Discussion: Nice Attempt!

Good going Jeff -- this was a truly awesome challenge. Any century is tough, but on a mountain bike on steep dirt roads in sweltering heat is something else again. Really glad I had the excuse of an easy day rogaining, or you might have convinced me to try it -- with a much earlier drop-out to be sure.

Hey Jeff, It looks like maybe some folks were on cross bikes or road bikes with fatter tires. Seems like you did most training on the roads and need more time Mt Biking .Sounds like a tough grind, what % did finish, cause you were pretty close. Good workout, now get some recovery.

I think my bike was fine, gears and tires were good, it was my own fault for not drinking enough at the water stops. I should have downed a quart each time.
The advertised distance was 180Km, and I left the route at 88.5 miles, so I still had a couple of hours of riding left at that point. It was 4pm and I would not have made the cut-off time, plus been late for the dinner (which was exceptional, tons of food), then to shower and drive home, would have been too long a day for me.
And for sure, I would have been better trained if I lived out in the Berkshire foothills. Always have wanted to move there, but jobs etc have kept us in Dedham.
I think the bike is best described as a cylecross bike now. Another life for the Lambert.

Yeah, I think you did really well. It's quite a course. Next year!