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General Category >> Ride Reports >> Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
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Message started by Bud_Bent on May 31^st, 2008, 9:24pm

Title: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by Bud_Bent on May 31^st, 2008, 9:24pm

After lung surgery in December, and chemotherapy from February to April, I've been having a tough time recovering. My endurance seems to be slowly coming back, but I still seem to have no strength on the bike, and struggle to drag myself up any hill.

But, I decided it was time to attempt my first century of the year, at the Fort Worth Bicycling Association club ride today, called Bardwell or Bust. Today was typical almost-June Texas weather, sunny, humid, a howling south wind, and a high in the mid 90's. The cue sheet that Jim Burrow, the ride leader, had emailed me showed an actual distance of 93 miles for the 100 mile route, so I arrived at the ride start early, and rode 7 miles on my own. I figured my first century of the year should really be 100 miles.

Before I left home for the ride, I grabbed Rose's camera. I figured since I'm only capable of "stop and smell the roses" speed right now, I might as well really stop and smell the roses, so I actually took some photos.

We rolled out of the town square of Venus at 8:00 am. Our first stop was at the town of Maypearl at mile 18.4. The next stop was mile 35 at Italy. There, all of the other riders in the group I was riding with (translation: slow riders) split off to ride the shorter routes, so I ended up riding the next 20 miles to Ennis alone. When I pulled into the store at the stop there, on a bench in front of the store sat none other than Mark Metcalfe, along with randonneuring acquaintance, Cheri Brown. It seems I had caught Mark on one of his rare easy pace days, and I did the rest of the ride with Mark and Cheri.

I ended up with 100.1 miles, with a blazing on-the-bike average of 15.1 mph. The route had 3400 feet of climbing. This has to be the longest overall century time I've ever done, but hey, I did finish, and at this point, I'll take that.

The start/finish at the town square of Venus.

http://i.imgur.com/cUq3cob.jpg

The first stop at Maypearl. In case we needed cigarettes, they were on sale.

http://i.imgur.com/PMkx41g.jpg

I stopped on the bridge over Lake Bardwell, my favorite crappie fishing spot, and took this photo.

http://i.imgur.com/YCkI1vc.jpg

Cheri and Mark.

http://i.imgur.com/4KXl0dM.jpg

After I joined up with Cheri and Mark.

http://i.imgur.com/ru7Ixrc.jpg

Riding across Clark Lake.

http://i.imgur.com/P6Spl9U.jpg

Cheri and I at the last rest stop in Waxahachie.

http://i.imgur.com/m712w99.jpg

Title: Re: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by aikigreg on May 31^st, 2008, 9:39pm

Hey, most cyclists never even do a cwentury, and 15mph is nothing to sneeze at. Very well planned century when you hit lmost exactly a 100!

Title: Re: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by Strada177 on Jun 1^st, 2008, 10:15am

Bud ,congratulations & "good job"! You continue to be an inspiration to all of that ride. And look at you snapping pictures on the ride...a regular John Sadowski/Paul Brown.

Did you bring your fishin' pole with you when you rode across your "spot" on Lake Bardwell??

Title: Re: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by aikigreg on Jun 1^st, 2008, 11:04am

I'll be seeing maypearl tonight myself!

Title: Re: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jun 1^st, 2008, 4:03pm

All right, BUD!! (Good pics, too!!!)

Title: Re: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by jman on Jun 1^st, 2008, 9:28pm

Good going Bud, thanks for the jpgs also.

Title: Re: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by Richard on Jun 2^nd, 2008, 4:17pm

Way to go Bud! You have true grit! Probably from all that time out there in Midland! ;)

Title: Re: Bardwell or Bust, my first century of 2008
Post by jman on Jun 3^rd, 2008, 10:15pm

Mark sure looks pooped out for a guy that does centuries for breakfast :D while Bud is grinning ear to ear,hmm wonder is there is something special in Buds juice bottle? :D