Metric Century Ride

Doesn’t metric century sound so much more than 60 miles?  Woke up to a gorgeous day today and a fabulous bowl of oats.

Pumpkin custard oats sweetened with molasses, fresh cranberries (okay, frozen), and topped with toasted pecans.

That and some coffee seemed like a good starter fuel for a long bike ride!

We packed up water and snacks and mapped out a route to take.  Should have taken a little more note of elevation.  We ended up going up to about 900 feet elevation.  We had done part of this route before last fall.  It’s pretty hilly on the way there.  And very pretty.  Top of one big hill.

Stopped in Greenwich, where there were some pretty flowers:

This was 16 miles into the ride. We had snacks.

Plus a few date balls. Then we headed up to Cambridge.   Which way would you take? Up or down?

We went right, which looked down, but was not!! This was really tough.  Serious upward climb of around 400 feet in the next 10 miles.  I didn’t have to walk up any of these hills, and I was really pleased at that, but it was early enough in the ride.  It was really, really hard though.  Then there was a huge and scary down hill, where I was over 30 mph.  So scary.  We got to Cambridge ready for some lunch!  This was about 25 miles in.  We stopped at this little hole in the wall, which was a little scary:

However, I was pleased to see that they serve breakfast all day (yay!) and was even more pleased to see my cheese omelet:

That was some serious wheat toast there, too – not junk! I ate every bite as I was hungry at this point.  It’s always amazing how sometimes the places that look the worst have the best food.  We then walked to a health food co-op so I could pick up some coconut water.  That was a neat store, too.  Wish it were closer to us!

We decided to loop around instead of doubling back, as we thought we could avoid that giant hill that we came down.  Hahaha!  This is the Adirondack area, after all.  It was looking good for quite a while, then about mile 35 or so, we hit the.worst.hill.ever.  Ever!!  It was very steep and probably around 3/4 of a mile up.  You know you are in trouble when you are less than halfway up and in the lowest gear you have 😀  So, I had to walk up some of that hill, as did John.  If you look hard, you can see the orange dot that is John near the top:

He made it further up the hill than I did.  After we got to the top, we then slugged some of the coconut water:

This stuff is like magic to me.  I don’t know why.  I have never had gatorade, so maybe that would give the same result, but I don’t want to switch!  I started to get my 2nd legs here and made it up all the rest of the hills back to Greenwich so that we could stop for another treat!

This was at 41 miles in:

This is their version of a single scoop 😯   I think this probably has to be 600 calories (and yes, I ate it all).   The flavor was ginger with some ginger bits in it.  So freaking good!  I don’t eat real ice cream all that often, but when I do – it needs to be the good stuff.  This was from the Ice Cream Man in Greenwich, featured on Food Network.

We were a little tired at this point.  This was a very ambitious route to take.  Way too hilly for the distance we were doing.  But, we pushed onwards towards home.  After all, it was only 19 more miles at this point :D.

It’s definitely a beautiful ride.  So green around here now.

Took another break at 49 miles to have some coconut water and a little sit:

She’s lookin’ a little droopy!

We then busted out the last bit.  John was really starting to flag.  It’s funny that I get a second wind, and he usually does not.  However, I drafted off of him for a lot of today, which I truly appreciate (Thanks, honey!).  The last hill to home, I walked up about 1/8 of mile and John went straight home, but the mileage was at 57 and change and I really wanted 60, so I biked just a little further before coming back home.

Farthest mileage ever!!

Stats:

60.5 miles (or 100 KM!!)

Average speed: 12.4 mph

Top speed:  35.4 mph (so freaking scary – and this is with brakes!!).

Calories burned:  1800 (says machine, probably closer to 1500.  Still a lot).

Assessment?  This was a tough ride. Really tough.  Some parts of it were just not fun, but overall it was a great day to ride and we feel pretty good about our accomplishments!  Only need to tack another 40 miles onto this ride to reach 100 :mrgreen:   I am crossing this route off the list, though.  Too hard!

