Hilly Hundred - Day 1

[Mr. Bloom]

Well, it's arrived. The 40th Hilly Hundred!

We're having a GREAT TIME. trekjeni and two friends from Cincinnati are staying with us in Bloomington...and it's been really fun! Where else, except through Team Estrogen, would you invite three strangers into your home as guests and feel safe?

As many of you know, this ride represents a symbolic victory for me. I aspired to it in a goal I put forth on a thread last December 30. But though I've really exceeded my riding goals and expectations, the Hilly is a symbolic milestone for me.

Day 1 Log:
It was cold at the start - 38 degrees!

As I pumped my tire...I pulled the valve out...instant flat!

Cut my finger changing the flat (my fingers were SO cold)

Bad Stuff...not boding well

But, we got it together to long enough for this TERRIBLE picture (I promise, I'm not as sour as a look!!!!!!!)



Traffic very heavy at first, skipped the first SAG...feeling strong but I can't feel my fingers...they're so cold. I stop to pull up my leg warmers (how do woman tolerate those stockings!!!)

First Big Hill: OK, I'm warm now

Next Big Hill - The Triple Sisters - OMG...but we rode steady and straight!

Lunch...stopped for cookies and koolaid. As you can see, this was trekjeni's favorite stop (posted without her permission ):


After this, there were some really rough roads and one weird moment with a cement mixer...but generally uneventful.

At Mile 30, Silver pulled away (she ran the course twice to make it a century!!!)

The last hill was a bear, but a guy in an Ironman jersey told me it was the last hill, so I pushed hard and finished very strong!

Silver finished with a 16.4 mph average, mine was 16.1 mph (really good for me!).

Right now, it's early morning on Day 2. I'm looking forward to the end of this year's season, but this is a new beginning

This afternoon, I'm joining the Bloomington "Y" and signing up for Tuesday/Thursday Spin Classes. My New Goals for the NEXT YEAR:

• Get my weight to 155 HEALTHY pounds
• Complete the Ride Across INdiana (169 miles)
• Participate in more group rides starting in the spring
• Work on core muscle groups to improve my speed - in '09, I want to participate in a RACE!

Thank You Women of Team Estrogen for your encouragement and friendship - despite my testosterone.

[Tuckervill]

Let me be the first to congratulate you!

I know goal setting is supposed to be specific and you should write them down and review them often and all that, but it doesn't work for me. I can tell you are a person for whom it does, and I admire that.

Happy riding!

Karen

[SR500]

Wow, sounds fun. We were there, but riding wasn't in the cards this year. We didn't see the Bama jerseys, maybe you saw the kids rolling down the big hill by the the ice creme side of the vendor tent. DH bought some Assos stuff, and his buddy managed some new shoes, but I came home empty handed. Still a fun time, we had a late lunch in Bloomington after walking the square. Have a great ride today, and congrats on your goals!

[rij73]

Congratulations, Mr. Silver. I can tell that you are really proud of your accomplishments as well you should be!

[Sheesh]

Congratulations! You've set some great goals for the coming year!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

RIGHT ON MR SILVER.

[Tri Girl]

Congrats, Mr.!!!! Impressive time out there, and even more impressive that you set goals and achieved them. Next year's goals will be no problemo!

Congrats to all of you!!!