America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride

[Bike Goddess]

AG- I'll look for you! IF the weather isn't too cold, I'll have my Benicia Bike Club jacket on (yellow- can't miss).

The Primavera metric should be a good start on your training esp since we all have to do the "calaveras wall"! Really, the 72 mile version of the ride will not be hard for you!

[bikergal]

DH and I finished the ride around Tahoe and it was more fabulous than I thought possible. A TNT coach that I know had me convinced that I wasn't ready for the ride and I was in a near panic by Saturday night. Luckily I have some good friends who calmed me down and convinced me to go for it.

DH and I started out at 7:00 and the temperatures were a warm 42 degrees. Our goal was to take it very slow and conserve energy for the climbs. By the time we hit the road closures(about 9 miles), we stopped to remove as many layers as we could. It was turning out to be a lot warmer day than we thought it would be. The first climb wasn't as bad as I had worked it up to be in my head. I had to stop a couple of times to bring my heart rate down and I made it up without to much trouble.

Being a TNT event there were many people along the roads and up the hills cheering us! After the first climb there was a long stretch of rollers which I didn't seem to have a problem with. I actually expected there to be more rollers. We met the woman who sold me my bike and some people from my husbands old TNT ride group at rest stop 2. It was nice to know so many people!

The Spooner climb gave me a little bit of problems. The elevation was starting to effect my breathing and I had to stop and rest a few more times on this climb. I was so happy to finish this climb, only 12 miles to the end!
The last 12 miles were not so bad. Gusty winds while descending Spooner. At one point I was peddling as hard as I could and only going about 16mph. A few more rollers and we were done!!

When we crossed the finish line I was so happy I started to cry. This was the most miles, most elevation I had ever done in cycling and I never imagined I could actually do it. It will definately be on my list for next year!
Now that I have finished this next step is a full century!

Shelley

[SadieKate]

Congratulations! Another big goal accomplished this weekend.

[cindysue]

When we crossed the finish line I was so happy I started to cry. This was the most miles, most elevation I had ever done in cycling and I never imagined I could actually do it. It will definately be on my list for next year! Now that I have finished this next step is a full century!

Shelley

nice report Shelley - and congratulations!

[Trekhawk]

Wow good for you. I feel tired just going up those climbs in my car.

Give yourself a big pat on the back....you deserve it.

[tprevost]

Wow! Excellent Job Shelley! Dontcha just hate it when people tell you what you can't do! UGH! See, you did awesome!!!!

Great Job!!! Any pictures???

Tracy