After the Bridge Run Ride

I rode my second century of the season yesterday after of finishing a solid 3 week training block. The annual After the Bridge Run Ride draws 500+ participants and is flat and fast. I haven't been able to participate in the home town ride hosted by our team and Charleston Bicycle Company owners John and Jana Glover in several years becuase of my touring schedule.

Although I have been considerably more focused this year I was still unsure how my body would respond to such an effort. I knew that my teammates were ready and all accustomed to doing fast non-stop centuries but I must admit I have grown soft leading bicycle tours over the past five years. So as I rolled up to the line with my jersey pockets full of bottles and gel I was nervous and unsure of what lied ahead.

Because of the unknown I made sure to stay up front to reduce the number of gaps I would have to bridge and did may best to stay out of the wind as best I could. And although I didn't exactly impose my will on the ride I did ride hard and smart and in the end as the last of the breaks were swallowed up I was able to make my way to the front of the ride (although both hamstrings were cramping) and finish in the top 5.

At the end of the ride the numbers were quite impressive we did this year's ATBRR at a blistering pace of 25.6 mph avg and a time of 3 hr and 54 min!