Today we are bringing you the first Century ride of the year for team JFT2, which took place on Saturday, February 3.   After this ride, Jill came up with a great idea. She will be creating a point system for all of the JFT2 team members.  There will be a "Century club" and a "Half-century club", and all of the team mates will  log their long rides, getting a point every time they complete the distance in training.  We'll work with the sponsors to determine the prizes for the winners... (case of Fat Tire?!?)...

Saturday's ride started out pretty well.  After a very cold night, the morning started warming rather quickly.  The ice had melted by the time the group left Bridle Trails.  Ten dedicated riders joined in this ride.  The group headed south to Tukwila, took the Interurban Trail all the way to Auburn, and then kept heading south to the small town of Orting.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't allow the team to check out the incredible Mt. Rainier views that they will see later in the year.  Unlike last week, this week's ride was relatively flat, and allowed the group to do several pushes throughout the day.

A few of the riders peeled off early, as a full century was not on their schedules.  Just north of Edgewood, the team decided to tack on an extra hill ride, as they took a nice switchback road that lead from the base of the valley up the western slope to the top of the hill.  (Jill gave them the option of skipping this little "extra", but this was a group of troopers).  The remaining crew (7 riders) took a short break at the half-way point, grabbing a bite to eat in the city of Orting. 

It was quite a haul on the way back.  The rain started coming down a bit harder during the return ride... it was getting colder.  But the team all put on their mud-splattered "game face" and did a great push on the way back.  Only two flat tires the entire day, so the roads appear to be getting better. 

Jill was absolutely thrilled to have such a great group of friends to join her in this first century ride of the new year. 

If you are interested in joining a great group of triathletes, of a wide range of ages and experience, check out the team page.