Oct. 18 Rides

[makbike]

I too joined the club for a ride - a very hilly and challenging century. The morning started cold - no other word for it. Arm and leg warmers in place, ear cover and wind jacket along with wool socks. All I could do was hope I would stay warm.

The first 25 miles of the ride were pretty flat but the thoughts of steep inclines loomed as we left the first store stop. At this point I felt pretty good other than being cold. My feet had started to hurt and I was hoping with the hills ahead I would finally warm up some; this never happened all day! The climbing started almost immediately and each new hill felt steeper than the previous one. As we approached what was suppose to be the steepest and hardest climb of the day I used my inhaler again in hopes of warding off an asthma attack. The climb up Hanley Lane was a tough one just when you thought you had it beat another section appeared and the climbing continued. Thankfully once we crested it we were only a few miles from the lunch stop and a much needed break. We arrived at the lunch stop and I knew my lungs were having problems. A few more hits on the inhaler and things at least seemed to stabilized and I told myself just 50 more miles.

After lunch we faced yet more climbing and my lungs were not happy but I pushed on counting off the miles. In the flat sections my legs came to life and I was able to really push it some and I knew when we hit the last store I would be in good shape - all roads I had traveled many times, very familiar terrain. When we arrived at the last store stop my lungs were a bit worse and I knew if I had too I could bail but with 25 miles to go and pretty flat terrain that did not seem like a reasonable option so I pressed forward. As we pressed on the last 25 miles I discovered I had a small cheering section of one along the road; BF was following the ride and stopping to give me a most need boast from time to time. Just seeing him as I flew by did wonders for my spirits and kept me pressing forward. The legs and lungs were spent but each time I saw him there seemed to respond as if new life had been infused into them. At mile 86 a major error appeared on the cue sheet but given these are roads I ride on a frequent basis I knew how to correct and get home without a lot of extra miles. The group pressed on and when we turned on to highway 55 I knew the last 10 miles would be flat and fast. The tailwind that greeted us was a welcome gift as well for we had been fighting a headwind most of the day. The group set a fast past (20-23 mph) and the last ten miles flew. I was never so happy to see my car - my lungs were tight, my legs were sore & tired and my spirits were soaring. I had reached my goal of 30 centuries for the season. The ride was good, the support was wonderful and I can put this season to rest knowing I had a great year on the bike.

In the end we climbed 7794 feet, covered 103 miles and I did it with an average speed of 15.5 mph. It was a great way to end my season with the club and now it is time to start mulling around my goals for the 2009 season. What will I shot for next season?

[xeney]

Xeney how come she cries when you go fast? too noisy? too bumpy?

Too bumpy, I think. She's little -- about 18 pounds -- and the shocks on the Chariot are intended for a kid 25 pounds or over. I rode behind my husband once when he had her in the back on a gravel road, and he was going pretty fast and she was bouncing all over the place. She HATED it. We aren't taking her off paved roads again until she hits 25 pounds.

She did not mind the potholes or rough roads we traveled yesterday as long as I did not go too fast. I always say "wheee!" when we go over a bump and sometimes I hear this little "whee!" from the trailer. (She doesn't talk much yet but she likes to repeat fun sounds.)

We did not see any zebras or do anything as cool as makbike's century, however.

[SouthernBelle]

Bring her here and we'll take her to see zebras and llamas and emus!

[Susan126]

Rode with the club on Saturday. Gorgeous day! Great Ride. We started in Fall City, rode up to Snoqualmie Falls, through North Bend along beautiful quiet back country roads with awesome views of fall foliage. Stopped in North Bend for lunch and saw Mt. Si peeking through some clouds.




Town of North Bend with Mt. Si attempting to break through the remaining clouds.


This picture was not taken on Saturday's ride but I had to add it. I took this on an early morning ride about 1 or 2 weeks ago.

[Biciclista]

Susan! gorgeous photos! (what club are you riding with?)

[Susan126]

Susan! gorgeous photos! (what club are you riding with?)

Thanks Biciclista! Cascade Bike Club. We had, I would have to say, 30 riders on yesterdays ride! I had a great time!

[RolliePollie]

Completed my first century today! Yahoo!!! It was an awesome ride...certainly not easy, but I guess I trained enough for it because it wasn't as difficult as I was expecting.