Cycle the WAVE

A year ago, while sitting at a restaurant with my girlfriend, Connie, she told me about a cycling ride that she wanted to participate in and asked if I would be interested in riding as well. I completed some research and decided that it would be a fun ride with a great cause. Cycle the WAVE (Women Against Violence Everywhere) is a local ride that helps raise awareness and funds for the fight against domestic violence. It is a ride for women only and has 4 mileage breakouts to choose from. There are some sweet swag bags, beautiful jerseys, fun t-shirts and lots of wonderful volunteers to help out on the big day.

Sometime in June I decided to start training for this ride and over the last few months have completed the following:

• 485.8 miles training


• 44.55 hours in the saddle


• 2 falls - one a Charlie Chaplin moment, the second left me with some severe road rash, bruises and scars


• Two flats


• Greater confidence in road riding


All culminating in:

• One day


• 6:09:31 finishing time


• 3 flats


• 61.5 miles


• 4 liters nutrition consumed


• 4,177 feet elevation gain


• Title obtained: Burly Girl!!

Not sure if I'll do this ride again; there were quite a few things I did not appreciate about the ride. If I did do it again I would only do the Middle Sister ride (42 miles) and I would ask my mom to accompany me! There was a definite sense of satisfaction that I completed one of the hardest things in my life, but still some feelings of frustration and definitely some sore muscles. Nick was so sweet and was at every rest stop to help trade out my nutrition bottles, provide his coat to keep me warm, check my bike and cheer me on. I would not have been able to finish this ride without his support - thanks babe!!