Great job, denny! Sounds like you encountered a few challenges along the way but still managed to achieve your goal.

I was out there too. I am training for a half ironman so I let the masses go ahead of me at the start so I could focus on riding in an aero position without drafting. It was a bit of a mental exercise for me because I'm used to riding with a group. It's a little tougher when you don't have someone to chat with along the way. I ended up doing the 80-mile option and was thrilled to see my husband waiting at the end with a diet coke in his hand. That's become one of our rituals on this kind of ride. He's much faster than me (he rode with that fast group you saw until the 80/100 route split) and we've realized over time that it works best for us to each ride at our own pace. While he's waiting around for me to finish, he tracks down a diet coke since by that point, I'm ready to have something other than water or gatorade to drink.

I agree that the kids are great and make the ride worthwhile. I think that's why so many people come out and do this ride. Next up on my ride calendar is the Wilson 100 (although I probably won't do the full century). It's another great ride if you're looking for a new challenge.