Warning -- Whining Message

[Rakekay]

I am having SUCH a bad day. I was scheduled to ride in the Seagull Century this weekend (my first century) but, after much deliberation decided not to do the ride. It's supposed to rain ALL DAY LONG (with intermittent breaks for rain AND thunder). Plus, I've been fighting a cold all week, and one of my kids is sick. Having never ridden in the rain before and with all the other issues, I decided to skip the ride, as much as I was psyched up for it. I found another century in two weeks time that I'll do instead.

Since making that decision, however, I have:
a. spent an hour online trying to find a hotel to stay in for the other century (finally found one but not nearly as close to the ride as I wanted to be)
b. called the hotel I was supposed to stay in tonight THREE TIMES before I could finally get someone to answer, only to discover that apparently they have a 24-hour cancellation policy, which I swear I didn't know about, rather than a "cancel by 6 p.m. policy" and now I'm going to be charged for the room anyway.
c. and, on top of all that, I've got a nasty sinus headache from the rain.

Whine, whine, whine. I need to throw something.

[emily_in_nc]

Rakekay ~ What a bummer! You have every right to whine, I think!

I do think you made the right decision, though. We did the Seagull Century two years ago, and it rained hard through the second half of it. We were cold and miserable and had absolutely no fun - the rest stops were puddly messes, and we couldn't even enjoy Assateague (sp?) b/c of the driving rain and wind. The weather folks had predicted that the rain would hold off til afternoon, so we thought we'd be long done (hubby and I were riding a fast tandem at that time so knew we could average 18-20 mph in the flats, and did), but it started raining much earlier than predicted. We didn't have the proper clothing for it (stupid of us), and my husband's lips were blue by the end. It was not fun!

I talked to the beer guy at the reception afterwards (thank goodness for the beer; that saved the day! ), and he said that it rains OFTEN on that ride. I wish they'd move it to a different, dryer time of year. It could have been such great fun!

So...despite all the problems, you'll be glad you didn't go ride a rainy century, methinks!

Emily

[Trekhawk]

rakekay - I agree with Emily you have made the right choice. I cant imagine doing a century in the rain would be any fun. You want your first century to be memorable for the right reasons not for being water logged.

[Googlie Wooglie]

I have to agree ... I'm sorry you can't get the refund on your room but I have ridden a metric century in the rain and it was no fun at all. Not only are you wet and cold and have sloshy shoes, I ended up with mud in my bike frame (the route took us through a flooded street, twice) and spent an entire day cleaning up the bike, clothes, shoes, tools ...

I'll never do a long ride in the rain again ... I'm just not that hardcore.

[Dianyla]

Doing a century in the rain wouldn't be completely horrible, if you had the right weather gear. Doing a century while 'under the weather' with any kind of cold or illness would be horrible, even if it were a beautiful clear day.

So yeah, rest and recover and go kick booty in a few weeks!

[Rakekay]

Thanks to everyone for your support and "saying the right thing." I kind of feel like I've "given up," although I know logically that I haven't since I am still going to do one, just a few weeks later. Hopefully it won't rain then too!

[bikerchick68]

I agree wholeheartedly... this is a good decision! Completing your first ever century in miserable conditions, and feeling sick, is a bad idea and would take the joy out of the event.

sorry you're gonna get charged for the room... sigh... is the policy in writing anywhere? online? on the confirmation?

if your ride was out here I'd let ya stay at my place! I have 2 guest rooms and house riders ocasssionally when they come to SD to do rides... usually people I've met from forums! Anyway, hope the hotel thing works out and the weather in 2 weeks is perfect for you...

[Rakekay]

if your ride was out here I'd let ya stay at my place! I have 2 guest rooms and house riders ocasssionally when they come to SD to do rides... usually people I've met from forums! Anyway, hope the hotel thing works out and the weather in 2 weeks is perfect for you...

Speaking of rides in San Diego, do you know if there are any over Thanksgiving weekend? I'm going to be there (with my husband's entire family) and would love an excuse to clear out of the in-law's house for an entire day to ride!

[bikerchick68]

the latest one in Nov here is the 12th... in Solvang... which is about 5 hours north... here's the link just in case!

http://www.planetultra.com/SolFinest/index.htm

I sooooooo feel for you on the entire family thing. It can be stressful... usually one person has put in a LOT of effort and is tired and cranky... ugh!

I will be around that weekend as far as I know... maybe we can hook up and ride! Keep it in mind and we can touch bases as it gets nearer...