Day 4... surprise...CENTURY!

Today we rode from Sellinsgrove, PA to Mansfield, PA which was supposed to be around an 80 miles ride but turned out to be a 100 miles ride! SURPRISE!! We woke up in the morning and began climbing some big hills thinking that we would have a semi long day. In the morning I had a little bit of an anxiety attack from all the stress and exhaustion my body has been enduring, but soon got through it and continued on. That morning we climbed some pretty massive hills. By hills, I mean MOUNTAINS. We climbed at least three mountains. They were hard. BUT I didn't get off my bike and walk on the hard ones! I found my inner strength and inched up those hills on my bike which semi trucks were passing us by. Scary. The scariest part of today was when were descending a great hill on gravel on a highway. Gravel is very easy to slip on and if you slip there's no telling what direction you're falling. There were two descends that were SOO much fun because it was gradual and I kept a speed between 20-30 mph and had no fear of falling because of the low traffic and long winding roads. One was on a back road with tree tops connecting over the road so it was like tunnel you were speeding through. The second was after a long, tiring climb up a mountain after lunch and the descend lasted about 2-3 miles. I realize just now that 100 miles is called a century not only because of it's number, but because it also FEELS like a century! The day wouldn't end! It took us 14 hours to finish the 100 miles and I burned over 2,700 calories. In the 4K we are lean, mean eating machines! It's definitely something to get used to. We have to eat so much because of all the calories and energy we burn. When my group finally rolled into Mansfield round 8pm I went straight to the food table that was kindly set up for us by a local church. OH! Just remembered, we had to do a century today because a bridge was out and we had to take a detour. Yes, that dang detour. I couldn't feel my legs going up that last mountain but I didn't stop. My group members words of encouragement kept me going :] Whhat a long day. Okay time for bed. Goodnight!