P12 - randonneuring.

[Biciclista]

My husband is a guy who eats drinks sleeps breathes cycling. He's a randonneur, he likes to do long unsupported bike rides. for 36 months he has done a 200k (126 miles) every month and he has gotten medals for it.

The randonneuring association recently decided that there should be a P12 too. that's a 100k once a month for 12 consecutive months. I don't know WHY I did, but I said i'd try to do it. (that's 62 miles)
So after not having done as much as 30 miles on any ride since august, I did my first "leg" of my P12 yesterday in freezing (but sunny) weather.
For the last week, we've had unseasonally cold weather, but I figured I didn't want to do ANOTHER long ride in January, so I got it out of the way.
It was pretty scary where it was icy, (in long shadows) where I ended up walking a bit. The worse part though was towards the end, my get up and go got up and went and it took me FOREVER to climb the 1 mile hill near my house.
If I can do it, I have 11 more rides to go.
anyone else want to try?

[maillotpois]

Good for you! That's fantastic to set a goal like that.

I'm doing a brevet series this year, but I am not committing to an R or P 12 because we'll be gone for most of July and I don't want to worry about "having" to squeeze in a 60 - 120 mile ride on the few days I am here.

Have fun!

[Catrin]

Ooooh, I like this one! Metrics came very easily to me this last summer, so will keep this in mind as my recovery continues. I won't be able to start this early though, but I think I would like to join you beginning in April, perhaps March, we will see how things go.

[TsPoet]

Oh, that's terrific, and neat and I wanna try!
My velo comes in at the end of this month, wonder if I could do it in a velo?
Good for you, regardless, you are on your way!

[KnottedYet]

if i can do it, i have 11 more rides to go.
Anyone else want to try?


mmmmmeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!
:D

[Biciclista]

Oh, that's terrific, and neat and I wanna try!
My velo comes in at the end of this month, wonder if I could do it in a velo?
Good for you, regardless, you are on your way!

not sure what a Velo is, but why couldn't you?

[TsPoet]

not sure what a Velo is, but why couldn't you?

Mine
http://bluevelo.com/strada.html

The one that will actually be mine - it's a shell right now
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=14565&stc=1&d=1293166832

[azfiddle]

Is that 62k or 100k (62 miles)? And does it have to be done on a special RUSA approved route?

[maillotpois]

They do have to be certified populaires or permanents.

http://www.rusa.org/award_p12.html

[azfiddle]

I don't think there are any certified routes shorter than 200k close to me.

I would be interested if I could do it easily from Tucson......My DH, who is more like biciclista's DH registered me as a member of RUSA but I don't know that I will ever be up to doing a full brevet. My longest rides have been 60-70 miles and then I overdid it and have slowly been increasing my distances again.

[TsPoet]

I don't think there are any certified routes shorter than 200k close to me.

I would be interested if I could do it easily from Tucson......My DH, who is more like biciclista's DH registered me as a member of RUSA but I don't know that I will ever be up to doing a full brevet. My longest rides have been 60-70 miles and then I overdid it and have slowly been increasing my distances again.

I have the same problem, closest routes are 1.5 hr drive, and they aren't the shorter distances. They are also not organized since the clubs that have set them up have to drive 1.5 hr from the other direction.
Maybe I'll just do one on my own honor for a personal challenge.
I've wanted to go down to Maryhill and do that route, though, so maybe my goal will be to do it by the end of the summer - I think it's a 200k, if I remember right.

[Biciclista]

we didn't have many 100k routes either but DH made some new ones, including the one we just did that starts 3 miles from my house !
I would be happy to do the same ride 12 times, it's only once a month, i like routine anyway.

TsPoet, you probably can't do it with a shell, but if you get some wheels and stuff in there you should be fine. :D

Azfiddle, sorry about the typo, 100K or 62 miles..

[Catrin]

We have no populaires or permanents in Indiana - I wonder what it takes to establish one? Where IS that manual RUSA sent me :D I like the idea of such a challenge/goal, it gets me out of the door.

