Century Ride Conquered!

The Roger's Century Ride has been on my calendar for a few month. It would be my first century ride (100 miles), starting in Northeast, PA and ending in Niagra Falls, CN.   After last weeks rides, I was not too nervous about it, but I still didn't know what to except after being in the saddle that long. (I did had a good idea what body parts would a little bit sensitive.). If you ever thought of doing a century, the Roger's Ride is a great first one!! Lots of stops to stretch, snack and potty! Plus it is fairly flat and beautiful! Roger has the trip down to a science and it couldn't be more organized. (Coming from professional travel planner that says a lot!) Most of the roads I felt very safe.  Riding through Buffalo, NY was an good city experience and it was nice to do it in a large group. 

            Mile 75 Near Buffalo, NY

Two highlights of the trip were coming across the Peace Bridge. They closed a lane for us to ride across the bridge!  What a view!!! I wish I could have stopped and taken a picture. Also, coming into Nigara Falls was amazing. There was a rainbow waiting for us! 

    Shari, Kevin and Laura in Niagra Falls

      First Century Ride - June 4, 2016

After a short 2 mile run we decided to treat ourselves to a delicious meal at a  restaurant called the Skylon. It was a rotating dining room 775 feet above the falls. 

             A Toast For a Great Ride!!

What I learned on my first century ride:

Body parts may go numb at some point, but the pain will resurface.

There are many terms and hand signals  used in a group ride that I never knew: stopping, slowing, breaking, pole..... just to name a few. Only one hand signal was conterdictory in my book - when you put your hand on your head. In scuba diving it is the sign of ok after you jump off a dive boat and in cycling it means you need help and for the van to stop. I will try not to confuse the two! 

At the 90% point in most of your training your demons will start talking and tell you that you will not make make it. Mile 90 was my breaking point. I wanted to stop riding and call an uber. (Is there Uber in Canada?) Everything hurt and my brain was in a fog. But, the feeling you have after you push yourself through the last 10% is amazing!  

The most important lesson:

Don't stop in the middle of the road.....

          Roger's Century Ride 2016