The sun had come out finally. I pedaled past Nisqually John Landing without pausing. I had four miles to go before I could turn around. I would be getting a second February Century after all.

My plan for a century last Saturday snapped when my derailleur cable did. The forecast of 60 percent chance of rain after 1pm dampened my expectations for this Saturday as well.

Chris said he might show up for a ride to Wawawai and back. So did Dave but he was holding out for Lapwai Loop. Chris has just gotten back on his bike and thought he might get to as many as 200 miles on the bike for the year today. On thursday he'd expressed doubts about doing Lapwai Loop so I was surprised to see his email Saturday morning saying he was riding but would prefer Lapwai because it has a lunch stop. Dave and I had already agreed that's what we'd do should Chris not ride, so we were happy.

Instead of being slow and easy, Chris set a pace up Tammany that had me working and Dave was visibly struggling, new 16 pound Madone or not.

I don't think we have to worry about Chris. He wanted to swing around Red Wolf and up to southway before heading back to the boat launch.

It was 1pm when I left Dave and Chris and headed for Taco John's. I had a little over 59 miles. What to do? Every plan I could think of left me short some miles at home. Finally, I caved. and headed toward Wawawai. Some calculations told me I'd need to turn around at 79 miles--four miles past Nisqually John.

This route has the advantage of being flat. It also has the disadvantage of swirling winds which dropped me to 14mph below Nisqually John.

Riding at one pace over flat terrain can be harder on your body than climbing hills. My right knee became painful and standing to stretch for a few strokes became an effort. I knew I could stop and walk it off, but I didn't want to. Fortunately back in town, the problem went away.

A second century, one thousand miles in February, and a finish in the sunshine (or, as Chris puts it, "without a drop of rain.) made me feel pretty good.

On the other knee, too much of the same thing can hurt. Perhaps that's why Doug headed for the hills today. Read that story and see his pictures here.