I finished my first century dehydrated. The medical staff thought I should go hand out in the emergency room. In the ambulance, a very attractive woman tried to stick me with an IV. She tried and failed twice in my left arm. Then an IV is successfully installed in my right arm. The dude asked me how I feel. I said, “I feel dumb.” Then he asked, “Anything hurting right now?” I said, “Not to be a jackass, but the only thing that hurts right now are all these puncture wounds on my arms.” Continue reading →

At the end of the 5,500-feet of elevation gain, there was a short section of 17-percent grade, the infamous “Wall in the Road.” I made it up that part. Although the last few pedals felt like I was sitting in the weight room at the Y pushing a ton of plates up on the leg press. As I approach the first switchback, the girl in the blue jersey has gotten off her bike to walk … the woman who did nine centuries in nine days. I’m a very logical person and as soon as I saw that I thought, “That makes total sense.” Continue reading →

After five months of training, I ride my first century in Longmont, Colo., at the Tour de Cure, a diabetes fundraiser. It was going to be hot out — mid-90s — but the event starts before the sun comes up, so it was nice and cool at the start. Standing there waiting for the ride to begin, one of the riders asks me if I’m going to ride the century. I’m thinking, “No, I’m just out here before the sun rises to cheer you guys on.” Continue reading →