This year marks the third year in a row I’ve done the Nockamixon Century. I wrote about 2006 and I have Garmin data from 2007. I’ve said of those two days that they were the single most difficult days of riding in those years. This year I didn’t feel that bad, the whole way through.
Probably for a few different reasons:
#1)I paid alot of attention to hydration and food. I kept eating the whole way thru.
#2)I had someone in my group that I promised, no matter what, that I would not leave behind. More then once, I pulled off of the groups pace to slow down, grab this guy and pace him back to the group.
Until the end, when he was completely cooked. There was nothing to be done but block the wind for him and bring him home.
In reality, this was probably not completely altruistic. If I had stayed with the front group, I’d have worked too hard for too long and been a real mess today. Not ideal.
But I did get alot of practice in *slowly* bringing someone up to speed. I’d never done that before.
I should point out that both of my previous experiences with this ride were the same as his first. In the last 20-25 miles, like clockwork, I’ve blown up. Its an extremely hilly course. It grinds you down.
The worst part about this phenomenon of course is how endless it can make those last miles feel. You’ve kept a good pace. You are tired. You loose that pace. It takes you longer and longer to cover distances that were nothing earlier in the day. Time stretches out.
Anyway.
2 dumb stories:
#1)Old Easton road. Mile 12. There was a pig on someone’s lawn. Wearing a dog leash harness.
#2)Farm country. mile 78. 2 of the biggest donkeys I have ever seen. I ride up next to one of my companions.
“Look at all that ASS” I say.
No reaction. What is it about 78 hilly miles that makes folks into such a tough crowd?
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