Ride report: Cycle Salt Lake Century

Yesterday was the first long ride of the year for me. Heck, it was the first century I've done since 2008.

Instead of boring you with a travelogue of the entire ride, I'll just hit some of the highlights.

• Helping with registration was fun.
• But, that meant that my day had to start at 4:30.
• I didn't hit the course until 8:30
• The weather couldn't have been more perfect.
• The first half of the ride, I was feeling strong, and riding great.
• Some of the course markers had been destroyed by the rain the day before, so there were a couple of places were we weren't sure which way to go, and a couple of places where we didn't go the right way.
• The course is mostly flat.
• Lunch was great! You can't go wrong with make-your-own sandwiches and chips.
• I was feeling good, and going strong until about mile 50.
• Right around mile 50, my lower back started hurting.
• About mile 50 is when we headed out the causeway to Antelope Island.
• The causeway is 7.5 miles of completely flat road across the GSL

• There is always a headwind blowing along the causeway.  I averaged 12 mph all the way to the island.
• Instead of turning around at the marina and heading back, the course took us on a 6 mile loop on the west side of the island. 
• I contimplated turning around, but stuck it out and rode around the island.
• Ibuprofen will help a sore back.  Somewhat.
• The only buffalo I saw on the island was fiberglass.

• Heading back out the causeway was much better.  (tailwinds are good things.)
• I didn't stop back at the lunch stop after coming back from the island because I wouldn't want to get back on the bike.
• My back was still hurting.
• I did stop at the last rest stop, and I almost didn't want to get back up and finish the ride.
• I did finish the ride, but my tank was completely empty for the last 17 miles.
• I saw several people riding back to do a double century as I was coming in. I was jealous because there is no way that I could be doing that right now.
• I finished the ride with an average speed of 15 mph.
• I did finish!
• Nothing tastes better after a long ride than a lime popcicle.
• I went home, and took a couple of muscle relaxants for my lower back, and was sound asleep on the couch by 7:00PM.
• I'll be back on the bike tomorrow.