Notes
This one was tough. I wasn't really prepared for the length of the ride since I have been seriously slacking (not doing any) longer rides since that ride back in Tahoe weeks ago. Anyway, I decided to wing it.
There were two timed sections making it a "Fondo" vs a "ride", one up Lookout Mtn and the other some long drag up a crazy hill. I gave it my all for Lookout and probably burned a few too many matches on that one. At any rate I rode up 5 mintues faster than my prior fastest time so I am happy about that. My Garmin said FTP has gone up. Yay. The 2nd climb was awful and I think that I should have made a fuel stop before it because the ride basically deteriorated after it.
The problem was electrolytes clearly, because I fell twice (feeling unsteady and incompetent on gravel sections/turns) and then my hamstring cramped up badly. The gravel was miserable and I had to walk up a part of it. I think I could have managed it but being low on fuel/electrolytes sapped my legs of power and I was breathing too hard and working too hard. Frustrating but a good learning experience. On my last Century ride I at least took an Izze grapefruit drink which has plenty of sodium and potassium. This time I tried to just drink water and do snacks and it DID NOT WORK.
All in all a good experience and the day was beautiful, weather was perfect.