[Biciclista]

Good luck. No reason why you can't make up some routes. You just have to do it, send it in, and get it approved. Of course there are lots of RULES about how the route should work, but I guess that's part of the fun (not for me) of making a route.

[Susan126]

Okay Mimi I went and did it. I filled out my RUSA application tonight and will drop it in the mail on my way to work tomorrow morning. It says to allow two weeks for processing. I haven't been riding a lot. My last "good" ride was almost two months ago. I did ride this past Sunday in 34 degree temperatures (as you already know from our FB postings) and got chapped lips from that ride which was only 20 miles long. But what the heck I'm up for a challenge this year. And besides I need to get back in shape I also need to drop 15 pounds! So . . . here we go! :)

[KnottedYet]

$20/year. Not bad.

[jobob]

Good luck. No reason why you can't make up some routes. You just have to do it, send it in, and get it approved. Of course there are lots of RULES about how the route should work, but I guess that's part of the fun (not for me) of making a route.

Hee hee. There are plenty of rules on how to set up and run permanents!
Probably why I so enjoyed designing and running them, I'm so anal retentive. :cool:

Here's a starting point if anyone is interested. http://www.rusa.org/perminfo.html

I gave away my 200K permanent routes after my bike crash (they were too much of a hassle to maintain at that point), but perhaps I'll ease my way back into it again with 100K populaires.

Thanks for the inspiration, Mimi!

[Catrin]

Thank you Mimi! I had not heard this, and I've been working out some good targets for me this year. Last year I did fine with longer distances...until I reached 75 miles - that is when it all went to h*ll in a hand-basket and I developed my overuse injuries :o

Metrics are in my reach though, and once I renew my 2011 RUSA dues will determine if I want to establish a permanent here, or simply ride my favorite metric once a month unofficially. Where I tend to ride there are very few places in which to have a control.

Thanks for the encouragement

[indysteel]

Thank you Mimi! I had not heard this, and I've been working out some good targets for me this year. Last year I did fine with longer distances...until I reached 75 miles - that is when it all went to h*ll in a hand-basket and I developed my overuse injuries :o

Metrics are in my reach though, and once I renew my 2011 RUSA dues will determine if I want to establish a permanent here, or simply ride my favorite metric once a month unofficially. Where I tend to ride there are very few places in which to have a control.

Thanks for the encouragement

Having ridden on the NW side a lot, I could suggest at least a few. There's a gas station in Sheridan. There's also a convenience store in Whitestown. I've actually done a number of rides that hit both of those on the same ride.

One of the rides I used to do a lot, essentially started at Nebo and followed the the shop's training route (or I'd start in Broad Ripple to really get some miles). At the route's northern-most point, I would continue north to Sheridan instead of heading west. At Sheridan, I'd start heading southwest/south again toward Zionsville, ultimately getting back onto the training ride's route for a bit. I think at 156th Street, I'd head west toward Whitestown and hit the market there. Then I'd head east again back toward Nebo, ultimately getting back on the training ride route. I'm not exactly sure how many miles all that is, but it's pretty easy to add miles in and around Whitestown, i.e., by doing a loop from the market toward Lebanon. All but a few of the roads on this route are lightly traveled.

[Biciclista]

you guys are great! go for it!

[Catrin]

Having ridden on the NW side a lot, I could suggest at least a few. There's a gas station in Sheridan. There's also a convenience store in Whitestown. I've actually done a number of rides that hit both of those on the same ride.

