Reston Century +

I knew it was going to be a good ride when I dropped Big Cadence (Little Ring Ken) on the way over to the Town Center. HAAA. We were heading to the start of the Reston Century and I decided to drop the hammer early. We arrived at the Town Center, picked up our packets, and headed to Starbucks where we were to meet our riding crew at 6:45am. No one was there yet so we got some coffee and hung out till people started to arrive. Laura, Geoff, Cheryl, Tom, Chip, and Laura N all arrived shortly and then we waited a bit for Chas who had gone to the wrong Starbucks. OOPS. We headed out a little after 7am. Most of us were planning on doing the double metric route (125 miles).

As we headed out I enjoyed talking with Laura and Laura. It began as a casual ride. Then at about mile 10 a few roadies go by and Big Cadence decides to take off...I decided to follow. We then were in a pace line of about 15 for about the next 20 miles. It was a fast pace and I was not sure if it was such idea to be taking it out so fast...but oh well it was fun. We hit Woodburn and then hills began. I love it. We hit the 2nd rest station at mile 30 (we had skipped the 1st rest station, which was at Partlow's). This stop was adequate and contained lots of fruit, bread, and water. Being gluten-free, I had brought all the food I thought I would need and just counted on the stops having fruit and drinks for me. At the rest station we decided to say goodbye to our pace line and wait for our friends. They arrived and we were off again. After a few miles, Ken decided we needed to make an executive decision on if we should try to find the pace line again. I said I dunno...lets play rock-paper-scissors...you win we go...I win we hang back. Little did I know he was a professional rock-paper-scissors player, so he won...so we were off to find the pace line. We ended up finding a few...I hung with them for some hills and pulled up some...and then they dropped me and I was on my own for a bit. The next rest station came at about mile 60, where Ken was waiting. We were both starting to get a bit tired and decided we wanted to stay with the group the rest of the way. This rest station...BAKED POTATOES...SHOOT! Can you believe it?! It was a gluten-free dream come true. I stood by the potato table and ate a lot while we waited for our friends, who arrived shortly. There we made the decision to cut the ride to about 110 miles, but do the hilly (Stumptown, Taylorstown) option. We were off again. I started to feel tired, HOT, and dehydrated. Seems like each time we stopped for awhile it took me awhile to feel good again. Stumptown after 75 miles and 95 degrees...BEEP. I was extremely WIPED after that...but OK. We continued on and made the 4th rest station in Waterford at 80 miles. Gatorade slushees...they sound more exciting then they were. At this point I was feeling OK just knowing only about 30 more miles of mostly trail riding to go. We headed out...Irene, Dry Mill and then back on the W&OD. The 5th and final rest station was back at Partlow's, where the Schwann's man resided...yummy popsickles...grape and cherry. Big Cadence and I talked about riding 15 more miles in the end to make the double metric...at this point I considered. And the final push began...5 miles to go...I was outta gas...but almost there...delerious. I could go no longer. We finally arrived back at the Town Center, where the party had began. Everyone got some eats and drinks and hung out. Laura N came back about 45 minutes later and was flabbergasted that she had gotten lost and gone the full 125 miles...way to be Laura! Big Cadence and I finished our ride with the 1.5 mile ride back home...so we maybe hit 111 miles...my longest ride yet.

In the end it was an amazing day...humongous ride and exceptional company...oh and baked potatoes...

Data from Big Chain (Geoff):

109.5 miles (add on ~3 for ride from home for Big Cadence and Luna Bananas)
43.1 max speed
15.6 average speed
6:29.08 time riding
54 average cadence (i was working on strength building riding big gears is why this is so low)
3602 calories total
152 average HR (my aerobicMax is 176 for reference, and LT is 195ish)
976 max watts (my highest sprint max i have seen is in the 1300's)
154 average watts (my FTP *the highest number i can hold for 60 min is 290ish)