I survived my First Century!

[Smilie]

Did my first Century on a Tandem. I was told by my 'captain' that I was riding with only 1/4 of the training I needed. YIKES! He told me this two days before I was to ride. So I was a bit concerned.

Rode 109 miles the first day with no major problems. My sitz bones were a bit sore. But we did get to get off the bike 4 times to change 4 flats, oh and to put the chain back on. It was 98F out, so we were definitely ready to be done. Did the ride in just over 6 hours.

From reading I knew I needed to eat and drink a lot, so I did. Also had a rest stop every 25 miles so ate plums and refilled the Cytomax and the Hammer sports powder. Also did the endurolyte capsules.

My friend that pulled me along is a very strong rider, so I knew that helped me a LOT! I doubt I could have made it without him.

The second day there were only 4 of us that were going to do the 100, so we set out, nice and cool at 67F. We got a different tire and new rim tape so we could prevent all the flats. We were going along fine, got to the base of a hill and got a flat. We fixed it, pumped up the tire, and noticed a bubble coming out of the tire. Oops, a big gash in our NEW tire.

Called the support guys and they said they would be there in a minute. After 30 minutes they showed up, and this was after we put a dollar in between the tube and the tire to protect it, so we could at least go until they got to us. That would be 5 minutes later.

So after we lost all this time we didn't do the 100 route after all, did the 75 which was actually about 89. We rode total about 199, so that is good enough for us!

The only real irritation was where I sat! It is a good thing I used that Body Glide! Sitz bones are sore today, and my legs are tired, but that is all!! WOOHOO! I thought I wouldn't be able to walk today, so I guess the only place that needs more work is where I sit.

Thanks to all the threads I read on here for all the extra information! That and my partner made this ride doable for me!

[Hammer]

That's excellent. I'm not yet ready for back to back centuries. I would like to do a century at a better pace than I typically do.

Good for you!

[sbctwin]

Great job...where was the ride (from a former Casperite)...

[denda]

Good job. My husband and I have a century coming up on the 23rd. Hope it's not too hot!

[Smilie]

Thanks!

Cool another from Casper! I did the Wyoming Cares Ride with the Winds. It started in Riverton, went over Beaver Rim(OMG was that a loooongggg climb!) through Lander and back to Riverton. 107 miles.

Then next day started the same place, went through Ethete and Kinnear. Very beautiful ride!

[amy]

Wow! I hope to do a century in the future. Right now, I can't imagine it. It's been a while since I've done 50miles. Sigh... ALY- WE HAVE SOME RIDING TO DO!!

[sundial]

Smilie, what a cool way to do a century. And I guess you both are still speaking to each other? I've heard that tandems usually smoke people in the rides. They come along like freight trains and blast by everyone. Congrats and do you have any pictures of your adventure??

[Smilie]

That's funny that you ask if we are still speaking to each other, as I have heard it is a relationship maker or breaker! It was great, no problems, well except for the 4 flats, and the chain one day, and the gouged tire the next! That made him kind of cranky! No problems riding it, we are a bit wobbly when we stand, but that's it thank goodness.

Though he did tell me today that when we were going up the hills I was pushing him a bit harder than he really wanted to go. Of course I didn't see *how* much farther up the hill we had to go.

We can haul on the flats, but kind of die on the hills. Everyone loved drafting us. We had a couple of pulls going up some of the hills which helped us out as well.

I do have pictures, so when I load them I shall share.