He did say he was going to take it easy. He was interviewed the morning before on a local station and I jokingly submitted the questions, "Will you rise slowly enough that I can keep up?" He said he, "I can." But his definition of slow is different than mine.

I was a little worried that there wouldn't be many other women, but I felt comforted when I saw quite a few. That is, until we got out on the road and I realized that they didn't come on the ride.

I just can't understand the thought process behind not coming. They were registered for the ride anyhow. Why not give it a go?