Average Speeds -getting Downhearted!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Don't worry Indy... seems like a lot of us are feeling that way! That's why I wish liz_999 would come back and answer some of our questions!

She's probably busy pedaling up Mt. Everest!

[lauraelmore1033]

I smell a replay of the CaliSunshine smackdown in the breeze...

[Eden]

I smell a replay of the CaliSunshine smackdown in the breeze...

I honestly don't think this gal is being rude... she hasn't disparaged anyone else. She's new, probably young and she's fit, and what she's said she has been able to do does not sound outrageous.

[RoadRaven]

I agree Eden
I don't think she's being rude or whatever the CaliSunshine reference referred to.

If Liz had experience in another endurance sport... or used low gearing... or is young and fit... then I can understand much more.

Thats why I posed my wonderings, because from my perspective - middle-aged, on a compact, only 2 years on the bike... I don't think I could do even one of Le Tour "hills"...

Looking forward to you popping back, Liz

[kelownagirl]

Sometimes you do hard stuff because you don't know you "can't" or "shouldn't". I did my first hilly 55km ride with almost no riding experience beforehand. It was 100 degrees out. I was on my old mountain bike. I did it and survived. That was before I knew that 55km was a long ride for a beginner. Sometimes "not knowing" allows you to get out there and just do it.

[lauraelmore1033]

sorry, for those mystified by my comment: Lisa's sarcastic remark about cycling up Mt Everest reminded me of a rather explosive thread from, maybe a year ago, in which a young woman made some rather extravagant claims about having bested a whole paceline of experienced road bike riders while on her mountain bike. The forum's collective response was, at first, "you GO girl!", but soon turned to questioning and then to unmitigated rage, prompting at least one administrator to intervene.

I would agree that we don't know what liz999 is capable of or even the particulars of her tour. Just a look at the crowds lining the TDF routes during the race--most of whom got there under their own steam-- should be proof enough that it is possible for mere mortals to "get up there". Maybe not at a break neck speed, or with comfort or ease, but it is possible...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

sorry, for those mystified by my comment: Lisa's sarcastic remark about cycling up Mt Everest.....

Sarcastic?? No, I was serious! Any woman who can go from having "stick legs" and not being on a bike in 15 years and averaging 9mph to three weeks later having muscles on their calves, toned thighs, and pedaling up the Tour de France ascents with full camping gear loaded on their panniers would absolutely be able to ascend Mt. Everest! It's truly amazing and I honestly want to know the secret. ...or maybe the secret is just being young?, in which case there is little hope for women like me.