I've been reading all your successes for the last week or so. I had a "woo hoo moment" on Saturday.

I did a charity ride with some of the family in Hazleton, PA. They tell me Hazleton has the highest elevation of any town in PA. We started at the top, but of course what goes down must come back up.

There was a 50k and a 100k. I was trying out my new road bike with a compact double and a little nervous about being able to spin up some of these hills (one was brutal) so I opted to do the 50k (about 31 miles).

Anyway, besides taking the hills like a trooper, I passed two guys. I knew they did the 100k so I didn't think anything of it - after all - they went a lot further than me and should me more tired. So when I passed I made a little light conversation. The guy immediately went on the defensive about how he hasn't done any training since the such-a-such ride. Puulllease! Don't be such a dweeb!

So, I kicked it up a notch and went straight uphill for 9 miles and put more and more distance between us. He never saw me again. Certainly helped build up the old confidence on the new bike.

Now, if I just get those clipless next year...imagine...