On Friday evening Cheryl and I went to Owego NY, She to ride 56 miles , me to ride 106 miles. Both admirable distances for each. We arrived at Hickories Park along the Chemung river in Owego arriving just before dark. We set up camp
and spent the night to the natural sounds of the river flowing...NOT more like the sounds of a major highway traffic just across the river.Bike Tioga usually puts on a nice ride. The entry fees are rock bottom, so there aren't any official sag points. Every year they change up the routes, and this years 106 mile ride was in the shape of a "8". Today's weather was a real change from the past few days. NO RAIN, and the promise of a bright sky. The morning was a little chilly with a mist raising up against the backdrop of the hills.
Got started about 7:45 am. The first 23 miles were a steady up hill with a few quick rollers. Going through the towns and villages of Owego, Spencer and Candor. Some of which I rode parts of in the past. Missed one turn, but recovered and back on track quickly. Then I climbed for the next 3 miles on Dean Creek Rd. Still feeling pretty good, not winded or tired. Cruised down into the Valley. I passed Cheryl going the other way about 34 miles in. She looked pretty fresh and was at her 20 mile mark. She road the first part of my "8" going the other way on her 56 mile ride.
Next went through the villages of Waverly and Sayre, PA. There looked to be a neat Italian bakery and deli combination in Waverly. My first stop was at 47 miles to take off a layer, And again at 52 miles to put my jacket back on. The winds still had a nasty chill to them. One thing I did miss in the first 2 hours, were my knee warmers.Up to this point I rode mainly alone, at a good pace. In Waverly I ran across a couple on a tandem
that I meet at the GreatFingerlakes Bicycle Tour I rode with them for 4 miles until they turned for the 69 mile ride. Out of Waverly it was a steady climb on rollers to the high point of the day, 1504 ft, then fly down for 2 miles then a stead decent with rollers for the next 20 miles. I missed (couldn't find) a store at 60 miles to get some water. Those 2 bottles were getting pretty empty. After passing each other many times for more than 20miles , I rode with a father, son team with the son 
on his first century. I told his dad that his son was my hero for riding this ride. We both missed the store and were both out of water. 
We did find a store 6 miles up(About the 85 mile mark) and replenished our supplies, and had a treat. Gatorade and Ho Ho's ...what a kick in the butt of sugar and sodium. It did the trick. After that we worked together for 10 miles and moved right along.Finally I was approaching the 100 mile(century) mark of the ride.That was just about the Summit of the last hill a few miles before Owego. I looked at my time...and lo and behold I achieved a great goal I set earlier in the season MY FIRST SUB 7 HOUR CENTURY... ...6hours 41 minutes....... Wow was I excited.I still had almost 7 miles left of the ride. I entered the start Finish area and walked up to Cheryl and was she surprised to see me so soon. About an hour quicker than I said I'd be back. Also meet a few Bike Journal riders, Denny, Chip and Karl
A few photo's
We headed on Home and still made it back in time to see the entire Rochester Critt Race with the BIG boys. It finally rained towards the end. It's amazing the close quarters and speeds they maintain.
No ride on Sunday, I was planning on doing one after my open house but I've had enough of riding in the rain the past 2 weeks.
Earlier in the week I Rode with BikerJohn in the Tour de Parma. John and I have had a running debate on hilly and flat terrain.
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