Quote Originally Posted by oxysback
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."



Quote Originally Posted by oxysback
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!


Quote Originally Posted by oxysback
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