A Nice End To A Rough Week – Century Ride

Last week was grueling.  Tim apparently had the same issue and decided a century ride would be a good way to stay sane.  Being on the edge of sanity myself, I joined him.

After heading out through St. Matthews (and stopping at an ATM) we took Westport Rd out to Freys Hill Rd and through EP Tom Sawyer State Park.  We eventually made our way out to Reamers Rd via Old Lagrange Rd.

We had the wind at our backs and we kept up a pretty good pace for a while.

The sky looked like it could rain.  I was a little chilly in a short sleeve jersey and cycling shorts.  Tim had prepared for the weather better than I.

As we continued the clouds broke up and the sun warmed me.

At one point on the route Tim’s GPS disagreed with mine.  We stopped and looked, but my GPS had us turning down a gravel road.  It was Tim’s route, and he was free to choose the direction.  He was riding his “fast” bike which isn’t necessarily ideal on gravel, but he was adventurous enough to try it.  The gravel was actually rather smooth.

We stopped in Shelbyville for water and snacks.  The gas station we stopped at had pork chop sandwiches.  That was a nice change.

Brashears Creek Rd took us to Taylorsville.  We stopped first at a Dairy Queen for a burger and a Blizzard.

I also refilled my water bottles again in Taylorsville.

Leaving Taylorsville meant heading northwest, into the wind, and a 1.2 mile climb up Elk Creek Rd.

Along this stretch we were getting tired.  Tim said it was his legs.  My legs were fine, I just felt exhausted.

I was still in good spirits.  This was a great way to spend a Friday.

Rolling along 155 wasn’t peaceful, but at least the shoulder was wide.

It wasn’t long before we were back in Louisville.  On road had changed to one-way since Tim had last ridden it, but we were too tired to re-route, so we carefully rode the wrong way for about two blocks.

Once we were near his house, Tim peeled off to go home.  I went out for a beer.  I was tired, sunburned, and covered in salt, but I felt good.

This wasn’t the hardest ride I’ve ever done.  It was interesting to do a century with almost no planning.  I rode 109 miles.  That’s my 2nd highest mileage day yet.

Tim’s write-up

Download file: 2011-04-29.gpx