| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
100.29 miles
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Altitude Gain:
4,610 ft
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Avg Speed:
16.06 mph
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Route:
Tour of Chataugua
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Avg Grade: 0 %
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Max Grade: 0 %
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Max HR: 156 bpm
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Avg HR: 135 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Hills
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Bike: Look Blade RS 795 Iconic Ltd Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Sun\Cloudy\Rain 77 F S wind @ 12 mph |
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Today's challenge was a full century in Westfield, NY at the northwestern corner of the state. The event was either the first or second organized century I did back riding in the early eighties. It was either this or a League of American Roadmen event put on by the Onondaga Cycling club in Syracuse, NY. That was the Almost 4th of July Century. Earned a patch there which was issued upon completing the ride. Still have the patch. The Tour of Chautauqua was originally called the Lake County Century if I remember correctly, and they issued a yellow cycling cap. While my goal in those days used to always be a twenty plus mile an hour average, my goal today was a more modest sixteen with my best estimate being seventeen. Weather was on the windy side with a rather gusty twelve-mile wind out of the south. There was a mix of sun and clouds with a comfortable temperature in the high seventies. The ride started at nine rather than most others that usually start their centuries at seven. Drawbacks were my numbers that were moderate at best and thunderstorms and rain predicted for three in the afternoon. There were around a hundred riders total with only sixteen doing the seventy-five\full century course. Route this year was one of my less favorites starting out with a short climb and then a descent to Lake Erie level and a ten-mile section heading west on SR 5 to Northeast, PA. From there it climbs onto the plateau then heads south into the Roller Coaster of Pain area of the state. Headwinds and maximum elevation would be reached around the fifty-mile mark before descending eastward to Jamestown, NY. From there it would be tailwinds and rolling terrain heading north along the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake before a final few miles of downhill back to the start. My master plan was to survive the first small climb and then draft at what should be a high rate on the flat section of the course on SR 5 to Northeast and survive as best as possible up the climb to the plateau. After that the only plan was to try to finish my only full century event of the year and hopefully not get wet. Made the decision to take the seventy-five cut off if my average wasn't at seventeen when I got there so as not to be riding in the rain. Front group formed up quickly at the start and had four or five riders from Buffalo Clubs and three or four from a club out of Jamestown. Felt okay at the start which lasted for a mile or so until hitting the first climb at two miles. It was less than a mile long and mostly around three percent with a five percent kicker at the top. Pace was fairly decent and was spinning well enough to stay with the group that lost a few riders early. Chest pains returned and felt most unwell but still thought I might make it over the top. As soon as we hit the five percent section a few of the front riders came out of the saddle, and I was quickly dropped. Wasn't too pleased with my riding so far as figured I was alone less than three miles into the century and wouldn't be catching or even seeing the front group once they hit the fast section along the lake. Did see one other rider get dropped just before the crest but he was still a half minute up the road. Got over the top but still had the chest tightness so concentrated on trying to relax but still keep at least some speed on the downhill. I was soon caught by a group of four riders that had been dropped early on the first climb and was unable to stay with them even though they didn't seem to be in any hurry. Finally was relaxed enough to increase my effort and caught the group ahead that had added a rider who had stopped for a nature break. I drafted to the intersection of the flat section where we were able to see the front group and caught the lone rider that got dropped after me on the first climb. The lone rider made an effort on the flats and quickly started gapping my group that didn't respond. Thought I would partake in his draft since he was willing to go it alone anyways. Bridged fairly quickly and within a mile or so he had pulled me back to the front group that seemed to be lollygagging a bit. Was very happy with my good fortune and planned on now drafting in the low twenties to Northeast. Plan didn't last long as front eight or so riders started doing speed changes in the heavy crosswind. Didn't have any trouble with the speed although the group started to accordion after two or three speed changes. Big gap opened up a couple riders ahead of me but wasn't too worried as the guy was wearing a Buffalo Road Champion jersey. My exclusive drafting cost me dearly though as the guy kept slowing down while the front group was still doing speed changes. The lone rider that I had drafted up to the group responded and I ended up trading pulls with him before he too gave it up which wasn't surprising given his early efforts. I rode on alone keeping the speed a little over twenty and started catching riders that were shelled from the front group. Soon though the front group was out of sight, and I spent the remaining miles of the flat section reeling in another rider that I just about caught on the last climb to Northeast. He stooped to join up with three or four others that were taking a nature break at the top of the climb. Headed off into the streets of Northeast and then started the climbing section up to the plateau. That was the last time I saw any other riders from my event though I did see several others in Northeast from a completing ride. Stopped at the rest stop in Findley Lake and got some food as I had forgotten to bring any of my own. Chatted with the attendant and the promoter for a while and found out there was only one rider ahead that hadn't stopped. Plodded along at a decent pace focusing on getting to the fifty-mile point after which riding should be more pleasant. Anticipated getting caught by the earlier group but never was. Got over the hump and headed toward Jamestown at a less than stellar pace and stopped at the sixty-mile rests stop. Found out the first rider was forty minutes ahead. Thought I still had a shot at a six-hour century with tailwind and mostly downhill, but body ran down and gave it up. Missed a turn in Jamestown and had to do a climb and a mile on brick roads though never really lost, just off course. Three PM came along with some rain and finished the course a little damp but over my sixteen average goal. Had an abysmal start, rallied nicely then slogged it out to finish another century. Satisfied with the ride considering everything and though it wasn't too joyful it wasn't unpleasant either.
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