Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Athena @ Beach Babe Bicycling Classic 2012

Here is my Strava Ride Data:
http://app.strava.com/rides/13592527

Got a couple PR's :thumb:

I never once used my small chain ring (there weren't lots of hills but there were some small ones that in the past I would have gone to an easier gear) :o

Here I am with one of my Beach Cities Womens Cyclists club pals:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo1-DaniandIatstart.jpg

Was a beautiful day that started out a bit overcast (we call it June gloom here even tho it happens in other months too). It cleared up by mid-ride tho and was gorgeous. The ride utilized quite a bit of beach path/MUP instead of the road, which I hated because you have to not only watch out for the inexperienced riders on the event but pedestrians, strollers, dogs, kids on skateboards, rollerbladers, surfers crossing the path with their boards etc. I narrowly avoided a few collisions due to inattention by these "obstacles". They DON'T look before trying to cross! I had to yell out a few times and had my hands on the brakes ready to hit em (which I don't want to do suddenly in case a rider is close behind me).

Some of the nice views:
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo21-LongBeachbeachfrombikepath.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo13-BeachviewfrombikepathonwaybackfromHB-stillinHB.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo9-OceanbetweenSunsetBchandHB.jpg

Here is a fellow rider on the beach path in Long Beach toward end of ride. That was the jersey they sold for the ride. I pre-ordered one and paid for it in March (XXL) hoping and praying it would fit me. Well, the organizers chose two options for fit that resulted in my not being able to wear my jersey (Ladies & Race Fit)...I typically don't fit well in ladies shirts/jerseys due to my build/weight. I managed to get the jersey ON...but I was encased like a sausage and was NOT wearing it for the ride as planned.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo20-BeachBaberiderinBBjerseyheadingtowardfinishinLBonbeachpath.jpg

Here I am at the turn-around point in Huntington Beach near the Pier.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo12-MeatturnaroundpitstopinHB.jpg

Here I am at one of the tech stops on the route with the GM for one of my clubs Sponsors (Jax Bicycles - where I have purchased 4 bikes to date).

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo28-MyselfandMattfromJax.jpg

At end of ride in Long Beach with my BCWC pal and her twin sister.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Beach%20Babe%207-15-12/Photo24-DaniMeandGiselleatfinishcloseup2.jpg

Funny how when I signed up for this ride way back in early March, I thought 32 miles was a LONG LONG LONG ride. Now it is no big deal. I could have ridden faster than my stats show but I was riding with my two friends and it isn't a race so we just cruised and enjoyed ourselves.

Nice report!

Good report! I love your jersey. And the white sunglasses.

I saw some of you while I was on my way to the farmers' market, so I Googled the event after I got home. Looks like you had a wonderful time!

This looks like a fabulous way to spend a Saturday. It's even better that you got to do it with friends. Congratulations on completing the 32 miles!

Did you see the ghost bike on PCH?

Like! :thumb:

Oh Beach - here's another ride for you if you're interested. It's called the "tour de sewer" and starts in Bell Gardens on Oct. 21. that's not too far from you.

http://www.bellgardenslions.com/

I can't find the routes but somebody emailed me the 60 mile route - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/324449

I know that's exciting because it goes right by my house, so there's that little bit of excitement built in.

Did you see the ghost bike on PCH?

Unfortunately they routed us thru that section between Warner and Seapoint on the beach bike path (ugh). And the same on the way back. Guess too many inexperienced riders to use PCH.

On 4th of July, my club did a ride that came back that way and I snapped a photo of it.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/GhostBikeMemorialforbikerkilledon6-22-12.jpg

Oh Beach - here's another ride for you if you're interested. It's called the "tour de sewer" and starts in Bell Gardens on Oct. 21. that's not too far from you.

http://www.bellgardenslions.com/

I can't find the routes but somebody emailed me the 60 mile route - http://ridewithgps.com/routes/324449

I know that's exciting because it goes right by my house, so there's that little bit of excitement built in.

Saw that too recently on Active. I'm doing the MS ride that weekend (at least that is my plan, but who knows if I don't raise enough funds...I may do this instead).

Good report! I love your jersey. And the white sunglasses.

Thanks...you can find the jersey at http://www.3feetplease.com

My sunglasses are Oakley's and I love them (I better as I paid a fortune between the frames and custom prescription lenses)


This looks like a fabulous way to spend a Saturday. It's even better that you got to do it with friends. Congratulations on completing the 32 miles!

Thank you. It was nice to ride with people I know on an event. The last couple events I rode solo and that is no fun...the miles go by so much faster and easier with someone to share the experience.

32 miles is a pretty average ride for me now funny enough. When I signed up for this ride in early March, I did not yet have a road bike and that many miles seemed nearly impossible. I was also about 30 lbs heavier than I am now. All the riding I have been doing (1247.1 miles since Feb 21, 2012) have helped with that. I did a 25 mile ride on the day before this event. Piece of cake for me now. I am working at building my endurance for Metric Centuries and Century rides and trying to add hills to my workouts.

I saw some of you while I was on my way to the farmers' market, so I Googled the event after I got home. Looks like you had a wonderful time!

You should do it next year.

I can see that you've lost substantial weight. Congratulations! Cycling is the perfect activity-- it's lots of fun and the weight comes off as a bonus. You're looking good, Beachgrad.

Very cool, I was at Huntington this week too.
http://i48.tinypic.com/2vubo6b.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/500fg1.jpg