My First Century

Last Saturday I finished my first 100 mile bike ride. There were probably a few hundred riders riding to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. I had paid the entrance fee but did not raise the $250 requirement so they wouldn't give me a bib number which ment I wouldn't recieve aid at the rest stops. So I decided to ride unofficially anyways and take my own energy sources and hydration fluids. For the first 50 miles I rode with 2 or 3 different groups and people. Since they were nice enough to let me draft I would help pull too. There was a strong head wind for the first 7 or8 miles and around mile 30 or 35 the tail wind was so strong that me and one other guy cruised at about 25mph for at least 3 or 4 miles, that was a blast. So after the rest stop at the 45 mile mark I was by myself and climbed a gradual hill and flew down it going 35mph, then fought some more head wind and rode with a few guys until mile 65 when they stopped to walk around. I felt like stopping too but I thought my legs would tighten up on me so I kept trucking along. Between miles 80 and 90 I about died all alone in the desert with no sign of life but a 5 inch lizard that raced across the hot asphalt. I thougt my body was giving out even though I had fluids and carbs in me... I crawled at 12-13mph with a soar lower back and tired thigh muscles from being on my bike for 85 non-stop miles. And just as I was about to get off my bike I saw the lead motorcycle and the lead group coming my way (which let me know I was still on the right path)... then a few more riders passed by me and told me the last rest stop was just a few miles ahead. I got up out of the saddle and pedaled the rest of the way with more energy and vigor. Upon arrival at the stop I realized my camelpack was drained and I needed abit more water and gatorade to survive. I ate another cliffbar and walked around for ten minutes. The next rider to arrive opened my eyes and told me the resent 10 miles was a decieving up hill climb that appeared to be flat (this turned my discouragment into excitement). The last 14 miles were spent with that rider and we battled the heavy head wind together taking turns pulling every 3 or 4 minutes. As we descended the gradual grade at a steady 20mph I felt rejuvenated and ready to take on anything that came my way. It was a strong finish to the end and I finished in 5 hours and 40 minutes with and 10 minute break, putting me 10 minutes ahead of my goal. I had won the personal race I set out to beat (100 miles in less than 6hrs).
It was a satisfying accomplishment and I look forward to more similar journeys that will require great physical health and mental strength. I have yet to run a marathon and I am planning on a 200 mile ride from Seattle, Washington to Portland, Oregon with my brother Jason. These are my next 2 big adventures to prepare for.
There is something about pushing my body to the point where I feel can't go any further and then pushing past that barrier to achieve a wonderful task that causes me to grow and ascend to greater heights. I am most grateful for the physical body I have been richly blessed with. I thoroughly enjoy accomplishing difficult physical feats because it is one way I express gratitude to my creator for the magnificant bodies he has given us.