Arizona Roll Call

[Cactus Flower]

Hi Guys!

Well, I survived my first group ride yesterday! We did 25 miles, weaving our way up to Carefree and back. I was so nervous the night before that I had to do some Zen breathing just to calm myself down. It turned out to be the perfect group for a first ride. Very casual, and on the way north we stayed off most of the busy roads. Everyone was super friendly and encouraging, and I found myself in the middle of the pack where speed is concerned. It was also my first ride with clipless pedals, and even though i had a couple close calls, I didn't fall! I know that's inevitable, however. :-) Coming back from Carefree, we rode Pima all the way down which terrified me at first (with all the traffic!), but once I got the rhythm, we were sailing!! It's good it was downhill, because by then, the wind had picked up and it was a killer. I was so elated when it finished that I bought a computer for my bike and am now counting the days till the next ride.

By the way - I bought my bike at Bikes Direct, at Desert Ridge in North Scottsdale. Fantastic prices, and the guys there are pretty nice. Not a big sales push, and they work to find the bike that's right for you. For accessories, I find Performance Bike on Raintree to be pretty good.

Thanks for the support, guys! I think I'm in LOVE with cycling!

[TracyinMesa]

Hello all!

FH-I missed you Sat. I did the FH/RV ride but didn't start till about 7:15. I thought I might see you but no luck. I am doing the Scottsdale ride and will contact your friend. He will be able to ride with my Sunday riding partner, he is much stronger than I. I did the Usery Pass loop last Sunday and today. There is 1 really really steep hill but I made up w/o stopping.

Anybody else doing the TdS?

I am going to give the Palo Verde Centry ride a try as well. It is on Oct. 28th.
It is pretty flat so I thought I should take the opportunity to do it, as I have never done a century before. FH are you going to do the 50mi loop? Anybody else doing this ride?


LBS: I bought a Giant OCR3 large frame at Mike's Bike Chalet in Mesa. Was not pleased with the fit I got from them. They seem more interested in just getting me out the door. Anyway I went to DNA Cycles on Power Rd in Mesa and Don(owner) did a bike fit. He laughed at the width of the bars, he is a bigger guy, he said, "My handle bars aren't even that wide!" I am almost 6' tall, long legs, but apparently I don't need bars wide enough for a half-back! Narrow bars, raised up a bit and my seat height corrected. All my aches and pains from the bad fit went away. I have not looked back since! Don had made the statement that a lot of women get started riding but because women often don't get fit correctly they don't stick with it. It was important to him to make my bike comfortable for me so I keep riding. I did NOT buy my bike from him, but I will the next time! I have been buying most of my accessories from him too. My next bike will come from his shop. I believe he is opening a shop in Scottsdale too.

I hope we can all get together and ride sometime, I think you more experienced riders will have some good tips and technique to share with us newer riders!

Looking forward to hearing from all of you!

[PinkBike]

tracy,

i'll be doing
the tour de scottsdale,
the tumacacori century,
the palo verde nuclear century,
the silverbell century,
the mcdowell mountain century
and then
TA DA
el Tour de Tucson.

if i remember right the palo verde is neat because it takes you thru these little farming towns you didnt even know existed. i enjoyed it last year.

also, all these rides were well supported and had a very diverse group of participants.

look me up, i'm easy to spot! (hint: i'll be in pink)

[TracyinMesa]

Laurie,

My quads ache just reading your list of rides!
I will look you up!

Tracy

[Cactus Flower]

Laurie, you're my inspiration! While I'm just getting started, I have my eye on doing those century rides someday soon!

Is there a website that lists all the cycling events in Arizona?

Having survived my first group ride last weekend, I already have two more riding dates scheduled with people I met in my group. I think this could be addictive...

[PinkBike]

these are good:

http://www.bikegaba.org/2007_Calendar.htm

http://www.sportsfun.com/gaba/rideschedule.html

http://www.azbikeclub.com/

hope to see you at some of the rides!

[PinkBike]

and oh yes, it IS addictive!

[Cactus Flower]

Thanks so much, Laurie - shall I call you my "enabler?"

[Monarch]

Hello! This is my first time on the forum. I live in the Troon area and have been riding for years but lack the fitness to prove it! Family, work, and my own weakness has allowed too many interruptions. BUT as I can now see age 60 on the horizon I'm determined to ride into the golden years more faithfully. Road biking only. I know some nice rides in this part of the world and hills that are good for building strength without killing you. If anyone would like to connect for a Saturday morning ride some time let me know. I did my first group ride in the Teton Valley in August. Managed to average about 15 mph and 1 hill of about 6% grade. After that one ... a knee refused to tackle any more so I'm working on strengthening. I've been off the bike since then, just now getting on again so think probably 30-40 miles is my current goal.

BTW, on your discussion of bike shops. I bought my Trek at Bicycle Ranch and understand the negatives. The younger guys there are really not girl-friendly. It's important to work with the right person. Parek is the co-owner/manager and he's great. Rides with Lance Armstrong...his knowledge is very valuable. I've gone back to Chris for some fine tuning on the fit and the guys in the repair dept. treat me great.

Thanks for sharing your experiences here. It's very encouraging!

[PinkBike]

if i get over this cold-thing i got i'll definitely be doing the palo verde century.

tour de scottsdale was a big disappointment - i made a bad decision. after the starting process worked itself out i was ready to start my attack. i normally bridge to a group, ride on for a while then decide to stay or go up to the next group. DH was behind me and for no apparent reason i decided to stay with him for this ride. we have an understanding, that when we're training we stay together but when it's a "race" we do the best we can individually. i thought he'd appreciate me staying with, but actually it just frustrated him. the bummer? i had never felt so strong on climbs! i could've finished in 3 and a half hours easily (or better), but we finished in 4. oh well, my goal is el tour de tucson in under 6.

so i'll look for y'all at the pvnc next sunday! hope the winds cooperate.

sue, did you do the tucson ride? i ended up going to california to help paint my parents' house. DH and i both came home with this cold/flu thing. the wind was amazing in Kern County, it's no wonder the fires can't be stopped.

[pink_panther]

Hi everyone,

I live in Sedona and have been riding a road bike for a little over a year now. Yesterday I felt brave enough to post my first comment on Team Estrogen!

It looks like there are a lot of group rides in the Phoenix area... which unfortunately is a little far for me. Are there still any rides in Flagstaff, or has it gotten too cold? Anyway, I just thought I would speak up and add my name to the list of Northern Arizona girls who like to ride bikes!

- Meredith