(Postblogged Sunday, 10/16/2005)
Dressed in my monkey suit of a cyclist, prepared to head out complete with arm warmers, vest, et al. It was a chilly morning, but it will get up to 74 degrees by the afternoon - difficult to dress for. Drove to the start, registered and then prepped my bike, and finished dressing with helmet, gloves and packed my pockets with all the necessary essentials. Picked a group of folks to start with - we leisurely headed out into the chilly countryside...nice rolling hills, the kind you slingshot up and down without too much effort. Then the hills became a little more steep, and the effort became more than noticed. We attempted to maintain a paceline for the first 30 miles, but a few riders were dropped when we hit the harder hills. It was incredibly beautiful as the sun rose over the Delaware/Maryland/Pennsylvania countryside.
We encountered about 5 really difficult climbs, albeit - not as lengthy as the one's I've been training for - these were more like training climbs to me - but still challenging. Less than 2 miles per climb to the top with a 10-22% grade, there were a lot of people walking up. I managed to keep a solid pace and pass many folks. The most ironic part of the ride was that we were cycling through Amish country, with all the Amish in pre 19th century regalia - horse drawn buggies, et al. I took a pic (pictured below) of a Amish buggy heading up a little hill, passing a 40mph sign, with two cyclists in front of it. They go really slow, I passed a few and gave a peace sign as I whizzed on past. There were some serious descents - which is always a lot of fun, and a little scary if you don't know the roads. I clocked going about 52mph down one descent, but then quickly became conservative after a minor, yet scary wake up call. I was speeding down, and the sun threw shadows of the trees on the road - was difficult to see any debris or pockets/potholes, et al....Well, suffice to say - I hit a pocket or a pothole - it completely bucked me off my bikeseat, unclipping both my feet out of my pedals - I was gripping hard as possible to my handlebars trying to keep the bike from crashing. I looked like superman flying - with a totally horrified look on my face.
The rest stops were well stocked, but the road signage completely sucked - we got lost a few times because of missing signage. But it turned into a lovely day, so I didn't mind the extra mileage. One funny thing was that I met a few people that did the Seagull Century last week - we all collectively complained about the intense rain and how nasty the whole thing was. The only bad thing besides the bad signage this Century was the wind - we got some intense winds out in the lower country roads. But it blew us home. 106 miles total.
We finished up and congratulated each other, said a few farewells. I had made arrangements to meet up briefly with a few friends before I headed home - eventually we found each other. It was great to meet up with them - share a few stories, catch up, enjoy weather, et al. We said farewell, and I had to go back to meet up with my relatives, who were hosting me - they made arrangements to have a huge gathering (in my honor - very flattering).
Came back, showered up and joined the family (5 aunts, 1 uncle, 3 cousins, 1 great aunt) for a great dinner, conversation, laughs, stories - and catchup. We all said our farewells, and I went back to my uncle's house - and sorta vegged out for the rest of the night - I was starting to feel really sore. I headed to bed early.
(Side note: This was my last organized century for the season, totalling 13 Centuries. Time to start booking my calendar for next year and continue to train.)
Now for the photos of Savage Century 2005, Newark, DE:
Dressed in my monkey suit of a cyclist, prepared to head out complete with arm warmers, vest, et al. It was a chilly morning, but it will get up to 74 degrees by the afternoon - difficult to dress for. Drove to the start, registered and then prepped my bike, and finished dressing with helmet, gloves and packed my pockets with all the necessary essentials. Picked a group of folks to start with - we leisurely headed out into the chilly countryside...nice rolling hills, the kind you slingshot up and down without too much effort. Then the hills became a little more steep, and the effort became more than noticed. We attempted to maintain a paceline for the first 30 miles, but a few riders were dropped when we hit the harder hills. It was incredibly beautiful as the sun rose over the Delaware/Maryland/Pennsylvania countryside.
