134 miles in a day

Yesterday I completed my longest ever one-day ride - the Harpoon Brewery B2B ride. The B2B is a one day ride that starts at the Harpoon Brewery in South Boston and ends, 134 miles later, in Windsor, Vermont. I have an absolute new-found respect for professional cyclists! Spending 7 1/4 hours on a bike in a single day is tough stuff!! However I was pleased with my performance as I survived the agonizingly long, 20 mile climb that took us from MA up into NH, as well as the long distance. The climb from mile 20 to mile 70 was not that steep, but it just kept going and going and going! Other than a near bonk with 20 miles to go I managed my nutritional needs well and felt strong throughout the day. I definitely learned the value of a paceline during the 2nd half of the ride. I have to admit to coming up with pretty creative cussing on the final climb that took us up to the finish! I have never been so happy to see the Harpoon Brewery symbol on a sign in my life. Both feet were aching and that torturous, steep final climb nearly did me in. I was so thrilled to see the sign for the Brewery that I almost totally overcooked the turn that takes one off the road and 180 degrees around the corner and down to the Brewery. The ride was phenomenally well organized and I take my hat off to Harpoon for running a great event. I look forward to trying the ride again next year! After the B2B I think the PMC will be more than manageable.
Stats: HR monitor was non-functional for the first 110 miles so no HR data. Av'g speed: 18.5mph. Time spent cycling: 7hr 15min.
Until next time.... - John