I've been riding bikes most of my adult life but pretty much quit riding between 2017 and 2020. I started riding again on a regular basis starting January 2 2021. New Year's resolutions are a good thing! It's great being back in the saddle!
My last organized event was in 2014 when I rode a 200K Gran Fondo. My riding this year hasn't been focused on long distance riding. Instead, I've mostly been riding 90 minute out and backs from the house into the nearby hills.
Well, I got the itch to challenge myself. I signed up for the Marin Century, which I rode this past weekend on October 2nd. I've ridden Marin 4 or 5 times previously in the '90s. Being later in the summer (usually August, but it was October this year because of COVID) means that most people are fit and at the top of their game. Plus, the Marin County riders have always impressed me as a highly capable group - experienced and fast. I like that.
I knew it was going to require a careful strategy on my part given my lack of long(er) distance training rides. I've only had two rides over 40 miles since the beginning of the year. But over the years I've ridden 40 or 50 centuries (100 milers), 11 double centuries (200 milers, part of the California Triple Crown), and PAC Tour in 1992 and 1996 (1,000 mile per week crossings of the continental US). In the 1996 PAC Tour I rode 2,993 miles with 90,003 feet of climbing - in just 23 days.
Given my long-distance background I felt confident I could go the full hundred miles, but I didn't want the ride to turn into one of "grim determination". That's not fun.
And I'm 68 years old.....uncharted territory. I had my goals, the first being to finish. Secondly, I wanted to ride a respectable time. I'm happy to say I achieved both.
Although it wasn't a timed event I estimate I finished in the top half, probably the top third. And without question I was one of the oldest guys riding the century route. At my age I couldn't beat the young bucks in a straight up fight, but I kept them honest.
The morning was nice and cool, shrouded in deep redwood forests. Spectacular! The inland portion in the afternoon was hot, very hot. Over 100 degrees for the final 2 1/2 hours. And ZERO shade. But still spectacular!
There were two long, sustained climbs but the rest of the climbing was made up of a series of sharp hills, 1/4 to 1/2 mile long, many of them 12% to 16%. I estimate there were about 50 to 60 of them. The picture is an accurate representation. Let me tell you, they take their toll over time...
91.83 miles (it was a short century) with 7,016 feet of climbing. 7:31:48 total time, including all stops for water and fuel. I had an operator error using my Apple Watch and accidentally divided the ride into two segments. But you can see the route. The color shows heart rate, not temperature. Red is a high heart rate. And a picture of the Saso, my partner in crime.
At points it felt like more work than I wanted, but it was without question a good day. FWIW.
Scott
My last organized event was in 2014 when I rode a 200K Gran Fondo. My riding this year hasn't been focused on long distance riding. Instead, I've mostly been riding 90 minute out and backs from the house into the nearby hills.
Well, I got the itch to challenge myself. I signed up for the Marin Century, which I rode this past weekend on October 2nd. I've ridden Marin 4 or 5 times previously in the '90s. Being later in the summer (usually August, but it was October this year because of COVID) means that most people are fit and at the top of their game. Plus, the Marin County riders have always impressed me as a highly capable group - experienced and fast. I like that.
I knew it was going to require a careful strategy on my part given my lack of long(er) distance training rides. I've only had two rides over 40 miles since the beginning of the year. But over the years I've ridden 40 or 50 centuries (100 milers), 11 double centuries (200 milers, part of the California Triple Crown), and PAC Tour in 1992 and 1996 (1,000 mile per week crossings of the continental US). In the 1996 PAC Tour I rode 2,993 miles with 90,003 feet of climbing - in just 23 days.
Given my long-distance background I felt confident I could go the full hundred miles, but I didn't want the ride to turn into one of "grim determination". That's not fun.
And I'm 68 years old.....uncharted territory. I had my goals, the first being to finish. Secondly, I wanted to ride a respectable time. I'm happy to say I achieved both.
Although it wasn't a timed event I estimate I finished in the top half, probably the top third. And without question I was one of the oldest guys riding the century route. At my age I couldn't beat the young bucks in a straight up fight, but I kept them honest.
The morning was nice and cool, shrouded in deep redwood forests. Spectacular! The inland portion in the afternoon was hot, very hot. Over 100 degrees for the final 2 1/2 hours. And ZERO shade. But still spectacular!
There were two long, sustained climbs but the rest of the climbing was made up of a series of sharp hills, 1/4 to 1/2 mile long, many of them 12% to 16%. I estimate there were about 50 to 60 of them. The picture is an accurate representation. Let me tell you, they take their toll over time...
91.83 miles (it was a short century) with 7,016 feet of climbing. 7:31:48 total time, including all stops for water and fuel. I had an operator error using my Apple Watch and accidentally divided the ride into two segments. But you can see the route. The color shows heart rate, not temperature. Red is a high heart rate. And a picture of the Saso, my partner in crime.
At points it felt like more work than I wanted, but it was without question a good day. FWIW.
Scott
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