Thank you so much for your comments and suggestions for head lights and tail lights. We decided to purchase the Cateye models we saw in the local bike shop, and though we haven't tried them in utter darkness yet, the beam from the head light looks promising.
Last year at this time, I rode in my first ever charity ride, Folks on Spokes. Before this event, I was a leisurely rider [20-30 miles at most on a hybrid bike], but after being inspired watching my first Tour de France, I picked the longest distance option, 40 miles, and was determined to go for it. (click photos to enlarge).
Start of the ride (all photos by Mr. Suitcase unless noted otherwise)
After the first rest stop. I'm still smiling!
Riding up monster hill #1, which curves as it inclines
The first part of monster hill #2, which is worse than #1.
Rest stop #3. Mr. Suitcase slums for my benefit, with street clothes and a mountain bike. Don't we look cool?!
At the finish. My feet went numb from poor shoes, and I was deliriously hungry, but I did it!!
I finished in a little over 5 hours, completely missing lunch (the volunteers had it nearly all cleared away), just in time to see the band at the pavilion pack up. Once the disappointment of that wore off, I was able to savor reaching a goal that was probably not realistic by any means for the bike I had and the infrequent riding I'd done. The experience convinced me that it was time for a new road bike, and the search for Grace was on.
Fast-forward to this year, where spring rides started at 40 miles, and I completed a 70-mile ride on Memorial Day. Though I lost a lot of training time during our house move, Mr. Suitcase and I wanted to do Folks on Spokes again, to see our old friends, and also compare this year to last year. This past Sunday, my time was cut almost in half, and I made it back in plenty of time for the lunch. I even fixed my own flat tire, with a little help.
Near the start of the ride. I'm wearing my black jacket over the yellow one. It was really cold this year! (Note benches on the beach to the right -- the banner for this blog was photographed here last January).
Why I ride -- the ocean views
More inspiration
Top of Monster Hill #1.
Monster Hill #2 -- still hard, but I got up much faster.
Grace and I are happy to be finished, and we're not the Lantern Rouge either!! YAY!!
New year, new bike, new clothes...and we still don't look cool. Oh well. Photo by our friend Kris.
Proof we made it back in time for lunch this year.
Now I'm staring down my first century ride this coming Saturday, the TriState Seacoast Century. (Advice, encouragement, and thoughts and prayers for safety are most appreciated). Part of me thinks that I'm out of my mind to attempt this, given the lack of miles I've put in. The other part of me thinks that you never know what you can do until you try, and I certainly never thought I was capable of the 40-mile ride last year. Here's hoping I can finish the 100 miles in one day, even if it means I do miss lunch. And dinner. Good thing McDonald's is open late, and we've got that new headlight...
Congrats! I still haven't done any organized rides, but I did get a real road bike earlier this year to replace my old, cheapie hybrid bike. And it really does make a world of difference when it comes to efficiency and time!
Posted by: madalyn | September 19, 2007 at 01:44 PM
Way to go! Congratulations! I'm sure you'll do great this weekend too!
Posted by: Sarah | September 19, 2007 at 02:41 PM
Yea!!! Congrats and good luck this weekend.
Posted by: Devorah | September 21, 2007 at 12:24 PM
I don't know, you look pretty cool to me.
Good luck today!
Posted by: Jim Smith II | September 22, 2007 at 09:58 AM