Ride Dujour

[thoreau]

One of the ride organizers does a set of distance rides every other Sunday - today is a 70 miler. Most of Chris's rides are challenging and have hills in them - that I would probably not try if I wasn't out with a group. So it's a good thing I go - because hill training is important. But his writing and descriptions are always so positive and energetic:

"This ride gives you a vigorous workout with lots of gentle hills and just a couple moderate climbs to keep you on your toes. We begin with the scenic ride through Stevens Canyon and up and over Mount Eden into Saratoga and Los Gatos. After that, we'll travel around the south end of San Jose and gradually climb our way to the Calero Reservoir. Then we'll drop down into the north end of Coyote Valley and head back into San Jose for our lunch stop and our return through Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Cupertino. Total climbing for this ride is about 2,700 feet, but most of it is gradual. Headwinds are possible on the return from San Jose."

- in other words - prepare to have your ass handed to you in a bike helmet - and to curse your way up hills you wouldn't even attempt in a car, leave alone a bicycle.

Notice, however - I'm eager to do it - what does that say about me?