Not a race...Just an event. It really is a 2-fer or a 3-fer even. These people raise guide dogs (1) for wounded vets (2) and it's a supported ride for me (3). Really a win - win - win situation. Signed up for it. It's a Metric Century or in this case 64 miles.
I was hoping Jim would do this too. Like training/running/riding/swimming with him and the fact that he has 3 cars helps. We only have 1 car and it hurts. He can't go. Sucks. Asked Lee if she wants the car in which case, I would have to work something out with my Mom. Lee didn't answer and I made a decision. I'm taking the car.
The plan....Mapquest.com said about 45 minutes so my plan was to wake up at 3 am (late!), walk the dog at 5:30 (late!) and leave at 6am. Registration starts at 7:30 with a recommended start time of 8am. I was hoping to get there and be ready by 7am-ish and leave as soon as possible.
So far so good. Found the place and parked. Got everything ready. Started talking to the guy who actually got there before me - Dennis.
Went to pick up my shirt and stuff and found out I won the raffle. Went to the prize desk. They had some nice stuff: gift certificates to Modells, Dicks sporting goods store, 2 female riding jerseys and sunglasses in a hard case. Always need sunglasses so took those.
I was worried about the course. Asked them how it's marked when an event organizer suggested I hook up with "that" guy. My new friend Dennis. Started riding together with the local. Passed near his mother-in-laws house. We were 3 blocks away from his home and his wife and 4 month old baby girl.
The ride itself was good. Parts were very scenic and beautiful. Would I do this one again? Nope. I don't think the course was well marked. Certain areas yes but other times I was worried and thanks to Dennis I was able to continue riding.
At one point, Rafael (Rafi) joined us. Young kid doing the 50. Dennis at 1 point started dying on us. I couldn't drop him. Well, I could have easily, it was a good ride but it wouldn't be right. He saved me all during the start so I had to encourage (yell at him) as best I can.
Parts of the course were stupid. Go to the end, make a u-turn. Did that going East. Did that for West. Did that for North. I think anyway. Did too many U-turns.
Got to a point where the sign on the ground said, "U-turn at end". Thank God this old guy caught us. He was doing the 50 and knew this part of the course. I think a lot of people missed that part.
Got to the big bad hill: Cordwood. It was 0.46 miles in length and wasn't terrible. I did better than Rafi and Dennis. Stopped to pee near this woman who was doing the 50 and missed that stupid "U-turn at end" piece.
That's it. Rode to finish. HAd some great food at the end. It sprinkled on us a few times but held off. It looked bad tho. Got home and dragged the family plus Josh's family and Jim's family to a Medieval Festival. Everyone had a good time and my time away from home was perhaps forgotten.