I had to get up at 4:45 (yes, in the morning!) to arrive at Hillsboro Stadium in time for the start, but it was totally worth it. This was different than any other event ride start I've experienced before - a very special start - the 100 or so riders doing the century started together and we were "led out" by a racer from American Diabetes Assn team. What a great way to start the day.
The course was gorgeous and some of it was familiar due to overlap with past Harvest Century routes. Beautiful, rolling hills in wine country. There was no traffic save official support vehicles, which was a shame because it was total overkill. Probably 25 or so vehicles for only 100 riders. Geez, it's Tour de Cure, not Tour de France.
I made a new friend - a girl named MaryJean who was wearing the same jersey as me but riding for a different team - The Pedaling Penguins. Never heard of 'em, but great name. She told me you can suck nectar right out of clover buds, which I immediately stopped and tried.
We made up new lyrics for an old camp song. The refrain is "There's a hill on the ride up ahead". It has like 25 verses. While high on clover nectar and singing to the hills we were climbing, we missed a turn and added 10 miles to our day. We really gave 110%!
oooh i *thought* i remembered doing that as a kid, when i smelled the clover out there last weekend. but i thought i might've been imagining it. (i was on the Chris King Gourmet Century, not the Tour de Cure) now i want to stop at the next clover field i see and try it.
ReplyDeleteI love that at my age I can still be called a girl. Additionally, there is not nearly enough singing going on on the road. So Maria, thanks for helping cure that deficiency during this ride.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, I sang our 'hill' song during the infamous Throbbing Thigh Thriller in Ridgefield today. It helped keep my mind off my tired knees.
Best,
MaryJean