Vine Ride Report!

[oxysback]

After getting up at o-dark-thirty we rode over to George Fox University (a little over a mile from our house). We signed in and got our numbers, and Dh rolled out right away because he was doing the century. I wanted to wait for the sun to come up a bit more before I left for my 35 mile route, which ended up being around 6:15am.

I was worried about the rolling hills on North Valley Road heading out, but they're much easier going outbound than back in. I was pretty much alone my whole ride. The only people starting that early were the ones doing the 65 mile route and the century. My mantra for the first half of the ride was "leisurly pace" because I didn't want to push too hard and be toast when I had to go back over the large rollers on North Valley Road. Well, it worked! I didn't hurry and had a very nice ride. I didn't walk up *any* hills! Including the very last hill which I've only been able to get up once before! I felt like I could have gone another 10 miles or so, which is a big change from last Saturday when I did a similar route. So I was excited about that.

The whole thing was kind of anti-climatic when I crossed the finish line and no one was around to even clap (I was the 2nd one in, I guess the rest of the 35 mile people slept in...there were some just signing in after I finished!). So I hung around for a bit, then came home to take a shower. Dd and I went back to cheer Dh through the finish line and then we had a nice spaghetti lunch and ice cream compliments of the Vine Ride people.

So here are my stats...
Miles: 40.60
Ave. mph: 12.2 (better than I thought it would be will the hills!)
Max speed: 37.2
Ride time: 3:18:33

I think my favorite part came when we were sitting down eating. A couple was sharing our table, Dh was looking pretty ragged after his century, and I was all nice and prettied up after my shower. I asked them how far they rode (65 miles), then she says, "So what was your role as a volunteer?" She felt pretty silly after I told her that I didn't volunteer...I RODE!! LOL! Yes, lady...fat chicks can ride! She wasn't rude or anything, I just thought it was funny.

Thank you all for your encouraging words and support! Couldn't have done it with out ya!

[Kano]

I know it's a little late, and I'm not at the line over there in Oregon, but:



STANDING OVATION HERE!!!!! Way to go Oxy!


You say you're surprised at how well you did, and that you were riding pretty much alone the whole way. I had a similar experience last weekend, riding by myself -- on a "crowded" city trail, but just me, no DH, no friends, just me, seeing just how far I could go, and how much I could push myself. I think that riding alone takes pressure off us, and we ride better than usual, does that make sense? There's no need to keep up with someone who's maybe faster, or has more experience, and going at our own pace just plain works better for us!

Karen in Boise

[oxysback]

You say you're surprised at how well you did, and that you were riding pretty much alone the whole way. I had a similar experience last weekend, riding by myself -- on a "crowded" city trail, but just me, no DH, no friends, just me, seeing just how far I could go, and how much I could push myself. I think that riding alone takes pressure off us, and we ride better than usual, does that make sense? There's no need to keep up with someone who's maybe faster, or has more experience, and going at our own pace just plain works better for us!

I think you hit the nail on the head! I was relaxed and going at my own pace with no time expectation (just a goal to get up all the hills on my bike).

When I think about it...if any of the other riders had around 120 extra pounds on their back, they'd be as slow as I am. I'm doing twice the work, even if I am a bit slower!

Thanks for the standing 'O'.

Hey, did I ever mention I have family in Boise? My dad, uncle, and grandparents live there....so we try to get out there at least every few years. Maybe someday we can ride the greenbelt together?

[Kano]

I think you hit the nail on the head! I was relaxed and going at my own pace with no time expectation (just a goal to get up all the hills on my bike).

It feels GOOD doesn't it? Earl makes an effort to keep me in his rear view mirror, even if I'm just a speck -- at least after "losing me" at the beginning of the season where I got off on a long tangent to our ride because I THOUGHT it was him ahead and followed. He keeps his cell phone on silent, so never answers -- there's no point in calling him to tell him I'm fine, but where the heck is he! And he SAYS just go your own speed, but of course I feel like I gotta keep up or he'll be in a secret snit! It's very liberating to be able to get out there and "just see what I can do."

When I think about it...if any of the other riders had around 120 extra pounds on their back, they'd be as slow as I am. I'm doing twice the work, even if I am a bit slower!

Yup, you and I, we really earn that milkshake, or whatever treat comes at the end of the ride!

Thanks for the standing 'O'.

Hey, did I ever mention I have family in Boise? My dad, uncle, and grandparents live there....so we try to get out there at least every few years. Maybe someday we can ride the greenbelt together?

You're welcome! I love a nice greenbelt ride -- I can do it twice in one day now, given enough hours -- that was MY discovery last weekend! I'd love to do it FAST too -- but there are lots of people on it a lot of the time! I am thinking about finding myself a good hilly place to ride, where the shoulders are wide, and the traffic is minimal. The "best" hilly road I can think of off-hand is about 16 miles long, full of hairpins, not much shoulder area, and at my speed, I'm probably looking at an all day event! Maybe two or three days!

Karen in Boise

[eclectic]

Clap, clap, clap, Hooray, whoo hoo, way to Go! ! !

Great job!

[Bikingmomof3]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Your times were fantastic.

You have a standing ovatation here in Ohio.

[cosc]

Oxysback,
So happy and proud you had a great ride today. I'm still hoping for ave. speed over 12 on my 25 mile rides that aren't too hilly. I am impressed!