It was my first century ride. Thanks everyone for all the tips on un-racer training for a century.
I did my regular commuting and then did long rides on the weekends. I did two 25 milers, a 36, a couple of 40's, a 62, a 63 and a 70 miler in preparation. I was very nervous all week before going on the ride. But once we hit the starting line all the fear evaporated and it was pure riding joy the whole time. I cruised in comfort on the Sam. *The Ride:* I rode the Assateague Century Course - Salisbury University to Assateague Island loop. They also have a Snow Hill Century course, which I hope to try next year. Beautiful weather. Clear skies and sunny. 60's-80's if I remember correctly. Headwinds were practically non-existent and only felt in a couple areas. No hard efforts required. Some people have said that some years they are very bad. But this year there was almost nothing. I was very thankful. It was pure riding joy, cruising along through the beautiful scenery on flats. I went with a riding buddy, Dewey. We stuck together the whole time and had a blast. He has done the Seagull Century every year since they started (25 years ago), except I think he said he missed 2 or 3 times. Everyone was in high spirits. Cheerful and friendly. I think over 8,000 people. But didn't seem crowded. Everyone was really spaced out. It was fully supported and had 4 or 5 rest stops. Lots of locals were out on their lawns and cheered us on as we went by. The route took us through forested areas, farmland, and over to the beach at Assateague Island, and back to the school. Roads were in great condition. I saw no Rivendells. Bummer. I saw a Disc Trucker, some recumbents, a few tandems, lotsa modern geometry race style bikes, some older steel road bikes, a kid on a Next bike, an elderly woman riding the century, a Ragbrai person, and a Seattle to Portland person. I even saw two kids on really small road bikes that looked about 10 years old in pacelines!! *The Bike:* I rode my 41 Noodle Blue Sam that I got last spring. After getting my fit squared away on it, I can now say that it is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I have had some seriously wonderful rides this year. Just so great to be able to go for long rides in comfort and not hurt. I have been commuting on it this summer and took it on the training rides. On the century I had some normal bike riding minimal shoulder soreness a couple of times, which went away after a few arm windmills and moving my head around to look at the scenery for a few minutes. Also, my feet were a little sore after the ride. I guess because of so much pedaling all at one time. Those things are nothing to complain about though. I would highly recommend the Seagull Century ride for a first time century rider. All flat and you can just cruise right along. Plenty of support and well organized. I think it was the best ride I have ever had. I thank the Lord for blessing me with such great riding this year and I hope there will be more to come. A few pics from the ride: http://www.flickr.com/photos/70237737@N00/sets/72157636910487253/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
