My 1st "Century"

I managed to complete my first 100 miles bike ride...though not without a battle against heat, humidity, and wind. I biked in the Grand 100 for the 1st time on June 7. The tour route was described as having gentle rolling hills. Well, the person that wrote that was probably riding the route in a car! It was a very pretty route and the hills I am talking about are out in the orchards near the Sparta area and Dale Sprick's buffalo. They may be gentle and they may be rolling, but they were also quite a challenge in the humidity.

I made a mistake on the route and followed the wrong group of riders and missed the turn for the upper loop that makes the course 100 miles. I ended up finishing on the 65 mile loop route. So, I packed up my bike, rode home, jumped back on the bike and put another 35 miles on in Allegan County. By that time it was the hottest part of the day and I needed to stop about 3 times to rest up and cool down. On my second stop, I layed down on the front lawn of the Benthiem elementary school, in the shade of a small maple tree. It was breezy and the shade helped cool me down and I think I even dozed off a minute.....only to be waken by someone calling out...."You ok?...you ok?". I looked up and it was one of Allegan County's finest, getting out of his cruiser and coming toward me!! I assured him I was ok, just resting, and thanked him for checking. It must have been my crimson face that called his attention to me.

Anyway, I completed my first 100 mile day/ride!! Now I know how much pain will be coming in Iowa, when we face 3 consecutive days of 100+ miles in the middle of the summer.