100 miles - The Century
I started the day strong, in a pack that slowly dissipated to a few. Shortly after starting, I got a shot of energy and took off. I made it to Pit Stop1 at Lake Wyola in no time. Refueled and headed back out.
OH! When they were talking about the route this morning, AAC asked that the more seasoned (aka fast ass) riders wait back about a half hour so that the others can get a good head start and everyone is on a more even plane. So I saw some "seasoned" riders lining up and I hear some jackoff say all smarmy "I guess I'll wait." To which I said... "Some people need to wait, HELLO! Some of us need a little more time" and Jerkoff says "And some of us trained." What a cock! A few choice words were slung in the air and I got on my bike...
At Pit Stop 2, Petersham Commons, we were greeted by the nicest elderly group that was handing out oranges, and snacks. They were a great boost as they were really into it, really lively, and cute as could be. Now, this was the best Pit Stop of the whole ride, not only because of the elderly but because there was a Olde Timeeeeeee General Store right across the street. I ran over (only after going to the bathroom 3 times in 15 minutes) and bought some food I really wanted. A Peppermint Patty, a Vanilla Coke, and a Lemon Lime Gatorade. This is also where I joined forces with "POWERHOUSE" SOREN and SARAH. Two great chicks that would turn out to be my riding buddies for the remainder of the ride (give or take a few miles during this day).
Now, somewhere between here and lunch, Jon and Elena were parked on the side of the road cheering people on! They were amazing! Elena had the voodoo stick out that her Mom used last year to torment, I mean cheer riders on for 3 straight days. I love this stick and begged Elena to bring it! Its the single most exciting and invigorating thing while I am riding. Its so cool!
At lunch, I finally got a great Veggie lunch from Wild Oats. The ban that i was almost ready to place on them was lifted and all was well in health food store land! Jon and Elena sat and ate with me and kept me company and were great pillars of strength. Somewhere around this time i realized that my face was sun burnt as well. Who knew?
After lunch, I got lost! Wait, What? The guy who got lost 2 seconds into the ride on Day 1 got lost again? NOOOOOOOOOOO! Oh yeah. Jon and Elena were trailing me, shaking that stick and just yelling at me. Then they sped ahead. I got confused by the arrows at an intersection and took a left. About a mile in, the road narrowed to a single lane road, then widened, then turned into a single lane road again about a mile later. About this time I am wondering if I am lost. I was kicking some serious ass, but the woman behind me hadn't been in sight for a couple miles. I'm so fast! Well, just about that time, Jon and Elena pull up next to me. "I went the wrong way didn't I?" Yup! So, I got in the car because there was no way in hell I was heading back (the what turned out to be almost 3 miles) to get on the right track.
Jon and Elena drove me to about a half mile behind the woman that was behind me before "the mishap" and I peddled my ass off as I was going to finish this day! I eventually caught up to Powerhouse and Sarah. We bonded over ass pains and hatred of hills and finished the 100 miles strong!
Now was the challenge, walking uphill to the Alumi Hall for dinner and entertainment. The food was incredibly good and plentiful! I ate like Carnie Wilson before her surgery and had ice cream as well! The nice man who ran dinner at Regis deserves a raise as he was working to accomodate everyone! I went to him with hopes of getting some Saran Wrap or a Ziplock baggie or something to get some ice out of the soda machine to pack against my knees while listening to staff and riders demolish pop songs via a Karaoke machine. Well, the Regis man did one better. After telling me all about his phenom 8 year old kid thats playing 75 sports this summer (including ice hockey) he packed me the best ice pack ever. Using a 1/4 full trash bag of ice, he twisted and flipped that bag into a sack, then tied an apron around it to lessen the chill. That was the best thing on earth at that moment as the thought was not icing my knees was less than fun.
Did I mention I'd had severe gas for 2 days at this point, almost sure I would shit my pants during any given moment on my bike? Bygones.
My accomodations that night were a large gymnasium with some riders. Many of the riders actually got hotel rooms, not me baby, I am toughing this out! So, I ripped one of those huge pads off the gym wall and laid my sleeping bag over that! Cush sleeping that night! There was also a pool we could use at any time as long as one of our medical peeps was there (1 of them was a lifeguard as well). As I was going to be I saw a rather large blow up octopus pass my head on its way to the pool. Passed out around 9:45!