This was my first century, of any sort. Road, gravel, anything. My 3rd year at the race overall (2 100km efforts and 1 100 miler). I actually found Trainer Road after a Spinistry Race in January where I fell well short of finishing where I thought I should. I then went on to take a top 10 in another Spinistry gravel race in San Saba in February (albeit small, 50 riders or so) and decided to bump up from the 100km and go for my first century. I love this part of Texas and brought the whole family down. I know Fabien and love all that he does for this community in Hico. I finished with what felt like lots of power in the tank and am now in the process of having a power meter added to my Crux because I felt I left a lot out there. The 3 descents on the back side of the “3Bs” convinced me to dump the stock 38s in favor of some S-works pathfinder 42s going forward. I had a blast, the family loved it (we stayed in Glen Rose but hung out in Hico both days) and I definitely plan to keep this event on the calendar so long as it still exists.
Side note: At mile 95, just before the final aid station I was soloing up the paved road towards the tents and I heard some chatter behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Ian, Ted, Roberge, Dylan, and the rest of the top 15 or so bearing down on me. I pulled right and let them move by then grabbed a wheel and held on for the next half mile or so until I stopped at the aid station and they continued on after their teams had quick grab bottles on the side of the road ready for them. That was one of the coolest experiences of my cycling career so far.