Big Dam Bridge Century!!

[Aggie_Ama]

I still am having trouble processing that I completed my fourth century of the year! My goal for the year was to complete three and I surpassed that. The Big Dam Bridge was definitely the best of the four.

Saturday morning started with a train waking me up at 4:30- grrr. I was surprisingly quite nervous about this ride, I am not sure if it was being out of state or the lack of much riding for two weeks. Once we got moving though I was better. I wish there had been more of a staggered start so I could enjoy riding through the closed downtown but I did get to take in a nice view of the capital.

The first 40 miles zoomed by, we got behind a large herd of people and used very little energy. Our first rest stop was in Conway and the volunteers were out of this world. One person held my bike while another filled up my water bottle. Miranda (my bike) scored a compliment from a local Tri-Athlete, she loves compliments. I was also able to remove the arm warmers and knee warmers, I don't know how you gals carry so much on these rides. I felt like a darn pack mule!

We moved along to where the ride got a little more hilly. The hills were longer than what I am used to and I actually enjoyed the challenge! I did got my feelings little hurt by a group of guys passing me who told me "It only goes up from here, the real hills are coming. Better get ready for the real hills." I don't think the snotty way they said it can be expressed. I was spinning up a smaller hill and felt like the were saying I was going to have to walk. DH had already pulled ahead and didn't know any of this was being said. The two steepest hills popped up and I climbed my little heart out- no walking for this girl. Then I descended with confidence and passed the guys.

I was ready for the well place rest stop at mile 64!! We then went along and at first I was surprised how fresh I felt. That stopped at mile 80 as I felt like crying wondering where the rest stop was; I had hit "the wall". Everything hurt. We took a break and then pressed on down Maumelle Road (avenue?). That road was highly travelled, there was a slight headwind and rolling hills. I just kept my eyes on the prize of finishing. Once we turned onto the River Trail I felt like it was mile 20. I soaked in the beautiful scenery and tried to keep cranking along, I desperately wanted to finish in under six hours. The tight cornering I had to do impressed me if no one else.

We pulled onto the finish and I started trying to sprint it out! The crowd was still around and the cheers made me feel good. I stopped just shy of my goal at 6 hours and 2 minutes! My average speed was 16.6, the best of the hilly centuries I have done.

We met a lot of incredibly nice people on this ride. I also noticed more Orbeas than I have ever seen!! What a great ride, definitely one to put on your calendars!

Wow this became a novel.