Thanks everyone for making my FIRST century a great one and thanks John for the super ride!
I was about 75% sure that I was going to be able to make it, and 100% sure it wouldn't be due to overall physical exhaustion... I was thinking, if anything, it would be something mechanical or it would be a cramp in my thumb or a cramp in my shoulder, or something like that. Luckily, no such thing happened and we were able to enjoy pretty much the whole thing.
Maybe it's just me having never ridden such a distance before, but I just can't believe that within one ride, I was all the eff down by the Skyway, and then later at the Leaning Tower YMCA.
Everyone was so friendly and chatty and wanting to share their nourishment, encouragement and beer. I met so many lovely folks and hope to bump into them again. Friend me here on this thang!
David and I bailed at about North Ave Beach partly because the ride had become something like a mad dash to the Handlebar (which was going to close shortly), and partly because we figured that, according to
Marion's odometer, if we stopped and turned around for home at that point, we'd make the 100miles we wanted. We did make approximately 103.
The ride was a super experience for this largely inexperienced rider, and I WILL be doing it again.
Next year for the 10 year anniversary, I want teeshirts! Remember John: David and I offered to throw those together for ya, if you don't have a better idea.
Shared some super tasty cookies with the crew (well, EYE thought so :)), and here's the blog they're at: