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Biking with Beanzie

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Returning to the wonderful farmland area of DeKalb, IL I was amped to make my second attempt at my first century ride, after my first attempt being rained out last month. This time the weather gods were on my side and gave us a gorgeous day for riding; full of sunshine and temperatures in the mid 70's.

After a quick registration and picture of me and my bike (thanks Pooja), I was on my way. The first miles flew by as I was averaging around 19mph through the rolling hills. I was doing so well I did not stop at a rest stop until around the 30 mile marker. I planned to do a water refill and continue just eating Clif Bars, but to much surprise, what did I find at the food table? Halloween size Sweettart candies. All I could think was how fate wanted me to be on this ride... and high on sugar.

Back on the road I continued making good time. Around the 45 mile marker the paths split for the 100 mile route versus the 64 route. This was when I lost all contact with human kind. Having recently passed a half dozen riders, I looked back to see everyone turn right for the 64 mile route. In continued on my way, focused on the century. After all, I had not come to socialize, but to conquer the elusive century ride in DeKalb.

After what seemed like an eternity of riding alone in the monotony of corn fields, I finally saw two riders up on the horizon. Finally I could break from the routine thoughts of singing the same 2 songs in my head; I could chase and pass more riders. Yes, I'm that competitively driven even during a long charity ride.

A little before mile 70 I stopped at a rest stop to try eating a bagel and refilling my water and Gatorade bottles. I found the men's restroom to be accidentally locked from the inside and was able to help out the folks running the rest stop by picking the lock with one guy's credit card. As happy as the guy was that I could get the door open (apparently they'd be charged to have the park department to come open it) he seemed leery to ask how I learned such a skill. I just smiled and said "a lot of fraternity pranks in college."

The next 10 miles sucked. Apparently, I found my lungs' breaking point with my asthma and couldn't seem to ride faster than 12mph (I was still averaging 17-18mph at this point). It was about this time I also realized I had forgot to put on sunscreen and had just ridden 4+ hours in the morning sun. I took it easy until the next rest stop so I could really relax, stretch, and get some real food in me. Damn you Willy Wonka and lack of cycling nutritious candy. It was also in this stretch that saddle soreness kicked in. The giant tar-filled cracks in the country roads didn't help this ailment either.

Mile 80 I stopped at the allocated rest stop and refueled. I called Pooja to give her a head's up that I would be finishing in about two hours, given my recent drop in pace. I also had a quick text message conversation with Hales, who informed me of all the fun I was missing at the beach. As I ate my PB&J bagel, I fantasized about just laying out in the sand and sun. I shook this image off as it wouldn't help me get through the last 20 miles, which I assumed would feel like the longest part of this ride.

Back on the bike, and on the road, I found that PB&J bagels were God's gift to cycling. I had found my second wind and was back on pace. I finished up the last 20 miles in less than an hour and a half, so I got to just veg out as I waited for Pooja to show up and give a ride back into the city.

All in all it was a great ride. I looked like a candy cane afterwards with my tan but got my first century under my belt and had a great time. On the ride home, after giving a quick summary of the ride, Pooja asked, "So when's your next one?" I'm not sure if she was joking, but I pulled out a pamphlet and asked "What are you doing late September?" I'm hooked.