So today I did the NCBC spring rally century ride. 

Bad things:
–it was really cold (which was especially tough after the last few days of balmy spring weather).
–it was really windy (if you email me and tell me you looked out the window from your nice cozy couch and didn’t see any wind, I will have to smack you).
–the pavement in a couple of spots (total of maybe 10 or 15 miles) was so bumpy that I may not be able to sit tomorrow.  It wasn’t seams, like at White Lake; it was giant ruts across the road every foot or two.  I was worried about punctures.  And my tush.
–dogs.  Lots and lots of dogs.  I thought Chatham Co. was bad.  I’m never riding in Johnston Co. again.  Ever.  I think that the number of dogs that chased me just today far exceeded my lifetime total up to this point.  Every kind of dog you can think of, from some freaky, wild, vicious creature that looked like a wolf, to a huge, lolloping thing that looked like a horse, to yes, even a dachshund.  None of them were content to hang out in their yards and laugh at the crazy people on bicycles–no.  They needed desperately to defend their territories–apparently every square inch of Johnston County needs to be defended.  It was truly unbelievable.  There was one stretch where it was like they were handing us off down the road–every house had a new set of dogs that would race out into the road and chase (and bark and snarl and yap at our heels and run in circles around us and back and forth across the road, sometimes barely missing a front wheel) to the next house, where the next set would take over. And some houses had LOTS of dogs.
–the second rest stop.  Or rather, the lack thereof.  Luckily, the second rest stop was at a gas station.  Unfortunately, by the time we (I and the two folks I was riding with, who will be items on the “good things” list) got to the gas station, the second rest stop had actually packed up and left.  Not a crisis, since gas stations are perfectly happy to have actual cash, but a bit demoralizing.

Good things:
–104 miles.  Okay, that one’s debatable.  At mile 99, it seemed like a bad idea.  But from this vantage point, I’m pleased–I’m that much closer to next weekend’s brevet distance.
–Strange as this sounds, my fitness.  I was truly miserable in the wind and the cold, BUT–I did the ride in the exact same time as I did the Frostbite last month, and this was four miles longer, and WAY windier.  So while I feel much worse tonight, I also feel like I was a bit stronger today.
–Bob.  Great guy, Bob.   Interesting, talkative, smart, strong, and not afraid of dogs–always a plus.  Oh, and really tall.  Thanks for all that pulling into the wind, Bob.  I owe you one.
–Robin.  I met Robin early in the day (maybe around 20 miles?  can’t remember for sure), and we stuck together right to the end.  Robin is 23, and in her few months off between undergraduate and graduate school (which starts in May), she’s doing an Ironman (Arizona, in April).  She’s smart and fit and confident and today was her first century.  What a trooper.  Oh, did I mention she just started cycling in the fall?  Amazing.  She hung in strong all the way to the end today; it was a tough ride for a first century.  She’ll be just fine in Arizona.  She’ll also be great in grad school (a master’s in physical therapy).

So what were you doing when you were 23?