my first century !!!

[Tri Girl]

Congrats, Susan!!! So very excited for you!!! I've known many people who've done that ride- and they have said nothing but the best about the scenery and the atmosphere of the ride. I keep wanting to do that ride for TNT, but after we just did fundraising last year for them (Nike San Fran mary), don't want to tap my family and friends too soon!

Congrats on your first century and for raising so much $ for LLS! Do you have pictures of you in your gear and helmet??

[bikergal]

Hi Susan! I was at the ride with Team in Training too! My chapter is Silicon Valley and we had shark fins on our helmet(San Jose Sharks Hockey). I did the 72 mile option last year on my own so this was my first full century too! I absolutely love this ride and will most likely do it again next year. Our ride group was all women except for the coach who was male, so we didn't have any of that male whining to worry about! Congratulations on finishing the ride and all the money you raised!

Shelley

[Celeste]

Were there any other TE gals out there in Tahoe with me ??

Hi Susan and Shelley!!

YES!! I was there too!! It was my first Century rids as well!! It was amazing wasn't it??

I was with the Tx. Gulf Coast TNT team and we had Spurs on our helmets. I saw a lot of the gold mouse ears as well as the shark fins too. I was getting a kick out of trying to identify all the different areas by their helmet additions.

I was not feeling well that morning and had a boo boo going up to Emerald Bay. My bike jumped up and bit me in the leg! Gosh darn. I was dying at mile 12 up those switch backs and had to walk one of them. My leg was gashed pretty good and every third person reminded me to get it checked out. Blood running down my leg and into my sock. Ruined my favorite socks; bummer. (Tortise and the Hare. LOL).

Went to doc when I got back and he said I should have gotten stitches. oops. Received a tetnus booster and some cream to help with any potential infection. I guess I have my badge of honor for my first Century!

The scenery was fabulous! Since I was not feeling well (I think due to altitude), so we downgraded from the 100 to the 72 around the lake. I have no regrets. We finished with our team and I rolled across the finish line with my team and under my own power; which was a goal of mine. Texas flags flying high thru the cheering gauntlet...I was so amazed!!

I loved that people were all thru the course cheering us on. That really helped. I met so many wonderful people and I have no idea what their names are. I even met one of the Unicycleists!! That was sooo cool! Those guys are amazing, I had to have my picture with one of them named DonO. They did 100 miles on those 36 inch monster tires. They have to pedal up AND down the hills! Talk about stamina!

I am a leukemia survivor. So this ride ment a lot to hubby and I. We raised over $11,000 between the two of us. Can you believe that the entire group raised $8.5 million?? Wow!

Congrats to you both for taking on this ride! It was certianly challenging, huh??

The part of my TNT team that did not ride on June 3rd will be ridining here locally 100 miles in a ride called Tour de Brazon June 10. Hubby and I will be joining them during the ride as well. I might not have made the complete 100 miles in the mountains, but I can in the flats with no problem!

Go Team! Feels great dosen't it??!!

Hugs,
Joyce

[luvs2ride]

You gals are the greatest! I just love this website !!

Well TriGirl, I am hoping to get my hands on some pictures in the next week. When you say you did Nike San Francisco . . are you talking about the Nike Women's marathon? I did that marathon in 2005 and 2006. It was my first full marathon in 05. Talk about a "girl's weekend!" I know what you mean about taking a break with TNT due to the fundraising. I've fundraised 5 times since 2004 and I am DONE (so are my family and friends by the way!!)

And Bikergal/Shelly, I remember seeing your Shark fins! Do you know where the tomato people were from? There sure were a lot of people on the course with tomatos on their helmets!

Dear Celeste/Joyce, You are an inspiration to me going out there as a leukemia survivor. GOOD Job! I didn't much like the hill at Emerald Bay either but what are you going to do? Better early in the ride then when your leggs are really "cooked!" I also remember those Texas spurs . . GO TEAM !!

Although I've considered myself a runner I'm now a "cycling convert" . . it is so much easier on my aging joints !! I could actually walk after the ride !! (although sitting was a bit more difficult-ha ha) My running friends still say that the bike does all the work for you . . I've invited them to ride with me !!!!!

happy riding!
Susan

[Celeste]

Do you know where the tomato people were from? There sure were a lot of people on the course with tomatos on their helmets!

Dear Celeste/Joyce, You are an inspiration to me going out there as a leukemia survivor. GOOD Job! I didn't much like the hill at Emerald Bay either but what are you going to do? Better early in the ride then when your leggs are really "cooked!" I also remember those Texas spurs . . GO TEAM !!

Thanks Susan!! Yes, it was a really difficult ride and I felt like a wuss by mile 12. LOL But what's a rookie to do? Keep going forward!! Keep pedaling!! Push down and pull up!! Woooo!

The bikers with tomatoes on their helmets were from Sacramento. There were a lot of them huh? I enjoyed all the helmet decorations; wish I would have gotten more pictures of them.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jmctbkpi...007CenturyRide

Here are the pics we took that hubby posted to a website from our weekend. Cannot seem to post single pictures for some reason. So here is the whole batch.

Ride On! and Go Team!

Hugs,
Joyce

[Scarlet]

Ab fab for you to do your first century, You must feel a great sense of acheivement and good inner health as well as your outer health.
many congratulations and......
cheers to your next one

scarlet
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