Tarwheel Century (metric) on my Bike Friday ride report

[tulip]

Some folks have asked me about posting ride reports on my new Bike Friday. I've posted this in the regional subforums, but I thought I'd put it here, too, since alot of TEers don't read the southeast regional subforum.

On Saturday I did the Tarwheel Century in and around Elizabeth City, NC. I had a blast! I did the metric century plus a little, ending up at 66 miles, averaging a little over 14.5 mph. It was windy, but not as windy as previous years, according to my riding partner. The weather was beautiful, the traffic was very light, and the scenery was nice--LOTS OF COOL BIRDS, IFJANE!

My Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro performed flawlessly. I am very pleased with it--it is a fast little bike! It feels like a full-sized bike; it's only the comments I get from other riders that lets me know that I'm on a funny-looking little bike.

I felt like I could do the century after the first 60 miles, but my riding partner and I had already decided to stick to the metric. For this early and for my (lack of) riding to this point, 66 miles was just right.


The SAG stops were the best I've experienced; one even had smoothies! I highly recommend the Tarwheel Century. It's always in April, it's flat and pretty, and is very well-organized. And I do enjoy my Bike Friday. I'm taking it to France for a few weeks on Sunday. I'll post a ride report on that when I get back.

[F8th637]

Glad to hear the Tar Heel was great! I know a lot of Hampton Roaders were heading down to that one. I wondered what it would be like to ride such a century on a Bike Friday. I'm thinking if I buy another bike it will probably be one of those and it's good to know that it felt like a regular bike. We like to hit regional rides so that we can bring our bikes if possible but if I could CARRY my bike, now THAT would be something!

Going to do the Knotts Island Century in May?

[RoadRaven]

A flat century sounds like my kind of thing... if I was going to do one.

I've said it before, and will probably say it again... I am impressed by you gals who do centuries...

Congrats, sounds like a great day - and the organisers even provided smoothies? Yum!

[KayTee]

Tulip, do they still have the little sweet potato ham biscuits at the lunch stop on the waterfront at Edenton? Glad you had a good ride - congratulations!

[emily_in_nc]

Tulip, do they still have the little sweet potato ham biscuits at the lunch stop on the waterfront at Edenton? Glad you had a good ride - congratulations!

Those sweet potato ham biscuits are the BEST. I miss them! Maybe someday I'll do the Tarwheel again...

I enjoyed reading tulip's report. It's a wonderful event, and I'm always surprised how relatively small it is (in number of riders) compared to other events. Maybe because it's so early in the season? Or just not well publicized?

Emily

[tulip]

I did the metric, so I didn't get to Edenton. The smoothies were what I remember from the sag stops (and the delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies!) I read in the paper that there were 380 riders this year.

[Zen]

Not much beats good old Southern food...mmmMMM!

Did you ride a Bike Friday before you bought one? Where would I get an opportunity to do that?


.

[Blueberry]

Zen-

Bike Friday has a network of folks who will let you test them. We tested someone's nearby (full disclosure - if you let them test, and they buy, you get a small cash/credit reward). There are also a few dealers. http://www.bikefriday.com/dealers/bikesatvienna might be close to you.

CA

[tulip]

Yep, I went to Bikes at Vienna to ride a few (over a couple of years--this was a long time coming). I didn't ride my model, but I just got the feel of what it would be like to ride a small-wheeled bike.

When I finally bit the bullet, I bit it with gusto. I got a very nice model (this I-deserve-it-turning 40 thing is really great when you stretch it out!). It's built to my measurements and the measurements of my Luna. I really like the bar-end shifters.

My partner got one, too. He likes his alot, but he now thinks he'll use it for rides up to 50 miles and for traveling overseas. For centuries, he prefers his full carbon bike. He says it's more comfy.

I notice that my Luna (steel with carbon fork and seat stays) is bit softer ride than the all-steel Bike Friday, but I really like how the Friday rides, and I think I could do a whole English century on it, assuming my legs would cooperate. We're not sure which bikes we'll bring to Bike Virginia in June.

We're leaving for France on Sunday with the Fridays (Vendredis?). We'll be riding just about every day there. The Federation Francaise de Cyclotourisme website has rides and randonnees listed in the regions we'll be visiting.