Yep, am familiar with all of those roads - and those were the only two stores I could think of for controls so we are thinking alike :) I also did a route that I put together that went from the Whitestown area to Morse Reservoir, while you do have to cross a couple of busy roads all of the riding roads are very lightly traveled. Certainly some good thoughts, thanks! The store in Whitestown has limited hours of operation, but there are other ways to determine a control. I think you can even ask a question about something that is seen along the way, and I've found several unique sights that would serve well. hmmmmmmm :)

[indysteel]

Yep, am familiar with all of those roads - and those were the only two stores I could think of for controls so we are thinking alike :) I also did a route that I put together that went from the Whitestown area to Morse Reservoir, while you do have to cross a couple of busy roads all of the riding roads are very lightly traveled. Certainly some good thoughts, thanks! The store in Whitestown has limited hours of operation, but there are other ways to determine a control. I think you can even ask a question about something that is seen along the way, and I've found several unique sights that would serve well. hmmmmmmm :)

I've never run into a problem with their hours. I can see where it might be a problem for rides longer than 100k, but it's pretty easy to do a metric within your typical daylight hours, presumably when they're open.

I'm not as familiar with Morse. I think I've only ridden out there twice.

[Biciclista]

yeah, we had something like 6 hours and 48 minutes to do our ride. we finished in 6 hours and 5 minutes. My last 100k was close to 5 hours, but walking across ice really slows you down.. :p:eek:

[Catrin]

I've never run into a problem with their hours. I can see where it might be a problem for rides longer than 100k, but it's pretty easy to do a metric within your typical daylight hours, presumably when they're open.

I'm not as familiar with Morse. I think I've only ridden out there twice.

That's true. I've been known to start quite early and Whitestown is close to where I typically started last year.

[indysteel]

That's true. I've been known to start quite early and Whitestown is close to where I typically started last year.

For early morning starts, you could head to Sheridan first and then to Whitestown. That's not to suggest there aren't other possible routes; I was just suggesting one that, in my mind and experience, would be pretty doable as a permanent, if you were so inclined to establish and maintain it.

[Catrin]

This is a great idea - and I am going to do it :) Am currently researching what I would need to do in order to establish/certify a permanent. Glad to hear that RUSA provides insurance free of charge for a permanent that owned by an individual RUSA member rather than a club.

Part of this is self-serving, yes, since I won't have to drive out of state to ride a sanctioned 100k route for the P12. HoweverI think it would be great to have SOMETHING in Indiana for RUSA members even if it isn't a full brevet. I still have the desire to do a full brevet series one day, but considering what happened last year I need to start with more modest goals and see what happens.

[indysteel]

You have my support. It's really a shame Indiana doesn't have a series. I wonder what it would take to generate some interest within the state to get a series started here. I wonder if CIBA and/or any of ther other local clubs or advocacy groups could at least explore whether there's any interest. I'd be curious other other states have gotten theirs off the ground.

[Catrin]

It would be interesting to know how many members of the Ohio Randonneurs Club live in Indiana - like me.

It will take some time to put this together, and there are recommendations on how much climbing should be in a particular route. Unsure at this point if the recommendations are just that or requirements. Obviously southern Indiana has enough topography for climbing, but it might be challenging to design a 100k route in my desired area to meet that recommendation. We will see, but I really do not want to go further afield for a 100k route as I want to be close to it.

This is going to be fun :)

[Biciclista]

completed my 5th 100k ride this month. have 7 more to go!

[jobob]

Excellent! :cool:

[Veronica]

completed my 5th 100k ride this month. have 7 more to go!

Congratulations!

So... where did you ride? :D C'mon give us some details!

Veronica

[Biciclista]

oh, I posted it in the weekend ride thread.
We found the most gorgeous permanent that started in Olympia washington.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223088_10150282895513047_659828046_9432923_5996452_n.jpg

we saw lots of lovely vistas as we rode from Olympia to Rochester to Rainier and Tenino
and Lacy and back to Olympia.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222615_10150282894263047_659828046_9432889_3674870_n.jpg

like the biggest Alpaca Herd I've ever seen!
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228380_10150282896428047_659828046_9432937_6309869_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222317_10150282896848047_659828046_9432942_2995575_n.jpg
brilliant views of Mt St Helens (center on horizon)


and of course http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225201_10150282906093047_659828046_9433102_1238553_n.jpg

Mount Rainier dominated the scene.


http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228028_10150282902733047_659828046_9433049_6646049_n.jpg

This is the only photo of us together, right before the ride. We needed to work off all that bulk.
It took us a little over 6 hours to complete this 68 mile ride.

