Thanks so much for the words of encouragment Nanci and Trekhawk. They mean a lot to me.

No, no! I won't be waiting until next year to do the 100 (km though not miles! really really respect the 'real' Centuryers), I want to get up to it, and there's another 50 km ride next month, and an MS one in November that's 88km (Sydney to Gong). Not sure how fast I'll improve my stamina, so I might be doing a Century earlier! But definitely want to do it this time next year...Although this year, I probably only saw less than a handful of women who attempted it.

Trekhawk, the ride went entirely throught the Baulkham Hills Shire, so it started at the Dural Country Club, and went through Dural, Glenorie, Maralya, Box Hill, Oakville, Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Glenhaven, Round Corner and back to the Club. So it was very rural, scenic, and lots of rolling hills, with a killer hill on Glenhaven Road... (but I managed!!! Yee hah! )