• 06 Dec, 2025 *

I was cycling a lot at the beginning of the year and signed up to do a century (100 miles) with a friend of mine. The pace was going to be faster than I wanted to do it, but I began training and thought there is a chance I could manage it. As I was preparing for the ride, I did a 75 miler and it wentalright, but the next day I came down with the flu. Looking back, I was already on the verge of getting sick, and the big effort pushed it over the line. I ended up being sick for the entire week.

After that I really struggled getting back into cycling, besides a few weeks of Zwift in the summer. Then I stopped completely around August and haven’t cycled till this past Saturday, when I decided I will do 100 mile ride with a group.

The group ride had 3 speed groups, so I picked the slowest, at 16-18mph target, thinking I can fit into that pace for a long time. This was a no drop for mechanical, but drop for pace. Although I was definitely not prepared for the challenge, I looked at this opportunity as doing something hard and doing a big physical challenge. Basically, it’s a misogi principle, better explained in this video. Sure, maybe it doesn’t fully meet the spirit of misogi, but in the moment, it was my misogi :).

Night before I got all my snacks in order, accounting for about 80g of carbs per hour, and also knowing we will stop at least twice at gas stations to fuel up. I was ready to go!

Morning of the ride

Got ready, and although got out a bit late, I was at the meeting spot on time. Unfortunately, many people that RSVPed for the C group did not show, and we combined B and C. That meant the pace, to start, would be about 18-20, which I knew I wouldn’t be able to do for the distance. But let’s see how far we get!

Miles 0 to 35

First 35 were really solid. We ended up yo-yoing a little bit with Group B at first due to traffic lights. The pace was around 19MPH and probably 10 miles in we split up and 5 or 6 of us ended up being in group C. I was eating well, drinking fluids. The spirits were high and everything was going well. My family met us on the route to wave and it truly made my day. Around mile 35 we stopped for our first stop and it was timely, as I completely ran out of water.

Around mile 30, despire my best efforts hydrating the day before and during the ride, I began cramping and I started getting worried. So during the stop I loaded up on a juice, emergency bottle of apple juice, some coconut water. I brought a lot of gummy bears with me as well, which were really keeping full on cramps at bay.

Miles 36 to 60

After departing from our first stop, things were smooth. We actually passed group B after they had a flat, and we were having a pretty smooth ride. It was a beautiful stretch by the water and although the traffic picked up, drivers were giving us space. My cramps were still at bay, but I was very concerned by it. And they never went away.

The rough part of this stretch was that we had 2 bridges pretty close by, and after the 2nd bridge the group didn’t wait at the bottom to regroup, and myself and another guy ended up falling behind. This was around mile 45ish and I was seriously considering if it’s time for me to turn back and head home. We were only 5-6 miles away from the house, and I could make it without needing a ride.

But, misery loves company, so myself and this guy (let’s name him Jim, since I don’t want to put his real name without asking) stuck together. We took turns pulling, and chatting a bit. Our pace dropped closer to 15mph and we were fully in a grind mode on a long straight stretch of the road. No shade, a lot of cars, a lot of pot holes. It was a truly miserable time.

Miles 61 to 95

We decided we needed a break and pulled over at a Circle K. It was our best option, but it had zero shade. We end up spending about 30 minutes here, refueling on much needed carbs. I ended up crushing a 32oz cherry coke that gave me a new life. Facetimed my family, which also gave me a pick me up.

After we departed from this spot, the next 35 miles were really great and fun.

We both felt a lot more rested and rejuvinated. We crushed another bridge and the route became a bit less boring. We entered an area where I’ve never cycled before, and that on it’s own made it more interesting. The quality of the roads improved, and traffic was very minimal. Jim and I ended up chatting a bit more and connecting.

The only bad part of this section was the 10 miles of a very cycling unfriendly road we had to utilize. It was a highway with 55mph speed limit, barely any shoulder, no shade, and just never stopping flood of cars. We had to cross to the other side to fuel up before this final push of about 15-20 miles and crossing across was awful. I don’t think I ever want to do that stretch again, neither by myself or with a group.

Miles 96 to 100

Although the stretch above was an absolute death trap, we got extra motivation while at the gas station. We saw 2 other cyclists from our Group C. So we got back on the road and pushed ahead trying to catch up. Eventually we crossed the death trap of the road and the bridge and ended up catching with them.

Last few miles were fun and uplifting, but the group really slowed down and my legs really caught up to me. We ended up taking a sidewalk instead of a car lane, and hindsight 20/20, it was a bad decision (at least for me). My legs got heavy, all the weaving around people caught up as well, and I missed my goal of finishing the whole ride under 8 hours, including stops.

Worth it

Overall, I had a great time. I’m glad I did it, even without being in shape for cycling. It was great to meet new people and suffer together. Can’t wait to do it again!

#cycling #misc