Tour de Tonka
-
No new posts
Tour de Tonka - Cycle
View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Bike
Comments: This was going to be my first century, and I was struggling to accept that I could even do it. I felt a lot better when I saw the hundreds of people showing up to do it with me. I know looks aren't everything, but I saw an awful lot of folks who didn't look like they had half the fitness I did. I started with the plan to expend no extra effort. Pedal easy, at my own pace. Of course I was passed like crazy, but even so by the first rest stop (around 14 miles) I was averaging 17.4 mph. I was riding with my husband and our plan was to use every rest stop to eat/potty but not stay so long that we can't get up again. I had my 40 oz Camelbak with sport drink and carried 600 calories with me for the day. I also ate plenty at each stop, of course all junk food. I definitely fueled well, I never felt hungry, confused, or frustrated. I felt pretty darn awesome through about mile 85. We had a rest at 89 and after the first mile back on the bike I started to actually feel tired. I was really proud to have made it that far! My attitude was still very good, but my speed was going down and I felt ready to be done. The last few miles of this ride are VERY hilly. In years past, doing shorter routes, I thought "man, I'm glad I didn't do the century and have to tackle these hills after 95 miles!" It was actually going ok and then on the last really long hill I dropped my chain. I'm not even sure why, I was in my lowest gear. It got caught in the works and then snapped. My odometer read 99.5 miles and if it had read 100 I probably would have just stopped and waited for a ride. Fortunately my husband could fix it, with the help of a stranger who had the right part, and we rode the rest of the way back. Due to the rest stops, I suppose, I was a few miles over 100. All in all, it really wasn't as hard as I thought. I never did the last 60 mile ride, and skipped a few others along the way in favor of running. I am glad I can do this with less mileage under my belt. Of course I could do better with more riding, but honestly this was a-ok with me. What would you do differently?: Bring a spare chain? Also, I could have used a reapplication of sun block. Post race
Last updated: 2013-02-01 12:00 AM
|
|
{postbutton}
2013-08-04 7:20 AM |
|
2013-08-05 9:06 AM in reply to: #4820575 |
2013-08-06 12:15 PM in reply to: #4820575 |
General Discussion-> Race Reports! |
{postbutton}
United States
Minnetonka Community Education
70F / 21C
Sunny
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/