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Since a “century” ride (100 miles in a day) will take about 6 hours of saddle time and 8 hours of clock time and burn about 5400 calories, it’s important to fuel up properly. Hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and bananas are a good start on that. One water bottle is filled with water and one with a performance drink. Then it’s on with the helmet, sun glasses, sun block and gloves, time to click in and find some nice people to ride with. Based on the terrain, weather and riders, rest stops are spaced anywhere from 8 to 25 miles apart, anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes of riding. In that span, I may shift 20-50 times through 4-10 different gears, ride “out of the saddle” on a hill, lead a pace line, encourage others, ride solo, chase the pack, buy lemonade from a roadside stand and act as a crossing guard, all while dodging inattentive motorists, road kill, potholes, glass and branches. At a rest area, it’s time to use the metro, refill the water bottles and eat. This 5-10 minute break is perfect to stretch a little, help others with mechanical problems or noticed form or bike fit issues and get ready to do it again. This also might be the time to get some snapshots of the scenery, to take off a layer, add sunscreen or greet a rider you know from another ride. If you do this 5 or 6 times, don’t crash, dehydrate, “bonk” or get lost, you soon find yourself at the end. The jersey may be gritty, the legs heavy, and/or the neck requesting a massage, but this is usually a great way for me to spend a day. |
Last riders-"The Caboose"- 
Closing ceremonies ACT II , |
