Pedal the Kettle - Septermber 20, 2009

Well after failing at the Door County ride, I decided on Tuesday that I would try again at the Pedal the Kettle ride leaving from Waukesha North.

I had not biked all week and was feeling good coming into Sunday. I arrived at North around 6:30am, picked up my packet and got ready to go. It was 47 degrees out. By 7:00am, it did not appear a lot of people were leaving, so I left without them. The first leg took us from Waukesha to Wales on the backroads which were very hilly. Once on the south side of Wales, we headed west to pick up Waterville Road back to Delafield. OUr first stop was around 24 miles at Cushing Park. They had the typical spread of fruits, cookies, bagels, and Gatorade. I removed one layer and was on my way. I had seen very few people on the way and road the first leg with only a few people passing me and me passing a few.

The second leg took us into Oconomowoc and then west toward HWY F to Sullivan and then onto Rome where the second checkpoint was. From Rome to Whitewater and the third checkpoint. Somewhere in there, I passed the 50 mile mark. At that point, I was averaging about 17.76mph which is just about my daily pace. Things were going good until we turned to go back east from Whitewater. The wind was just enough that it really took some force to keep moving. This along with a few hills, made the journey by myself pretty hard.

I did reach Palmyra where Carrie and Cam had been patiently waiting for me to arrive. They had signs made and tons of support which is what I needed. We parted ways and I went onward.





I made it to the last checkpoint at Ottawa County park. Here I spent longer than normal. It was around mile 85 or so and I was really slowing down. On top of that, there are people chatting that the last leg of the journey is the hilliest. Great....


Off I go and sure enough, hills, hills, and more hills. It was not really bad until about mile 98 coming into Waukesha. There were about 6 hills right in a row. Up, then down and right back up again. I actually saw people walking thier bikes which is odd on a ride like this.

In any case, I made it back to North only to have my support team waiting for me again. They had followed my progress all day and again had signs made for me. It was a great feeling having them there. Official travel time was 6 hours 47 minutes. By no means was I breaking any land speed records but I did finish which was my goal.





The coolest and craziest thing that I saw all day was a guy with a bike that attaches to his seat post for his kid and then towing a Burley trailer with yet another kid. WOW......

What I did different this time is hydrate way more than I thought i needed to and ate more food and less GU and Shot Blocks.

Overall I am 1-1 now for the Century rides. I think I will hang the bike up for a few weeks. My legs need a break.