100 Miles of Nowhere: Bittersweet Division

05.12.2010 | 4:01 pm

100 miles of nowhere was my first century ride. The day for me was both amazing and sad.

My friends (who are much more accomplished cyclists than I) and I chose a 13.75 mile loop to ride 7 times. The day was incredibly windy, with 25-30 MPH winds coming from the NW. My friends took turns providing me with a wind break on the windy side of the ride. I learned that day that I have the best friends anyone can have.

A lot of my friends wanted to quit, at one point we came up with a scheme to stop at the bowling alley and bowling the rest of the century, counting a frame as a mile. But 4 of us persevered and finished the ride.

The day was sad because I found out halfway through the ride that my grandmother died. After I heard the news I rode a lap completely numb. I didn’t know if I should keep going or if I should stop and go spend time with my family. I decided to keep going.

I don’t know if I made the right choice or the wrong choice, but I think I made the choice she would have wanted me to make.

I will never forget this day.

– Stephanie M

PS from Fatty: Want something a little lighter? Read here to see how Stephanie R. did her 100 Miles of Nowhere Tour de France style: in stages.