 18-20 because I couldn't stand to be behind some of the other people who were scaring me. At about 25 miles I said I wanted to stop at 30, to eat. By his time we were riding behind two guys and one woman was drafting me. At mile 27, all of a sudden, these guys slowed abruptly and turned into a driveway! They thought the arrow was showing to turn there??? My husband was able to go around them, but I tapped his wheel and went down. The girl behind me crashed into me. Cars stopped (it was more of a country road) and asked if we were OK, which I was. I was really concerned about my bike. Steve just put new, red bar tape on it last night. The only damage is scratches on the top of the shifters, like on the silver part that says Ultegra. I am going to see if I can get replacements. My only damage on me is a scrape that's a little ugly on my left elbow and a lesser one on my left knee. My right knee has a slight bruise from where the top tube hit it. The other woman had more damage. She had bruises and swelling on her chin and one of her knees was hurting. I had my "leader" supplies in my bag, so I was able to rinse off the blood, put antibiotic creme on the bad scrape, and put a band aid on. My knee hurt a bit, but that went away. The whole thing made me feel a little nauseous, just from the shock of it, but my helmet did not hit the ground. In fact, I landed on my side, right on the padded part of my bum. Anyway, I was cursing those guys until the rest stop at about mile 40, where I ate and replenished my drink. I saw a few people I know from the health club or around town and we talked. Then it was onward.
The route was really pretty, through a lot of marshes and woodlands until the last 10 miles,where there was pretty bad suburban traffic. There was one left we had to make in between a long, tight row of cars, which was scary. By this time I was dragging. I know I needed to eat more, but I didn't want to stop. I kept drinking Accelerade and that helped. I had to slow down a bit, as there were some long, kind of gradual ascents, but I made it.

65.5 miles, average 15.7. I am thinking of doing a century on June 22nd, but it is going to have hills. I have to train more! There is a 50 mile option the same day, that I have done 3 times. It's leaving from a location across the street from my street, which is very nice. I wish I was tougher!