Log in

View Full Version : First Group Ride



limewave
05-04-2007, 10:17 AM
Last night was Canoe's (DD) first group ride at only 1.5 years old. I had showed up and planned to ride with the "C" group for as long as I could and then hop on the bike path for an easy ride back. I rolled up with Canoe in tow when LBS Guy asks me to raise my hand and announces that I'll be leading the "C" group on a 38 mile loop. What?! Huh!? I was planning on doing 20 miles as I had never pulled the trailer other than around the neighborhood.

Seven trusting souls attached themselves to me. Looks like I was committed as none of them had ever done this ride before and were not familiar with the area. So, off we went. I stayed in the back of the group and would ride up along side to give directions and instructions when necessary.

Canoe loved it! She did a little sing-song as we rode along. At one point a car came up behind us blairing there horn and yelling at us. Normally I would never do this, but I felt compelled to give a hand gesture. At this Canoe responded with "Uh-Oh, Mommy!"

We kept about a 16 mile pace and I had no problems keeping up. In fact, even on the climbs, I was passing the group. I was relieved.

Back at the LBS, Canoe was in heaven. All the men flirted with her. Canoe stretched and squatted with all the other women cooling down. She made a big show of demo-ing the trikes in the LBS in front of the guys. I'm sure next year she'll be leading her own group ride: Preschool Peleton or the like.

It was a lot of fun. Now I wish I had brought the camera . . .

spokewench
05-04-2007, 10:31 AM
What a great ride and word picture of Canoe - she must be a little cutie!

You're going to be a studette when you take the trailer off.

This story just brought a grin from ear to ear to my face!

Blueberry
05-04-2007, 10:33 AM
Very cool! And Kudos to your LBS for being so cool!

A new training strategy perhaps??

Who honks their horn at someone towing a child trailer, anyway? Good for you, and DD must have been priceless!