Late November Surprise Century
Sometimes you go to bed at night with a voice in your head acting as your champion and almost driving the joystick of your life. You have an unwavering notion that you will accomplish one of your greatest rides ever and without any preparation or planning to do so. You wake up and that voice is in control and you faithfully follow along. No second guesses, no questions. You just go with full faith that there is someone else in charge of you today and that it will all be good. Very good.
The Route
I started off with two of our club members on this beautiful, late fall day. I suggested that I would “go long” but not necessarily knowing where. We left off near Canonsburg and I let my legs and heart take over. I had never felt so strong or like I could charge at this pace for hours on end. Up and over the ridge of Hickory, and north towards Burgettstown. I flew down the flat and straight Panhandle trail to the West Virginia line and quickly turned around at a quick pace back to Midway and lunch. Their gas station always has my preferred Pringles and Red Bull power food. Ten minutes later I was on the main country roads headed north, with 40 miles to go and nothing but hills ahead. Ordinarily I should be tired by now, dreading thousands of more feet of climbing, but it was like I was just beginning and I couldn’t wait to continue for another three hours under this blue sky. The late fall leaves and quiet roads were perfect. I was given wings by the quiet voice, encouraging me on and flying like never before. This ride was a surprise gift and the last hour was nothing but gratitude for the power that knew me better than I knew myself.