Virgin Century: Century of the Week

"The time you enjoy wasting

is not wasted time."

Bertrand Russell 

 

As is usual in Indiana for August, the prediction today is for very hot weather.  Hot weather or very cold weather always causes me concern when I lead a ride.  I don't normally have trouble in the heat if I am conservative about my pace and the course is not overly demanding, but still there have been times when I have finished a  hot ride with every cell of my being screaming loudly for liquid, preferably ice cold liquid, and I feel as if I might burst into flame at any moment. Where cramps torture me that evening while I lay in bed or relax on the couch and move my legs a certain way.  But that is not my norm and  that is me.  I worry more for those that show for the ride because they somehow feel to be my responsibility, as if they were not adults capable of making their own decisions. And I have nursed many a rider through a hot ride when they were having trouble. And I remember a couple of rides not captained by me with a rider, the same rider, prostrate on the ground while others threw water on him and tried to cool him.   But it always concerns me and interests me.  Why do some people adapt easily while others struggle to adapt?  Genetics?  Fitness level?  On a ride earlier this year, I learned that Garmin actually has something that supposedly tells you what percentage of heat adaptation you have.  Color me skeptical.  But perhaps it does work.

After last week's fast (for these old bones) ride, I find I really don't mind if people show this week or not.  I just want to ride.  Company will be nice if it happens, but riding alone at my own pace is equally enticing.  I tend to notice more of what I see alone, to think more.  As always, I remain quite flummoxed by how much I can miss while riding with others.  I know many others don't understand this.  They tell me they can't imagine riding a century alone, that it would be torture for them.  And of course, there are gains riding with company, but there are also losses.  Always the balancing act. With fall and winter coming and the Pandemic stealthily drawing in her net, I suspect there will be more alone time than I desire so I have actively sought company in anticipation.

 

 I have not ridden the Virgin Century for years now.  I did not design the course and it requires that I drive to the start.  It has its moments, but there is a bit too much farmland unmixed with variety for my tastes.  A few too many busy roads however short the time spent on them.  But still I like to see the course preserved.    There certainly are courses ridden more frequently that lack the charm of the Virgin, centuries like the Surbane and the Urbane, rides some people adore but I detest due to the heavy traffic and car fumes and traffic lights.  I particularly detest these rides in the spring when earth throws off winter's shackles and is awakening and there is birth and color throughout the countryside.  Despite my intense dislike of these courses, sometimes I ride them because of the TMD competition.   It seems that spring is when so many want to ride through the city and it just seems such a waste of bicycle time during months that seem to be made for cycling.  I suppose there is a beauty there that eludes me or it is because the courses are essentially flat with lots of rest time at traffic lights.  Regardless, I think I shall always prefer light traffic, scenic country rides.  If that means hills and a bit more effort, so be it. I long ago gave up trying to understand why people prefer heavy traffic, the scent of exhaust,  and lack of scenery.

 

As I understand it, originally the Virgin Century was put together for first time century riders and there is no denying that it is an easier, relatively fast course  compared to most centuries that we ride.  Alan Darby and Ellen M. normally captained this ride, but I believe that Paul told me he thought Mike Pitt put the course together.   As far as I know, Alan and Ellen  no longer ride and have not for a few years. Mike "Sparky" Pitt has not ridden with the club for years.   I knew none of them well, but still feel a twinge of regret at their loss.  I knew Sparky better than the others, and always appreciated his wit and how he could make me laugh until my stomach hurt.   As Bob recently pointed out to me:  most of the people we ride with are riding friends  only.  They are not people you go shopping with or play cards with.  Once they quit cycling, you lose touch.  I concur and add that they also don't seem to ride distance more than a few years.  I remember Bill Pustow once telling me that most people don't ride distance for more than two years, or I think that was the amount of time he gave them.  Was it him that figured that out or a study he came upon?  It seems true regardless of whether it is or not.

 

Despite the first of the course being relatively flat,  there is a long, demanding climb on what has become a much busier road than when the ride was originally put together and the end of the century is more difficult from the first half of the ride. I remember hurting on that climb one time, legs aching, mentally wrestling with the desire to quit.

