Monday, January 30, 2006

BAD-ASS BABES

What a great ride! Pat and Shannon and I, 47 miles, sharing drafting, sharing talk.... totally super. We took a break at halftime going through a smalltown historical museum. We shared Power Bars and peanut bars. We had a blast. Pat is 65 and Shannon is, probably, about 60, and then there's me bringing up the rear at 54.... we whooped along about 15mph and had a blast. Shannon hadn't done more than 15 miles this winter so it was a long stretch for her but she totally held her own. These are some hard-muscled babes. Pat has cycled across the country, does 200-300 miles a week during her normal biking season. I didn't get as much detail on Shannon but she's done mountain-bike trips lasting days, and both of them talk about 15-18-hour mountain hikes like a walk in the woods. I feel so good!

A lot of fun, and after my 3-day rest I felt wonderful!

Today's ride took me, on my virtual bike ride across the nation, into the spectacular Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon... my first short-term goal and a heaven-sent place to rest up from "serious" biking for a couple days while doing some easy jogging, bike-cruising, and hiking. Please, please check the link to find out why I'm so enthralled! /Also check my sidebar link, Bike America under Training-Fantasy Maps, to see where I've been. In 1971 Steve was working in nearby Chemult, OR, for the summer; I was in Maryland, after our second year at Michigan State University, and we pretty much fell in love via mail that summer. I "rode" through Chemult on my way to Crater Lake.

8 comments:

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I just love stories like this, because that's the kind of woman I aspire to be.

Thanks for posting!

:) said...

What a great day!

Born To Endure said...

I love your dog and your avatar!!!

Tammy said...

I spent a weekend at Crater Lake last summer. It's gorgeous! But way off the beaten path, and you run out of things to do pretty quickly. We had our bikes with us, but didn't ride... only hiked. I have a ton of pics, so if you to see any, just shoot me an email.

Una said...

Oh my God it's beautiful Ellie. I don't know if I'd want to leave! Good idea to virtually visit.

Great ride ladies :)

Kewl Nitrox said...

That's a fantastic ride!

The photo of the velodrome, you are not currently near one are you?

Vickie said...

Ellie, sounds like you will be one bad ass babe come November riding like this now!

E-Speed said...

Wow I need to get out on my bike :)