I've entered the 2026 Lighthouse Century at the full 100-mile distance. But, I'm planning on riding a modified course to replicate my first Lighthouse Century in 1976. My planned route is 110.8 miles https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52859007. I have taken out my patches from the 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016 rides. I never had a patch from the 1976 ride because at that time it was just the century associated with the Great Western Bike Ralley. I want Ann to make me a sash and put the patches on it with "50th Anniversary" on the other side, so that I can wear it while I do the ride.
But, frankly, I'm not sure how I will be able to do it. Because of my ITP treatment I have been taking a maintenance 5mg dose of Prednisone every day. Now, I am tapering down to zero, 1mg less each month. I am currently at 2mg. so by September I will not be taking any. The side effect of this taper is that I feel like crap most days, with the occasional good day. I just feel weak and tired, and fatigued all the time. I've gained about ten pounds. I still bicycle several times a week but have not really done a build-up to a 100-mile distance. I did the 38-mile round-trip to Port Angeles the other week and felt pretty wiped out after that. I am going to have to rely on enthusiasm and experience to get me through a 100 miles.
All the prednisone reduction symptoms are known and it helps a little to at least understand what's going on but it still is not easy to get through this. Really, not easy.