[Veronica]

Nice! Thanks for posting it here. I hadn't looked at the weekend rides. (Can't read everything!) :rolleyes:

Veronica

[Velocivixen]

I just rode my first ever 25 miler yesterday and it happened to be on my hybrid. I'm already looking at "road" type bikes (Surly Cross Check, Salsa Casseroll to name a few). I would totally try it on a different bike than my current one. It sounds like a fun and energetic challenge!

[Biciclista]

the other woman on our ride rode a hybrid. She did great but we worried about her wrists.

[maillotpois]

Great photos - well done! I had no idea RaleighDon had such awful cellulite.

[Biciclista]

Great photos - well done! I had no idea RaleighDon had such awful cellulite.

it's from all those donuts...

[maillotpois]

it's from all those donuts...

Oh well that all makes sense, then, doesn't it?

[Susan126]

Way to go Mimi! You sure had a beautiful day for your P5!!!!

I will have to start all over once my back is better. I'm slowly getting there. S l o w l y!

Apparently after seeing many doctors these last few months it's my L5/S1 causing all the pain. Trying to get the swelling and irritation down if the therapy and adjustments don't work the doctor said I will move on to "pain management" meaning spinal injection into the L5/S1. Hopefully I won't have to go that route. And once the pain is gone I am on a life time of core/back exercises to maintain my back health. The thing is I don't know how I hurt it in the first place. It all began way back in January. I tried to ride through it thinking at first it was a pulled muscle or tendon but it just kept getting worse. Anyway I'm happy to see you doing so well with your P12. I'm jealous but happy that you are going for it Mimi! Yeeeaahhhh! :)

[Biciclista]

Finished my 8th P12 today. We rode about 72 miles (it's more than 100 kilometers). We started in some hilly territory and finished off in the flats. The ride is called the Snoqualmie River run. More than 3/4 of the ride was alongside an event ride "Mountains to Sound" which had 75 milers and 100 milers, most very fit athletes.

We just found out my DH has cancer, and more importantly in the short run, he's supposed to have a "PET" scan on Monday. And they don't want him exercising AT ALL on Sunday; so I was a little nervous about him doing this ride, even though it was saturday; when we looked on line, it said that you should not exercise for 48 hours before the test.. so DH agreed, we'd ride hard until 11am and then take it easy for the rest of the ride. I heard "we'd ride hard for the first half of the ride and then take it easy"
well..
DH meant He'd take it easy, not me; I still had to work hard. I'm kind of exhausted by all the nervous energy expended while discovering your beloved spouse of 33 odd years has Cancer and i would not have even DONE the ride if he hadn't insisted. It seems HE wants me to get the P12 more than I do. So when we had gone about 30 miles, I wanted to start pooping along. DH wanted me to ride more than 12mph (I was going about 8-10 on some very slight grades, maybe it was a headwind slowing me down) so we both got cranky.
we had until 3pm to finish the ride and we finished at 1:45. The start and end of the ride was right next to a Whole foods supermarket. We wandered in there and discovered that Saturday is STILL sample day at some supermarkets and I managed to eat plenty wandering around that store.

Next month? DH already asked friends if they would lead me on my next rides if he is not able. "only" 4 more to go!

[Velocivixen]

Wow, that sounds like a challenge that I think you can do! Good for you.

Now, I must admit that I have no clue what you all are talking about. This post sounds so interesting so I've got another browser open to Oregon Randonneurs trying to figure out the terminology. It sounds like something I could get interested in. I wonder if there's a books called "Randonneuring for Dummies"? I would buy one toute suite!

[gatorbait]

Wow, Mimi, sounds like both you and your hubby have some challenges ahead of you. Glad you can be there for each other to face them head-on. Good luck on both fronts!

