This was a one time ride to celebrate Oklahoma turning 100. I did my 3rd 100 mile ride. The wind killed me. Oh, and the hills. Luckily they saved all the hills for the last half of the course. And then a 15 mile ride directly into a terrible head wind to finish. I saw Joanne; thanks for coming over to say "hi". I assume Bill was there but when I looked I couldn't find them and the ride started. I think Gary and Carolina were supposed to be there but I didn't find them either.
The ride was a bit different. I got to wear the yellow jersey for a few miles when the lead pack missed a turn. :-) I was right behind them and I stopped while yelling; "I think we are supposed to turn". There were a few turns that weren't marked quite as good as they could have been. If you did the 100 mile or at least the eastern 45 you got to go through the zoo. That was fun and dangerous and confusing. Then the unexpected single file gate trying to get out of Mohawk Park. On the West 55 route there was a street that was literally under construction. It was easy riding but they were working on it as we rode. And a pedestrian bridge with tight turns that was probably quite dangerous riding slow while being clipped.
Of course it didn't help that my left knee started hurting at the 60 mile mark. Same thing happened on the fall century. But this time there were "lots" of hills left. At 70 miles my right knee started hurting from the compensation. I finished the last 20+ miles with a lady from Wichita, Mary. Mary was doing her first century. Talking to her helped me keep my mind off my worn out body and allowed me to finish. A special thanks to Mary.
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| Sean and Mary |
I’m not sure I want to do any more century rides. Maybe just the cheating metric century (62 miles)*
* editorial note 8/29/10 - When I created this story almost 3 years ago I really thought I might never want to do a century ride again. I think I just completed my 7th century this year.