 

All this riding....is it a waste of time that should be spent doing other things?  Many people think so. And it is a question I have asked myself numerous times, particularly on long brevets or difficult rides, the ones where you promise God and yourself that if he'll just get you to the end you will NEVER mount a bicycle again all the while knowing that you are lying and hoping God really does have a sense of humor because he also knows you are lying.  Similar in some ways to giving birth. As I labored to bring my daughter into the world, I vowed to remain forever celibate.  But later I had a son, and if my husband had concurred, would have liked to have had another.  In the end,  I suppose,  most things are a waste of time if you come right down to it.  Few of us ever really accomplish anything truly significant.  At least cycling contributes to physical fitness.  And I can think of worse ways to waste my time.  Is it a waste if we gain from it physically and or emotionally?  Russell is probably right.

 

  Distance cycling certainly is not normal, particularly for a woman.  For the majority of the centuries this year I have been the only woman on the rides.  But for some reason I love the rides, the roads, the adventure that  possibly awaits. I love the kindness of the men that are stronger but still  allow me to tag along and don't scorn my weakness.  Still, sometimes I wonder about myself and this passion.  Maybe it is  the possibility that draws me.   Maybe the memories many rides evoke. Maybe a longing for what might be just around the corner?  The adventure, the lure, the tinge of danger.  I just know that even a hard ride leaves me feeling a sense of satisfaction.   Over all the miles on the road, there have been only a handful of times when I was  not glad that I rode even when I had to push myself out the door. 

Five others show for the ride:  Tom "Ambassador" Askew, Jon Wineland, Mike "Diesel" Kammenish, Jeff Schrade, and Jeff's son, Jonathan Schrade.  Jeff and Jonathan are doing their first century of the year.  I don't know them so I have no idea what type of riders they may be.  Jon tells me his longest ride this year is 40 miles, but he is young, 18 I believe, and at 18 you can get by with more than you can at 65.   Amazingly, Jon W., the other Jon,  rode a century Friday and Saturday so today will be his third of the hot, humid week. I rode only a short portion of the Friday ride and was glad to rest yesterday.   Everyone is in a good mood and ready to roll and we leave out about five minutes after the start time.  

Almost immediately we break into groups.  As expected Diesel, Jon W., and Ambassador lead the way while Jeff, Jon, and I proceed at a much more reasonable pace.  The sun is shining and it is not yet hot and the miles pass quickly.  I have put on the description that I will sweep down to 13 mph, but we are averaging over 16 at the first store stop.  I can tell, however, that the pace is wearying for them and tell them I am more than happy to sweep at a lower pace down to 13, but I won't sweep at 13 unless someone needs me to.  They assure me they are fine with the pace and that I can go ahead, but I could not keep the pace of the front group even if I wanted to.  And we don't keep our 16 average.  At the end we are somewhere in the low 15's, still a respectable pace for the weather.

While the groups are separate, we tend to regroup at each store stop.  The problem comes at lunch.  When we arrive at the designated lunch stop, it is no longer in business.  I am not sure whether to turn around to the new location or proceed. Before the ride started I had mentioned the possibility of eating on the town square at the coffee shop.  As Jeff, Jonathan, and I head that way, Jon rolls out of the parking lot of Save-A-Lot to join us.  We find the others already at the coffee shop though they don't remember my mentioning it in my pre-ride speech.  It is definitely a step upwards food-wise from Subway and if I ever put this route on again, it will be the official stop.  Four of us eat outside and two inside.  Everyone agrees it is a better choice.  Nobody is pissed off that I did not check to ensure the old lunch stop is open.  I love it when riders roll with this punches.  This lunch stop also is close to the 60 mile mark, my favorite distance for lunch during a century.  

 

Despite the heat, everyone finishes strongly and gathers just a bit at the end before heading off home in different directions.  The long climb up 160 following the third store stop is not as onerous or as heavily trafficked as I remember though there are, indeed, more cars than I like.  The descent down Pixley is amazing and brings back memories of climbing it regularly as part of my training for the Virginia 1000K.  I  much prefer going down;-)  At one point, grass is tall and I notice deer.  You can't see them unless they are moving.  When they bound, you see the head and butt, then nothing.  I am never able to see exactly how many.

 

And another century is in the books.  And I have enjoyed myself whether the time be considered wasted or not.  Mostly I am glad that everyone seemed to have a good time and arrived in the parking lot safely.