I did this event, last year, but I only did the 40 mile course. Well, this year I decided to bump that up a little. They added a 75 and 100 mile route. This year I decided to do the 100.

The 100... why not.. new bike.. new wheels... it was begging me to ride it. ;) This was my first Century ride. My longest ride this year, leading up to this event was 35 miles, which was last week with others from BT. haha.. so.. why not bump it up 65 miles. haha.

The alarm went off at 4:15 AM. I finally crawled out at 4:30. After loading everything and heading out, I noticed that I needed some gas and air in one of my tires. (no, I wasn't going to use the bike pump..lol) So, after a quick stop at Wally World, I got some gas and then had to go to 3 different stations to find a working air compressor. I finally get on the road and then get stuck behind a wreck on 30. The 75 and 100 mile riders were getting on the road and I was stuck in traffic. Good stuff.. I finally get there and run to registration. I fill out the paper work and hand over the money. At this point the all other routes are heading out.. lol. The only one left is the 8 mile route. I finally get everything together and hit the road at 8:20 AM.

My legs were a little stiff starting out, from starting Crossfit, this past week. After a few miles, everything started feeling fine. I am now catching people from the other groups and passing. As I am passing some of the other riders, I started remembering the course from last year. I remember that the roads were not great, the wind sucked, and the hills sucked even more. haha.. I was making much better time this year. I passed the two areas that Johnny had flats, then the hill where we saw a guy getting CPR. I was making really good time and having fun. Before I knew it, I was coming up on the hill that handed me my butt last year. This year, not a problem... ;) I had to walk that hill last year. One hill paid back... one left. I found that one and nailed it too. This was turning out to be a great ride. At that point, I was averaging a little over 18 mph. This would change soon. haha

Things started sucking, not too long after I passed the church, where I turned off, last year. At this point, I am in new territory. I really think this is where most of the climbs came in to the route. There were hills that I was reading 4.x on the climb, but I made up for some of those on the back side. Being gravity gifted, I saw 44 on one of the down hills. I love my aerobars.. ;) I spent quite a bit of time in them today. There was one hill right before rest stop 9.. about 80 miles or so in.. that I totally lost my legs. I couldn't spin, so I ended up walking part of this hill. I was about 20 yards from the top, but I had nothing. haha. Once I got to the top, I stretched the legs for about 1 minute and then off I went. I stopped at the rest stop and filled the bottles. The volunteers told me that a few others just headed out, so I went looking. haha. Having someone in front of me, gives me something to work on. I passed a few more right before the last rest stop, but I had to pass them again, since I thought we were turning right...that was just for the rest stop. so after a minute or so, I turned back around and went the correct direction. haha. I was only a few miles from the finish. I rolled across the line and then headed straight for the car.

All in all, I am really happy. There were a lot of hills.. and I do not like hills. I guess now that I can actually wear a cycle jersey and am a tad bit lighter this year, the hills are not as bad. And hey.. this was my first Century.. So I am happy. Plus, all the money they raise, is for a GREAT cause.



I would get there on time. Starting late, caused me to start faster than I should have, which I paid for in the end. I also didn't get to meet up with the other BT'rs that were there.

I would have also tested out the new wheels a little more. I ended up having problems with my derailleur. I had two rings that I really could not use, which caused more problems than I needed on the hills.

Loaded the car, called the wife, got gas, and started the 45 minute drive back to the house.


Hills, ability, and mechanicle issues.


The event was on time.... but not me.. lol

I will continue to do this event.