Epic Stall!Century Cancelled...Bigger Lesson Learned.

I was all set to ride 100 miles on Saturday, but with the temperatures heading up towards the 90's last week, I went to bed Friday night sick to my stomach from heat stroke. Rather than injure myself 2 weeks before the ride, I slept in Saturday, and made a more mild 33 mile jouney from San Francisco to Fairfax.

I am learning at this stage that it is more important to learn to listen to my body and know when to quit, than to ride through adversity, with the possibility of injury. I have had to come to terms with the fact that I might not ride all of the 545 miles, taking advantage of the sweep vehicles to take me and my bike forth on the course, if necessary. But I will ride every mile I can, with a goal of riding 100% of the 545 miles. But if it comes down to a decision of health versus statistics, I've decided to take a break where necessary.

So this Saturday was good practice. I got to feel the effects of extreme heat around mile 25 and it was very uncomfortable. By the time I made it to the end of my ride, I was sick to my stomach and light headed. I think 100 miles in those conditions would have been debilitating. And I got to practice saying "enough." Perhaps just as important when it comes down to completing the ride and remaining healthy.