[maillotpois]

Great ride report. And great healing energy going out to you guys from Marin County. Your DH and I have shared so many common goals this year and next. I know he is going to beat this into submission like any other brevet.

[Biciclista]

Velocivixen,
Oregon / Portland is a great rando area! We did one of our 100k's there and DH goes down there often to do 200k's and 300k rides as well.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I think in the beginning of this thread there are more explanations.

[shootingstar]

DH meant He'd take it easy, not me; I still had to work hard. I'm kind of exhausted by all the nervous energy expended while discovering your beloved spouse of 33 odd years has Cancer and i would not have even DONE the ride if he hadn't insisted. It seems HE wants me to get the P12 more than I do. So when we had gone about 30 miles, I wanted to start pooping along. DH wanted me to ride more than 12mph (I was going about 8-10 on some very slight grades, maybe it was a headwind slowing me down) so we both got cranky.
we had until 3pm to finish the ride and we finished at 1:45. The start and end of the ride was right next to a Whole foods supermarket. We wandered in there and discovered that Saturday is STILL sample day at some supermarkets and I managed to eat plenty wandering around that store.



Mimi, your hubby has cancer? What type...?

[Biciclista]

read the last two pages of dear so and so. He has esophageal cancer. All details are there
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showpost.php?p=594475&postcount=3308 start here.

[shootingstar]

I'm sorry mimi, to hear this and am not familiar with how this cancer type behaves.

{{{Wishing you and Don}}} strength now on your rides and time together. May there will be more tailwinds on those rides than headwinds.

[Susan126]

Sorry to hear this news Mimi! Prayers for both Don and you!

[Velocivixen]

@Mimi, thanks. I did go back to the beginning to refresh what exactly we were discussing in more details. Thanks again.

I am so sorry to hear about the cancer and I hope that the scan goes well tomorrow. Praying for good news and a quick and healthy recovery.

[Biciclista]

WOOHOOO despite a really hot day, and thanks to Sue K, I finished my 9th ride in this series of 12.
The LAST 4 miles I started overheating! all is well that ends well. more later (maybe)
at least next month i don't have the danger of it being any hotter.

[jobob]

That's great, Mimi!

[five one]

Yay Mimi! You're amazing.

[Susan126]

It was great riding with you today too Mimi! I really had a good time even though it was so hot! You're right, next month we won't have to worry about the heat! You got your P9 and I got my P2. I hope Don gets the rest of that fishing line out of his bike gears! I'm so tired right now I can barely keep my eyes open. The ride and sun and my daughter's dinner have done me in! I will sleep soundly tonight! :)

[maillotpois]

Well done toward the P 12 Mimi!!

[Biciclista]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/316090_2234470533821_1009659155_32620057_6892786_n.jpg

I do have to tell the whole story; this was a memorable ride. Usually these 100 kilometer permanents attract two or three extra people, yesterday there were seventeen of us. Many riders came out in a show of love and support for Raleighdon. He knew he had friends, but he didn't know just what kind of friends they were. Two guys brought him mementos from their Paris Brest Paris ride. That's class. Really. Since there were so many people I decided I didn't need a route sheet because after all, I was going to be at Raleighdon's side for the whole ride, right?
This is a timed ride. They figure out the time the ride will take by a mathematical formula, figuring the rider with stops and all must take just under 10 miles an hour. so for this ride, we had about 6 hours to finish.



We did a big group start down Beacon Hill on Holgate :eek: a screaming downhill, through the industrial areas and finally near the west Seattle bridge where we passed literally hundreds of men fishing salmon off the bridge ... when Raleighdon suddenly stopped.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/293371_2234470973832_1009659155_32620058_6145413_n.jpg




