| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
100.64 miles
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Altitude Gain:
4,692 ft
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Avg Speed:
17.00 mph
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Route:
THree Creek Century
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Avg Grade: 0 %
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Max Grade: 0 %
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Max HR: 150 bpm
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Avg HR: 124 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Rolling
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Bike: Look Blade RS 795 Iconic Ltd Road
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Club: Schuyler County Cycling Club |
| Weather Conditions: Overcast\Light Rain 63 F SW wind @ 8 mph |
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Today's adventure was the Three Creek Century in Newville, PA put on by the Harrisburg Bicycling Club. It is a rolling course split into three sections one fifty mile, one thirty mile and a final loop of twenty-one miles. There are a couple of optional climbs that can add fourteen to the total. It is a show and go pretty much going off at daybreak. There were quite a few riders but not sure how many were opting for the century ride that included all three loops. Didn't see any masses of riders assembling just cyclists going off in ones and twos. Headed out alone and figured if a group were to form perhaps I could latch on to it when it went by. The fifty mile route had a few short climbs but nothing over eight percent and was mostly gently rolling. It did have quite a few turns and twists that provided for some pleasant riding. Passed a few riders and settled into comfortable pace occasionally pushing a small climb. Rolled into the first rest stop at Newville for a nature break and met up with George whom I had ridden with at the Pink Pedal Ride a couple of weeks ago. He was heading out with a couple of riders with Millersburg jerseys. Wasn't sure I could stay with the group as George puts out a good deal of watts so hung out at the stop and ate some candy. Headed out again and soon caught up to his group after a couple of miles. Passed them as they were chatting, but they quickly caught up to me and I joined in for a few miles. The pace was a bit erratic as it was a couple miles an hour faster than I was riding but would also slow down occasionally. This year I have been mostly riding alone at a steady pace, so it was a bit different than normal. Stayed with them until they were opting to do the optional mountain climbs that I wasn't going to do this year. I had done the South Mountain climb last time I had done this century so wanted to do the flat course this year. They stopped at the second rest stop where the course separated, and I rode on. The second half of the loop had a had a few miles of gradual climb and finished with a gradual descent. I was just climbing steadily up the grade when I was passed by another rider. Decided to see if I could stay on his wheel and accelerated. I soon caught him and then passed him on one of the eight percent sections. I went out of the saddle to hold my speed and the other rider cracked and disappeared as passed over the rise. He probably put in an effort to catch me but was at his limit. After that it was downgrade back to the start that went quickly. Loop was good riding with the hills manageable in the big chainring. After hitting the facilities at the start headed back out on the Opossum Lake route. This thirty mile loop turned out to be my favorite of the three. It had a bit more climbing with one eleven percent wall that was the only time I shifted into the small chainring on the ride. Passed a few riders on the loop and stopped a nice rest stop overlooking the lake. Course was peppered with Halloween decorations and had a section of murky woods that I really enjoyed. A misty rain was falling as I covered the last few miles of the loop. It wasn't enough to really soak me or the road but it was a bit chilly. Stopped back at the parking lot and had a coke from my truck before heading back out onto the last loop. Started following a pair of riders and thought I might be able to close and ride with them but they soon turned back and gave up the ride. I assume as they didn't want to ride in the rain. After the ride I talked with a few riders that had gotten quite wet as it had rained on several sections of the course while I had stayed mostly dry. The two riders chose poorly though as within a half mile after they turned back the roads were dry and the misty rain ceased. The short Newville route was my least favorite of the loops. A few small climbs but lots of stopping especially going through Newville where the routes intersected and caused my computer to hiccup a bit trying to keep me on the course. With only three or four miles to go I got passed by a couple of fast burners. I was able to hang on to them for one or two short upgrades but soon the legs faded, and I was gapped and just finished off the last mile or so alone. Was a bit disappointed that I couldn't stay with the pair but was also thankful as the brief acceleration that put my average at seventeen. Really nice course for terrain and scenery. A couple riders told me it used to be better with a mass start but the promoters had given up on that. Originally I had planned on doing the Drops to Hops road race in Cooperstown, NY, but it was cancelled and this turned out to be a satisfying substitute.
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