I was thinking I made a huge mistake today by deciding to ride some hills in preparation for the upcoming Vine Ride, especially after my legs were still achin' from my 44 miler on Saturday.

I went with 2 couples on tandems and another single rider. The first hill we hit was a loooooooong one! You know, one of those ones that you just don't look up because you think it's never going to end. It wasn't very steep, so I made it up with much huffing and puffing (boy, I miss the tripple on my old hybrid!). After that was a screamin' downhill...got up to 37 on that one! A few miles later I told everyone that I was going to call hubby to pick me up. My legs were really hurting! Then I got off and stretched a bit. I felt a little better so I told them that I'd at least make it to North Valley Rd. (where there are many, many more hills) before I threw in the towel. Well, North Valley comes up and I just keep on riding! There were some rollers, but not nearly as bad as I had remembered (yes, I have been avoiding that road!) and I only had to walk up the one monster hill at the end.

So all in all...13 miles at 13 mph. I felt good about myself because I didn't have to call in the reinforcments to pick me up!