I participated in my first organized event last Saturday - the Cartersville Century. Since my longest ride prior to this event was 43 miles, I decided to do the 55 mile route instead of the full century. It was the right choice - the last 7 miles were pretty hard and I was very tired on Sunday.

Here's my Dahon Mu SL all ready to go. The yellow jerseyed man on the right is actually my neighbor living one block over from me in Marietta about 45 miles from Cartersville. I had never met him prior to this. He had mechanical problems at the start and turned back. His Land Rover was still there when I left so I assume he did the full 55 miles he was planning.

This is the view of the course from the head of the pack! It's also the view from the far rear when you can no longer see the lead pack. I completed the 55 mile course in about 4 hours so you know which this photo represents. Don't make me say it...

This is one of the rest areas - I wondered what was up with all the BMW jersey's but not enough to ask. Seems a good 25 percent of the riders I saw wore them. This was at the second break 28 miles in and 3 miles before I had to choose between 55 and 100 miles. I was really feeling good coming out of the break. I strongly considered trying the 100 but wimped. The pack shot is just after the rest stop.

These are a couple of the more unusual sights from the day. There were also number of recumbents but I didn't manage to get any bents on film. The tandem in this shot is inscribed: "Warning: Grandparents at play." They pulled me up a hill not long after the break and well ... let's just say my grandma never looked that good. The bike rack on the motorcycle is priceless. I love that.

My Dahon was very popular - lots of comments from riders passing me. Most wanted to know if I had to pedal harder on the little wheels. I told that it was geared similarly to their bikes but didn't have the high gear they had but it could. Told them it was more like riding only on the middle ring of their three-front ring bikes or the little ring if they had a two-ring front. I didn't see any other folders or small wheeled bikes there.

I saw perhaps 4 tandems, a dozen bents, a couple of racked touring bikes, and a wide variety of road bikes ranging from the highly aero to the almost antique. no tt bars though.

It was fun. I'm looking forward to doing an actual century soon.

dalmore,

Congrats on your first century, well, 55er! I've always wanted to participate in an organized ride like that. I keep forgetting about the 5 boro bike tour in NYC. Perhaps next year! Congrats again!

This is one of the rest areas - I wondered what was up with all the BMW jersey's but not enough to ask. Seems a good 25 percent of the riders I saw wore them. This was at the second break 28 miles in and 3 miles before I had to choose between 55 and 100 miles. I was really feeling good coming out of the break. I strongly considered trying the 100 but wimped. The pack shot is just after the rest stop.

BMW is a co-sponsor of the North Atlanta Riding Club (NARC) along with Free-Flite Bicycles in Marietta (GA). If you shop at FF, I think NARC members get a 10% discount. More info here: http://freeflite.com/page.cfm?PageID=262

Cartersville is a great place to ride, very pastoral scenery. Congrats on the 55! A century is something you should build up to. Now, if you want to get in 75, you could do the Silver Comet Trail round trip. A great century for first timers is the Cruising In The Country century in Claxton, GA in November. More info here: http://www.claxtonevanschamber.com/event.htm

Oh, by the way...ordered a semi-customized Swift yesterday! :D

Thanks progre-ss and Zonker. And congrts on the swift order. Let me know when you get it, I'd like to see one up close and personal from all the raves I read. just let me shred my credit cards first ;)

Hey Zonker,

Does the Southern Bicycle League still exist?? I was a founding member and we had thousands back in the mid 70s. I owned Hilton Cyclery in Columbus GA. I also managed AAA bikes and founded the Chattahoochee Co-Op in Columbus GA and was also Co-Founder of the Chattahoochee Wheelmen club.

A friend named Bill Started Arnold Cyclery in Columbus.

Georgia can be one gorgeous place to ride once you are out of the city.

Slim

Hey Zonker,

Does the Southern Bicycle League still exist?? I was a founding member and we had thousands back in the mid 70s. I owned Hilton Cyclery in Columbus GA. I also managed AAA bikes and founded the Chattahoochee Co-Op in Columbus GA and was also Co-Founder of the Chattahoochee Wheelmen club.

A friend named Bill Started Arnold Cyclery in Columbus.

Georgia can be one gorgeous place to ride once you are out of the city.

Slim

Hey Zonker,

Does the Southern Bicycle League still exist?? I was a founding member and we had thousands back in the mid 70s. I owned Hilton Cyclery in Columbus GA. I also managed AAA bikes and founded the Chattahoochee Co-Op in Columbus GA and was also Co-Founder of the Chattahoochee Wheelmen club.

A friend named Bill Started Arnold Cyclery in Columbus.

Georgia can be one gorgeous place to ride once you are out of the city.

Slim

Slim, The SBL certainly is still alive and kicking. They maintain a web site here: http://www.bikesbl.org/

I haven't been to Columbus in many years. I wonder what the cycling scene is like now?