A newbie does 45 miles!

[Nanci]

Congratulations! Isn't it great to be able to change clothes when you need to? I agree, 28th out of 120 is great!! I have finished last in many running events. Who cares. We're out there! At least we're not wimping out because the weather isn't perfect! I think your time is perfectly respectable. Hills, rain, wind- sounds like my ride Sunday. I averaged 10.5.

You _can_ stave off a bonk if you feel it coming on- and can recover from it if you have calories with you. I was riding Sunday, and in the middle of a (two mile) climb, I was suddenly irresistably hungry. Not even shaky feeling yet. It was quite inconvenient to stop, after I had _just_ been at a sag stop a little bit ago but only eaten an orange slice- but I pulled over and ate 200 calories of Clif Blocks. I'm sure I could have made it to the next sag, but at what cost?

Great job! What's the next event?

Nanci

[Lise]

Congratulations, O5N! What a great ride report! I love the story of how you trained on that hill. It made me think of the Little Engine That Could. And the bonk is horrrrrible. Horrible. Avoid it. I'm very partial to Clif Bloks, but what ever you need to keep on your bike to avoid the bonk, do it!

Enjoy your triumph, and planning your next one!

[pooks]

Your friend took the words right off my keyboard -- I was about to do the math, but fortunately now I don't have to.

My longest ride is 11 miles so I am VERY impressed and also jealous that you had a beautiful location to ride in!

[eclectic]

Ohhhh what a feeelinng ! sung poorly but with great joy in my voice

Way to go