I survived the 102 miles at Lufkin but it was the toughest of the three centuries so far. Very windy and very hilly. Even the young riders were moaning by the end. The name Pineywoods PURGATORY is very apt since there was much suffering before the "heaven" of the finish line.
The first 50 miles were generally against the wind and rather cold. I wore my tights over my cycling shorts and had arm warmers. Some rode in jackets. The chilly temps and harsh wind were quite a combination compared to Hotter Than Hell.
I began to have that same hip pain at 20 miles out and it was obvious I was not fully recovered from Waco. So, I just backed off and little and kept saying, "You'll have the wind on the way back." First rest stop was at Alto about 40 miles into the ride. While I was there one of the fellows manning the stop said one of the other riders was down just 50 yards back up the road. So, I backtracked and found him laid out on the pavement with other riders and officials gathered around. He was breathing but not moving. But when I asked whether he was conscious and talking they said he was. I saw someone holding his bike and asked if they knew what had happened and he pointed to the chain which had come off the small ring. That will freeze your pedal stroke pronto so I imagine he lost control and hit pretty hard. The ambulance was on its way within five minutes. I checked after the ride and they said he had a broken clavicle and some leg problems.
I continued on toward Atoy which is the halfway point--climbing up most of the way. My legs were pretty weary but I just pressed on while pacing myself.
We finally turned away from the wind but were disappointed that it had shifted from a north wind to more easterly so we did not get the full benefit we had hoped for.
The rest stops were staffed with very nice people and had some good snacks. I stopped at all but a couple on the way back. I never really found anyone to ride with since my hip pain kept me from being able to work hard. There was one fellow that was generally near me the last 40 miles. He mainly drafted on me and then would shoot ahead. Then I would pass him and we continued the leapfrogging until the final 15 miles when I got my legs back and pulled far away from him.
At the last couple stops riders were all saying how the first 50 miles against the wind had depleted their strength and they were now just surviving. That made me feel better especially as I began to pass riders the last 10 miles. The final five miles I rode with a couple of 30ish riders. The gal was from San Antonio and the guy from Houston. They were trim, fit and riding very nice bikes. But there I was right with them 'til the finish line. We joked about how the hills never ended the whole day--even at the very end.
The ride took 6:20--just five minutes slower than Waco and I averaged 16.0.
Afterwards there was a nice fajita lunch and they showed digital pictures of the ride on a screen. Five massage tables were in full force but the line was too long for me to wait so I headed home sore but happy.
So, I have three centuries under my belt now and I have learned a ton about that kind of riding. Here's the route.
Gary