Most cyclists in mid-TN know and recommend the Clarksville ride in September for a first century. However this year, we learned they do the same ride in May, calling it the CRAM ( Clarksville Rotary Annual Metric).

Early on May 28, 2011, we drove to Clarksville to meet our family and friends to go on this bike ride together. It was a beautiful day, a little overcast at times so this made it a very comfortable temperature. The ride began and ended at Rossville High School, just a little way off the interstate, in Clarksville, TN. This was to be my first solo 100 mile ride in a day; I did over 100 miles in a day with Tim on our Trike several years ago on the Natchez Trace.

Over the years, I had been ready to ride this route in September but one thing or another took priority, so I was a more than a little excited that it was finally happening. It was even more fun because our daughter, Tab, and her husband, Gil, were bringing a slue of their friends along too. It was the first 100 mile ride for several of us. We found the route to be very pretty, going through small towns and rural areas.

Going through the Mennonite area was very memorable. There were the cutest little blond headed boys on the back of a buggie that just loved watching the bikes. There were several children and families out cycling along too. I loved seeing the beautiful gardens, and the high clothes lines were really something else. Because I like to look around so much, I got behind a few times but several nice fellas pulled me back up to the family. At one point we had a train of about 15-20 strangers. I didn’t know one of these people before that day, but we all worked together and got to and through the last few stops together. It was fun riding up to folks and inviting them to get on our train. It made them smile and it made the ride more fun for the last 40 miles for all of us who wished we had turned at the 62 mile cut off!

It was the first time ever that my big chain ring was used all day. Well, most of the day, there were one or two hills but nothing like we have in our neck of the woods. The last 10 miles was the hardest for me. I was so excited to be finishing this ” bucket list” event but the wind was pretty strong coming back into town.I just kept telling myself, I could walk this far if I had too, so it would be easier to keep pedaling….

It was a great day and an exciting thing to complete. It was very special to share this day with our daughter, Tab, and her husband, Gil. It was the first 100 miler for both me and Gil, pretty special memories.