Saturday Ride

I just got back from a lovely morning ride: 10.1 miles, averaged 10.8 mph. I think in the grand scheme of things it was a pretty easy route, but not-so-easy for me. I gotta watch my potty mouth when I am going up hills - I may have frightened the golf course greens keeper. I tried using that mapping thing Ellie linked to, but couldn't figure out how to make the return route follow the same roads. If you look at this map and know where I live... I followed Cary route #3 to the Tarbert Loop, to the Three Lakes/MacGregor Loop and then back home. http://www.townofcary.org/depts/dsdept/P&Z/bicycleplan/bicyclemap.pdf. I didn't have to get off and walk even once! That was a first.

Anyway, time to jump in the tub!

And the bucks are rolling in!

Go Team Charlie Go -- we're in the lead again (does anyone else check this every day? it's really addictive) Way to go Ned and Gery for making the leap. It's kind of fun, isn't it?

Sweet Ride

Team Charlie has a new member, people. Found this 53cm aluminum frame beauty on Craigslist ... and she's road ready. Now, I am really looking forward to July 26! Props to David for cutting me a deal and donating the difference to our fundraising efforts.


And now a News Flash: as of this posting, Team Charlie is a mere $65 behind S&W Sports in the chase for top-ranked team! let's kick it into high gear...

mile 100!

Hi all,

Ok, I have to brag for just a wee second. I just logged my 100th mile of training since I started on March 15th. I'm still not up to the 12 mi/hour that we're supposed to be up to but I'm getting there.

This weekend Nancy and I are planning to do a longer (albeit flat) ride of 20 miles or so. Mostly I've been doing 12-15 miles so far so this will be a bit more of a stretch.

Here's a link to one of my standard rides on Map It Pronto. Note the very steep hill at the end!

Have any of you used this tool yet? I found the link on the Memory Ride's site and found it to be a useful tool in planning a ride as well as comparing the mileage and elevation to the 62 mile ride we'll be doing.

What to ride?

So, just fyi. I started (finally!) training today. I put in a half hour on a Cybex trainer bike at Revolution Fitness, which is downstairs from Club Cafe where I work. I guess I have to decide pretty soon if I'm going to overhaul the nice frame Tal found in her basement or go find another road bike for the ride. I'm planning a trip to Bikes Not Bombs to see what they can do with this frame. What do you guys think?

Nancy's new bike - jealous!!!!!!

OK, so I went bike shopping this week, too. I talked at length with the biker guy and told him what my plans were...62 miles in July. He considered all the factors - including my - well - advanced age...and directed me to the bike that most fit my style, abilities, and needs. I am really pleased, cause there's room for snacks and lots of water, and I can even pick up a passenger who needs a break in the shade! I wanted one with fringe already installed, but I figure I can add that later.

Polly's gettin' it done.

We had lots of fun bike shopping with Polly last weekend in North Cackalacka. We learned many interesting factoids about the different bike manufacturers. Most interestingly, we learned that Polly is apparently "all legs".

As you can see in the photos, Polly's form is flawless... and the wifey sneakers are the perfect biking shoe.

Of course, anytime you go shopping with Sarah, even if it doesn't start out a shopping spree for her, it will be by the end of the day. Sarah says "I NEED this bike!!"

Sarah and I are going to try and put in some miles this weekend (if it stops raining).

Ellie & Ned, we are super-impressed that you've already gotten your appeal letters out. Now the rest of us need to get it done. Go team Charlie!!!

Making progress

Hootie and Sarah went bike-shopping with me last weekend. I haven't bought it yet, but this is the one I decided to get. Hopefully I can get it this weekend. Hootie took some pictures of me when I was trying things out and said she was going to put them up here.


Some people I was with laughed at me when I was doing my test rides. I don't know why they hate me so much. I guess they're just haters.

We are back on top!

Hey everyone,

A few people from my email blast donated and now we are back in the number one spot again!

Woohoo!

Ellie

Got my first donation today. Yea!!!

Okay folks -

Got my i-pod last week and dusted off the old univega this weekend. Only did about 5 miles but its a start. My training has officially begun!!

All hot air

Hi all!

I found another link to Virgania Horsen's Hot Air Balloon Ride since it was taken down off YouTube. You can check this link out:

http://www.vimeo.com/725608


For when you need that extra pick-me-up...


Happy Spring!