This was my first time doing this ride and my 4th or 5th manned Century rides. It was a VERY windy day (10-15mph sustained winds with gusts up to 25mph) but overcast for most of the day. We got infrequent rain drops for most of the route and then a torrential rainstorm at mile 90 right after some really strong winds. The roads were ok for the first 40-50 miles and then they turned REALLY bad. I mean, not just the normal rough chip seal but sections of dirt road and rocks. I don't think cars even drove on it much. The roads around Taylor (mile 80ish) were very nice. All of the Aid stations were adequately stocked and manned by very nice volunteers and the Bicycle Sport Shop guys were awesome. I flatted 3 times and on the last flat my brand new Gatorskin tire was shredded and ruined. The BSS guys put a new Bontraguer tire and tube and got me to the finish line. After all those mechanical issues, I had lost all hopes of staying with a good pack of riders and was left seesawing with riders who had overextended themselves on that course. It was a hard fought and very difficult day to ride and should probably count for more like 130 miles after going into that wind for 50+ miles.

Stretched, went home


weight


There was hardly anyone left at the finish when we arrived. In fact, they had already taken down the finish line so it was as if we finished alone. No food left, no drinks, nothing.