Freeze Your Fanny - CycleTour

This was not really a course for beginners, though most of the folks on this shorter ride looked to be beginners and their supporting (better rider) partners. The hills were long and steep, and most of them seemed to be followed by another uphill rather than alternating up and downhill runs. I am unaccustomed to hills since I've been riding less than a month and where we normally go riding is mostly flat. I was embarassed that I had to get off the bike and walk up multiple times on the longer hills, but was somewhat relieved that I was not the only biker that had to do so. I know several folks actually didn't make it past the halfway pit stop and took the sag wagon back - one of these was a 77-year old senior who should have taken pride in being fit enough to even try this course. Sharon was hugely supportive in the ride, and kept encouraging me throughout. Thanks, sweetie!

I would prepare more leading up to the race by practicing on hills. Also, I need more experience at changing gears, since the hilly nature of the ride made it necessary to do multiple gear changes just to get up them.

Slow ride to the car followed by eating spaghetti!


Inexperience at changing gears - made several mistakes shifting gears too fast or at the wrong times. Also unused to climbing long hills.


This race was very well organized - good swag, donuts, fruit and coffee supplied before the race, and a good spaghetti dinner at the post party. Volunteers/organizers were supportive and friendly, and it was nice that the race started from a school, so we were able to relax and eat INDOORS instead of outside in the cold. REAL RESTROOMS, too!