My failed century ride

I don't know what made me think that just because I could do intense Spin classes for 4-1/2 years, and just because I did a 32 mile road bike ride comfortably, that I could go out and do 100 miles on an organized ride. Lot's of ego working overtime I guess. I mean, how hard could it be - you push the left pedal down, you push the right pedal down, you keep doing that until you get to the place where it says FINISH. I knew that there were bound to be some issues, hills, wind, traffic etc., but I just knew I could do it! Even if it took me 10 or 11 hours. So, on April the 28th 2007 I left Creston CA to do 107 miles in the Wildflower Century. Wait a minute, I thought a century was 100 miles, oh well, what's 7 more miles when you have done 100. Little did I know!! The first 28 miles were great. Mashed my way up some pretty good hills, conquered some great downhills, passed a few people, got passed by a lot of people. I pulled into the first rest stop feeling really good. I ate a couple of high carb pastries, waited my turn in the porta-potti line and got back on my bike. As I left the rest area, I still felt good, but I was getting passed by individuals, pace lines and fast moving critters. I soon started up a long steep hill. I started to get very heavy legs and got off my bike and walked up part of the hill. I coasted down the other side, and when I started pedaling again I was just feeling very heavy. When I started up the next hill, again I stopped to get off the bike. When I did my quadriceps cramped up on both legs - I was done. I basically gave up. When the sag wagon came by I jumped on and it was over. 42 miles and I was a quitter. My only encouragement was that I was not the only one, the sag wagons were very busy. It turned out to be 98 degrees that day and a lot of riders were 'saggin' out. I am feeling better about it now, I just need to prepare better for the next one.