ndanger.organism

Saturday

The day 1 route was 100 miles. I left in the first pack at 7:30 am. Started off with the normal group of aggresive clubbers and weekenders who pull too fast and then drop-off. Stopped at the Moraine rest stop and choked on a PB&J. Spent a lot of time alone until I met Mark–a UPMC rider with a Colnago with matching saddle, tires & bar tape–a few miles before the lunch stop. We paced together (skipping lunch) for a few miles before I couldn’t keep up on the hills. I did most of my training at 45×17 and the 48×17 was rough on the long rollers.

I refueled at the Cochranton rest stop and then split onto the Century route. The first quarter I spent waiting for the one steep climb. When it finally came it was bad, but passable. On the descent Mark sped past me, I guess he must have stopped at a rest stop.

The rest of the ride was uneventful and I got to Meadeville at about 1:15.

• Wall-time: ~5.75 hours (17.4 mph average)
• Ride-time: ~5.5 hours (18.2 mph average)

Getting in early was great. I was showered, tented & rested by 2:30. Drank some beer with the rest of Team Vocollect before going to dinner. After dinner hung out with the Bike Pgh people.

Sunday

The route.

Breakfast at 5:45, missed team photo and was on the road a little after 7:30. Didn’t leave early enough, though, and spent the first half hour passing groups. Hung out with the same group of weekenders for awhile, but lost most of them when they decided to go to the rest stops. I felt good on the bike and spent most of the day tucked and spinning. Nothing of note happened and I was in Conneaut around 10:30.

Wall-time = ride-time: ~3 hours (21 mph average)

This was my fastest pace for the second day ever; perhaps the fastest long ride I’ve ever done.

At the end I ate lots of pizza and chatted with Heather about grad-school and vacations. She says both are pretty good.

I took the bus back to Cranberry. Erin gave me a ride to my apartment. And then I took a shower.