We encountered about 5 really difficult climbs, albeit - not as lengthy as the one's I've been training for - these were more like training climbs to me - but still challenging. Less than 2 miles per climb to the top with a 10-22% grade, there were a lot of people walking up. I managed to keep a solid pace and pass many folks. The most ironic part of the ride was that we were cycling through Amish country, with all the Amish in pre 19th century regalia - horse drawn buggies, et al. I took a pic (pictured below) of a Amish buggy heading up a little hill, passing a 40mph sign, with two cyclists in front of it. They go really slow, I passed a few and gave a peace sign as I whizzed on past. There were some serious descents - which is always a lot of fun, and a little scary if you don't know the roads. I clocked going about 52mph down one descent, but then quickly became conservative after a minor, yet scary wake up call. I was speeding down, and the sun threw shadows of the trees on the road - was difficult to see any debris or pockets/potholes, et al....Well, suffice to say - I hit a pocket or a pothole - it completely bucked me off my bikeseat, unclipping both my feet out of my pedals - I was gripping hard as possible to my handlebars trying to keep the bike from crashing. I looked like superman flying - with a totally horrified look on my face.
The rest stops were well stocked, but the road signage completely sucked - we got lost a few times because of missing signage. But it turned into a lovely day, so I didn't mind the extra mileage. One funny thing was that I met a few people that did the Seagull Century last week - we all collectively complained about the intense rain and how nasty the whole thing was. The only bad thing besides the bad signage this Century was the wind - we got some intense winds out in the lower country roads. But it blew us home. 106 miles total.
We finished up and congratulated each other, said a few farewells. I had made arrangements to meet up briefly with a few friends before I headed home - eventually we found each other. It was great to meet up with them - share a few stories, catch up, enjoy weather, et al. We said farewell, and I had to go back to meet up with my relatives, who were hosting me - they made arrangements to have a huge gathering (in my honor - very flattering).
Came back, showered up and joined the family (5 aunts, 1 uncle, 3 cousins, 1 great aunt) for a great dinner, conversation, laughs, stories - and catchup. We all said our farewells, and I went back to my uncle's house - and sorta vegged out for the rest of the night - I was starting to feel really sore. I headed to bed early.
(Side note: This was my last organized century for the season, totalling 13 Centuries. Time to start booking my calendar for next year and continue to train.)
Now for the photos of Savage Century 2005, Newark, DE:
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(Postblogged Sunday, 10/16/2005)
What a whirlwhind of activity at work between interviewing new folks and trying to tie up loose ends before I left at 3pm to drive to Newark, DE. I was anxious about the trek based on last weekend's debacle trek to Ocean City, MD. I got a few travel trips by a rush-hour commute savvy collegue - which turned out to be proof positive that he's savvy. I was able to almost completely bypass the worst of it until I got onto i95. I was able to get up to Newark @ 7pm. I got a little lost because of the new roads up there, but was ablr to meet up with my Uncle who I was staying with for the weekend.
One of my cousins and one of my aunts joined us for a very mellow evening of pizza and Merlot - just talked about the weekend, cycling, catching up on relatives. Then it was an early evening - all of us had to get up early. I was really tired - glad to go to bed early.
What a whirlwhind of activity at work between interviewing new folks and trying to tie up loose ends before I left at 3pm to drive to Newark, DE. I was anxious about the trek based on last weekend's debacle trek to Ocean City, MD. I got a few travel trips by a rush-hour commute savvy collegue - which turned out to be proof positive that he's savvy. I was able to almost completely bypass the worst of it until I got onto i95. I was able to get up to Newark @ 7pm. I got a little lost because of the new roads up there, but was ablr to meet up with my Uncle who I was staying with for the weekend.
One of my cousins and one of my aunts joined us for a very mellow evening of pizza and Merlot - just talked about the weekend, cycling, catching up on relatives. Then it was an early evening - all of us had to get up early. I was really tired - glad to go to bed early.
