She Got Bike! Fest

[Kalidurga]

Has anyone in the MD region been to this event in years past? --> She Got Bike!

[GLC1968]

I haven't, but it sounds like a lot of fun!

I'm really thinking about trying to talk some local cycling girl friends into making the trip up for this ride. It's kind of a haul, so I know DH won't go if he can't also ride...but maybe someone will be interested.

Anyone else thinking of going?

[Kalidurga]

I want to go, but there's also a cyclocross race that I want to see that day. Depending on scheduling, I may watch part of the 'cross race in the morning, then try to be at the She Got Bike! fest around lunch time so I can check out the lectures, expo, etc.

[divingbiker]

I wanted to go to this last year, but it was raining really hard that day so I bagged it. And I was hoping to attend this year, but instead I will be in Belize turning 50 that day. So maybe next year. If you go, let us know how it is.

[vinyl]

I plan on attending - at least for the afternoon (I may have other obligations in the morning).

[Xrayted]

At this point, I plan on going. I'm trying to gather a few friends to ride with. Looking forward to some of the presentations as well. Lots to learn.

[megandmac]

I did the ride today and thought it was well supported (good variety of food at end, helpful repair team) and one of the friendliest rides I've been on (people were throwing out audible warnings for cars and bad terrain moreso than I've seen in other rides.)

I did the 25-miler and had to say that it was a bit hilly and challenging in some spots but found it very doable and absolutely gorgeous. Sounds like the 14-mile ride was a bit tough for beginners but people came through with smiles on their faces. I didn't speak to anyone that did the 46-mile ride so I can't comment on that...

My only complaint was that I didn't have some sort of access to a map (or cue sheet) prior to arriving at registration. (I did walk-up registration so perhaps they send it out prior to the ride?) I couldn't decide between doing the 20-mile or the 25-mile rides and would have liked to see the course prior to arrival. Other than that, everything was great.

I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. By the way, I wouldn't worry about going to the ride alone. What I noticed is that there were a lot of us that came alone. By the end of the ride, we all got a chance to meet a lot of area riders just by striking up conversations with folks as we pedalled along. (However, since this was such a great ride, I am going to make sure that some others make the haul from the VA/DC-area friends to help support it.)

[ladyfish]

Nope, they don't. I signed up on-line and got nothing but an email reminding me of the event. Unfortunately, I had to work so I didn't get to ride.

Glad to hear it was a nice ride! Maybe next year.

[Kalidurga]

Since I wasn't able to ride on Saturday, I ended up riding today out in western MD instead of going to the fest. I had a terrific ride, but I am sorry that I missed the expo and lectures.

However, since this was such a great ride, I am going to make sure that some others make the haul from the VA/DC-area friends to help support it.

We need to remember this for next year. Since there seem to be a good number of us on the forum, it'd be great if we could meet at the ride/fest as a group to represent TE.

[Xrayted]

Hey, megandmac, I was there and did the 25 mile ride too. We probably saw each other at some point and didn't know it. I got there about an hour later than what I planned though. Didn't start riding until about 9:40. Missed all the "before" activity. I waited on a friend who ended up not going (hungover) so I went alone. This was my first event so I didn't know what to expect. Met some groovy people, one of which was a woman who rides for the BBC. Had a nice long conversation (uphill - wrong time to talk) before she had to catch up with the 20 mi. group. If the 14 was as hilly as ours, I can see why some of them turned around early. There were a few from the 20 at our rest stop who were guided in a shorter/easier direction to get back according to the BBC lady.
I fell one time - coming down I think it was Geist Rd a couple of miles into the ride. Nice little downhill and then all of a sudden, a VERY steep upgrade. Couldn't get into the right gear, couldn't unclip in time and... eeerrrkkk - BAM! Fell over just like a tree. (When Cindy falls over in the middle of the road, but no one's around to hear her expletives, does she really make a sound? ) Scraped my left elbow and there's a cool bruise on my right calf from the chain ring.
Lost my computer on that one too, it flew somewhere never to be seen again. Dropped by REI in Timonium when I left and promptly bought the wrong replacement head. Got the wired one instead of wireless. Of course, now I have an excuse to go back again next w/e.
You are right about the hills. They never seemed to end. (I hate hills.) I was going to do the optional extra 6.5 miles but since I was running behind from the beginning, and SAG was looking at me like a bunch of vultures, I did the regular route.
All in all, a very nice day. When I got home, I had a nice soak in the hottub after I ate. I think I may crawl in again before bed, I feel the need for an extra 1/2 hours worth - and a glass of wine. (reminder to self - need to ask Nanci what wine goes with hot tubs )

[Kalidurga]

(When Cindy falls over in the middle of the road, but no one's around to hear her expletives, does she really make a sound? )

I'm so sorry to laugh at your misfortune, but that just cracked me up. Glad that it sounds like your injuries were minor, though.

Did either of you attend any of the lectures or the fashion show?

[Xrayted]

Glad to give you a laugh. I'm sure it looked funny but still I'm glad no one saw/heard it.
I got there late for the lectures and afterwards had to get going. I had to get home to clean up the bike, eat and nap before a b-day party tonight for the one who slept through the ride. I don't think she deserved a gift after having stood me up, but she's a whiner so...
Next year, we definitely should do a TE ride there. By then, I may actually be able to keep up with some of you.

cindy

[megandmac]

Ow! So sorry to hear about your fall. (I saw one woman that looked like she got scraped up a bit on her arm while I was at the Trek tent getting my bike fixed. If that was you, I did see you laughing so I'm glad to see/hear you are ok.)

I heard a couple of the lectures (She Got No Pain (how to stay pain free on bike) and She got Ahhhh... (about massage therapy)) and both were really good. (And, as extra bonus, the massage therapist guy wasn't bad to look at, either.) They were presented very casually and "off-the-cuff" and took a lot of questions at the end...which I liked. The "She Got Fame" (about pro-cycling) lecture was being presented while I was eating and I was having trouble hearing her from where I was sitting. It was sort of loud with the music and ambient noise going on.

The fashion show was good because they talked a little bit about the new materials and the versatility of the outfits, jackets, etc. And...they didn't just show the booty hugging bike short outfits. I left after the fashion show so I didn't see any other lectures after that.

The exhibitors were also very interesting - school of nursing (there to do some blood pressure testing, etc.), jewlery makers, a documentary film crew there to talk about their upcoming film about a women who biked around the world, massage therapists, Pearl Izumi and Joe's Bike Shop had apparell...just to name a few of the exhibitors.