100 Miles of Nowhere: Washington DC Division
First, can I just say that I’m so stoked to have been a part of this? I have to confess that I have only just gotten into riding over the past year. I have been eyeing the sport for several years, but only just started about 10 months ago. I LOVE IT.
Second, I’m the type of person that probably would jump off some sort of bridge is someone else did and asked me to. I’m not saying it’s smart, but I do have a hard time backing off a challenge. I knew the second you started talking about 100MoN this year I would starting throwing my money at the opportunity to officially participate. I also figured training would happen. I’m a planner. I like to train for things. But sometimes, life gets in the way. But that doesn’t mean I’m smart enough to reschedule or not show up. This spring, life got in the way. My longest ride EVER was 40 miles. 100 miles of nowhere? Sure, why not…
But…Ouch.
I met fellow Fatty supporter and 100MoN’er, Chris on a recumbent, through the blog.
We decided to loop Hains Point (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3714132), a 3.2 mile loop, roughly 34 times. It tends to be windy down there on the water, but it’s usually quite nice so we decided to go for it.
It was a whole lot windier than this weekend than we had banked on. The Virginia side of the point was so windy that there were huge white caps on the waves (that’s right, there were WAVES in the Potomac River) and riding speed was almost half the speed as the DC side.
The DC side was GORGEOUS. So beautiful. Calm waters, very little wind, sun shining. Fabulous.
So, that sort of sets the scene for an awesome/horrifying 100 miles. 1.5 gruesome, windy, soul stabbingly painful miles and 1.5 gorgeous, butterflies and rainbows happy miles. On the DC side, you forgot about death awaiting you in the VA side and on the VA side, I swore that as soon as I was back at my car, I would unclip, pack up and get the frack OUT of there.
The first half was great. The wind was not horrible and I had a few pals meeting me for lunch. They said they were going to cheer for me, but then they fell asleep.
Understandable, I suppose. Riding in circles might only be fun for those doing it. I don’t know. But, eventually they did wake up and cheered me on for a few laps. And my main squeeze eventually rode around with me a few times on his cruiser.
With a marathon left, my friends bid me adieu. The wind got stronger and I losing steam. Of course quitting was not an option. It was not an option because I absolutely LOVE the shirt and I have a thing about wearing race shirts I didn’t earn. And I had already worn it pretty much exclusively since it arrived so I was committed to finish.
At last, victory was mine. I finished 100 miles, huge grin plastered on my mug and beer in my sights. It was really hard but I learned a ton and most importantly, I can now wear my ridiculously awesome shirt.
I can also say that I am 100% totally and completely addicted to the sport. Like crack addicted (not that I would know). Oh, I also got some sweet bike shorts tan lines going on. They ROCK.
Comment by ActiveEggplant | 05.11.2010 | 10:45 am
Just ran across you blog – and the 100 Miles of Nowhere. Since I just missed this year’s event, you better believe I’ll be watching for registration next year! Awesome idea!
Comment by B. Erath | 05.11.2010 | 10:48 am
Anne,
Congrats on a great ride. I too was at Hain’s point on Saturday (red and black Cervelo) doing laps, and remember seeing you there. Perhaps next year we should plan a larger group effort.
Comment by Haven (KT) | 05.11.2010 | 10:55 am
Awesome job, Anne!!! :) You rock!
Comment by The Incredible Woody | 05.11.2010 | 11:13 am
Anne – You would fit in SO well around here. Growing up, our favorite pasttime was bridge jumping:)
Comment by AnneJuliet | 05.11.2010 | 11:16 am
Thanks!
B., We shoudl absolutely plan to join forces next year! I totally remember seeing you there. I felt like i knew EVERYONE there by the end:) If you ever want to pass your expertise my way on a few laps in the future, let me know! anne.paterson at gmail.com
Can’t wait for Philly!
Comment by AnneJuliet | 05.11.2010 | 11:18 am
Dear Incredible Woody,
I’m glad to hear you lived to tell about it:)
Cheeers,
AnneJuliet
Comment by Chris F. | 05.11.2010 | 12:21 pm
Anne,
I was having a really fun time, then the fiancee started to talk about Ray’s Hell Burger and we went there. :)
So awesome to have ridden with you, we’ll have to do it again next year.
Oh, and I’m starting my 4k mile trip across the US in a week.
s2ssbikeride.org
Comment by AnneJuliet | 05.11.2010 | 1:14 pm
Chris,
i’m really glad you all got your burger from ray’s. but you should know, those last 20 miles or so, i couldn’t get ray’s off my mind!
have so much fun! I can’t wait to hear about the ride. I’ll definitely be following!
:)
Anne
Comment by Philly Jen | 05.11.2010 | 1:17 pm
Woo-hoo! This is why you are at the top of the Team Fatty Philly podium! Very nice work, can hardly wait to see you rock it out on the Philly course.
Comment by Dave | 05.11.2010 | 2:14 pm
I rode Hains Point on Friday and it was completely miserable with wind (sometimes I do my own “miles of nowhere” on my way back to DC from work in Arlington) – I heard it was even worse on Saturday. Congrats!
Comment by k_deck | 05.11.2010 | 2:23 pm
Congrats Anne – I live in the DC area and it was crazy windy this weekend! Next year we definitely need to participate!
BTW – is your boyfriend on a Raleigh? I have the ladies version (1972, I believe) – same color! Love it!
Comment by AnneJuliet | 05.11.2010 | 3:21 pm
Philly Jen – philly is going to be off the hook, can’t wait to ride with you!
dave and k-deck – i feel real strongly that the dc division will kick some serious butt next year…or whenever!
:)
A
Comment by Michael Clark | 05.11.2010 | 3:57 pm
I’ve never ridden in DC, but would be willing to come out and participate next year. I’m in Northern Virginia.
Comment by Betsy | 05.11.2010 | 4:44 pm
Anne, love the picture of you picking up your bike in victory! Woo Hoo, Strong work. Congrats.
Comment by Anne | 05.11.2010 | 7:40 pm
Thanks, Betsy!
And we’ll definitely see you next year Michael…I’m clearly doing it again:)
Comment by Alex | 05.12.2010 | 2:33 pm
Anne and Chris,
I feel like a total bum for not making it; my foot just hurt too much from my trail-running mishap. I look forward to meeting you in Philly, and I absolutely plan on earning my shirt next year! Hains Point 2011 or bust! (I’ll find a way to earn it this year, too… eventually…)
Alex
Comment by Anne | 05.12.2010 | 6:54 pm
Alex!
I hope your foot gets better fast, what a bummer! I’ll absolutely see you in Philly and looking forward to it! And obvi 10MoN 2011:)
Cheers,
A