Patting ourselves on the back

[spazzdog]

spazz sez

"Aarf! Aarf!"

That's doggie yee-hah! for each of your heads.

[profàvélo]

I'm posting this because I need to focus on what I accomplished, not on what I didn't.

I rode in the 30th Assault on Mount Mitchell on Friday, 115 miles from Spartanburg, SC, to the top of Mt. Mitchell, NC, the highest point east of the Mississippi. We started at 6:30 a.m. in pouring rain. It rained steadily until about noon, I think. This year's route had 11,588 feet of climbing. The final 40 miles or so were nearly all climbing, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. One thousand of us started; 663 finished. Finishing times ranged from 6:11 to 12:42. While I cannot keep up with my husband, who finished in 7:41, or even my training partner, who finished 25 minutes ahead of me (hey, she has 8 years on me), at least I finished, bawling as I crossed the finish line, after 10 hours and 13 minutes. That was the hardest thing I have ever done.

By the way, I highly recommend riding on the Blue Ridge Parkway; it's gorgeous. I just don't recommend riding 70 miles in order to get there.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I rode in the 30th Assault on Mount Mitchell on Friday, 115 miles from Spartanburg, SC, to the top of Mt. Mitchell, NC, the highest point east of the Mississippi.

Hey - congratulations! 115 miles is a long, long way - and that's without climbing a mountain to finish, and without doing it in the lousy weather that you had. You should be more than happy with your accomplishment!

--- Denise

[skibum]

I have heard of this ride. It has a reputation of being very tough. It is a badge of honor just to finish it, regardless of your time. Throw in rain for the first couple of hours; that just makes it harder. You definitely need to focus on the positive here. That was a fantastic accomplishment!

[Jo-n-NY]

I add pats on your back and congratulations. profavilo. Something has to be said for riding in rain and hills.

I also rode my first organized ride yesterday other than the NYC 5 borough a couple of years ago. Yesterdays ride was the Bloomin Metric in CT. They described the ride I think as some rolling hills. Well, these were NOT rolling hills and for 40miles of the ride the downhill did not warrent the uphill. And yes, it also rained and I pretty much never ride in the rain. But I was with a girlfriend and that made it fun. We had 3 different rides to choose from and we went for the gusto of a metric which clocked us in at 62.15 miles.

I am now happy to ride the flat lands on the south shore of Long Island.

All in all, good for you, congratulations and yes, I also pat you on the back.

~JoAnn

[DeniseGoldberg]

...They described the ride I think as some rolling hills. Well, these were NOT rolling hills and for 40miles of the ride the downhill did not warrent the uphill.

Ah, another person surprised by the nasty hills in Connecticut! I had a similar experience many years ago - I went to a LAB (League of American Bicyclists) rally in CT, and was unpleasantly surprised by the rolling hills. I'm not a great hill climber, and those short steep hills in the northeast really get me good!

Congrats on completing your ride.

--- Denise

[Jo-n-NY]

Ah, another person surprised by the nasty hills in Connecticut! I had a similar experience many years ago - I went to a LAB (League of American Bicyclists) rally in CT, and was unpleasantly surprised by the rolling hills. I'm not a great hill climber, and those short steep hills in the northeast really get me good!

Congrats on completing your ride.

--- Denise

Thanks Denise, I will convey this message to my friend. I will be honest in saying that we will probably ride this one again next year as we will be more mentally prepared and hopefully the sun will be shinning.

I am sure riding a Hampton ride in August, (hopefully my husband can join us) and then the Pumpkin Patch Centure in NJ in Oct will be piece of cake after this as both those rides we are sure are flat or close to it. My friend Chris tode them before.

~JoAnn

[CorsairMac]

COngrats on finishing in Pro - it sounds like a She-Ra Princess of Power kinda ride and you should get a tiara for doing it!! You go girl!

[SadieKate]

I'm posting this because I need to focus on what I accomplished, not on what I didn't . . . I finished, bawling as I crossed the finish line, after 10 hours and 13 minutes. That was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Bravo for you! That's the attitude that got you up there. I'm impressed with all the riders that just start this ride. I'd heard the weather was awful this year. Great accomplishment to finish let along in the miserable conditions. So, did you get your own bankie at the end?

SK