Tell us about your best ride of the year

[indysteel]

Awwww; I'm flattered, Catrin. I'm glad you liked the ride so much. I'm partial to that route myself. We'll do it again next year, so I hope you can make it.

My best ride was Day Two of the Horsey Hundred. Admittedly, this hasn't been my best year on the bike. Between some injuries, life events, a busy schedule, overly hot weather and a host of other things, I don't always feel great on my bike. I felt good on the second day of the Horsey though. It's one of my favorite routes through the rolling hills of Kentucky. There's one stretch of road that is just roller upon roller as far as the eye can see. I remeber getting into a great rhythm on just cruising over them.

I did the ride alone. I really like riding alone at event rides. It's the best of both worlds IMO. As much as I love riding with DH or friends, there's just something about being alone on the road. Just me and my bike.

[redrhodie]

The day I rode through the flock of birds at the bird sanctuary was really magical. They were tiny, and there were thousands of them. Flying through on my bike, I felt like one of them.

[azfiddle]

My most memorable ride this year (so far) is the day I rode on Mt. St. Helens. My husband and I went on a 2 week road trip together, and got to meet several on-line friends in person. One of them took us Mt. St. Helens. My DH and I took turns riding and moving the car, but I got to ride about 2/3 of the time. It was absolutely stunning scenery and perfect weather. The route had long climbs and some exhilarating descents. Reminders of the volcanic eruption were everywhere, and we enjoyed the view and displays at the visitor center at the top. It was great to enjoy the company of our friend, who was so familiar with the area. But every ride seems to have special moments, and I am trying hard to appreciate being "in the moment" this year.

[missjulied]

Mine was renting cruiser bikes and riding around Versailles when the Mr. and I were in Paris last month. Perfect summer weather, lovely scenery. It ended up being my favorite day of my whole European vacation.

[hebe]

What lovely snapshots of perfect rides

I think I'm still in single figures for solo rides. I think the best was doing that bridleway this week and making it up part of each of the hills. Definitely for making it down, that was so cool! The one when I rode past a stationary Porsche without panicking and riding into it was a close second. But I'd do every single ride again, even the less satisfying ones because every single ride taught me something new.

[Crankin]

I think my favorite ride this year was the first 50 mile ride of the year I did in June. It was a club ride where I rode to the leader's house in Lincoln (8 miles), and we headed back through Concord, onto very familiar roads. Since most of the riders in the group live nearer to the city and had no idea where they were, I stayed up front and helped with the human arrowing. I felt strong and fast. When they got near the lunch stop, it was clear that 50 riders would not fit into the place the leader had made a reservation at, I decided to leave and ride home. Even though it was like 1:00 and I was starving, I flew the last 9 miles, and even went past my street and into my neighborhood an alternate way, so I would get my 50.
I also learned of a cut through that goes through the Cysco Systems campus, that avoids one of the steepest hills around here. I've used that street a few times this year, and on July 4th, DH and I replicated this ride.