Byron and I are planning on doing the Century distance Watermelon ride this Sunday. Who's in? We'd love to have others join us? Do we need to twist arms? The weather should be nice and it's good training! These are pretty leisurely rides from what I understand, well, you can make them whatever you want. It's not a race though, it's a ride and you can go at your own pace. I've never done anything close to 100 miles before (the most maybe 22 at the most?) so I'm in for a very sore butt and legs but I'm sure I won't die....so why not? I'll eventually finish and I'm looking forward to it. We'll leave Oregon City around 6 am so we can register by 7 and be on our bikes by 7:30 or 8.

http://www.salembicycleclub.org/content.plx?page=majrides

Watermelon Rides
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Watermelon Rides offer routes of 50 miles, 100 miles, 125 miles and 200 miles (Oregon's original one-day Double Century). The rides are open to all cyclists who agree to Share the Road by riding safely, lawfully, and courteously. The rides are not races and will proceed rain or shine. Please seriously evaluate your condition before attempting the 200-mile route. The rides start and end at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall--0.7 miles south of the intersection of Hwy 99W and Hwy 22.

Pre-registration is now closed. Cyclists may register on the day of the ride. The day-of-ride registration fee will be $20 plus an optional $14 for a T-shirt.

Packet pickup and day-of-ride registration will open at 5:00 a.m. for 200-mile riders only. There will be a mass start for 200-mile riders at 5:30 a.m. All 200-mile riders must start by 6:00 am.

Packet pickup and day-of-ride registration for all other routes will open at 7:00 am and close at 9:00 am. All riders must start by 9:30 a.m.

The routes are generally flat with some rolling hills and take riders through the central Willamette Valley. The map and cue sheet and the route profile offer a preview of the ride.

Rest stops with food, energy drink, and public toilets are spaced approximately every 25 miles. In addition, the Salem Bicycle Club provides limited mobile support. Almost 250 cyclists participated in the 2007 Watermelon despite heavy showers on the morning of the ride.

For more information, contact Doug Parrow.

Marion,
Although I expressed interest yesterday, I'd better be in Vancouver that morning since Randy will be out to finish his Ironman. Plus it will give me a chance to track his progress throughout the day.

You are not allowed to die out there!!!

Ouch.....my arm. Do you hear the twisting going on?

I'm up for it.

Yay! We're looking forward to it. The more the merrier. Anyone else up for it?

Sharon....where are you? I haven't heard from you in quite sometime. I think your bike misses you! I'm not sure the ride would be complete without a Tiara or a little bling afterall!

Plus it's pretty darn cool that we'll be doing the Century at the same time Randy Wells will be completing his bike portion of the Ironman! We'll be with him in Spirit!

Marion

What a great day for a Century! I completed my first Century ride today, along with my husband Byron and Randy Peene (not their first Century ride). I had never ridden more than around 20 miles, so it was a big stretch for me. However, it went REALLY well. I felt comfortable and strong but I certainly need some more hill training (any hills would be "more hill training" as I've done none! . There were more hills than I expected and particularly through miles 60-75. These 15 miles were very challenging for me and I did question how the rest of the ride would go. I knew I'd finish because I wouldn't let myself not finish, but I was having a hard time keeping any kind of a good pace through this section, where as before, we were averaging 16-20 mph the entire way. But I got through it and around mile 75 got my second wind. I have no idea where the energy came from but I wasn't going to argue! I felt a little bad just taking off but I needed to use it if I had it to ensure I made it to the finish.

I learned a lot on this ride about shifting, form and group riding protocol. I feel much more comfortable on my bike now. Once I got my second wind I was able to get back to the 17-20 mph pace. For the day I believe we averaged 15.8 miles (it didn't help I averaged 6-7 up the hills!!!!) for the entire course. To my suprise however, this "100 mile ride" actually was 103.8. And darn it I'm going to take credit for all extra 3.8 miles! hehe By the end I really felt like if I had to continue and ride a 125 mile ride, I could have, that is assuming it wasn't hills! But forget the double century! Some day. It was a challenging but VERY enjoyable ride and I'm glad I did as well as I did for having never done more than 20ish miles. I am certainly tired and my legs and but are achy tonight but I feel better than I thought I would. It felt easier than a marathon! But why don't I throw in a swim before and a run after and we'll see what tune I'm singing!

A big thanks goes out to Randy for the support, encouragement, and education on the ride. A second BIG thanks for driving. A congrats and also big thanks to my husband Byron for his support and for completing this event while having a severely sprained ankle which got "tweaked" again when he fell at a stop. Way to push through the pain!

I'm looking forward to the next one....I LOVE this stuff!

Marion

Congratulations, Marion!!

Good job to Byron & Randy!!

You guys are awesome!!! Congrats on your first Century Marion! Sorry I haven't been around, I just got back from a week in Canada where we spent some time at a place called Esperanza. It was beautiful! (And QUIET...no TV's, no mobile phones, no internet, no cars.)

I need to get back on my bike. Let me know the next time you guys are heading out and we'll do a group ride!

S

A group ride sounds fabulous! Lets plan it!

Marion