This weekend I did my very first century ride at the Little Red Riding Hood bike ride. It was AWESOME! I loved it. I had originally signed up to do the 80-mile distance, but a few weeks ago I decided to switch to the 100 mile because if I was going to do 80, I might as well do 100 and cross the century off my list. I'm so glad I did. Anyway, of all the races and events I have done over the years, the Little Red Riding Hood was probably the best out of all of them. It's a women-only bike ride in Cache Valley. Anyway, the whole thing was just great.
Matt and I headed up to Logan Friday afternoon. Emily had her first overnighter without us at her grandparents' house. Thanks guys! We got there around 4, which was a little unusual for us because we are usually getting to the race location fairly late in the day and rushing to get everything done. So it was nice to get there a little early and have time to relax a little. We carbo-loaded at the Olive Garden (and we didn't even have to wait an hour for a table! We got right in!)
Then we went for a walk by the temple and around the Utah State campus.
We found this funny sign! Ha!
It was just gorgeous! We also went to the hot tub for awhile to relax and got to bed at a decent time.
We stayed at the (not-so) Quality Inn in Logan, and Matt did this to the door to keep the noise/light out since the door was really weird.
Saturday morning we got up and drove up to Lewiston (about 15 miles north of Logan) where the race started. I knew it was a good omen when I saw a horse racing track near the start line! The theme for the ride this year was a 1950s rock-n-roll theme, so they had this lovely old classic car at the start line.
The Big Bad Wolf was there along with some people dressed up in 1950s attire. There were also ladies wearing tutus, capes, flowers and streamers on their helmets, and other festive things. The volunteers were wearing bow ties or these 1950s bowling shirts.
Here I am getting ready to start the race. It was pretty cold for the first hour or so, but the rest of the day was perfect!
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| The start line. We were escorted out of town by motorcycle cops. |
And we're off!
The race went all through Cache Valley and a little bit up into southeast Idaho. Matt brought his bike too and went for a ride around Logan while I was doing the first half of the race. He found me somewhere around Logan (Mile 30).
They had rest stops every 15 miles or so that were stocked with fruit, energy bars, peanut butter sandwiches, water, gatorade, granola bars, clif shot blocks, fruit snacks, trail mix. It was fantastic. They also had porta-pottys, sunscreen, maps, chafing cream, etc. at the rest stops. Plus, there were support vehicles driving around the course to see if any of the riders needed anything. It honestly was the best-supported event I have ever participated in. I didn't even have to wait in line to get my snacks.
They had lunch at Mile 58. Matt met me at this rest stop and had lunch with me. Here I am eating my lunch!
The course was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I loved it. It was really fairly flat and went through some pretty farmlands, by a lake and not to mention the mountains on both sides of the valley. Seriously it was gorgeous.
Some of the people who lived on the farms would come out and cheer for us. There was also very little traffic, which was really nice. And the roads were clean and smooth. It was fantastic!
Here I am coming into the finish line. Honestly it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I felt better after this one than I did at the last one where I only did 60 miles.
I did it! I was so proud of myself.
One Hundred Miles.
At the finish line they had a live 1950s rock-n-roll band, snacks, and a cute little ice cream parlor where you could make your own ice cream sundaes.
Here I am about to have my first treat in 35 days!
Anyway, it was just fantastic and I loved it. I definitely want to do this one again. It was just so well-organized and supported and beautiful and fun! Here are some stats...
100 Miles
8 total hours (including all the rest stops)
6:50 of actual riding time
3614 calories burned
15 mph average speed
24 mph max speed
4 potty breaks
3 goats and 1 donkey seen on the side of the road
11 ladies who commented on how cute my jersey was :)
1.5 gallons of gatorade/water consumed
2 great parents for watching Emily
1 awesome honey for coming with me and following me around
0 flat tires
1 lost reflector
and 1 very sore bum
P.S. Even though it was really nice to have a little weekend away without Emmy, we missed her and were so excited to see her when we got back. And she was so excited to see us too! It was pretty cute. But I think she had a good time at her grandparents' house.
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