One bike. One rider. 120 miles.

I purposely didn't make a big effort to invite folks to ride with me today. I was worried I would have a repeat of last weekend, when I had to bail after 40 miles.

So at 6:30 a.m., I set out alone, my back jersey pockets stuffed with energy bars, an extra water bottle, my phone, a map, and sports drink mix. I don't think I've done a single long ride alone this year, unless you count the big section of the Rev3 course where I was by myself last month.

It was overcast and cool. Perfect riding weather.

The first 25 miles were a little rough. My pace was fine, but the wind was in my face and my mind was filled with doubt.

Somewhere near Johnstown, I decided I felt fine and I was going to do this whole thing, and do it myself. No cheating. No shortcuts. Two rest stops.

The rest of the ride was pretty unremarkable. I was able to keep my effort consistent. In fact, I picked up the pace the last 30 miles. The roads were wet in places, and it sprinkled a few times, but that was no big deal. I trust my bike again, and I trust myself.

The only problem I had was when I stopped at a stop sign, and didn't have any wind to dry the sweat off my forehead, and the salt started stinging my eyes. But that was really the worst of it. I was still attacking hills at mile 90 and mile 100.
I was singing and smiling at mile 112.

I pulled onto the court and performed my signature flying dismount without any problems. My knee was a NONFACTOR today.

David encouraged me to go back out for a short 15-minute transition run to get the feel of having my legs under me after such a long ride. That went really well, too, although my run pace (as usual) was too fast off the bike and I couldn't bring it down. Oh well.

FYI, the first photo was taken 40 miles into the ride. The beach was totally deserted.
Fast forward a few hours to mile 100. The place was packed!

Best pickup line ever

Alright, in order to relate this story, I have to cover a bike geek vocabulary word.

Sag wagon = [noun] A car or truck that provides mechanical and other support to cyclists during a group ride.
Sag = [verb] To provide support to cyclists on an organized ride

I was riding along alone on S. Old State Road, heading north. This is the busiest traffic section of the ride, and I was staying dutifully on the white line wherever possible. Cars were passing without incident. Then I heard a car coming up really slowly, and it slowed to my pace right beside me, in my lane. I thought maybe I was going to get harassed, but I could see a decal on the car out of the corner of my eye, and thought maybe it was the state park police or something. I didn't want to turn my head to read it, because the car was REALLY close.

Passenger says, "How is your ride going?"

I say, "Great. I'm 42 miles in."

Passenger says, "Great! Would you like a Clif bar?

I glance over and the guy is holding a Clif bar out the window to me.

I grinned and said, "Wow, this is the best thing ever! Yeah, thanks!"
I stuck my hand out and he carefully placed the bar in my hand.

I finally was able to read the car, and it said, "Sunday Morning Sag" and had pictures of bicycles on it.

Me: "Hey, who are you sagging for?"
Guy: "You."
(wink)
[Vroom]
They drove off.

How amazing is that???

I don't know who these guys are, but if I were single, that would have been an awesome pickup line!

Stats

BIKE:

6h 52m 19s

120.02 miles

17.47 Mi/hr

Avg HR: 122
Max HR: 170

RUN:

16m 26s

1.86 miles

08m 50s/Mi

Avg HR: 160
Max HR: 172