Montauk Century 2008

This year I attempted the 145 miles route of the Montauk Century, Penn Station to Montauk, with my new Habanero Ti touring bike. As you see in this photo, I put a Brooks B17 leather saddle on it. I really hadn't had a chance to break it in much before the Montauk Century ride but it still was pretty good. The picture at left is of me at the Babylon rest area, 45 miles out on the route from Penn Station.

I wish I could say the same for the bike, the left crankshaft came off twice. First time, I found the fasteners and used my Alien II minitool's hex wrench to fasten it back on. It came off again out in Shirley and I couldn't find the piece. I was stuck, called SAG to come get me.

As I was on the phone with the SAG dispatcher, a couple in an SUV pulled up and offered their assistance. These kind, kind souls rescued me and drove me to a bike shop further up the route who found a replacement fastener and fixed me up and sent me on my way. I rode as best I could. At Westhampton Beach rest stop, I had to put on a jacket and leg warmers because of the falling temperature. SAG tried to persuade me to bail but I refused and pedaled my way at 17 mph down Dune Road. They caught up with me again as I was climbing Ponquogue Bridge at 12 mph and informed me that there was a rainstorm about 15 minutes away and would I bail in lieu of riding 2-1/2 hrs in cold driving rain. I accepted, 110 miles into my ride.