First century of 2011

Well, it was a metric century but it is only February!!!  Today I had the chance to ride with a group meeting up with another group of cyclists that were riding to the State Capitol from Tampa to raise awareness for cancer.  The riders from Tampa left at 8 am Sunday morning and rode 100 miles the first day, 120 on Monday, with a headwind most of the way, and today they finished it off with about 60 miles.  A friend organized a ride from T town to leave out this morning to meet up with them in route and escort them in.  It was a beautiful morning and we met up with the group out on Hwy 98 and pulled them on into town.  By the time I got home I had 70 miles in!!

 About 25 miles into the ride one of our group had a puncture.  Whatever he hit cut the tire big time and we( Roger) had to use a boot ( an empty foil GU package) to keep the tube from coming out of the tire.  We fixed it and it lasted the rest of the ride!!

 While repairs were being made it was time to shed a few layers and enjoy some trash talking as well.

Roger, hard at work doing roadside repairs.  

out in the "dead zone" where I logged many a mile last summer triathlon training.

After we met up with the Tampa group we had there sag support as well.  They had two cars leap frogging every few miles in case someone needed support.  Eventually it was decided it was time for a break and we SAG'd along the side of 98.  The sag vehicle was loaded with all kinds of supplies, power bar products, candy bars, red bull, you name it.  I actually got home with more stuff than I left with!!  The power bar rep wanted to get a photo with us all holding some power bar stuff so....

All in all I consumed 2 honey stinger waffles, 4 packages of a new product called power bar balls (2 per package), and 4 bottles.  I stayed away from the red bull and the snickers!!

Most of the ride was along 98 which is where Brecht, Joel, Travis and I logged many a mile last summer training for a Triathlon.  I was thinking about all the hard work and good times that we had as I rode today.   We call this area the "dead zone" because it is out in the middle of nowhere, and it is dead flat.  It can get pretty windy out there too but today it was blue bird the whole way.

 When doing a road ride one does a lot of following, or drafting.  Everyone takes a turn out front (or most everyone Brett) and leads for a while then returns to the line of followers.  I was thinking today, as I was following for a brief moment :) through the wilderness area that we were riding about my Bible reading and the 40 years of wandering in the desert, following the cloud and pillar of fire.  If you get a chance read Numbers chapter 13 and you will see what I am talking about.  You will also read about my son's namesake.  I love this story in the Bible!!