For my first century I was going into it with the attitude of just to get through it. I wasn't worried about my time, but just to finish. For my next one I'll put some goals to it. The morning was perfect, the skies were overcast and it wasn't too hot yet. I was a little worried about the heat, the forecast was calling for 97 degree heat. I've never ridden a distance more than 20 miles in that kind of heat here in Texas. Jared was a late arrival, we were suppose to get to the Liberty Hill High School at 7am. While I was waiting I did have the opportunity to meet up with the Bike Noob and meet face to face. Once Jared was ready we made our way through the crowds.
The start was typical of any mass start as a large group of us rolled out at 8:05. The longer distances of 80 & 105 got to go first. Since we were in the back of the start we had to navigate through the riders. Our first pit stop was at the 30 mile Dillo Door. This is the section longer distance riders have to get to by 10:30 or they would have to take one of the shorter routes. We beat this time no problem, we were averaging 18 mph. Shortly after Burnet we hit a down hill stretch and Jared took off, I wasn't too worried I knew I'd catch him on the up hills. But as he pulled away I got a flat. I'm not the fastest flat changer, it takes me about 12 minutes normally. This wasn't normal, it took about 30 to 40 minutes at least. The tube kept getting pinched between the tire and the rim. I bent down on 1 knee while I was getting the tube out and I think I put my knee in poison ivy. It sure is itchy. At least it wasn't too bad while I was on the course, but it is a bit itchy still.
So on I pushed, when I got to the next rest stop Jared wasn't too be found so on I went. Ten more miles down the road I got another flat. I only had one spare tube with me and I used it already so now I had to bust out the patch kit. This time it only took between 20 - 30 minutes to patch the tube, change it and get going again. Little did I know but in the process of changing the tire I messed up my chain.
For the next 35 miles I suffered through a slipping chain. Each time I would try to put any power into my pedal stroke it would slip. If I tried any out of the saddle climbing I'd almost fall from loosing my balance when it would slip. There was 1 hill without having sustained power or the ability to get out of the saddle I had to walk up. It was very humiliating as it was a hill that I had climbed the week before with no problem. Without a working bike there was no way I could make it up it. I later found out I wasn't the only one. Worst of all the sun came out and it started to heat up.
At mile 80 there is a rest stop in Oatmeal, I was hoping there would be a mechanic at the rest stop so I could get my bike looked at. Surprisingly there were no mechanics manning any of the rest stops. I found this very odd, I've never done a ride where the bike shops didn't sponsor a few of the rest stops. I figured if there wasn't mechanical help there was no way I could make it through the upcoming hills back into Liberty Hill. To my amazement but who should I see, I caught back up to Jared! There were no mechanics at this stop, but there was something better, Jared armed with his all in one tool. He was able to get the link that was stuck back to working order. I owe Jared big time for that, he kept me from the SAG wagon.
The last 20 miles wasn't pretty, we endured it and made it through. I thought I had done a good job of hydrating, but when I got home I jumped on the scale and I had lost 8 pounds! This was after drinking 64 ounces after the ride and at the last 2 rest stops I drank another 64 ounces probably. Obviously I wasn't hydrating enough and more sustained power suffered. On the hills back I still averaged 18 mph up them, but it left the take completely empty for the down hill back into Liberty Hill.
This one was all about finishing, but my active time was 6:33:06 and averaged 16.24 mph for the 106 miles. My body feels good this morning, no aches or pains. I was comfortable on my bike the entire ride. When I woke up this morning my resting heart rate was 20 beats higher than usual so I'm still recovering, so no riding today.
Photos of the Armadillo Hill Country Classic on RoadBikeRides.com
May 11, 2008 at 12:35 PM I like your camera...it makes me look somewhat in shape...except for the picture where I have a gargantuan butt...however I'm going to blame that on all the stuff in my jersey...ya, that's it!
I wish I felt good today...I feel hung over. I'm obviously dehydrated! However I lost exactly 0 pounds...I weighed the same yesterday evening as I did before the ride...go figure.
I'm glad we caught back up at the rest stop...I was getting ready to head out when I saw you pull up. Probably a good thing I rested for a little while longer too!
Excellent work on finishing the century! Especially with all the mechanical problems!
May 11, 2008 at 1:58 PM Oof! Still, an impressive average speed, even with the hydration problem. I was thinking about maybe going the metric century, but since I hadn't trained for a longer distance, I decided to stick with the 51 mile ride. Glad I did. Bike stayed in one piece, and I wasn't exhausted at the end. One woman in my local club did the 105, and I'm told she did a 50-miler with the club this morning. I'm not there yet. Maybe never.
Apr 4, 2009 at 1:46 AM nice write up. I never tire of reading about peoples century rides. I will never forget my first century...the fear, the dread, the pain, the sense of achievement!!
what next....a double century??!
Apr 4, 2009 at 7:14 AM Hi James,
Yes at some point this year I'd like to do 200 miles.