Ok…It’s a little late, but I’m just now getting a chance to put some thoughts down about the Knott’s Island Century. That’s Paul, me, Dave, Jeff, and Ed on the Ferry.
The ride started out at the Ruritan club in Chesapeake, then rode South on 168 to the Ferry. We left at about 7:30 am to make sure that we made it to the ferry in time. With a slight tailwind, we cruised down 168 (and only got honked at once!) at 22 MPH to the landing. We were there 45 minutes before the ferry.
The Ferry ride was about another 45 minutes. It was chilly and overcast outside, so we rode inside.
After the ferry, we started off with a sizeable group (everyone who was on the ferry!) our goal was to average 20 mph. We took off, and the pace put us near the front of the group with a group from Tri-Power. Riding down the Marsh Causeway, we are holding 20-21. Some of the guys wanted to go faster, but we were only at 25 miles into the ride. I really prefer to make sure I have enough energy for later.
As we rode past the Creeds store, I realized I REALLY had to use the bathroom (LOTS of Gatorade and Water!), but we weren’t scheduled for a stop there. Shortly after the Creeds store is where I went to take a drink, and fumbled my bottle. I’m sure it’s still in the weeds on the side of the road!
We went up and over the Pungo Ferry bridge, and when we got the the Blackwater store (still 10 miles from the Rest Stop), I had to stop at the Porta-Potty. I wasn’t the only one either, so our group stopped.
At the rest stop at the Blackwater Fire Station, we caught back up with the Tri-Power guys, but they left a few minutes before we did. We cruised along at a good pace (20+ mph). By this time we were all starting to think that the 5 hour time would be do-able! As we made it to the third (and final ) rest stop we kinda made a blunder… We stopped BEFORE the actual final rest stop which was supposed to be at the Triple-R ranch. We knew the rest area was coming, so we didn’t really fuel up. We did, however catch up with the Tri-Power group. We decided to ride together for the last leg.
Unfortunately, one of the Tri-Power guys decided that it was a good time to crank it up to 26 MPH! Shortly after we dropped off at about the 80 mile mark, Dave started to fade. We waited for him, and after he caught back up, we cranked it back to 20. Not long after, Dave and Jeff both dropped back. Paul, Ed, and I kept on going. The three of us hung together for most of the rest of the ride. We had a couple of good down-wind runs (one at 26!), rode over a couple of overpasses, and kept cruising at around 20.
We all stuck together until we got to Route 168. We only had about 1 mile on there before we turned off. We had a nice tailwind to keep up going, but we ended up split by traffic. Paul took off and kept going, I was behind with a big gap, and Ed was gapped behind me. Once we got off of 168, I caught up with Paul and we slowed down a little and waited for Ed. Once he caught up, we cranked it back up to 20+ and kept going. Somewhere around mile 90ish, Paul was pulling on the front and the wind started to shift. I remember thinking, ” when he comes off, I’m about done!” Shortly after that he came off the front, just as we turned into the headwind. I took a SHORT pull, and when I dropped off, I told him I was DONE. He told me that it was just the 2 of us, so I told him to keep on going! Ed had dropped off, and wasn’t behind us anymore.
Paul never got out of my sight, and I’m pretty sure that Ed could still see me, but we all finished the ride on our own. I finished with a time of 4:59:23! Paul finished about 3 minutes in front, Ed about 3 minutes behind me. Jeff and Dave finished about 10 minutes later.
Not a bad ride for my first century!
My days have consisted of an early bike ride, beach, nap, repeat! I’m tan, I’ve been eating healthy, and I feel strong on the bike.