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photo by d. scott gregory Arm & Leg warmers + new vest click on photo to enlarge |
Finished up and suited up for a semi-long very misty and dark training ride out to Ballston and back, 38 miles total. I stopped by Performance on the way back to pick up some leg warmers (pictured) - I figured I'll need them on Saturday, because it will be chilly in the morning and will warm up to 70 degrees in the afternoon - too hot for full tights. I already had the arm warmers - use them nightly now. The vest I have on in the pic is a new purchase too, it's got this "Illumilight" fabric, which is basically a reflective material (it looks bright silver in the photo, but it's actually black).
Came home and began to pack for the weekend up in Delaware for the Savage Century, coined as "Many have taken the challenge of the Savage as a “ride of passage” while others return year after year to enjoy beauty of Chester and Lancaster Counties – the simple charm of Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish farmlands and the scenic vistas from the hills along the Susquehanna River. Warm up on the rolling hills heading out of Newark to Nottingham, PA, then head for the hills and play Lance Armstrong on the infamous Bald Eagle Hill, Fishing Creek Hill, or Duck Hill. It is recommended that for the longer loops bikes be equipped with a low of 40-gear inches (e.g. 28 tooth rear sprocket and 42-tooth chain ring) or lower to prevent undue straining on the major hills. Whether you ride it for the beauty or the beast, it’s worth the effort."
(click to enlarge elevation map, pops in new browser window)
It's supposed to be a very hilly ride, but very well worth the fun. And I'll be staying with my relatives - will be a fun weekend. All of my aunts and uncles and a few cousins will be there Saturday eve for a dinner - as an event for me to be in town. I'm touched.
Will finish packing and loading the car, watching a little tv - try to relax before I leave town tomorrow afternoon. Will return on Sunday (with photos).
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Yawn yawn yawn.....gawd, I'm tired today. I haven't slept well - so made for a very sleepy rainy/cloudy day. Work was wild - just one crisis after another, the day just sped by. Finished up and suited up for a fairly brisk, cloudy and misty training ride - headed out to Purcellville and back, 2n'd half was dark, 46 miles total. Because it's been getting colder - I see less and less people out on the trail...and when it's raining/misty, even less. I think I saw a total of 12 people on the entire ride. I saw more deer than people.
Stopped by grocery store on way home, got a few provisions for the week and weekend and some sushi. Came home, standard set of domestic chores teemed with laundry and a little tv time. Made a few phone calls for the weekend plan confirmation. Oy, I'm exhausted. Tomorrow night, will finish packing and try to relax before the weekend.
Stopped by grocery store on way home, got a few provisions for the week and weekend and some sushi. Came home, standard set of domestic chores teemed with laundry and a little tv time. Made a few phone calls for the weekend plan confirmation. Oy, I'm exhausted. Tomorrow night, will finish packing and try to relax before the weekend.
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postscript: I found a great article and video about this past weekend's soggy Seagull Century here - the video shows how miserable it was.
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What a boring, yet exhilirating October day - was much of catch-up, cloudy Tuesday tedium, corporate idiocy vis a vis craptacular swiftness.
Finished up work and suited up for a beautiful Fall ride - out to Shirlington and back, 44 miles. It got very chilly on the way back, even though I had on arm warmers - I stopped by Performance in Reston and picked up a nice (on sale) riding vest. Finished up my ride in the dark and dropped my bike off across the street at my new mechanic at trinergy to have them work on adjusting the newly broken in compact crank. While I was there, the folks asked how the Seagull Century as we all collectively rolled our eyes - oh the rain!
They told me a story of another customer they had who went to the Seagull Century...but the afternoon that he was to head on down, he stopped by the (same) Performance shop I was at earlier in Reston to get a few things for the trip, he returned to his car and found that someone stole his bike off his bike rack. How dreadfull - he was out of luck and on such a late time/date. They told me that he went to Salisbury anyways and spent the day doing SAG wagon duty helping people with flats and mechanical breakdown. What a good person I thought.
Welp, I'm now at home after dinner, domestic chores, correspondence while simultaneously watching a documentary on Einstein - very interesting. Time to tally up my mileage for my cycling log.
