SpinDoc

How Was Your Century?

We had a great ride yesterday, in spite of the wind.  Saturday was crazy busy both at the shop and at packet pick-up, where Ashleigh and I set up the SpinDoc vendor booth.  Sunday found us feeling a little "flat," and I admit I thought about turning around after passing the half-century turn-off and taking it.

We had a good-sized group leave the shop at 7:00 AM, many doing the half, some doing the full. It was cool so most donned windbreakers as we prepared to leave, but the wind wasn't bad yet and clouds were just rolling in.

After fueling up in Madrid, I felt a little better. I was determined to stay ahead of the curve, and ate and drank at each stop whether I felt like it or not. Shortly after Madrid, we came across a couple having mechanical problems with one of the bikes. Thankfully it was an easy fix; one of our ride companions, Tom, had a multi-tool so Kirk made the repair and before long everyone was back on the road.

The long climb out of Madrid wasn't nearly as tough as I found it last year, but the descent was unnerving as the crosswinds had really picked up. The next challenge was Heartbreak; Kirk rode straight up, Knute made it a bit farther than I before staring to serpentine. I made it about half way, then serpentined the remainder. I think Heartbreak got Tom off finally, and he walked the last bit.

From there we rode to the next aid station, got yet another PB&J, and jumped back on the bikes in anticipation of the one bit of push we were going to get from the wind at that next left turn. Sure enough, we had an amazing, fast and easy ride across to Stanley. It was amazing to be able to ride so fast without any real effort. At that point, too, I was appreciative of the miles passing quickly and easily.

We made the next stop as short as possible -- mostly just topping off bottles, and then keeping the legs moving. Lauren had texted that she had finished the half century, and was resting up at the shop before riding another 10 miles to her dad's house. We were pleased to see it was only shortly after 12 noon at that point.

The wind was tough; it was a full on cross-wind as we took the next left, but as the road curved to the right on occasion we'd get a bit of a push. By the time we got to Galisteo, we were catching up with more and more riders. It was quite the party at Galisteo. As people were petering out, they were resting longer and longer at each stop. We ran into one of the out-of-towners who had rented a bike from us for the ride and snagged one of the few new SpinDoc jerseys that had come in; we had our shop friend Ramon take a picture of us in our new (and original) jerseys.

                                         Tom, Me, Kirk, Knute and new shop friend Craig

The final push from Galisteo to 285 was pretty easy; with it being such a frequent ride, it was nice to know we were on the last leg of the route.  At the bottom of Lamy Hill Kirk and Knute both claimed popsickles, but I didn't feel confident grabbing and eating one on the fly. I felt too tired by then, and that would have required an extra bit of concentration that I was afraid I might not have.

I admit Lamy Hill felt hard, but the descent helped with the final push up 285. It was by far the hardest part of the ride for me. By the time I got to the vet's office I was pretty much used up. Knowing Knute's wife Beth was waiting at the shop with margaritas for us was just the "carrot" I needed for those last few miles.

I am so thankful I got the training I did this year; it made the ride so much more fun. And how was your Century? Please post an entry and let us know!