Colonial Area Triathlon Club

azwatson · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 23

I'm looking for someone to ride the century with. Anybody out there going the full 100 at an average of about 15-16 mph?

Amy Watson

sonnylowe · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 187 Location: Williamsburg, VA

Amy,

I am going to attempt the full 100, I think Matt and Chris might be as well. I've never done longer than 70 so I don't know what pace would be best for me. I was thinking around 16-17 would be a good average, but that could all change a few miles in ;-)

Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

If any of you 100 mile veterans have any suggestion as far as nutrition, extra clothes, supplies, whatever we should take with us please let us newbies know Smile

Sonny

matthewkrause · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 88 Location: Newport News

Amy:
I'm doing the 100. Your pace is fine with me. Last year we did the first 40 at around 19-20 and it was a mistake. At 15-16 MPH, we'll be out there for about 6 hours if we don't screw around at the stops. They have nutritian stops every 20-25 miles or so. My plan is to take about two hours worth of nutritian/hydration and then fill up. You also have to be able to change your own flats, although there will be SAG. I'm taking enough gear to change two flats/wrenches. Clothes depends on the weather. Last year Chris and I rode the last 30 miles into a pretty stiff wind and froze. If I don't hear from you guys before then, I'll probably be showing up around 0730. I'll be in a Gold Focus with USAT stickers and I'll either be riding a black Trek TT.
Matt
_________________
Matt, CAT Secretary

azwatson · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 23

Matt (and Sonny),

That sounds good. To be clear, I've never ridden more than 50 miles, but I think I can do it at 15-16 mph (average) with short refueling stops. I'd like to try to ride with you guys, but I'm concerned about finding you. There will be hundreds of people there. And, if I met either of you, I don't remember and don't know what you look like. Should I seriously just look for your car? Or does anybody have any other suggestions?

Amy

sk2a2005 · Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 7:12 am Post subject:

My ride doesn't start till 10 so have a great ride!! Sure hope the rain doesn't rear its ugly head.
_________________
Susan O'Neal
President, Colonial Area Triathlon Club
sk2a2005@cox.net

sonnylowe · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 187 Location: Williamsburg, VA

It's going to be a perfect day!!!

sonnylowe · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 187 Location: Williamsburg, VA

I posted pre-ride instructions in the other Main Cap2Cap post just in case....

sonnylowe · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 187 Location: Williamsburg, VA

Matt/Amy,

I have both your phone numbers, so if I can't find either of you I'll call you. Matt I'll PM you my number just in case.

Sonny

sonnylowe · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 187 Location: Williamsburg, VA

Just wanted to say I had a great time Saturday. Sorry the group fell apart, but I guess that's how it goes sometimes. I'm sure everyone finished and I hope you all had a great time!!!! I want reports from everyone, I'd love to know how you felt and how you thought the day went.

Here's mine:

I started the day with the full intention of sticking with the group and doing somewhere around a 16MPH pace. Things went well for the first ten miles or so then the group started falling apart if you will. We lost our first rider around 13miles or so. Matt very graciously dropped back and picked them up. A few miles later Matt and I got to talking up front and realized we had dropped the rest of the group. We decided to stick at the current 16-17MPH pace and wait for them at the second feed stop.

After a few minutes we realized either we missed the rest of the group or they didn’t stop…it was the latter. We all hit the next feed stop at the same time and decided to go out as a group again. By now the group had picked up another rider (Amber…I think!?!?) The pace as averaging 15.2MPH which seemed reasonable. But again it wasn’t long before Matt and I found ourselves way out front while the rest of the group was sticking to their 15-16MPH pace.

At this point Matt and I were on our own. I had really been looking forward to working with the group; it now went from having to lead for 20 miles to 50. Matt and I worked very well together throw the halfway point, although I think we both spent too long out front pulling. We should have switch off every 3-4 miles, instead we did it every 6-8 miles. I think you work yourself a little too hard going that long into wind…lesson learned!!!

I think Matt and both felt really good at the half way point… how could you not after eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts!?!?

We headed back to Williamsburg right on schedule, our pace with stops was right at around 16. We were looking forward to heading home in a tail wind (it had been in our face most of the way out). I have no idea how this happens, but damn if that wind wasn’t still in our face and now ever harder. Combined that with the rollers we had to drive up and the first 10 miles or so we pretty brutal. It’s time like these I am so happy I only weight 140 pounds or so. Climbing is some much easier when you’re light!!!

I think the hills took a toll on Matt and I both, maybe a little more on Matt!?!? At around 70 mile mark Matt was hurting a little and pushing the hills was getting harder and harder. I was able to manage them pretty well and found at around mile 70 Matt had dropped a little. By mile 72 I couldn’t see him anymore…sorry Matt!!!

