Anyone do the North Shore Century yesterday?

It was my longest single-day ride to date, 131 miles from home to the starting point in Evanston, then to Kenosha, back to Evanston, and then back home. 8 stops (5 actually on the ride + 1 "unauthorized ice cream stop"), 12 hours. I was unprepared, my longest ride this year was 40 miles, and I was on a brand new saddle (ouch!), and I just barely managed to tune up my road bike the day before, with help from a friend.

My body was upset with me last night, I couldn't get my core temp down, and was hurting in places I don't care to specify. I also neglected to use sunblock. Today I feel much better, but didn't exactly feel like getting on my bike and riding to work. I did anyway.

I witnessed a couple of cyclists on the century pulled over by a police officer in Zion. As I passed I wasn't sure they were part of the century (I thought they didn't have helmets) but I heard later they were part of the ride. Apparently they were pulled over in a residential area for blowing through a stop sign. Mostly people didn't stop at stop signs if there was no traffic, as you'd expect.

I was honked at angrily by a couple of motorists, once for just being on the road, and another for taking too long to get through an intersection. I hate to admit it, but I was not at my friendliest when riding 131 miles. I flipped both of them off.

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Permalink Reply by Will on September 13, 2010 at 11:28am
That sucks. I don't recall anything dangerous about that area.

You're right about Kenosha, the lakefront was freaking gorgeous. The water looked so blue you could mistake it for the Caribbean.

Eduardo Acosta said:
I was the one that got that ticket. I did a rolling stop and got pulled over. According to the officer, she witnessed 4 cyclist almost get hit, but she decided to give me a ticket instead.

Kenosha went from run down ghetto to pristine lakefront mansions in minutes. I saw beautiful modern homes on route including a Frank Lloyd Wright home. Despite getting a flat tire on my car on my way to Evanston, starting the century late 8:40am, and getting a ticket while riding my bike. I still had a good time.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on September 13, 2010 at 11:31am
Go Ruben! Go Ruben!

Ruben Dario said:

Permalink Reply by Michael A on September 13, 2010 at 11:53am
The northshore was one of my favorite centuries I did last year. Too bad it was the same day as the sub 5 about 75 miles into the sub 5 trying to hammer through a string headwind I wished I was leisurely doing the NSC with you guys.

here is my Garmin for the sub 5, we made it just under the wire 4 minutes or less to spare

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/48918193

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Go Ruben! Go Ruben!

Ruben Dario said:

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 13, 2010 at 12:06pm
Ahem, um Michael. Psst. hey, michael... This says you only went 18.75 miles.

Michael A said:
The northshore was one of my favorite centuries I did last year. Too bad it was the same day as the sub 5 about 75 miles into the sub 5 trying to hammer through a string headwind I wished I was leisurely doing the NSC with you guys.

here is my Garmin for the sub 5, we made it just under the wire 4 minutes or less to spare

Permalink Reply by Mike Bullis 5.5-6.5 miles on September 13, 2010 at 12:11pm
First time in years I had to miss it.:(
Permalink Reply by Michael A on September 13, 2010 at 12:15pm
http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=1508112 opps, that was this morning's recovery ride
here is the sub 5

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/48757597
Kevin Conway said:
Ahem, um Michael. Psst. hey, michael... This says you only went 18.75 miles.
Michael A said:
The northshore was one of my favorite centuries I did last year. Too bad it was the same day as the sub 5 about 75 miles into the sub 5 trying to hammer through a string headwind I wished I was leisurely doing the NSC with you guys.

here is my Garmin for the sub 5, we made it just under the wire 4 minutes or less to spare
Permalink Reply by yaj 7.4 on September 13, 2010 at 12:31pm
I'm impressed and envious of Michael's sub 5, but pretty happy with my 125 miles in under 8 hours at the North Shore Century. Congrats to everyone who did it! It was a glorious day for a ride.
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on September 13, 2010 at 12:46pm
Was that 8 hours moving time or total time? If that was 8 hours total time, that's pretty impressive. It took me 7 hours total time to do just the century itself.
Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on September 13, 2010 at 12:51pm
I thought it was a great ride, bumpier than other rides but great none the less.

I saw a sign along the way that prohibited bicycle riders from riding three across in one of the comunities.

Anyone else have any pizza at the last rest stop of the 70 miler? It could have been covered in tree bark and it would have been the best pizza I've ever had!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 14, 2010 at 12:08am
Some of the northern 'burbs love to write tickets during NSC. I've seen it in Lake Forest a few times. They really know how to roll out the welcome wagon. ;)

envane x said:
Certain jurisdictions have laws against it, namely Lincolnshire (this would have been on Old Elm Rd. and St Mary's Rd. strecth). There are even signs warning about it.

Will V. said:
envane x said:
From what I overhead at the rest stops, people were also being pulled over for riding 3+ abreast.

Wow, is there a law against riding 3 abreast? I've never heard of anything like that. When I'm riding, I'll often take up the entire lane (riding down the center) if there is no bike lane, a bunch of potholes on the edge of the lane, or the road is just too narrow. Is that illegal too?
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on September 14, 2010 at 12:09am
Congrats!

y a j said:
I'm impressed and envious of Michael's sub 5, but pretty happy with my 125 miles in under 8 hours at the North Shore Century. Congrats to everyone who did it! It was a glorious day for a ride.
Permalink Reply by Adam "Cezar" Jenkins on September 14, 2010 at 4:25am
I did the NSC. It was my first century. Like you I had a ten mile to and from ride to Evanston make it 120 miles for the day. This is 70 miles more than I've ever done in a day before. I got home totally exhausted and a little dehydrated despite my best efforts to drink as much as I could. I got that horrible bonk at about mile 70 when there was that big gap between rest stops.

I left Evanston at 7am and made it to the big gap rest stop about noon. I napped about an hour on the grass and then ate/drank some and waited. Didn't get out until 2. I pulled into Evanston again around 4:30

Overall I had a great time and it was a big accomplishment for me, but I'm sore in unmentionable places. :)

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