Finished up work and suited up for a beautiful Fall ride - out to Shirlington and back, 44 miles. It got very chilly on the way back, even though I had on arm warmers - I stopped by Performance in Reston and picked up a nice (on sale) riding vest. Finished up my ride in the dark and dropped my bike off across the street at my new mechanic at trinergy to have them work on adjusting the newly broken in compact crank. While I was there, the folks asked how the Seagull Century as we all collectively rolled our eyes - oh the rain!
They told me a story of another customer they had who went to the Seagull Century...but the afternoon that he was to head on down, he stopped by the (same) Performance shop I was at earlier in Reston to get a few things for the trip, he returned to his car and found that someone stole his bike off his bike rack. How dreadfull - he was out of luck and on such a late time/date. They told me that he went to Salisbury anyways and spent the day doing SAG wagon duty helping people with flats and mechanical breakdown. What a good person I thought.
Welp, I'm now at home after dinner, domestic chores, correspondence while simultaneously watching a documentary on Einstein - very interesting. Time to tally up my mileage for my cycling log.
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Owchy. Woke up sore but ready for the new work week. Work was just blah, but busy enough to make it fly by. It had been threatening to rain all afternoon, but no dice (thank goodness, I had enough rain over the weekend to last me a lifetime of cycling in the rain).
Headed out on a nice low-impact stretch out ride to Peonean Springs and back, a mere 33 miles. The temperature was cool out - had on arm warmers, but a leisurely ride. Saddled up with a few regs out there and talked about how shitty the rain was at the Seagull Century. I got back to the car just as it got completely dark.
Came home and unpacked work/cycling crap, fixed dinner and caught up on some paperwork. Turned on the boob tube for a little while, and read the paper (I never read the paper, there was a complementary Washington Post sunday edition left for me over the weekend. Just relaxing, popped a few advils and stretched out more.
Headed out on a nice low-impact stretch out ride to Peonean Springs and back, a mere 33 miles. The temperature was cool out - had on arm warmers, but a leisurely ride. Saddled up with a few regs out there and talked about how shitty the rain was at the Seagull Century. I got back to the car just as it got completely dark.
Came home and unpacked work/cycling crap, fixed dinner and caught up on some paperwork. Turned on the boob tube for a little while, and read the paper (I never read the paper, there was a complementary Washington Post sunday edition left for me over the weekend. Just relaxing, popped a few advils and stretched out more.
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Welp. Woke up this morning tired, tuckered out, & sore. But I slept well. Checked out of the hotel and started driving home, thinking "what a shitty weekend". I said to myself, I'll make up for it today. So, on the long (un-rainy) drive home - I stopped by a fresh produce thing and picked me up a pumpkin (pictured), and stopped by Scan furniture to finally pick up the bar stools that I ordered (also pictured). Stopped by the grocery store and got a haircut on the way home.
I heard on the radio that between 10-12" of rain fell between Friday and Saturday - I'm not suprized.
Came home to a clean apartment (feeling refreshed, and glad I cleaned it before I left), unpacked, tossed stuff into the laundry (wet cycling clothes), assembled my new bar stools, cleaned/lubed my bike, cooked & ate dinner and finally had time to sit down and check email, upload photos for this blog, then blog (check last 2 days - blog entries & photos of the Seagull Century). Uhhggg. I feel really productive - the weekend was salvagable afterall. Now Sunday night anxiety settles in, pop 4 advil from the pain and time to crack open a beer.......
I heard on the radio that between 10-12" of rain fell between Friday and Saturday - I'm not suprized.
Came home to a clean apartment (feeling refreshed, and glad I cleaned it before I left), unpacked, tossed stuff into the laundry (wet cycling clothes), assembled my new bar stools, cleaned/lubed my bike, cooked & ate dinner and finally had time to sit down and check email, upload photos for this blog, then blog (check last 2 days - blog entries & photos of the Seagull Century). Uhhggg. I feel really productive - the weekend was salvagable afterall. Now Sunday night anxiety settles in, pop 4 advil from the pain and time to crack open a beer.......
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(Under development, I'm bashful)