My sister Kathy signed us up for this event about a month ago so we could do something together and so I would experience some of the roads in the greater Colorado Springs area that she rides so often.
We arrived to the CastleRock Fairgrounds at 6:30 and were ready to go by 6:40 with our goal of being on the road before the winds and heat picked-up. Well................we were not so lucky..............as it was about 52 at race start but the temps climbed fast to the low 90s and with the strong winds we both had to watch the fluids.
Before
This century was a wonderful day to be riding and hanging with my sister. We rode at a conversational pace for most of the day and talked about life, expectations, what would or could we do differently, mortgages, and the challenges of "approaching middle age" but it is just a number right? 50 is the new 40, 40 the new 30, and so on and so on? I eagerly await medical advances in the next few decades that will permit me the joy of doing centuries, crits, and family rides until I am much longer in the tooth than today!!
One thing about Centuries is they are very social. The aid stations were great with wonderful vols, great food, and sunscreen for those of Irish descent. While riding we became acquainted with Emily Booth, the Director of Indoor Cycling for Lifetime Fitness near Denver, and we were able to chat with her a bit about riding and her goal of racing the 2011 Leadville 100 Trail Marathon in September........one tough athlete........and she had a 20 mile run scheduled for the next day!!
The heat and winds beat us up a bit toward the end but as we headed back to CastleRock for the last 15 or so we had some wonderful tail winds and on one stretch of flat road we averaged about 26-28 mph and rode like we had no pain.(for watt weenies I was pushing about 145)
Still Smiling after 100 miles
JOCMO: Riding with my sister and sharing a beer at the car as we got out of the chamois and into some comfy clothes!!
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