Cartersville Century - CycleCentury

First 50: First half was relatively easy.. or should I say first 40 miles or so. Nothing too bad, and some nice long downhills. It was relatively cool at that time too. Like 80 ish. Then everything changed. It got hot, and not just hot, but oppressive. The kind of heat that would drive you indoors even if you were just standing around doing nothing.

As it heated up, I decided I just needed to find my comfort zone, then just kind of wait to see how things go from there.

Nutrition: I started the ride with no pre-ride nutrition, and only two bottles of perpetuum which were gone by the 30 mile sag stop. After that, I pretty much relied on sag stops to get what I needed, and I can tell you now, that was not smart. Although the sag stops suprised me with their quality, they were not as often as advertised, which caused me to be without fluids for a few miles on two different occasions. I did eat a pb&j (sorry rylee), and some fig newtons, and a candy bar, and a banana or two..

Last 50: I rode solo the whole time. Let me tell you, THAT's boring. I did talk to several randoms, but you know how that goes, they fall back, and you are once again alone. at mile 56, there was a killer long steep hill just as we crossed under I-75. Biggest of the ride. The route continued along with some really nice, shaded, countryside type roads, and some horrible not an once of shade, desert type roads with wind and what not. There was far more sun, than there was shade.. just because I mention that there was some, does not mean that it was statistically significant. Cause I can assure you, it was not.

Last 10 miles. The last sag stop came at mile 90. By this time, I just wanted to be done. I knew I was going to make it, but I just didn't have the desire to go back out there on those hot roads. Of course, I did go back out there, and dragged myself into the finish. I rode my bike to the picnic area, got off it, and grabbed an ide cold coke.. MMMMMMMM. and two hot dogs, and a hamburger.. yeah yeah. I needed all of it. There was to be no T run after this ride. Too hot. It would have done me no good.

1. Set my own alarm.

2. Nutrition. I learned what I need to do differently, and will do so for my next Century, which is at the end of July.

3. I did not drop any electrolyte specific anything out there, and that was a HUGE mistake. I just did not have enough time to get anything together. I need to get some endurolytes, or at least drop some nuun.

Ate, chatted with some people I know, then.. well, ate some more, then left.


Time management.


Going to give it a three out of 5, only due to the fact that sag stops were supposed to be every 15 miles. There was one 25 mile gap, and one 20 mile gap. Too much when I was not expecting it. Otherwise, it was very very well done. The volunteers were outstanding, and the sag stops were excellent. 75 was a bit weak, but it still did the job.