Kenny Lucas
2016 Ice Cream Century
The Ice Cream Century has a catchy name, don't ya think? Who wouldn't want to ride this 93 mile adventure that stops along 6 creameries giving out free cones? It was too much for myself and my buddy Brooke to pass on. Even Dan Wolfe joined in the adventure.
It was an early morning start from the house. I woke up in the cold outdoors since I've been in the pop-up camper all week with one kid or other. Brooke camped over in the house so just one good snug toe pull got her moving in the am. That's the one thing I don't like, is the early morning wake-ups.
We drove up to mighty Boonsboro MD, about a one hour drive. Easy directions from WAZE, and the only accurate directions we received on this trip. The lone volunteer was handing out number sheets and cue sheets at the starting location. It was a cold cold cold start. I was thinking to myself "OMG" this was a bit cold. Upper 40's and very windy. Unlike Brooke, I didn't bring my down coat.
We were over 30 miles in on the ride and I was asking myself why there weren't any aid stations? Turns out there weren't any. Yep, off we went on a 93 mile ride with no aid stations. Oh well, at least we had directions .. for the 63 mile option! Yea, didn't really start out all that well, but it was a gorgeous day and we were happy to be out on our bikes.
There were some quality hills on this ride. Nothing very long but very steep. Around mile 25 was a 200' climb in about 1/2 mile that peaks at 20% grade ... that's pretty steep. It was just one of many little hills. Pictured below is Brooke completely gassed halfway through a 4 mile climb peaking at 11% .. again, that's steep. Brooke was so funny, as she she would ride side to side as she climbed the hill. Kinda like I did as an 8 year old trying to make it up Ann Fitz Hugh Drive.
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| Gassed halfway up the climb |
There was another hill later in the ride that pretty much put Brooke over the edge. At the top of the hill, the road went right as an on-ramp to Route 340 (a major interstate) or straight. The ride arrow slightly turned left indicating go straight over Route 340. Brooke saw it the slight arrow angle, turned left and started on down the Route 340 off-ramp into what would be 55 mph cars coming up the ramp. I yelled at her that probably wasn't the way, and her reply came out pretty weak, "That hill made me crazy!" I knew it time to stop for lunch.
Lunch was at a small grocery deli named Jefferson Market. I like it that a piece of pizza, chocolate milk and a Little Debbie Oatmeal pie was only $4.50. But I didn't like that the owner kicked me out of the store while I was waiting for Brooke 'cause her license didn't allow people to eat on the premises. So we ate on the curb in the cold wind.
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| Nice place, just don't try to eat there |
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The hills took a toll on Brooke but she kept slogging them out, never walking. Proud of her for digging so deep. We decided the full 93 miles wasn't in her near future, so we took a custom route back. Still, we logged 70 miles and had a great time on the bikes.
Garmin Stats: https://www.strava.com/activities/577946437
