Just completed the 100 mile Capital City Century in Springfield, Illinois yesterday!!! I have been riding my bike since I was 15 years old, and I finally completed 100 miles in one day. Granted, the course was not difficult by any means, but at the end of the day, it's still your leg power that has to get you through. The weather turned out near perfect, for central Illinois in early September, that's something to witness. Started out with a temp of 65 degrees and warmed up to around 80 with a 10 mph east wind, for riding your bike you can't go wrong with that scenario! Anyone familiar with central Illinois will tell you temps like that don't happen very often in the summer and early fall, but this year has definitely been the exception. The Springfield Bicycle Club did a nice job with the course, well marked, good food, good support.
Riding 100 miles is a long ride, overall it took me 6 1/2 hours total, which isn't very fast, but was a successful finish none the less. My nutrition and water plan worked out great, and I only had one section (between 60 and 70 miles) where I felt like I was struggling. Having completed a century brings a new found respect the riders in the Tour de France, these guys ride that distance in the European mountains, day after day for 3 weeks!!! Anyone that doesn't believe tha professional cycling isn't a difficult sport should dust off the old bike and try to ride!! I will do another one someday, the thrill and sense of accomplishment that came from crossing this threshold in my life will stay with me forever. As with any other challenges that come my way . . . no problem, If you know you can . . . YOU WILL.
Until next time . . .
