newbie- trek ride for breast cancer awareness

[uforgot]

I'll be on a navy blue Burley Sahalie. Just one week shy of 53, and I could stand to lose 30 lbs. Feel better?

See you there!

[PinkPilot]

The good news is.....they're riding on Manchester Rd. on a Saturday...what a way to get some experience riding in traffic! Haha....I wish I was still in St. Louis. Having lived and worked in West County for so many years, I know that route soooooo well (by car) and I would love to ride it as my first benefit ride! It's not fun learning to cycle in an area you're not familiar with.

Good luck to those of you signing up. Here's wishing you the best of fall weather. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

[uforgot]

Yup, should be a lot different than riding the roads of good ole Belle Mo. where I rarely even see a car, and when I do, I'd better wave or I'll hear about it at the grocery store/post office! Of course, I grew up in the area of the ride, so I've spent years driving in that awful traffic on Manchester and Lindbergh!

And when I'm finished, I can go back home, pop a beer, sit on my porch and listen to the crickets, owls and once in a while a coyote.

[uforgot]

Vickie (Fastdogs) and I went on the ride today. The leaders of the ride were terrific and it was a great route. Our first group ride, and we both got the gloves. It was nice to meet another TE member, but we both forgot our cameras so as soon as the website pic comes out, I'll post.

[fastdogs]

I had a blast!! But I was sure glad to see claudia, I was feeling a bit out of place at first. When she walked over and said "team estrogen?" I was relieved to have someone there that I "knew" (although we'd never met). I kept her orange jersey in sight on the hills and it kept me going. That's really the only time our little group strung out, was on the first part of the course where the hills were really bad (to me). After that, the hills were smaller and we all rode together. We both got the neat trek gloves, whice were great to wear since it was a bit cool.
It started to rain after we were finished, perfect timing! I was surprised that when it was over, I really felt like I could have gone longer- as long as it didn't involve going back over those hills again.
It was a very relaxing group and although there was a lot of traffic along the route, there were bike shoulders most of the way. It was a good first group ride for me.
vickie

[PinkPilot]

I've been dying to hear how the two of you did on Manchester Rd on a Saturday "noonish". What a traffic nightmare -- how many people would you say rode it? I'm glad you both had a great time!

My friend and I road the Trek Breast Cancer Awareness event this morning in Lake Norman State Park in North Carolina as our first ever group ride, too. It was 41F when I got up this morning but 50+ by the time the ride began and sunny and beautiful. We had a great time, too, and some KILLER hills for beginners (which I am). Luckily, I wasn't watching the Garmin other than one glance on the last hill at the tail end of the ride. I saw 11%, just kept pushing and was glad I hadn't been watching! (One of these days I might even remember to use those granny gears!) It was a wonderful event for a great cause and those freebee Trek gloves are fantastic!!!

A big thank you to Susan for rushing me the TE Cannondale LE jacket and knickers after I heard the forecast and for everyone who gave advice on cool weather clothing. That jacket was every bit as warm in 40 degree temps as you guys said it would be!

[fastdogs]

I would guess around 24 maybe. They split into three groups, not sure of the exact distance of the other rides, but ours was 13 miles, then there was one around 20 and one around 40. We only had 6-8 people in our group. I'll have to count heads when the photo comes out on the trek website, but there were a few people arriving as the photo was taken, too. It didn't seem like a lot of people, to me, but this was only the second year for it.
vickie