Last year I did the Tour des Farmes ride, which was 45 miles. I had only had my road bike for a month, and had never ridden longer than 30 miles.

I was also terrified, and besides that, the weather was horrible - it rained the whole day.

When I started, I felt like I couldn't breathe and I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was crying on the bike, thinking... I will just quit at the first rest stop.

But at the first stop, I started talking to some people, and then went to a quiet corner, closed my eyes, and told myself, "This is crazy, just relax and have fun."

And that is what I did. I did the whole thing; I was the absolute last one to finish, but ended up having a blast.

So, take it from someone that has been in your shoes. Attitude is everything. Tell yourself over and over that you are going to have fun, and I bet you will.

Lynette