Perimeter Reflections

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:






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Permalink Reply by Michael A on August 29, 2010 at 7:43am
here is the garmin for the perimeter ride, nice job all
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46602256

This is my garmin for my ride before the perimeter
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46511771

For some reason this is the only pic I took, I saw some shutterbugs on the ride, please post your pics here too
Attachments:
Permalink Reply by Digital Dario on August 29, 2010 at 8:24am
I could not have said it better myself. Until yesterday my max distance was 40 or so miles, and I know I'm not the only one that is feeling pretty good about themselves today. I'm really looking forward to the North Shore Century in September and I look forward to finishing it well under 12 hours.

And we did make it to the handlebar in time for a drink. Thanks John!
See you next year!
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 29, 2010 at 8:44am
Your first link links to a different ride

Michael A said:
here is the garmin for the perimeter ride, nice job all
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46602256

This is my garmin for my ride before the perimeter
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46511771

For some reason this is the only pic I took, I saw some shutterbugs on the ride, please post your pics here too
Permalink Reply by Bob Maher on August 29, 2010 at 9:29am
Many thanks to John Greenfield for organizing such a great ride.

I got back to Evanston nineteen hours after I left for the ride, and I think I set a personal record for the quantity of food and drink consumed on one ride.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on August 29, 2010 at 10:02am
It was cool to see so many riders on the Major Taylor Trail. I joined up with the ride as it rolled through Morgan Park and Beverly. Lots of people were loving that open fire hydrant (turned on for a block party in North Beverly). I estimated 70 riders at Rainbow Cone - impressive turnout. Great to see you all!
Permalink Reply by Michael A on August 29, 2010 at 11:02am
I did 2 rides, first my training ride, then rode south to meet up with the perimeter ride group, total for the day was almost 190 miles

Duppie said:
Your first link links to a different ride

Michael A said:
here is the garmin for the perimeter ride, nice job all
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46602256

This is my garmin for my ride before the perimeter
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46511771

For some reason this is the only pic I took, I saw some shutterbugs on the ride, please post your pics here too
Permalink Reply by Marion on August 29, 2010 at 12:02pm
I really loved this ride. Oddly, just a day later most of what I'm remembering are long, drawn-out ice cream breaks, beaches, open fire hydrants and spooky hotels more than riding itself - I guess it really was a painless ride. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Now that I had such a great, SPEEDY training ride ;), I am thinking about riding the Evanston century in two weeks. Just to see if this could be done in under 17 hours at all :)
Permalink Reply by Ryan L on August 29, 2010 at 12:23pm
So glad I went on this even though I had my fixed gear instead of the 60'' Long Haul Trucker I wanted to bring; I almost didn't go because of this. The furthest I had ever rode in one day was 80 miles and if I had wussed out and gone home once we passed the Lawrence exit I would have failed. I especially can't believe I didn't get a flat on my 700 x 23c tires after all that glass, sharp rocks and the plethora of potholes.

I love meeting new people and everyone was as friendly as you could ever want, such a great group. As the whiskey was burning down my throat at the Handle bar I truly felt a sense of accomplishment. The bicycle diaper rash and sore everything was totally worth it. Can't wait till next year! Thanks again John.

I clocked us at 92 miles from the fountain to the Handlebar. Including the 12 miles from my place and back that makes 104 miles total. Woot!
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 29, 2010 at 1:17pm
Ok, more specific: The map shows a 14 mile ride from Ravenswood to McKinley Park. The info itself points indeed to a 95+ mile ride

Your average moving speed was 126.6 mph. Whoa!
Even more impressive with an average heart rate of 111 ;)

Michael A said:
I did 2 rides, first my training ride, then rode south to meet up with the perimeter ride group, total for the day was almost 190 miles
Duppie said:
Your first link links to a different ride

Michael A said:
here is the garmin for the perimeter ride, nice job all
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46602256

This is my garmin for my ride before the perimeter http://connect.garmin.com/activity/46511771 For some reason this is the only pic I took, I saw some shutterbugs on the ride, please post your pics here too
Permalink Reply by Ricardo Cervantes on August 29, 2010 at 2:47pm
As always, this ride did not disappoint. If I'm going to be honest, the only part where I started to "feel it" was right at the end when it became an all out race to the Handlebar. That headwind, and the hours in the saddle finally started to wear on me.

I woke up today sore, sore, sore....and with a big smile. The 10th Perimeter Ride next year has to up the ante!
Permalink Reply by Brandon Bernier on August 29, 2010 at 3:10pm
Glad to see everyone else has as much fun on this ride as I did. Many thanks to John for taking the time to put everything together and manage such a safe and successful ride.

It was an absolute pleasure meeting everyone that went on this trip, and I hope to see you all again soon on future rides. I really loved the sense of teamwork amongst the group as we were hitting the final stretches.

Sorry I missed you all at the Handlebar, made the late-night (see: lame) choice to head home after the lakefront path. Kicking myself for this silly decision, as it sounds like the night shaped up well at the bar.

Thanks again for the great time, ride safe out there!
Permalink Reply by Duppie on August 29, 2010 at 4:15pm
Great ride indeed. We (the only tandem on the ride) peeled off at Midway, but it was great to ride around the Southside. Neighborhoods with people sitting on their stoop, and the old industrial areas where nature seems to reclaim space. A great sight!

Got to meet new folks as well!

Thanks John for organizing!

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