Sunday, August 27, 2006
Today I rode in a "half-century" - road biking's equivalent of a Half-Marathon. I rode with Pakky Gerkin and his girlfriend Lauren. We started in town at the Doubletree Hotel; then headed out to Palisade, over East Orchard Mesa, Orchard Mesa to Eagle Rim Park, then crossed the river onto the bike trail, which we rode to 24 road. From there it was north to G Road, then up to I Road, and back to the Doubletree. 52 miles in 3:17, with a 15.9mph pace. It was a great ride. Perfect weather, lots of fun. Over 1000 riders participated in the Tour of the Valley, all a fund-raiser for Community Hospital.
What the ride did was get me excited to aim for the ultimate prize - the Century Ride. Yup, 100 miles; the Marathon of Biking. I am not ready for it yet, but by next summer, for sure! The 100 mile ride in the Tour is brutal; it includes the first 40 miles of the half-century, then heads OVER the Colorado National Monument, riding the "Tour of the Moon," then out to Fruita and back to the Doubletree. The 1500 ft of gain 40 miles into the ride is quite intimidating, but it makes for one heck of a goal!
What the ride did was get me excited to aim for the ultimate prize - the Century Ride. Yup, 100 miles; the Marathon of Biking. I am not ready for it yet, but by next summer, for sure! The 100 mile ride in the Tour is brutal; it includes the first 40 miles of the half-century, then heads OVER the Colorado National Monument, riding the "Tour of the Moon," then out to Fruita and back to the Doubletree. The 1500 ft of gain 40 miles into the ride is quite intimidating, but it makes for one heck of a goal!
