Today I completed my first century! Whaoo! The Hancock Handlebar Hundred is a wonderfully flat century and thereby a great century for my first. The weather was ideal - overcast and cool. The first 50 miles was flat and fast. After a brief lunch stop I set out to complete the final half only to discover that the remainder of the ride would include a stiff headwind. While my pace slowed, the flat terrain made this ride an enjoyable accomplishment for this novice rider. A year ago I had trained for my first century only to give up the goal after a very hot 60 mile ride resulted in salt depleation. A difficult lesson in training and hydration that I learned well and utilzed as I trained all summer for this ride. I completed the ride in 6:00:01 for 100 miles. This included a 15 MPH pace. With an average HR of 139 I burned 2263 calories. With my first century behind me it is now time to find my next bicycling adventure.