He had run into fishing line, it was tangled in his pedal, derailleur, chain, spokes and cassette. It was ugly. I hopped off my bike and when someone said "does anyone have a knife?" I quickly pulled one out and started to unwind, tug and cut fishing line from the bike with RD. Most of the riders went on, but a few stayed with us.
He finally got enough of the fine plastic filament out of his gears that he decided we could go. This took 20 minutes. He said that took as long as TWO flat tires. So now we were BEHIND the clock 20 minutes. As we were finishing up, Mr Salsa came back to see what was wrong and he rode with us for a while!!
We continued along towards Tukwila, where I quickly discovered that one of our riders was very slow. I poked along, kind of the bridge between her and the faster riders. And we kept losing her! As we neared the Interurban Trail she was gone. RD and another amazing rando guy turned back to find her and RD said to me, Go AHEAD! don't wait. So I took off feeling bold and brave down the interurban trail alone... At one point, I called RD because I didn't know where to get off the trail... They had found our lantern rouge rider, she had turned north instead of south.. :confused::confused: but of course, I was in trouble too, I missed my turn.. fortunately there are parallel roads and trails and they finally caught up to me, that is, RD and the Lantern Rouge,.. our Rando buddy was not to be seen (he missed me when I missed the correct turn).
It started to get warm, we were all warned today would be a hot day, but it still felt really good at 11am when we three now; met up and headed south on the Seattle to Portland bike route. It was me, RD and Lantern Rouge, and we were fussing that ALL these people came to ride with RD and now they were probably all far, far ahead and we'd never see them again! After I told the lantern rouge just how important this ride was for me, she sped up a little. that improved my mood. We made better time for the last 10 miles before the control, but I still felt like we were in trouble for time to finish.

Between detours (there were at least 2 depending on where you were - I missed one) and confusion, when we got to the south-most control, we discovered several of our troops were there having ice cream and looking happy, relaxed and glad to see Raleighdon again.

Faced with the prospect of staying back with the lantern rouge for the part of the ride in which I myself was going to be flagging, I asked RD if he minded me going with Susan126 for the second half of the ride. She is a very strong rider, has done Ramrod and some one day STP (Seattle to Portland) rides among others. She is coming back from a back injury, but you wouldn't know it, she looked fantastic out there on her lightweight bike. She accepted my offer to ride with her; She had a route sheet, and I knew (haha) the route. It actually worked very well, I knew some of the stuff that her Garmin couldn't figure out and we never got lost for the rest of the ride.
As we rode north, I was really starting to get hot; so when we got to the trail in Renton (it's a 2 mile out and back) which descends into forest, the cool and shade was particularly refreshing, and Sue patiently waited while I snacked and cooled down. We met a lot of the other riders at that control. On the way out we saw RD with more of our friends, he still looked great. So we were actually staying pretty close together, I found that comforting.
This particular ride is very flat except for the beginning; leaving Beacon Hill downhill in the beginning and then coming home, you have to get back up onto the hill. As we left Renton heading north on Rainier Avenue in the lovely bike lane, I was really getting hot. Eeek, this is not good. I was slowing, Sue was slowing down for me (She even let me draft off her for a while!)
We finally came to the last hill of the day, really no big deal, but when I saw her stand up in the saddle and fly up the hill I decided that the most humane thing I could do for myself was to NOT watch her and ride my own slow ride. It was hot, but it was mostly shady on that hill, so I just chugged up the hill. Up top, Sue waited for me at the next control, but I told her to go on, I was on the home stretch and in my own backyard. She quickly disappeared as I chugged up and down the little rollers on Beacon Hiill. I started to feel a chill. EEEK. One of the symptoms of heat exhaustion. I stopped under a tree, just 4 blocks from MY HOUSE and 3 miles from the end. How ironic. I stood there until my heart rate went down, drank a bit, and then rode on, getting passed by a few sensational riders who all asked if I was ok. Yes, I was going to finish this ride. My major sensation was of tired legs, so I figured I was ok.
I finished at THE STATION (friend them on facebook!) a little coffee shop and found Mr Salsa and another rider. I sat down in the shade and asked for Lemonade. Then i went to the bathroom, ran the cold water on my wrists and soaked my bandanna in the cold water and put it on my head.
The ride was done, I finished with about 35 minutes to spare. No more long hot rides for me this year!
Many riders straggled in after me, because most of them stopped first at the supermarket where the ride started (around the block) but I knew that the Station was where I would get succor, kindness and relief. and P9 is in the books. We all sat there and traded stories, it was comfortable and peaceful and I was happy to be done.

