My First Century!

I did it! I made a goal this year to ride 100 miles on my bike, a distance that I have not yet tried, and signed up for a ride called Little Red in Logan, UT.
I'd heard of this ride a few years ago but haven't ever been interested because really, who wants to ride a bike all day long? Not me until this year. And I admit that as I trained I wondered why I even set this goal. Being on a bike longer than two hours is hard for me because there are SOOOO many other things I would rather be/could be doing with that time! But I kept reminding myself that some goals take sacrifices so I stuck with it.
Since I was nervous about taking this on, I didn't recruit any friends too heavily and planned on doing it alone. My aunt was participating with her pals, but that was all I knew of until Scott and I were at dinner with some old St. Louis friends of ours (who now live in Vegas) and she was signed up! So I met her Saturday morning and joined her group.
It was a little cold when we started but the day was beautiful so it warmed up nicely.
Since it was a loooong ride, I did not tote my camera so all these pics are from my iphone. Consider them incognito shots from behind enemy lines!
It was gorgeous, flat green farmland everywhere with big blue skies. Lervely!

Here's my friend, Steph. I managed to get a shot of her and forgot to get one of me. Nice. What else is new.

This is one of the earlier feed zones. This event knows how to set you up! Every station was loaded with a great selection of fruit, drinks + supplement powders, sunblock, snacks, etc. The best offering I have yet seen at a cycling event.

More view shots... I took this while riding over my shoulder. Tricksy, eh! That's my red vested back.

This was a beautiful home of some importance because I saw the informative historical display nearby but was not interested enough to walk over and educate myself. Ha! I just thought it looked like Mr. Darcy would come around the corner....in that open white shirt and knee high boots.... Oh... I must need some sugar.

More pretty views...

The ride over all was so much easier than I had anticipated. I did some long training rides at home that were hard and only 60 miles max. I thought for sure I would be suffering so I prepared for the worst. Perhaps that mentality is what saved me some? That or the super flat course. :) Hardly any hills to speak of. I felt so great the last ten miles, I could have ridden 30 more (maybe that was the Motrin talking, though). I know there are MUCH harder century rides out there so this might not actually count to the competitive rider, but for me, I am happy.
Thanks to my family and friends that texted and checked in during the weekend, and most importantly my husband who took over so I could do this! XO!