newbie- trek ride for breast cancer awareness

[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

[sandra]

Congratulations to both of you for riding in that race. It sounds like fun. I'd love to try something like that. Can't wait to see the picture!

[teresa]

PinkPilot,
I wish I had known about the ride at Lake Norman. I don't live far from there at all. It was a beautiful day for it.

Can I brag about something I am proud of? My husband and I just got back from vacationing in the North Georgia mountains, Dahlonega to be exact. I've been riding for less than a year and fairly sporaticaly. The first day we rode for about 20 miles which would have been no big deal except that over half of that was one LONG, CONSTANT,NEVER ENDING INCLINE. I was all over that granny gear but we made it to the top. I was ready to kill my husband for insisting that we try it but now I am so glad we did. We usually ride a good many hills but the ones in North Carolina you can see the top of!!

Anyway, congrats on your ride. My bike is not pink but it's the next closest thing. Sea foam green with flowers painted on the top bar!

[fastdogs]

teresa- congratulations! I have yet to ride as far as 20 miles, much less up a long incline. Around here there are some big hills but they are rolling, so it's one after the other, but nothing really long (that I've ridden on). My good friend lives in colorado, and rides road races. She told me about a 12 mile uphill stretch! She talks in terms of elevation, not hills. I know, at the stage I'm at right now, I couldn't do it. I'm not real good on steep hills!
vickie

[PinkPilot]

teresa, that's amazing! Good job! <mentally crossing Dahlonega or anything in North Georgia off the list for many months to come!> I know I couldn't do a 10 mile incline at this point.

As far as the Trek event, I didn't even know about it until fastdogs and uforgot told us about the St. Louis one (my home town). Lo and behold, I checked on it and found that my own LBS was sponsoring one here in the Charlotte area. Would you really have driven there from Burlington??? It doesn't seem that close. We'll all have to remember to ride in next year's event.

By the way, your bike is GORGEOUS and the flowers are to die for!

[teresa]

Well thank you very much!! I do much prefer "hills" to "changes in elevation" myself. May I ask a guestion? I have no idea how to gauge how well I'm doing since I only have my very competive husband to compare myself with. Do you have any idea what a decent beginner mph average is considering in some hills?My husband will not be happy until he tops 20 and I barely manage 15 as an average for the ride (approx. 20 miles)