Holy. Crap.
This happens every year, where my mind tries to convince my body that it still races. And the answer is it doesn't. And I suffer. This year it was at the Cascade Bicycle Club's Flying Wheels Summer Century.
But I got a boatload of sun, didn't completely blow and in the end it was a huge case of type 2 fun. Meaning it was tough but I'm glad I did it.
I rode with my friend John Phillips who is at least as game as I am when it comes to chasing fast wheels. I should have known.
We rolled out at about 7:30 and after a few miles along Lake Sammamish the course heads up a pretty stout hill. Every year there are people taking breaks on this hill (which is just five miles into a 104 mile ride) and walking their bikes. Ouch.
At the top of this hill we encountered some triathletes, it was three guys all on the VO2 Multisport team. As is typical of triathletes, these guys were hammers! Later on we would encounter many more triathletes and they were all fast.
Here are some highlights.
- about 25 miles into this century going about 27 mph I'm barely able to draft a couple of 20 something young bucks (your guessed, it, triathletes) when one turns to the other and says, "Did you get your swim in this morning?" #mindgames
- With maybe two miles to go a woman (triathlete!) flew past us like nothing. Of course John jumped. I tried...
- I drank six 24 oz bottles and was still dehydrated when we finished. I started in a sleeveless jersey and needless to day I was never uncomfortable.
- I have not eaten this many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in years. They just tasted good.
- I almost cramped three (four?) times.
- We pulled this guy in the last 20 miles. He was so grateful he bought both of us a beer. "A draft for a draft!" Thanks!
- It was such a nice day that when I got home I hit the deck. Turns out even I have a maximum amount of sun I can absorb and I got that during the ride... after maybe 30 minutes I went back inside. I should have jumped in the lake.
Here are all my pictures and video.
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