After I hit the 75 mile feed stop I just wanted to be off that damn bike!!! This was 5 miles further than I’d ever ridden and I could feel it…everywhere!!! I decided the sooner I got off the bike the better, so I hammered it the best I could the rest of the way in. I did the last 27 miles at 18.5MPH pace. It was hard but all I was thinking was “the faster you finish, the sooner you’re off this bike”.

I hit the last feed stop and was glad to know I was getting close to home. I was never so happy to see that new bridge as I was at 2:30PM Saturday!!!

All said and done it was a great first Century experience for me. I did a good chunk of the ride with friends and worked a decent chunk on my own (the best of both worlds). It was a great preparation day for Ironman Louisville. I have also gained a new respect for that distance…it’s a long way!!!

My final result were as follows:

Total ride time (with stops) 6:31:00 (15.69MPH pace)
101 miles (without stops) 5:50:00 (17.5MPH pace)
Last 27 miles 1:27:00 (18.6MPH pace)

Matt,

Sorry about the extra 12 miles, but my legs were shot when I was finished and not even one extra mile seemed reasonable. We need to hook up for some long rides though. I have a 60 mile ride this Saturday if you want to join me!?!?

Sonny

matthewkrause · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 88 Location: Newport News

Well, Sonny about hit it right on the nose. Those climbs were a little harder on my 175 pounds than his 140. Not much to add to Sonny's message. Total time for me without the stops was about 6:45:00 averaging around 16.9 MPH. Not too shabby. Note to self. I needed a lot more water. Also, I got stung by a bee around mile 80 and had an allergic reaction that didn't really bother my riding, but was hell when I stopped. This morning, I can't really explain it, but my ass is sore. Thanks Sonny for pulling me most of the way.
_________________
Matt, CAT Secretary

sk2a2005 · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject:

You guys did great. Kevin and I opted for the 25 and I'm really glad I didn't do much more. NOt having ridden much farther, that was a good ride. We took of at the start time in front and managed to be the first 2 back. We also passed a few people that started a bit earlier. Although most for our 25, people were on MTn bikes.
_________________
Susan O'Neal
President, Colonial Area Triathlon Club
sk2a2005@cox.net

azwatson · Joined: 21 Oct 2008 Posts: 23

I started out with Matt, Sonny, and Jan, and we picked up a woman named Audrey (Amber was close, Sonny). Not too long after Sonny and Matt dropped us, Amber "dropped" us. Except that she couldn't stay ahead of us and we ended up finally leaving her behind after the halfway point. Too bad she didn't just stick with us. Sonny was right on in saying that a group with riders taking turns pulling made the ride a whole lot more manageable. Jan and I did well on our own, though. Jan, thanks for pulling as much as you did! You definitely pulled me through around that 70-mile point! Overall the ride went very well for me. I wasn't sure how I would cope after 50 (the most mileage I'd done). And my body sure did know when I was going beyond 50. A 15-minute break in Richmond helped ease me into the second half, but it wasn't long before I was feeling it again. My seat, of course, was uncomfortable/hurt from about 30 miles on, but my surprise was after 50 my quads started aching off and on and my hips kicked in at about 70. Upper back typically feels the strain for me, too. The upper back was the only thing that continued to give me trouble after the event. Otherwise I felt ok. At 70, I felt like I was fading fast, but after a quick stop at 77 we must have gotten a tail wind or I got a second wind. It wasn't cake, but I made it. According to my computer, time pedaling was 6:30 and we averaged 15.7 mph.

Amy Watson

matthewkrause · Joined: 11 Oct 2007 Posts: 88 Location: Newport News

I think you guys rolled in about ten minutes after I did. Sonny was so fast, he wasn't even eating by the time I sat down.
_________________
Matt, CAT Secretary

JanC · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 13 Location: Yorktown, VA

Hey guys...a little late piping in here I guess but I enjoyed the ride rather much. Thanks Amy for hanging in there! I was pleased with the last 25 mile push despite the really tough final 10 miles. It's always more fun riding with people. Well...except you speed-demons! ~_^

I was the first to drop off the original group as I knew that pace was not maintainable at my current fitness level..at least for a full century ride.

The wind was tough, but the scenery was great. And to echo an earlier comment, you couldn't hydrate enough it was so hot and muggy. One good thing about having a breeze!

I had been riding double endurance rides for quite a few weekends prior, 50 to 70 one day, 50 to 70 the next, but this was my first full 100.

Total ride time: 7h2m +/- a few minutes
Minus breaks: maybe 6h30m +/-...

sonnylowe · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 187 Location: Williamsburg, VA

Everybody did great on this ride!!! I really enjoyed it and plan to do it again next year. Congrats to all the first timer...I was one myself and couldn't be happier with how the day went.

Sonny