Showered and ate some leftovers for dinner.  The lentil rice dish topped with some of that broccoli/quinoa from yesterday.

At first I wasn’t really that hungry because I drank so much water, but as I started eating, my body just woke up to hunger!

Tonight is some serious vegging, and a visit from the parentals, if we can stay awake LOL.  Plus probably some toast and nut butter.

I’m thinking tomorrow is a rest day…..

29 thoughts on “Metric Century Ride”

  2. Kim Zepp

    60 miles!! That’s awesome!!! I hit my breaks on big hills, too. 30 mph is about the fastest I like to go, but even that seems like too much on a tiny bike with only a helmet to protect me. 🙂 Way to go!
    .-= Kim Zepp´s last blog ..Workouts and Cleveland 10K =-.

  3. debby

    Yikes that is one serious ride. Gorgeous country, and gorgeous ice cream! I don’t think I’ve ever gone anywhere near that speed on a bike.

    That bowl of oats looked like the frosting for German Chocolate cake…

  4. Shelley B

    What an amazing bike ride! I absolutely LOVE that you incorporate rewards into such a tough ride – I know that for me, I can do a lot more when I know there is a prize (or ice cream!) at the end. 🙂

    You are really doing great with the biking, especially coming off of your injury – congrats on a metric century (love that term!)!!!
    .-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Friday Randomness, Plus A New Feature! =-.

  7. Tish

    Great ride! I’m inspired. I like the way you plan snacks during your ride, I hadn’t thought of that. And thanks for the pix. I’ve got to learn to take my camera along.
    .-= Tish´s last blog ..So sorry =-.

    1. Lori Post author

      It seems like more than 1500, doesn’t it? That is about 4.5 hours of biking, not counting rests. I ate it all back though LOL!

  9. paula

    First, Lori, that is some serious bike riding. Congratulations for going the extra distance and hitting 60 miles. You’re freakin awesome. Your pictures and scenery are so nice. Gosh, I envy you and John for going for it… 1500 wow!!!

  11. Carter

    Just found your blog and first of all, WOW and CONGRATS! I’ve lost 100 pounds without surgery, so I know what hard work it is! I was reading through your archives and kept thinking you looked familiar…and then I got to your recap post about being in Shape magazine and realized that was it! Can’t wait to continue to follow your adventures 🙂
    Carter

  14. Lynn Haraldson-Bering

    As they say in Minnesota, “Uffda!!” How do your legs feel today? Mine are sore just reading your post! LOL When we finally do ride bikes together, promise me you won’t fall asleep from boredom because I have to do flat trails :/ However, I do promise you a lot of laughs, ok? LOL
    .-= Lynn Haraldson-Bering´s last blog ..Chocolate Cake and Other Memories =-.

    1. Lori Post author

      Feeling quite good today, surprisingly. Just a little tired. I certainly wouldn’t fall asleep biking with you, though – and I love to laugh 😀

    1. Lori Post author

      Traffic is okay on some roads. Others are a little busy or there isn’t enough shoulder to want to take that route again. You need to hike your bike into Chicago and ride there!

  18. Ali

    You and John are such a cute couple! How neat that you can enjoy fitness excursions like this together now that you have lost all that weight. How special. What a great achievement, Lori.

  21. Susan

    Wow wow wow, amazing Lori!! 100km was my mileage goal for this year, but I just don’t think I’m going to make it. Taking a few food breaks and stretching out along the way is a great idea though. And there is no shame in getting off your bike to walk it up a hill!! I used to love that lowest gear until I learned that it’s called the “granny gear.” Now I try to stick it out as long as I can before I have to use it! 😛
    .-= Susan´s last blog ..Cottage Country =-.

  22. John

    Wow nice ride! Hills are torcherous so I want to avoid them but alas I don’t. Need to conqeur them so got to keep riding them 🙁 lol

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