Wow. When I kicked the idea around back in January as a possible goal for this season I wasn't too sure that it was realistic. As I accomplished the goal today I put my hands out and did a Juan Antonio Fletcher...shooting an arrow into the sky.

My odo just clicked 100 miles.

That's right, my first-ever solo century, and only the second one I have ever done.

This was much different than the group ride that was part of an organized race day.

This was just me and my plan. Ride to the lake and back, and if I might have anything left after 72 hilly miles, attempt the solo 100.

Heading out west it was all into the wind. 36 miles and a stop at the lake house to refilll the bottles and eat a PB&J.

Heading back I felt pretty good with the help of a cross to tailwind. My plan was to make sure to stop along the way to eat, stretch and just rest a bit. My favorite stop was at the Scuppernong trailhead in the southern unit of the kettle moraine. I just laid down and listened to the wind in the pines, watching puffy white clouds drift overhead in the blue sky. Every once in a while you have to get off the merry-go-round and just experience life.

I hooked up with another Trek rider once back in town on the New Berlin trail, and we talked while we rode the path. I was back at Greenfield Park and in good shape at 68 miles in. He was parked there and offered me some Gatorade.

My plan was to go do my usual Loomis route next to add miles. I did it, stopping in the parkway at a picnic table, one I have passed hundreds of times before but never stopped to enjoy the rest it provided.

There was no way in hell I was not going to go for 100 now. But when I got close to home I would be at 93 miles, so I did a lap of my Elm Grove crit course to hit 100.3 for the ride. Over seven hours in the saddle with a 13.7 ave. speed for the ride.

It's odd to leave the house at 9:40 a.m. and get back to your driveway at 6:00 p.m. A true "day" of cycling. What a feeling to have accomplished this first for me. Wow, what a day...one to remember. It may just be the biggest and best accomplishment of my cycling career to this point.

 

Way to go. That's one you'll remember in the dead of winter. Now.... can you do 8 hours on the trainer this February?;)

Congrats Phil and with your birthday on Wed it was a nice present that you gave to yourself.

CONGRATULATIONS!! What a great accomplishment. The long, fun rides without any time constraints, when you can take in the sights, sounds and the smells are by far to infrequent.

I will be curious to see how your old bones feel tomorrow!

I am likely doing the Cream City Century this Sunday as I am bachloring for the weekend. Want to tag along or join Steve and I for a 40ish ride on Saturday?? PM me

Great job. That's a huge acomplishment. Now for your next hurdle, 100 miles or 7 hours on the trainer in the middle of January. Again great job.

WOW!! Way to go!! We're not worthy!!