Saturday, 27 August 2011

Because I can


On Saturday, 28th June 2008, a couple of months after I started this blog, I rode my first century - 100 miles, in one go, on a road bike. I'd built up to it with longer and longer rides and I remember getting to about the 80 mile mark and just riding small loops close to home to make up the 100, in case I blew up completely and ended up quivering by the side of the road (like that would ever happen).

A Century (capitalised to emphasise the awesomeness) is a big thing. It has to be miles of course - none of this "metric" business with kilometres. Your first century ride is like your first car crash or assassination attempt. A little scary, maybe a little painful, but forever memorable.

Two days ago, with the minimum of recent training, little fanfare and admittedly some careful pre-eating I rode from Cirencester to Aylesbury to Newbury. 107 miles.
This was partly because I wanted to help out Jon on the first part of his charity ride (http://original.justgiving.com/jonlast) but mainly because it would be fun. Not epic, not brutal, just fun.

You've come a long way, baby.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's a good place to be Bryan. Capable of doing 100 MILES at the drop of a hat, I mean, not Cirencester. Good job! Hope you enjoyed it.

Unknown said...

Yeah, it's quite nice to know, just in case I find myself 100 miles from somewhere I need to get to, armed only with a road bike!