98 miles is too a century ride

Last week, just before I headed out of town to Mammoth (I'll write on that this evening; I'm kinda out of order here), I received an email from Shnuddy (that's not her real name, but what she goes by on her blog/forums). Shnuddy is a favorite of mine. I've only ridden with her a handful of times but feel like we've been friends for years. She is this tall drink of water (has the figure I always wished I could have been blessed with), athletic, blond, blue-eyed and is as beautiful on the inside as she is externally. For real. If you knew her, you'd agree. Well, she's riding CAM this year too, and since she lives 2.5 hours from the city in the desert (the very-hot-at-the-moment desert), she was looking to ride a century for July closer to the coast. She asked if I'd be interested in riding some of the miles with her.

Huh? Some? Oh, come now. I can't have my pretty friend drive to the coast and not ride a century with her. I immediately volunteered my legs and a place for her to stay. This meant a full day of cleaning on Friday to make my pigsty liveble (my apartment is spotless at present, which is so nice) and gearing up to ride a second century in a span of two weeks. I've done it before and knew I could do it again, but I was curious to see how my body would feel after a full day of mountain biking this past Wednesday and full day of hiking on Thursday! I'm sick that way, I suppose, and like to push it just a tad beyond comfortable.

Shnuddy got here Friday early evening and we carbo-loaded (kind of) on tofu Thai dishes. Shnuddy is a vegetarian and the kind who doesn't impose her views on anyone. Since I use to be a vegetarian years ago, I slipped right into that mode and stayed meatless for the last two days. Really nice, actually and our dinner was perfect the night before a century. Yesterday morning, we noshed on fresh bagels (oh, so yummy) and lingered over coffee. I wanted her to have a relaxing time, so I didn't push the start time. We ended up starting the ride an hour later than planned! Luckily, the weather along the coast and up into Oxnard and Carpinteria was unbelievably (and unseasonably) cool all day with only pockets of warm air. We were blessed!



Our route was the century from two months ago, the fateful ride where my friend was badly injured. It's an out and back, starting at Neptune's Net on PCH, riding nine miles up the coast, popping off and going a tad inland at Port Hueneme, riding our normal Ventura route (not the Casistas Pass route but the Cool Breeze rendition), up to Carpinteria and back. From the start, we struck a moderate pace. Nice thing about riding with Shnuddy (and only her) is that we are the same speed/level/temperament. No egos and no desire to 'best' anything. We knew we had many miles to cover and being seasoned riders, we knew when/if to push it.




As we pulled out from the start, the usual suspects (who were doing a different, 70 mile ride up the coast) had pulled up to Neptune's Net. I mumbled to Shnuddy, "Sh*t, let's get going!" I wasn't purposely avoiding the others by any means, but we were running late. We didn't have time to socialize! Plus, I knew they'd catch us, which they did. First, it was Herb. He rode out to us, said hi and rode back to join the others. Then The Lobsters, The Colonel and Captain Kurt caught us. They were flying along the coast, the usual speedsters.




We hung on their wheels for a bit. I did not want them to think I'd shined them on purpose! They were all smiles and having fun. Then, they dropped us. Heh heh. I told Shnuddy that we'd best not hang on their wheels anyway given the distance we had to cover.





As we exited PCH, passed Port Hueneme and headed inland, our first stop was at a gas station where the others were waiting. We quickly ate a snack, drank some water and geared up to leave. Again, no time to socialize. The Lobsters considered riding the century with us. They'd have been welcomed for sure, but at the last minute, they changed their minds. We bid them farewell, and we two gals continued on our way.



Other than some grumpy headwinds complaining in our faces, we didn't have too much to worry about. Traffic was rather gentle the whole day (except for our trek along the 101 where it is always scary!). As for climbs, we really only faced two, with the second one, Gubanador Canyon (that everyone calls Governator), being anything to worry over (if hot). It was warm on that hill but that isn't what slowed me. Nope. I had definitely worn down my climbing legs last week and I just had no hill mojo. Shnuddy sure did. Hell, she went right up it like a pro. I almost yelled, "You go, Alberto!" but was too out of breath. As I crested, she was waiting with her camera and that lovely smile of hers. Did I mention how wonderful it was to ride with my friend?



After the climb, it was lunch, and we both nibbled on veggie patty sandwiches at Subway. We took a good half hour and rested our legs. We had roughly 50 miles (back) to go and almost all of it flat. The thing about flat rides is that although one thinks, "Oh, this will be an easy century," remember that flat means you pedal the whole time. No downhills to coast on. It's almost harder, believe it or not. But we women are tough and strong riders. I always tell folks that I may not be all that fast, but 'endurance is my bag, baby!' I can last and push through at times you'd think I'd fade. Same for Shnuddy whose pace was exactly the same. We traded pulls from time to time and kept a hum in our spokes without fail.




Our breaks were short, too. I loved that we both are in complete agreement on breaks and such. We need them and will take them, but we didn't mosey or waste time. At the last gas station in Ventura, we did sit for a moment to enjoy our liquid refreshments (she had Gatorade and I had rocket fuel - a Pina Colada Sobe!). From there, it truly was a straight shot back. It was here that we had our one and only flat. Shnuddy's back tire had a tiny shard of glass and a slow leak. She discovered it and fixed it in under ten minutes - without breaking a nail! I was so impressed.



On our last nine miles home, the 10 foot high waves crashing against the shore were a spectacle to behold. Those combined with the many seagulls flying (and flirting) alongside us were a treat. Although we could feel the miles beneath us, we knew that in no time, our wonderful ride would come to an end. At Neptune's Net, we high-fived each other and agreed to split a beer and order of fries. Our total was 98 miles with a 6 hour, 12 minute ride time (not too shabby!). We didn't even hammer, just steady pedaling and still got a great ride time.





Century done! As we sat and enjoyed the salty goodness of fried potatoes (I will never give those up!), we talked over the 98 miles we'd ridden. We agreed that it's fair that 98 miles is too a century ride. I know a certain fellow female cyclist and friend will tsk-tsk us and disagree, but I'm at peace with that. As Shnuddy and I acknowledged, there are many centuries we ride that are 103-108 miles! That's not fair! So, anything 97 miles to 108 miles is a century in my book, and this was my bonus century that I'm keeping in case I miss a month. I know...I make my own rules, don't I?



Truly a glorious day with a wonderful friend. Shnuddy mentioned how lucky we are...yes, I agree. So very lucky, indeed.