2005 Total Miles 10,910Hammer Hundreds 0
2006 Total Miles 13,882
This was the first year I did a hammer hundred (a hammer hundred is maintaining an average speed of 20 mph for 100 miles). It happened sort of by accident. I'd just moved to Mpls from Bloomington, and had set out with Gordy to do a Belle Plaine run, which from my old place in Bloomington was a little over 80 miles. Not thinking about the additional miles the new location would add on to our ride, we wound up riding almost 100 miles and coming in with an average speed of just under 20 mph. Seemed pretty obvious what we needed to do next.
2006 became the first year for the hammer hundred.
Hammer Hundreds 4
Aug 5th 21.0 mph
Aug 12th 21.7 mph
Aug 19th 20.0 mph
Sept 2nd 20.7 mph
2007 Total Miles 14,803 (my all time best)
Hammer Hundreds 5
(Ron had joined Gordy and I in 2006. Mostly Ron and I in 2007. I joined the Birchwood Bike Team in 2007 and got a few of them to ride along for some pain and misery)
May 19th 20.1 mph
May 26th 21.5 mph
June 2nd 20.3 mph
June 16th 21.9 mph
June 30th 21.5 mph
2008 Total Miles 13,082
Hammer Hundreds 8
April 15th 20.0 mph (this was the first time I completed a hammer hundred solo)
May 3rd 20.4 mph
May 10th 21.1 mph
May 17th 21.4 mph
May 24th 20.2 mph
May 31st 22.5 mph (first time did a hammer hundred 5 weeks in a row)
June 21st 20.3 mph
July 12th 20.1 mph (Amy's 1st hammer hundred it was just her and me)
2009 Total Miles 11,481
Hammer Hundreds 1
April 18th 21.0 mph
2010 Total Miles 12,500 estimate
Hammer Hundreds 4
April 3rd 20.2 mph
April 10th 20.6 mph
May 15th 20.5 mph
July 10th 20.6 mph (best all time solo effort. Amy was on my rear wheel for the whole ride)
I recount this history because it may just be that now, history. In planning my goals for 2011, I am seriously considering eliminating hammer hundreds and any miles over 10,000. No good reason for the change except it is just getting harder to do. In 2007 and 2008 I'd get home from a hammer hundred and I'd want to ride more, and I usually would. This year I'm very proud of what I accomplished, but I did it for the sake of the goal, and found myself not wanting to ride for the love of it, but to reach the goal. I love to ride and always will. Being on a bike is...me, that won't change, but ... I'll decide in the next few weeks what I'll do in 2011, but I'm leaning toward 2005 results for 2011.
Back to the present: Old Blue and me 22/13.2
4 comments:
I sure enjoyed this post. I can relate. Hammer hundred, never had one. I would have to train quite hard to even come close. My goal this year, of 100/100K on gravel became consuming. Won't do it again. Not sure of what my goal(s) will be for 2011, but I think they will be fun, I love the ride, hope I can keep doing it until I flop over.
Keep on riding and posting Tom, you are an inspiration.
I like hearing about individual miles and what it means to each person. It was nice reading your honest thoughts about hammer one hundreds.
I'm sure you will feel the urge to ride a century in the future....go with your heart. Thank heavens for friends that love to ride as well!
Been a great few years, Tom. You've done good work. Always do what feels right, as you know. Proud of you.
One heck of an accomplishment. I've only done 1 Hammer Hundred and that seems a hundred yrs ago, 1983. Done a few more hundreds but wasn't hammering, was trying to survive.
I liked this, "July 10th 20.6 mph (best all time solo effort. Amy was on my rear wheel for the whole ride)", we'll have to check with Amy to verify. You are an inspiration, that's why my toes have been cold lately, used to shut her down in cold weather or go indoors. Goals are good but like we know the main thing is to have fun and get a little exercise.
Just keep pedaling and have a great 2011.
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