When I had e-mailed Crista Borras and said I'd like to ride one of her Washington, DC Hub rides, she wrote back immediately "Great! We'll take you to Stoney's for crab cakes." She arranged for Ed Felker to loan me a bike (thanks, Ed!) and sent me directions to the ride start in Harwood, MD.

The night before the ride she called: "The forecast is for heavy rain. Do you still want to ride?"

"Of course." I responded. "I want the crab cakes."

When I arrived at the start on Saturday, seven riders were staying dry inside their cars. Chuck Wood helped me adjust Ed's bike and checked that the fenders were securely mounted. Crista introduced the others, handed me a cue sheet, and we were off through the steady rain. We chatted about our summers - they'd ridden BMB; I'd done the RM1200.

By the time Chuck announced "coffee break" the water was running down my arms inside my Gortex and I was ready for a stop. We pulled into Rusty's where we each got a big cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a muffin. I sat with Rudy Hewitt and Chris Mento, whom I knew from the Mileage Challenge. After lots of coffee and chin time, we finally got up. A couple of riders thoughtfully used napkins to dry the chairs we were vacating. For my Colorado cycling buddies, the only stops are to quickly forage in minimarts; I liked the DC riders' style!

Past green farms, over rolling hills, down tree-lined lanes, eventually we arrived at Stoney's on Broomes Island. We each ordered crab cake sandwiches at "market price" and hot drinks. Rudy, the experienced randonneur, had a dry shirt in his Carradice bag, which he donned. The rest of us dripped dry.

After lots of laughter and plenty of time for the food to digest, we finally headed out into the rain. It took a long time to get warm on the bike and riding 100 miles in the rain was beginning to feel like a stupid idea.

"John, are you in a hurry?" Chuck asked. "Want to see the cypress swamp?"

"Well, of course." Who wouldn't want to see a cypress swamp - in the rain!

At the visitor's center I took off my shoes - I hate walking in Time cleats. Inside I carefully studied every exhibit, gradually warming up and drying my feet on the carpet. I was just getting comfortable when Chuck said, "Let's walk though the swamp." Off we went along the boardwalk, swamp water on both sides, cypress overhead. I was still in stocking feet, which got soaked again.

Fortunately the rain had let up. But we were now heading north, into a brisk wind, coming off Chesapeake Bay. Chuck remarked that we could test which was worse: riding in the rain or a headwind. Fortunately we were on quiet roads so we could ride together and talk, ignoring the wind.

In Rosehaven we stopped in the store designated on the cue sheet. I got to know Jeff Magnuson, Steve Ashurst and Lynn Ho better. Jeff and Steve are new randonneurs, learning from Chuck and Crista, Rudy and Chris. Lynn is a strong new rider and has done some of Crista's hardest centuries. We drank sports drinks and sodas, each of us advocating the restorative powers of our favorite beverage.

We talked about the new Year-Rounder division in the Mileage Challenge. The Year-Rounder will challenge riders to ride a century every month. John Lee Ellis and I were still kicking around the concept, so it was great to bounce ideas of these riders who ride a couple of centuries every weekend. Crista and Chuck agreed to write a regular Year Rounder column for UltraCycling starting in January.

Finally, we got on our bikes. We arrived back at our cars about 6 p.m. The 100 miles, three leisurely rest stops, and nature tour had taken over ten hours. They invited me to join them for dinner, but I already had plans.

So, why ride 100 miles? In the rain? For the crab cakes! For the joy of spending the day cycling with good friends.

UMCA Year-Rounder Century Challenge

Preparing for and riding centuries