Hello ladies,

Yesterday I accomplished a 100 miler. My first! It was the Honey Suckle 100 held in Columbus IN. I've been riding for a full year now and thought this would be a good goal.

My observations from the ride: I felt strong for the first 50 miles. Last 50 miles it was more of a mental thing - saying to myself "okay, this is nothing more than two 25milers old girl". I felt the heat of the day working on me, too. It also got LONELY all of a sudden. I needed a buddy - if nothing more than to drag off of for a while . Luckily, there was a nice couple on a tandem who I hooked up with for the last 12 or so miles and that made ALL the difference to finish...

Anyway, I'd really like to get tips from you in the area of RECOVERY...Had a horrible, restless night's sleep and felt weak today... made myself eat/drink/eat . Not sore in the least but a bit stiff. Rested all day and did some stretching . Feel some better this evening, and I know I'll ride to work tomorrow. Do you experience the same physical stuff after long rides such as this? And what do you do? ? ?

I'll end after this PS I promise: I don't ride with a group at any time, so I'm not used to the surge of a pelaton... but boy, did one pass by me on that ride. UP a steeeeep hill....going like a whir past me... I was truely awestruck and kept looking to see just what gears they were pushing. Later, my husband told me this group had a goal to finish in 5hrs. Yikes.

-Chrisanna