I just have to share this, because it made me feel really good about myself!

While on an amazing 50mi ride this morning on the north branch trail in Chicago, these two male cyclist came up behind me and indicated that they were going to pass, but then one decided against it and hung behind. The 3 of us rode along together for a while until we had to stop for traffic at a cross street. The guy who was behind me pulled up next to me and said, "wow, you're fast!!! You don't even have a speedometer - you were averaging 17-18mph! and you ride very smooth and straight, congratulations!"

I have only been riding for a few months, and I almost always ride alone so no one ever complements me on my cycling.

now i'm feeling really good about myself, and am pretty certain that i'll have a good metric century (my first) in 2 weeks.