That’s 26,603 strokes of the pedal at an average 72 stokes/minute (includes downhill coasting). 7 hours and 6 minutes rolling time, seated atop a torturously uncomfortable bicycle seat. Depending upon which online database analysis (I use three different ones) you believe, the vertical climb was either 945, or 1,456 or 1,768 feet. And calories burned were all over the map, again depending upon the database, at 9,059 kCal or 6,813 kCal or 3,193 kCal. The weather was influenced by one of the outer bands of what was left of Hurricane Isaac. Winds were 14 mph gusting to 21 mph at the nearest airport weather station. If you’re unfamiliar with what that does to a cyclist, consider this. The elite group of riders, supported by motorcycle marshals who ride ahead to close intersections, was more than 15 minutes slower than the course record. Then there was the rain! The elite group finished before the rain, but when I was at mile 89, I was drenched and had to slow down. Up to that point I was averaging >15 mph, but I couldn’t see through rain spotted eyeglasses, the rain dissolved salt on my scalp which then drained into my stinging eyes, my brakes were almost useless and traffic couldn’t see me. But I finished, and felt stronger than many rides in previous years at shorter distances. But today, the day after, there isn’t enough Motrin to make me feel comfortable.