Tom, It's a real thrill, isn't it?

My wife (Mrs Smokester) expressed a desire to ride the Cinderella Classic again this year. This is a ladies-only metric century (+optional challenge) that is held locally every year by our club. She started dilliegently training on her old 30 year old mixte. I tried to fix it up but in the end rationalized that the brakes were too weak, the gearing all wrong and the bike too heavy. So, I took a chance and built up a Salsa Casseroll with brifters and a Brooks B17 saddle (women's version). She loved it. A lot of our family volunteered for support on ride day and she finished the metric century in good style and very pleased with herself.

Recently, I told her that this summer I was going to take the train to Seattle and ride the northern part of the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) that I haven't done. To my surprise, she said she wanted to go, too...Not all the way back to near San Francisco, but for a couple of weeks. I know these two weeks will be much different than what would be if I were on my own, but in a good way.

Anyway, who knows where this will all end?

Unlike in our younger days, I now almost always ride behind or beside her unless I dash up a hill to take her picture or get water and chocolate ready. And, I try to set her up with friends who like to talk and look more than get sweaty and ride fast. I only compared my average speed to hers once...ONCE.

I wish you the best with Goldberry.