VTBR Report: Robert Fry, Carey Fry

 In today's reports we hear from husband and wife duo, Robert and Carey Fry. They did separate activities, as you will see shortly. Unlike myself, Robert braved the cold, open prairies and gained his metric century. Kudos Robert! Here is Robert's report first:

Robert Fry: The weather forecast for a BIG snowstorm starting Friday night meant that the challenge would need to be completed on Friday. I took down the Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross single speed on Thursday evening and made sure all was ready. 

A nice, light Westerly wind suggested a gravel ride to Parkersburg. To make the distance up to the metric century, I planned a route with a few extra miles North before the rest stop, and a few extra South afterwards. 

The start on Friday was later than I had hoped, close to 11am. With darkness as a deadline, this motivated me to push the pace, and I completed the first 30 miles in just a little over 2 hours. After a routing error, I found myself on a stretch of road I hadn’t ridden before, up on 265th St in Butler County. This turned into a very nice section of B road on Martin Ave by the West Fork of the Cedar River, where I finally turned on to 255th St and came out on Hwy 14. I had now added enough miles before Parkersburg that I could ride the usual, more direct way back. 

The Kwik Star was welcoming as always, with seating where I could rest and enjoy my coffee and sandwich. The direct way home took me on Westbrook St, S Ave and 150th St (Viking Rd). I finished right at 5 hours, and just about exactly 100km at 62.3 miles. It didn’t go above freezing all day, but I was dressed for it and had a great time!

Robert's Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross on the bridge over the West Fork of the Cedar River

 

Westbrook Avenue

Final mileage - 62.3 miles. 

Now for Carey Fry's activities for this period.....

 Carey Fry: Well I didn’t actually do a metric or 100 mile century, but I combined my two favorite sports, and I did feel the burn. I started off riding 19 miles of gravel, then ending up at the Cedar Falls Natatorium for a 3000 yard swim, and a short ride home. Love the end feeling of a good workout!

Hey! It's great to see Carey got out to do some swimming AND riding. Maybe I need to add a duathlon category for the Virtual Turkey Burn!