Seagull Century - CycleCentury

Nutrition is key and I really focused on getting a steady supply of calories - both liquid and solid. Prepared two 24 oz bottles of gatorade/malto mix containing a total of 1000 calories (6.5 hours at about 1.25 cal/lb/hr). Figured if I kept my heart rate down and supplemented with solid food, I should be fine. I ate at every rest stop (1/2 bagel, peanut butter, banana) and a granola bar in between every rest stop). Refilled my water bottle at every rest stop (about 2/3 each time - always had about 1/3 left in bottle). Refilled an empty malto bottle with gatorade, but never needed it. Going out, there was some wind, but not too bad. It was the trip back from mile 65 that it was significant. I just geared down and kept the watts steady between 80 and 85. Interesting that riders around me were apparently trying to keep the same speed and would fight the wind to maintain the same pace - while I dropped back and kept the exact same power - realizing my speed went down, but I preserved my energy and finished in great shape - no aches, pains, nothing. When the opportunity arose, I joined a pace line and took my turn at the front. Tried to keep my rest stops to 5-10 minutes so the muscles wouldn't have a chance to start tightening. Didn't always work as the group I was riding with took longer. Started to get a mild headache at 65 mile - think it's caffeine related - tried to buy a coke, but the machine ate my money, then opted not to stop at the convenience store later - - little concerned with heartburn which tends to hit me after long periods of drinking gatorade. I took prilosec in the morning to see if that helped. I think it did. I also was very good about following every sip of malto mix with a sip of water. This may have helped also. I had no heartburn this time - none later in the evening either.

nothing!!! was sooooo happy about this ride. Especially since I was so worried about the distance. My longest distance prior to this was only 65 miles.

I was also glad that I opted for the short sleeve jersey. Most folks had wind breakers, long sleeve jerseys or arm warmers. I was very comfortable. The breeze was cool and felt good on my arms. I was never cold, a few times cool - but never for more than a few seconds.

walked around - A LOT. Grabbed a hamburger (with tomato for the carbs) and a coke. Stood up and ate.

Grabbed my t-shirt from the gym and bought a new jersey and a t-shirt - an even $100 - - that's my lucky number today - 100 miles deserves a $100 present for me :)


time on the bike. plan to do more longer rides in 2012 and work on speed. I really needed to get some long easy rides under my belt. I have spent far too much time in zones 3,4 and 5 and no nearly enough in 1 or 2. I think that is really important - mostly to boost my confidence that I CAN GO THE DISTANCE.


LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this ride!!! Extremely well organized, gazillion volunteers, friendly police officers directing traffic. Everyone is happy and it's so awesome to see so many cyclists on the roads. It's like an 8 hour parade of colorful jerseys, bikes (tandems, recumbents, etc).

Thought it was funny that every rest area had a banner hanging up that said "Rest Stop MOVED" and then a little ways down the road you would find the rest stop. I fully expected a banner at the tunnel saying "FINISH LINE MOVED".

So happy that THIS was my very first CENTURY!!!