Covington Century
by Mitch Askew
Date: 8-3-2003

This is the fastest Century that I know of in Ga. Last year the course was 96 miles with a total time, including one pit stop, of 3 hrs and 54 minutes. This year the course was 100 miles. It is gently rolling with one "climb" (Really just a hill with two false flats) Chad comes back to me in the peloton and says "Hey someone said to look out for one major climb. When is it coming?" I  replied, "that little hilly section we just went thru was it". He looked at me  and said "o.k." and went back up to the front. I eventually went to the front and worked for the first 50 miles. Chad pretty much stayed up front all day. I 
went into the ride a little dehydrated and within the first 2 miles lost a water bottle on a RR crossing. So I had to make the 100 miles on 3 water bottles. Chad came back at mile 70 and gave me one of his, since I was hurting. Even with that I was starting to crack b/w mile 70 and 90. Chad was cool, calm, and riding strong. There was a lot of attitude within the peloton this year. I won't get into the details. There were no wrecks and we had good weather. The last 2 miles everyone picked up the pace and the next thing I knew I was near the front (Guess I got my second wind) when I look up to see Chad in 5 th going into the parking lot! RBM was there as usual. Cycleworks had a strong showing as well as Genesis, and Nalley. The lead pack finished with about 40 Riders in 4 hrs and 7 minutes and that includes 3 stops.