Corrie, are you saying you didn't bring up that you had just read an article on riding a century every month, mention that it would appeal to me, and even tell me that they have a website where I could record each of the 12 centuries? Do you recall riding into East Lewiston that January afternoon, and discussing that adding the Lewiston Loop would give us the Jan century in full light, thus accomplishing the most difficult century of the year? Now, I do acknowledge the challenge appealed to me, and it didn't take a "bet you can't do it" to get me to bite. Contrast that to a direct challenge like "I'll bet you fifty bucks you can't complete a time trial every calendar month"- which I would have so thoroughly disregarded I wouldn't remember hearing it.

My sorry century performance of two weeks ago put me on a remedial program. I didn't want to write about that until my actual training had improved; it's still Jan, and the weather still over-rides any plans I make. The next weekend was too cold and wet to ride, but I did get 109 miles in these last two weeks in evening rides. On Sat 30 Jan, I decided to complete a real century (one for fun rather than survival). By mile 80 I felt some slow response from the legs, but I had no cramps, and have no soreness, stiffness, or nagging tiredness today. This 2nd century was fun- something I can't say about the first one! Working in the 2nd century was a bit of luck. All week the weatherman had talked about both days of this weekend being wet, but at the last minute changed the forecast for the storm to arrive "Saturday night". By the time I turned straight south at mile 95, the dark southern sky promised immediate snow. Within 30 minutes of arriving home, big wet flakes were falling though there was still another hour of light left! I'd lucked out. My pace of two weeks ago would have left me with an hour's riding in heavy wet snow, but I'd arrived home safe, dry, and warm. Today there's a good inch of snow stuck to the ground and it's snowing again, so I doubt I get out to increase my 358 January miles to anything approaching Doug and Scott's, but receiving an inadvertent January mileage challenge on 29 Jan is a bit late!

Happy cycling for fun, fitness, and transportation!

Steve