First Century--semi unsupported

**squirrell** · 10-25-2008, 01:35 AM

I was supposed to be riding today in the "Tour Between the Waters" here on the Eastern Shore of VA. I had signed up for the Century length, my first!

BUT, I got up yesterday and saw the weather forecast for today:
"Cloudy with showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms. Windy with highs in the upper 60s. Southeast winds 25 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent"

So, I told my DH that I was heading out to do my own Century a day early! Yesterday's weather was better--winds 8-15mph with temps high of 59 degrees. Gusts to 18mph.

I had my DH drop me off in Wachaprague at the "official" start of the Tour and just set off following their road arrows and markings. The course was extremely well-marked and even without cue-sheets I had no problem following the route. My DH acted as SAG and brought me lunch and more to-take-along snacks at the "official" lunch stop and called a couple times to check on me as well.

Ride went well. Winds were a bear at times and slowed me down but I did 100.54 miles in 7 hours and 5 minutes--averaging just under 15mph.

My legs aren't even sore today, which I thought for sure they would be but they do feel a little "tight." I'll probably do some yoga for cyclists later to stretch everything out.

My Trek did great! My back got a little achy around the 80 mile mark but not so bad as to be unbearable. The butt never hurt at all--thankfully!

I'm going down this morning when the "official" Tour starts to get my T-Shirt from them. Oh, yeah, it's pouring rain even now. So glad I did it yesterday!

Setting out

Last few yards

My "Little Mule" and I celebrate!

**7rider** · 10-25-2008, 05:20 AM

How awesome!!!

Congratulations on an excellent ride!

**Tuckervill** · 10-25-2008, 05:38 AM

Congratulations! Great time for a first ride!

Karen

**arielmoon** · 10-25-2008, 05:47 AM

Good for you for making it happen!! Congratulations!! and YAY! for SAG hubby!

**SouthernBelle** · 10-25-2008, 05:50 AM

very good. I admire your determination and don't blame you for wanting to bypass thunder and lightening.

**squirrell** · 10-25-2008, 07:19 AM

I know many of you have done lots of Centuries but this was really special for me not just because it was my first either. But because a little over 6 months, I was 140 pounds overweight, my Diabetes and BP were out of control, I was on 7 pills a day (prescribed), and the first time I rode, it took me 1 hour and 40 minutes to go 4 miles, and I thought I would die!

So, seeing that 100 miles come up on my odometer was something that meant a lot to me beyond just being a "100 mile ride." It meant that I am finally and for the first time in a very long time, getting my body into a healthy condition--slowly but surely anyway!

But, I'm so glad I went yesterday! It is windy, windy, windy, today and raining off and on. conditions are supposed to deteriorate throughout the day.

We just went down to the start to get my T-Shirt and guess what? One of the women taking part in the Tour today had crashed!

Her DH was in front of her on his bike and missed a turn; he turned real fast, she tried to follow, but with the wet roads, she lost traction and crashed into him. he was ok but she was hurt. We stopped to help--my DH has training as a Wilderness First Responder. We stayed until the ambulance came. The woman was 59 years old and they were only 6 miles into their 60 mile option route. My DH says he thinks she broke her hip!

The route actually runs right in front of our house, so I'm sitting here now, sipping on coffee, and watching all the cyclists ride by in the wind and rain. Poor people! I've seen a few come back by now and since the Tour doesn't return by my house, I know that means they've changed their mind about the longer distances anyway and are heading back. Too bad, too, because it really is a great route.

**Aggie_Ama** · 10-25-2008, 07:25 AM

Awesome! I have done many centuries (okay I think just 5 or 10 if you count 95-99 miles). The most memorable was the first self supported and the 94.8 epic almost century this spring. Something about knowing you pushed yourself on your own is very gratifying. Oh and I have done one where it rained the first hour, you made the right choice. That one lots of wrecks and then another several hours of damp socks. Not the best way to do 100 miles.

Congratulations and welcome to the club. Little Mule too!

**Mr. Bloom** · 10-25-2008, 07:33 AM

Squirrell - that is outstanding! Congrats on the achievement!

**cosc** · 10-25-2008, 07:48 AM

Bravooo-on your century. Pretty speedy too, compared to me. Your now an official gutsy women.
Wonderful that you've been able to gain a health body.

**TrekTheKaty** · 10-25-2008, 08:26 AM

YOU'RE AWESOME! I can't imagine setting off by myself! I did my first century a few weeks ago with my brother-in-law and we were still nervous with a cue sheet and others to follow! Great time for you also!

Oh, and Congrats to a fellow Trekker--and on that Bontrager stock saddle

You can do anything you set your mind too. Keep up the good work

**Blueberry** · 10-25-2008, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by squirrell

I know many of you have done lots of Centuries but this was really special for me not just because it was my first either. But because a little over 6 months, I was 140 pounds overweight, my Diabetes and BP were out of control, I was on 7 pills a day (prescribed), and the first time I rode, it took me 1 hour and 40 minutes to go 4 miles, and I thought I would die!

Wow! Just Wow! To come that far in 6 months!!! That's awesome! And I can't imagine doing a first century alone. That's amazing too!!

CA

**redrhodie** · 10-25-2008, 08:49 AM

Bravo! What an amazing story! You've come a long way, baby!

**squirrell** · 10-25-2008, 09:33 AM

Thanks everyone!

We drove up to a nearby produce stand to get some vegis for dinner and there's this guy there with a full kitted out touring bike. We stopped to talk to him and my DH asked him where he was heading. He said "oh, South America"

He's shooting for northern Argentina.

Now, that's a wow!

Oh, this guy was with Bikes without Bordershttp://bikeswithoutborders.org
Looks like a good cause

**SandyLS** · 10-25-2008, 09:34 AM

Great job. Enjoy your new hard earned healthier life style. Stories like your's are an inspiration to us all.

**wildhawk** · 10-26-2008, 03:50 AM

Hooray for you!! You are an inspiration to me in particular since I am on several pills a day too for BP and cardio. I am so proud of your accomplishment and thanks for posting pics too!! You look great!! I am pysched about my first century and can’t wait to get ’er done!! Sounds also like you made a great decision to do the ride a day early. Proud of you - hugs to you!

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