What have I done???

[oxysback]

I posted awhile ago about a local ride that I was thinking about doing here in my hometown of Newberg. It's called the Vine Ride (www.vineride.com) and it has several routes to choose from that wind through our beautifule wine country here in Yamhill Co.

DH and I signed up. He's doing the century and I'm doing the 35 mile route.

The problem? Well, Saturday we had an informal ride put on by our church. There are lots of cyclists of all levels and we call it the "Tour de Stake" (in the LDS culture what church building we call 'home' depends on our geographic area. The areas are called Stakes, and they consist of anywhere from 4 to 8 or so chapels) and we ride to all the chapels in our area.

Confused yet?? LOL...

So the first 'leg' is from McMinnville to Amity. Very nice, flat ride...tailwind...around 9 miles. Next is from Amity to Dayton. Again, very nice flat ride...around 12 miles.

Then comes the difficult part...Dayton to Newberg (which is where I stop...but the hard-core riders continue on to Yamhill and back to McMinnville) is 17 miles of hills. Large hills with not enough going down to make up for the ones going up. These hills are the same ones that end the route on the Vine Ride DH and I signed up for. Now I've ridden this road several times, but it's one thing to do these hills at mile 10 of your route...quite another to do them at mile 30.

So...if you happen to be doing the Vine Ride and you see a large 30ish woman walking...tha'll be me.

I think I'd back out if we hadn't already paid!

[eclectic]

Go girl!

You'll be able to do it.

Just remember Granny gears are there for a reason and I assume it isn't a race.

AND as one gentleman I just met said " I have never met a hill I couldn't walK"

Keep us posted

[oxysback]

Go girl!

You'll be able to do it.

Just remember Granny gears are there for a reason and I assume it isn't a race.

AND as one gentleman I just met said " I have never met a hill I couldn't walK"

Keep us posted

Thanks for the encouragement!

No, it's not a race. But hey...at least I'll get a tailwind with all the other riders zipping by me! LOL!

[mimitabby]

I posted awhile ago about a local ride that I was thinking about doing here in my hometown of Newberg. It's called the Vine Ride (www.vineride.com) and it has several routes to choose from that wind through our beautifule wine country here in Yamhill Co.

DH and I signed up. He's doing the century and I'm doing the 35 mile route.


Confused yet?? LOL...


Then comes the difficult part...Dayton to Newberg (which is where I stop...but the hard-core riders continue on to Yamhill and back to McMinnville) is 17 miles of hills. Large hills with not enough going down to make up for the ones going up. These hills are the same ones that end the route on the Vine Ride DH and I signed up for. Now I've ridden this road several times, but it's one thing to do these hills at mile 10 of your route...quite another to do them at mile 30.

So...if you happen to be doing the Vine Ride and you see a large 30ish woman walking...tha'll be me.

I think I'd back out if we hadn't already paid!

ah, you'll be fine. just take it slow and drink a lot of water.. (and good luck finding enough bathrooms!

[mary9761]

Like the others said, take your time and use those granny gears (that's what they're for) Good luck and safe ride!

[Trekhawk]

AND as one gentleman I just met said " I have never met a hill I couldn't walK"
Keep us posted

Enjoy your ride and if you have to walk some of the hills no big deal.
Good luck and dont forget to post a ride report.

eclectic - I love that quote - I will remember that when things are looking a big grim on the hills.

[oxysback]

Thanks for all the encouragement, ladies! I know I can do the distance, just not looking forward to the HILLS! And since it's my first official group ride, I'm a bit nervous. I know I shouldn't be, but, being a larger rider there's always that self-confidence thing going on...especially when wearing lycra in front of about 1000 riders!

I was talking to DH about this the other day and he says, "Don't worry, they don't weigh you at the start line!"

[Geonz]

Our new college prez said today that he was at a function and doing his usual sitting-out-the-dance-parts (as an adult, not a teenager) and when somebody asked him why he wasn't dancing, and he said "I don't want to be laughed at," the somebody said, "what makes you think they'll be looking at you?"

There's always somebody older and faster than you are... and there's always somebody who is sure they look more foolish than you do... and there's always someboyd who is MOst of 'em are *not* taking notes on your appearance

And "regular people" out DOING... not tearing up the world, but DOING... they're the ones that inspire other regular folks to try it themselves. THe lean, mean athletic machines - people lump them into "oh, they've got something I don't." (THey don't realize that six months or years earlier, that lean mean machine might have been a regular person )

[Veronica]

I know I shouldn't be, but, being a larger rider there's always that self-confidence thing going on...especially when wearing lycra in front of about 1000 riders!

Believe it or not... they are probably not going to notice. I know I don't look around at how other people look on their shorts - except for colors. They do kind of stand out.

And whenever I see a "non traditional" build doing anything athletic, it makes me happy. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. I say be happy you've got one that works well!

V.

[pyxichick]

Oxys'

When is your big ride? Do you have a couple weeks to practice doing hills before then? If you find hills to ride regularly, they suddenly become a lot less daunting.

You could also try this: When hills get too steep for the legs to continue to push (or too long, and the heart can't keep up) stop and rest until the HR goes back down, and then get back on and finish the hill ON the bike.

Good luck on the ride-- you'll have fun!

[Bad JuJu]

Remember to downshift before you absolutely have to.

I learned this mantra while bike-touring in Vermont about 20 years ago: Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty, shift before you have to. On that same tour, I remember riding for a while with a guy who was clearly suffering with the uphill effort, and I asked him why he didn't downshift. He said he was "saving" his granny gear. I asked him what for--I mean it's not like you'll use it up. I guess what he meant was that he was saving it until he really needed it, but trust me, he really needed it just then.

Keep the engine fueled and use those grannies when you have to. And....have fun! You'll be fine.

[Bikingmomof3]

You can do it! Enjoy your ride.

[EvilTwin]

Oxysback: I am undoubtedly the worlds worst hill rider.... I STOP... lots. I pick a spot ahead, preferably in the shade, pull over, and stop. I let my heartrate and breathing get back to a normal level, then climb back on, and go again. If I need to stop again, I will. This behavior drives my BF nuts, but it's how I get up hills. On Bike Idaho, I leap frogged with people all the time... I could pass them when I was pedaling, then I'd stop, and they'd pass me. I had some great conversations with some of them and we encouraged each other up the hills. Go for it girl.... You can do those hills!

[oxysback]

When is your big ride? Do you have a couple weeks to practice doing hills before then? If you find hills to ride regularly, they suddenly become a lot less daunting.

The ride is this Saturday. I've riden this particular road several times in the last 3 weeks....still waiting for the hills to be less daunting. Should be any day now, right?

Just kidding! Thanks for your kind words!

[bikerchick68]

oxysback... you're gonna have a great ride! trust me... it's always harder in your head than it is once you're out there with everyone inspiring you!

I've had many people who are bigger than me drop me on rides... when it comes to cycling... size DOESN'T matter! looking forward to hearing your stories of conquering!