I have been wanting to ride my 1st century for over a year now and I made the mistake of asking Daddy Parrott-Bee Boy,to accompany me.  I thought we would ride from Lake Pleasant and head north to Putney and make our way back and possibly link up with Bob's ride on Tuesday night. 

    I was in good spirits as we made a left turn onto Rt. 119 and  marvoled at this ancient Harley Davidson that was stopped at the red light.  The sign showed it was 7 miles to Hinsdale so I started to pull and after 1/2 mile the Dr. stated "okay, this is our right turn".  I had stated, your joking right?  The good Dr. stated "no, this is the road Kate and I were talking about, remember"?  No I did not. We had dinner the previous night and I thought the lovely couple were talking about a trail head not an actual road.  Well, Bee Boy said this road will take us to Chesterfield Center, I know that it comes out by were we get our cars fixed.  I stated you know that for sure, and the educated one said Yes!  I asked if he had driven the road and he stated No! But it does come out in Chesterfield and we will cut some miles off the ride. 

   Against my better judgment I followed.  Being one of the Few & The Proud in my earlier years, I was now a Navy man as the educated one stated "it's not a job, it's an adventure"!  So what the hell,  we rode on.  It was a tuff steady climb to Pisgh State Park and I was feeling really good until the road turned to dirt.  We asked some local residents if the road went to Chesterfield and for some strange reason they could not answer us.  We made our way to the ranger station where the ranger lady was opening the gate.  The educated doctor asked her if the road went to Chesterfield.  Mitilda replied " sure you can use the road, I am just opening it up today.  I am not suppose to open it until the 23rd, but what the hell you can travel the road".  Smarty pants asked the women once again if the road went to Chesterfield and we got the same answer.  We both paused and looked at each other with disbelief in our eyes.  We both chimed in and asked "will this road take us to Chesterfield"?  Finally the good woman stated yes and it is 7 miles long.

   Against our better judgment we hit the dirt road, the Dr. wanted to prepare us for the D2R2 in August.  After a quick Pee-Break, Parrott had to sit down for some reason, we ventured off.  After 2 miles of fun I quickly realized we made a bad mistake and realized I should have pulled rank and turned us around.  We continued on and most of the grades and road conditions were compatible with the road you go up in Wendell State Park after you come off the Hannah S trail.  I wasn't too happy but was very surprised we were both able to make the climbs.  The road got worse the further we went.  I walked one section because frustration set in and if The Good Doctor had not been in front of me when I stopped he would have needed one.  All the climbing was done in the saddle because as soon as I got out of it there was instant spin.  OOHHH YAAAAAA, we were on our ROAD BIKES, I forgot.

   I learned later that He did not want to walk any sections because of his carbon fiber shoes would have gotten scratched.  Hello!  What about my carbon fiber bike and crank's.  They were constantly assaulted by boulders and loose rocks in the road.

   Needless to say we made it out of there alive and were quickly headed west on Rt. 9 at an average speed of close to 30 MPH.  I was dehydrated so we stopped at the 1st gas station and refueled.  Thus far it took us 2 hrs 20 minutes to go 30 miles, not a good start for a century.  We went to Dumerston and out onto Rt. 30 and took 142 back to Northfield.  I bonked on 142 near Lane's Construction on the little hill, I had 82 miles in at that point.  He pulled me to Rt.10 were we waited for approximately 10 min. for Bob's group and then soft peddled to Bernardston.  I never saw the group and stopped off for more water and He took off and did Frizzle hill.  I took Rt 5 to Country Club Road and back to Turners Falls where  my truck was anxiously waiting for me.  I had to zig and zag the last few miles to get my 100.  I ended up at 100.28 miles, 5hrs 49 min., average speed 17.46, max 49.3. 

   I stopped off to get a 6-pack with the feeling I deserved  a few beers and I also  got a pack of peanuts.  As I was going up Unity Hill I saw HIM peddling east, I chucked a hand full of salted peanuts at his head and struck his torso.  The old boy looked a little tired, we spoke briefly and I wished him luck and continued on my way.  I later learned the good doctor put in 90 miles, good job old boy!!

   Lesson learned, if you ask Parrott to ride a century with you, make sure you know where your going!

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