January century

On Rt 89 at Cayuga Lake CreameryFinally, a day with dry roads and sunshine! And on a Saturday! I decided not to do one of my quick century routes, rather I cobbled together some roads I liked, and added in a couple new ones to bring the ride up to 100 miles. I also included a few nice climbs. I hadn't really ridden regularly since November, so I knew this would be slow and I took it easy. It turned out to be my slowest century on my road bike.

I started up Rt 89 towards Interlaken, past the Cayuga Lake Creamery (not open this early!) past my normal cut-over to Interlaken. To make the route 100 miles I had to go further north, cutting over to Rt 414 on Morgan Rd, Potter Rd, then Wyckoff. I'd never ridden these roads, but they were really nice, a great alternative to my regular route (Co. Rt 141 then 96a). These are quiet county roads, no traffic, a bit hilly with some climbing but very pleasant.


On Rt 414 south of Lodi, Seneca Lake in
backgroundThen onto Rt 414 which I followed down along the eastern shore of Seneca Lake into Watkins Glen. The vineyards are all covered with snow, and the view is great. I stopped at Hector Falls, which were frozen, and got a few photos. Then, into Watkins Glen where I stopped at Subway for lunch.

My time was pretty slow, and I wasn't feeling real strong, but I kept on going, into Montour Falls, turning onto 224 towards Odessa, and up that big hill, climbing about 350 feet over the first mile, steady, about 7-8 percent grade. Then, following 224 through Odessa, Alpine and into Van Etten. It was a beautiful ride, with the big hills covered with leafless trees and snow, the creek alongside, and it was relatively warm, in the lower 40s.


Hector Falls, on Rt 414From Van Etten to Candor it's very flat, and I picked up my pace somewhat. But by mile 85 or so I was feeling tired, like I wanted to take nap. I kept on, through Candor, then up Honeypot Rd, another very nice climb, total of 1150 over about 6 miles, including some 10-15 percent grades. The rest of the ride was pretty much downhill, Old 76 to Central Chapel, to Valley, through Brooktondale and then back into Ithaca on 79.

I have to say this ride was not only my slowest road bike century, it also wiped me out more than any century I've done in a long time. I think it's a combination of lugging an extra 10 pounds or so of holiday weight gain, plus not having really ridden (other than commutes) for about two months, plus maybe the cold. It all added up.

The day was beautiful though, and I loved the route, I'll do this one again sometime. I am now just hoping for more dry-road days than we've had in the last month so I'm in better shape for my February century.

The route

The climbs

Route: Ithaca - Ovid - Watkins Glen - Van Etten - Candor - Brooktondale - Ithaca
Total distance: 103.07 miles
Ride time: 07:39:11
Avg speed: 13.47 mph

Total climb: 4,831 ft

Low point: 394 ft, Ithaca
High point: 1750 ft, on Honeypot Road, south of Caroline Center
Avg climb: 46.9 ft/mile