Crossing the Big Dam Bridge

[Aggie_Ama]

Congratulations- 40 miles is great! I want to ride this next when my DH is well. It looks like a great time. The pictures are great, scan the disposables in if you can.

[Tuckervill]

Hey, Hub, sorry we didn't catch up with ya! There were lots and lots of people. We lined up in the back with the 20 milers, of course.

We ended up doing about 25 miles, too--I think the course wasn't measured correctly. Three bike computers with the same result (give or take a tenth or two) can't be wrong, can they?

My 12 yo took off like a rocket and just waited for us occasionally. I should have ridden my bike in the interim since I got back from New Mexico 3 weeks ago, because my lack of preparation showed. I had legs of lead after about 10 miles, but I did eventually get a second wind. DH stayed ahead of me but behind our son.

I almost got creamed by a cop car on Maumelle Blvd! By the time I got to the turn-around in Maumelle, I was all alone for about a half mile. The traffic was bad, but I had that whole right lane plus a wide shoulder to myself. There was a rear-ender in the traffic line, which I passed, then I'm sitting up adjusting my gloves, and I'm keeping a steady line just to the left of the white line. I can hear the cars that are sitting still on my left, but then I hear what sounds like a car coming up on my RIGHT, on the SHOULDER. I was really p.o.'d to think someone left the traffic lane and had the nerve to pass me on the right. So I start to look as I drop back to the bars, and I swerved right a little, and I see this cop car not 2 feet from my rear wheel on the right! I narrowly avoided swerving in front of him.

I got back in my line as quickly as possible and as he passes, HE'S LOOKING DOWN AT HIS PASSENGER SEAT, not even paying attention to the fact that he's 2 feet away from me. If I had fallen or lost control, he would have killed me for sure.

The window was down, so I hollered, "HOW ABOUT A LITTLE HONK!?" He acted like he didn't even hear me.

What really ticks me off is I wouldn't have been swerving in the first place if he had not have been there! Cops.

It was a great day for a ride, though, and the bridge is MARVELOUS. My complaint regarding the relative hills is that around my house you climb and can coast, but on that route (in town) you pedal pedal pedal, and then you get to a hill and there's no coasting on the other side. :P I'm not used to being forced to pedal for 25 miles just to keep going. I think it's funny that you thought those were hills. You probably had an easier time than I did, even with the "hills".

Next year I'll have a road bike, and it will be easier. Can hardly wait.

Karen

[Hub]

Hah- I keep telling you people it's FLAT here! I had to stop a lot (to keep from falling over) Cantrell hill almost slayed me!, even the Broadway Bridge was not easy!-- I've driven across both of those about a bajillion times but Sunday was the first time I was self-propelled!! ( I'm from England, Arkansas- grew up at Scott, AR )

I saw a rear-ender accident - close to the Turnaround -by McDonald's & Pasta Jack's- so I bet that means we really weren't that far apart.

It was really, really fun- I want to do it again next year!