Miles for smiles

This was my second year particpating in Miles for Smiles a charity ride for St. Jude. Around 140 riders took to the challenging course 30.60 or 100 miles. Starting in a large group was interestng and it took me few to catch up to the lead pack I don't know what gave me the idea to go out with these guys but I did. Once I found my grove I stayed with them and had a good time.

What there are hills on this course in central Illinois? Why I don't train hills but it seemed that everyone else has. Each hill I would fall back and then have to play catch up which burned alot of energy. At around mile 44.30 I fell back again and said that was a good ride while it lasted. Another rider fell off the pack and stayed with me for a short time but then fell off my pace. The technical part of the cousre was yet to come, and that was around spin lake. THere are some hills which I wasn't geared for. I had a 12-25 rear cassett on and I had to really crank out some revs on the big hills.

At around 80 miles I found myself truning left instead of right Why? I have no idea. I ended up in the small town of Secor on Rt 24. I wasn't going to turn around and go back so I took a detour east on Rt. 24 through Elpaso and then back south on Rt 251 and returned to the course in Kappa.

I finished the course a little long 104 miles total so only 4 miles over. I finished strong with a time of 5:21 and some change.

Good ride for a good cause.

Train hard, train smart