100MoN Race Report #12: 1st Century + 13K Climbing + Rain Division
I wanted to do 100MoN last year but didn’t. This year I decided to do it after finding out about 3 people I know being diagnosed with Cancer. One of which is a 10 year old young lady who is so brave and strong. I’d like to publicly thank them for the inspiration to finish my first century ride.
Fatty, after learning of your route I thought to myself, “Self, you can find a route that’s just as stupid as that one!” And I did! Here it is:
Yes, that’s a 10 mile loop with 1322 feet of climbing. Yes, that’s over 13,000 feet of climbing in one day when I’ve never done a century. But at least I trained well by doing no more than my regular 10 miles each way commute a few times per week for the last 3 months (with the exception of one 31 mile ride that included “the loop” to test it out). However, I said to myself, “Self, Cancer fighters don’t get to ‘train’ to fight Cancer. They find out they have it and they fight it.”
The morning of June 4th came. June 4th in Northern California is typically sunny and in the mid-eighties. So what did we get? Rain. A lot of rain. Rain all day. But again I thought about Cancer fighters. They don’t get to choose the circumstances surrounding their fight. Who am I to complain about rain?
So the day started and on my first break after 4 laps, my family came to cheer me on:
After that, how could I not complete my first century? I couldn’t. It wasn’t fast, but about 6-7 hours later I got this shot:
It was 10 total hours (8:45 on the bike) and 105 miles of Awesome!
Thanks to Kayden, Lance, and Blair for joining me, the family for supporting me, and Fatty for putting together such a ridiculous event.
But most of all, thanks to all of you who fight Cancer. You inspire us with your courage.
– Charles D
Comment by hannah | 06.8.2011 | 11:54 am
Charles, well said, about not getting a choice to not have cancer. Congratulations on your first century, and a ridiculous one at that!
Comment by MattC | 06.8.2011 | 11:56 am
Holy smokes Charles…your first century is 13K feet? At least you used the Fatty hard-event training method. You are a madman! (in a good way I mean!) Amazing is all I can say. I ASSUME you will be in Davis (being a NorCal guy)…we’ll see you there!
Comment by Liz | 06.8.2011 | 11:59 am
Charles, congratulations on finishing such a demanding course! You have a great family there. Best wishes.
Comment by Mark J. | 06.8.2011 | 12:25 pm
Congratulations on finishing. Very impressive.
Comment by Mark J. | 06.8.2011 | 12:27 pm
Fatty, did you miss race report #11? It jumped from 10 to 12. I want to make sure I don’t miss any.
Comment by davidh-marin,ca | 06.8.2011 | 12:31 pm
I too commend your heroic feat and lack of self discipline.(the six kids are proof of that). Look forward to Davis when it will be Sunny and HOT (California guarantees it) Best Line: “you don’t get to train for Cancer.” Well said.
As for a family bike see the folks at Fairfax Cyclery; http://fairfaxcyclery.com/
He’s got a bike built for his family of 5. Hook a trailer bike on and you can win the Family Division on your loop next year. HAH!
Comment by MoN #4450 | 06.8.2011 | 1:14 pm
Great job Charles, agree with David on the “best line comment. I rode in the Sacramento area on Saturday, my bike is still oozing water…
Comment by Maggi | 06.8.2011 | 1:22 pm
Serious levels of awesomeness, Charles. Congrats on your first crazy century! And also congrats on a great write-up — I have a feeling many of us will be quoting your line, “Cancer fighters don’t get to ‘train’ to fight Cancer. They find out they have it and they fight it.”
Comment by Dan in Sac | 06.8.2011 | 2:34 pm
Incredible job on the bike Charles and doing it in that day-long rain too! Inspiring write-up.
Comment by lynn e | 06.8.2011 | 4:22 pm
I hope you remembered to let self know how proud you were.
Comment by Kevin | 06.8.2011 | 5:47 pm
Great job! Pretty crazy route for your first century! Love the “Cancer fighters don’t get to ‘train’ to fight Cancer. They find out they have it and they fight it.” line
Comment by Doug (way upstaye NY) | 06.9.2011 | 3:32 am
Very nice. Congrats!
Comment by christine | 06.9.2011 | 3:45 am
great report! i’m a sac expat (temporarily relocated to NYC) and was hoping to get home for livestrong davis, but sadly that won’t be happening this year. :( fingers crossed for terrific weather that day!
Comment by Ferd Berfle | 06.9.2011 | 6:16 am
Good job, Charles. You’re a lucky man indeed to have the support of that good looking family.
Comment by BamaJim | 06.9.2011 | 6:30 am
Great ride, I like the just do it approach, and the excellent supporter group!
Comment by Debi | 06.9.2011 | 6:56 am
Congrats fella’ Northern Californian. A nice read, good looking family and a great quote: “Cancer fighters don’t get to ‘train’ to fight Cancer. They find out they have it and they fight it.” Putting yourself in that frame of mind makes facing not so nice weather so much more tolerable. Great job!
Comment by Roses | 06.9.2011 | 8:07 am
Nice job. Great family and support.
Comment by michelle | 06.9.2011 | 10:18 am
Awesome!! That is great!!! and in all that horrible weather, great job!
Comment by blair | 06.9.2011 | 10:31 am
Charles great job! I am glad I could help motivate you get around those last laps. Very impressive effort indeed.
Comment by AmberLee | 06.10.2011 | 12:56 am
amazing. we feel so cool even to know such a tough guy. and such a cute family. totally incredible not to let anything get in your way. and thanks for the inspiring words on such a great cause.
Comment by Christine | 06.10.2011 | 8:54 am
Awesome job Charles!!!! The route was not an easy one, emulating the path of fighting cancer. You boys did a great job. I wish I saw you when I was out there to cheer you on.