THE END.

WAIT! when we got home RD found something in his bag!!

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/295963_2234471973857_1009659155_32620061_3850418_n.jpg

[jobob]

Great report!

It sure sux when it gets really hot out & you haven't had a chance to acclimate. We've had a fairly chilly summer, and when we venture out of the immediate bay area, I sure feel it!

Now THAT's a donut. I hope he shared ... :D

[Biciclista]

it's a dog squeaky toy!! NOT a real donut

[ivorygorgon]

Great job on your P9 Mimi! You are going to make it!

I wanted to let you know I have been a fan of RD's blog for some time and have been eagerly awaiting more news as to how he is faring with the cancer. I have been sending positive thoughts into the universe for him!

I also wanted to tell you that that the two of you have peaked my interest in Randonnueuring and I think I might try my hand at it. I think the P12 sounds like an awesome goal.

[NbyNW]

Great report, Mimi! And wonderful pictures.

[shootingstar]

Wow that fishing line incident is just scary.

Great ride. And that is one heck of a doughnut for RD. :)

[bmccasland]

Mimi, do we want to know how a "donut" wound up in RD's bag? :rolleyes::cool:

Sounds like a great ride, sorry you had trouble with the heat.

[Biciclista]

one of our friends ( Mr Salsa of all people) put it into his bag yesterday probably at a rest stop when he was not looking. Some of our friends call Raleighdon - Mr Donut.

[salsabike]

Heeheehee! We've had that damn donut for probably two months, trying to figure out how to sneak it up on RD. I was about to enlist Biciclista's aid when Chris found this way instead.

[Susan126]

What a great great great write up you just posted Mimi! You were riding really well on that hot day. You at least are smart enough to know when to slow and stop and take a break. Gee I didn't know you were feeling it that badly though, especially in the home stretch. I'm glad you finished and got your P9 completed. All that you have left are three more rides and luckily the weather will begin to get cooler with each month. And Mimi you shouldn't underestimate yourself. You are a pretty strong rider too. That was one difficult and hot day! Call me crazy but I love riding when it's hot. I love to sweat! It was wonderful riding with you; our topics of discussion were really interesting and informative! :) And I learned how to properly say Pugliese!

And that sure was one giant donut! But I know Don made it disappear in no time at all! :D

[Biciclista]

Today Susan126 and I did another 100k. Mine was my 10th.
This last month has been a bit different from my normal life. Much of it has been centered around hospitals, doctor appointments and stress because my DH is being treated for cancer, as many of you already know.
But we still did our 100k.. my DH was one week out of chemo and he finally felt good enough for a "big" ride.
However, I discovered that I am considerably less in shape than I was a month ago! I can't believe how much harder this "easy" 100k was from the last one~!!!!
Even though I have continued commuting once or twice a week, and even did a 42 mile ride 2-3 weeks ago. Owell, It's probably just stress
Anyway, besides my general wimpiness, we finished in 6 hours and 13 minutes, with about an hour and a half to spare.
The weather was amazing. We started in almost sun and rode to the edge of the rain (about 3 miles each direction) and then back out of it ... we ended in the sunshine.

[NbyNW]

I'm glad you got good weather even as the days are getting shorter.

Rest up, you've earned it!

[maillotpois]

Way to go!! It's not the speed or the strength - it's the consistency: doing 100k month after month, in spite of all other distractions. Really good job!

[Susan126]

You did great Mimi! And you forgot to mention that yesterday's ride gives you the 1000km Distance Award!!!!! And only two more 100k's to get your P12 award! I only have NINE more 100k's to go to get my P12 award! :p lol

What a great day it was and what a delicious pie I had after my dinner! :)

[Cynedra]

Awesome job Mimi and Susan. Way to go.