New Girl on the Block

[littleblue]

I've checked out this forum a few times to look for good answers to some of the most basic questions a girl has when she starts biking, and I've really enjoyed reading these threads (too much, actually, since I've spent way more time at this site than I ought to!). I just joined last week when I wanted to find out about new biking shorts, but decided that I needed winter gear instead since the weather here in Michigan turned cold suddenly. I was gearing up for the Colorburst ride (benefit for MADD) in Lowell/Ada area. I really wanted to ride my first century before the season ended, but my friend, Cindy and her hubby as well as myself and my hubby planned to stick together (my hubby and her hubby are speed demons and very strong, but agreed to go at our pace and use it as an opportunity to build more base miles and chat). Anyway, Cinday and I are almost at the same riding level, and she didn't even want to do the 62 mile route, which we talked her into. So, as it turned out, the weather was cold (which I don't mind) in the mid 40s warming to low 50s but there was a strong wind and all the roads except one stretch of a couple of miles were bumpy and rough. Ugh. Oh, did I mention the "rolling hills"?? I train around the Holland, MI area which is not exactly flat, and I purposely add in tough hills where I can find them, but these were nonstop, granny gear, no recovery time in between rolling hills! The 62-mile ride ended up taking 7 hours because Cindy and I were NOT speed demons on hills! And we spent a lot of time eating at the stops. And drinking hot cocoa Then, 15 miles from the end there was a slooooow climb and then we rounded a bend and the climb turned into a mountain!!! I got about halfway up that (ok, this is embarrassing, but my hubby had a hold on my bike seat and was helping me out a little with pushes) I actually clipped out before I fell over. I honestly thought I was going to do one of those horrifying splats, or worse, start rolling backwards! I was able to clip out in time, though, and walked the rest of the hill. I looked back and my friend was walking her bike up too, so I didn't feel so bad. Then John, my hubby's friend, cruises back down the hill and climbs it again. Show off! Well, all in all, I had a great day and was very happy with my 62 miles. Also very exhausted. I woke up this morning with aching shoulders and neck, but surprisingly, no aching leg muscles. I still hope to do a century before winter sets in. Hubby and I will probably re-do the route we did during the Holland 100 back in late spring (I did 67 miles then). I feel stronger now, and I'm ready to give it a go! Thanks to everyone for good humor and great advice!

[SandyLS]

Welcome Littleblue,
Nice job on your ride on Saturday. You are right about that wind. My daughter and I did a 20 mile cider mill ride in Grand Ledge on Saturday. That was plenty far for me in those blustery conditions. One of my goals I set this spring was to do a century ride by the end of this year, so far I've only done a couple of 50 milers. Oh well there is always next year. Ride safe.

[DirtDiva]

Sounds like a tough ride. Doesn't matter how fast you did it, just that you did it.

Oh, and by the way, if you fancy posting in the "getting to know you" thread, we'd love to read what you had to say.

[bikerchick68]

Hi littleblue! Congrats on completing your ride, no matter how you did it! I don't personally think it's embarassing to accept help when ya need it... when I was new my ex used to push me to help me get over certain hills... and as for walking... hey, I betcha a whole lot of people were sitting home on their couches! the fact that you were out DOING it is impressive!!!

use it as a "measuring stick" and one day when you climb that hill on your own you'll be thinking back and remembering when... a great way to know you've improved!

I did a 42 mile ride on Sat in howling wind... and wished I was home on MY couch!

[Trekhawk]

Then, 15 miles from the end there was a slooooow climb and then we rounded a bend and the climb turned into a mountain!!! I got about halfway up that (ok, this is embarrassing, but my hubby had a hold on my bike seat and was helping me out a little with pushes) I actually clipped out before I fell over. I honestly thought I was going to do one of those horrifying splats, or worse, start rolling backwards! I was able to clip out in time, though, and walked the rest of the hill. I looked back and my friend was walking her bike up too, so I didn't feel so bad.

Well done. I love the bit about your husband helping thats not embarrassing thats really sweet.

[Civa]

...and never feel bad about getting off of your bike to walk up those big hills. When I am out on a long ride I prefer to save my muscles on some of the steeper hills, I don't want to end up toast when I know I've got many more miles ahead of me. I usually ride with guys, and I think its a real macho thing for them---and thats a place I refuse to go!

[bouncybouncy]

Congrats...and I have to agree with Trakhawk...that is SWEEEET!!!
Can we get a collective "AAAHHHHHH!!!" from the viewing audience?

Soon you will look at that hill and say "No Prob!!" Now when I ride some trails I will stop and look back on drops I used to go around or rooty inclines I used to walk and say to myself "WoW...i AM improving...not too long ago I couldn't do that and I just wizzz on over it now!"

One thing I get out of cycling is that it is self-powered therefore self-EMpowering!!!

Pedal-on...

[CorsairMac]

AHHHHHHH

(I always wanted to be part of a collective - does this mean I'm assimilated now?)

Anyway Blue: congrats on your ride. As for doing a century - if you can do 67 miles, you can do a century - after all that's only 33 more miles and you Know you can ride 33 miles! As for the time - ain't no thang baby...I'd rather stand around and eat and drink hot cocoa anyway! LOL

[caligurl]

ok... i'm jealous.... i've never been to a ride with hot chocolate at the rest stops!.... NOT FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!