This past Sunday I jumped on my bike with my two best biking friends (BRF’s) to tackle the Reston Century. The Reston Century has been put on by the Reston Bike Club (Virginia) for the past 32 years. There are 3 distance options available 36, 67 and 104 miles. We chose the 67 mile metric century route. Just long enough to call ourselves bad ass but not long enough to kill us! LOL!
If you’ve never done a Century Ride there are many things to love:
-It’s untimed. It’s not a race so if you are looking to test out a longer distance or use it as a training ride for a race its’ perfect
-Usually the start time is a window of a few hours so no need to stress about starting at a certain time. This also helps to space out the riders for a more enjoyable ride
-It’s fully supported. There were 4 rest stops available to stop at all stocked with food, drinks, bathrooms and bike assistance if needed
This was my 3rd time riding this course but the first time I was doing it with my 2 brf’s. At the start around 8:45 and ready to go from Reston Town Center, Virginia.
The first 14 miles or so was pretty flat and easy staying mostly on the W & OD trail. We made it to the first rest stop pretty quickly and just had a short water stop.
The course then veers off of the trail onto local roads near Leesburg, Va. Let me just tell you that when I drive to Leesburg, it does not seem hilly but this little stretch between mile 22-30 was killer. Mostly uphill on Woodburn Road and Harmony Church Road with a +1213 feet. This was the hardest part of the ride and at times I was wondering why I was doing this. It took some serious mental toughness to push to the top of these roads. I do not remember it being so hard last year. Truth be told, I did not train as hard as I did last year either. I seriously almost cried a few times.
It was truly beautiful with some amazing estates and picturesque views but holy hills it was a tough one.
The next 15 miles wind through Hamilton and Purceville, VA with a +961 /-906 feet. The hills just kept coming until the rest stop at 44 miles. I did some serious stretching here and a pitt stop.
I think my mistake here was not eating enough to power me through the rest of the ride. I typically don’t feel like eating during endurance events and then I kind of hit the wall (foreshadowing).
We even saw some horses on the trail out in the boonies.
We made it to the last rest stop in Ashburn where they had the coolest thing “Gatorade sno-cones” why don’t they have these at every race? I couldn’t eat the whole thing but it was a nice cool down on a warm day.
Ten miles to go let’s do this! I really hit the wall here and so did my friends. It was very hard to power through and took every ounce of strength to make it the last ten miles. I started to see the high rise buildings of the finish area and just started pedaling as fast as I could. I just wanted to finish. Finally there!
Done and still smiling! 67.4 miles 3119/-3116 feet
Every year they commission an artist to do the t shirt. This is the beautiful design from this years’ shirt
All in all a great fun day. So glad I did it and powered through. I would for sure eat better during the ride. I had a huge bowl of pasta afterwards and then slept for 10 hours! I have a whole new respect for ironman competitors-I cannot even imagine having to have run after this one.
Ever done a Century Ride? Any tips?
Great job on your ride. I wish I could get into biking. I woud have to get a better bike than my beach cruiser I currently have.
I started out on a hybrid and it was a lot tougher to get up the hills. I eventually got a light weight road bike and it’s way better. Biking is a great cross training exercise and you can go way faster & farther 🙂
What a ride! Literally!
We had a blast but it was tough going at times
I’ve never done a Century Ride – looks interesting. I participated in Bike DC a few years back, that was 20 miles… and riding up the GW Parkway was not fun at times!
Maybe I can tempt you to do it next year!
Wow that sounds like a lot of fun!!! And that is a heck of a long way, but good you were able to stop to enjoy some things along the way. I have always said someday I want to do an ironman…..but I have to get the marathon down first….and then the triathlon. Biking has always been the one I am not so keen on.
Biking is the longest part of any tri so you really have to like it!
Great job! I’ve never done a century–my longest to date has been that 30 miler I’m so fond of. Like the half marathon, it is a distance I can do in 2 hours. Seems to be my favorite time frame!
It’s definitely a time commitment for sure! 30 miles is probably more enjoyable 🙂
I’ve never done a long bike ride, but would like to in the future. Looks like a great ride that you did! Awesome job!
Thanks it was fun but very challenging!
I have never done a long ride but my hhusband and I want to get bikes so we can start. Looks like such a fun time!
It’s great! I would probably start with a shorter distance ride 🙂
Awesome job! Love your biking shirt! And Gatorade snow cones? I agree, those should be all all summer races!
The gatorade snow cones were pretty good
nice work!!!! sounds like a fun event for you. I’m not a bike rider, kind of wish I were but enjoy seeing others adventures!
I may have to get you out there one day with me!
I haven’t done a century but I have done a 70 mile bike ride. I don’t think I will do 100 miles because I don’t like bike rides over 50 miles. #wowlinkup
You know not sure I will do a century either. I’m pretty happy with the 67 miles. Those girl parts get kind of sore huh?
Way to go!!! I have never been a biker– It’s one of those things on my life time “to do” list– I don’t even own a bike!!!
It’s a lot of fun and a great way to cross train.
That is awesome! I have never done a ride like that before. I only have a mountain bike, you can’t do 67 miles on a mountain bike, yikes that would be tough!
no certainly not! Maybe next year you will come out with me. It’s great cross training 🙂
Oh, wow! Congratulations! I would love to do something like this, but I am really afraid of riding on the road. But, Gatorade sno-cones! Sign me up!!
I know you bike so I may have to talk you into it next time. Riding on the roads is a little scary at first and not my favorite part. Sno cones yes!
Okay you hooked me at ‘gatorade snowcone”. Some folks are soooo clever and inventive! My new mission: I.must.have.a.gatorade.snocone. Lordy my mouth is watering just thinking about it! Looks like it was a wonderful scenic ride. Congrats 67 miles is far far in my book!
It was far but lots of fun-the Gatorade sno cones yes!
Big Congrats to you! I am not a bike rider but wow what an accomplishment! Very impressive!
Thanks! It was a tough one but glad I did it
You are very active. Never have done a Century ride but have friends who have and they are BEAST! Now they have shared some stories which I found quite interesting. Great for you that you finished. #wowlinkup
Ha thanks! It was a lot of fun but very challenging for sure. I would definitely do it again next year
I would LOVE to do something like this! Looks beautiful! And it’s weird, I don’t like eating during running but I get really hungry on the bike. #wowlinkup
I usually do get really hungry too and I didn’t eat enough this time for some reason. It was a lot of fun.
I haven’t done a bike race, but this looks like it was fun. I know what you mean about fueling for endurance events. It can definitely make a big difference! Thanks for sharing 🙂 #wowlinkup
That was definitely why I hit the wall at the end I think. It was really a great time though!
Your ride looks like so much fun! I keep telling my hubby I want to take up biking as a way to complement my running but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet 🙂 #wowlinkup
Oh yes you should-it’s great cross training and lots of fun!