X-posted in Memorial Day ride thread -

I did my first (metric) century on Saturday in Indian Valley (Northeastern CA, the Sierras). Longest single ride I've been on and the altitude was WAY above what I'm used to, which made it really hard - it was close to 4000 feet and I live about 200 feet above sea level. There were lots of small hills, but I am totally new to hill climbing, so that was a challenge too. And on the way back, for the last, oh, 20 miles, it was 40 degrees and raining - eventually sleeting/hailing, VERY painful - and I have never ridden in the rain. And did I mention I was wearing shorts and fingerless gloves? Thankfully I had 5 layers on top and a waterproof windbreaker. I was shivering when I got back but okay - my boyfriend, who did the full century and got up to the elevation where it started snowing, did not have any wet weather gear on and came back soaked and almost hypothermic

I was pretty proud of myself for completing the ride and making it through those conditions - hell of a first ride! - but I felt pretty awesome. Not bad for just starting riding (3 months this weekend!!)