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October 16 report from Beth....
Babes,
The emails have been flying this morning, some to all the babes and some
to
just the century babes, so I thought I should report in to the whole
group
and try to capture a little of the atmosphere of this fabulous weekend
we
spent together.
By my count, 18 babes loaded in cars with prominently displayed babe
signs
(courtesy of Sue) on most of the vehicles at various times on Friday
afternoon and evening, then braved Bay bridge traffic, accidents, etc.
to all
arrive in Salisbury on Friday night. Many thanks to Babe Joannie
for getting
us great hotel rooms so close to the ride start!!!! We hung our
big Babes
banners across our hotel windows, and then some of us were able to
partake in
the pre-ride parties (new ride strategy courtesy of Sharon -- one big
glass
of wine before the big ride -- I don't endorse this by the way but it
seemed
to work for her).
We arose early the next morning and were immediately caught up in the
excitement as everyone at the hotel seemed to be getting their bikes
ready
for the ride. We arrived at the start around 7:15 which was
amazingly
festive. As the sun rose, several thousand riders in colorful
shirts and
spandex cheerfully danced to oldies, stretched and chatted excitedly.
After
many pre-ride photos, the babes took off looking spiffy in our shirts
and
beautiful new purple bandanas (many thanks to babe Lisa!!!)
The ride, in a word, was spectacular. It's a beautiful route,
through woods,
across wetlands, and around small farms. We lunched at fabulous
Assateague
Island, but not on century fare. Oh, no, not the babe princesses.
Dennis
prepared a wonderful lunch for us complete with tablecloth and
candles!!! He
also gave wonderful massages which prompted at least one babe to be
tempted
to "stay with Dennis just a little longer." We
pulled her away reminding
her of the importance of finishing the ride.
We all had wonderful pie and ice cream at the 80 mile mark, a welcome
stop
after some challenging headwinds. I can't begin to tell you
how much fun we
had along the way. Everyone's spirits were high and everyone,
without
exception, was very strong. Despite bike trouble, flat tires,
tummy aches, a
nasty episode with Ben Gay getting a little too close to what my mother
still
calls the "whosywhatsit", all the babes were flying!
By the end of the
ride, everyone knew the babes!!! Literally hundreds of people
talked to us,
commented on us, and loved us! One guy came up to me at the end
and said he
had been talking to babes all day and each and every one of us was happy
and
excited!! I told him we don't allow cranky women to be babes!!!!
We picked
up lots of new members, some of which have already emailed me!!!
Everyone was in by about 5:00, each greeted by the
babe group which was
assembled at the end to cheer everyone in. Thanks to Babe Sue for
the
wonderful certificates we all received and babes stickers she had made.
We
had lots of good time in the Beer garden afterwards, and unfortunately
many
babes had to leave us there. Some partied into the night,
others dropped
exhaustedly into bed.
About 7 of us had breakfast the next morning at a local
waffle house. While
we didn't have any identification on us, the table next to us looked at
us
and said excitedly to each other, "Those are the
babes!!!" Much conversation
ensued, the upshot of which is that we now have a Babes on Bikes ---
Long
Island chapter in the works!!!
We took off to Assateague and spent a lovely couple of hours strolling
on the
beautiful beach, swimming (well, just one of us was brave enough, but
after
all Nickie is used to those cold Grecian waters), and just soaking in
sun and
reminiscing about the ride.
Congrats to everyone who rode. Particular congrats to first-time
century
riders Heather, Glen, Peggy, Ruth, and Sandie (did I miss anyone) and to
Gaye
and Kathy who hadn't done one in ten years!!!! Congrats to Nancy B
and Nancy N for completing the metric century! It's an amazing accomplishment, one that I hope you will take some time
to revel in while you are catching up on all the laundry, dishes and homework that piled up in
your absence.
Special thanks also to boy toys who provided special
incentive at
key moments (David, you know who you are!) and an enormous thank you to
Dennis for everything -- from photos to lunch to massages (although we
have a
new rule, only single gals get massages!!).
Thanks also to every one of you who makes the group what it is.
The babes
are a fascinating composite of everything that makes women so
interesting and
so wonderful. I have learned much from each of you, and I feel so
blessed to
be a part of this.
Thanks especially to the true Top Babe, who created each of us and makes
this
kind of magic possible.
Beth
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October 15 report from Nancy N. who rode the metric
century...
I hope that you all had as good a ride as I did - I didn't see anyone
after
the ride. Sue and Kathy, I really enjoyed your company on the
first part of
the ride, and you were right - I didn't ride alone (unless I felt like
it)
for the rest of the metric - I moved in and out of a whole series of
nice
groups.
Lots of other thank yous -
Jennifer H. - the knee braces were a GREAT idea - my knees didn't even
twinge
at the end of the ride.
Beth - your list of reminders was a lifesaver - I didn't know about
vaseline.
(It's my new best friend)
Peggy, Jennifer H, Sue - your advice on clothing was invaluable - I
haven't
been too cold or too warm on a ride since.
Nancy B - thanks for egging me on to register for the ride!
Jennifer and Gaye - thanks for all the things you taught me during the
WABA
ride - and for taking care of me when I started to flag so I didn't quit
Joan - thanks for orchestrating the jerseys, but most of all, thanks for
suggesting that I check out the Babes.
Lisa - kept telling me to ignore that 12 miles per hour that had me
intimidated
so ... I don't know when I would have gotten around to trying out the
rides
if she hadn't kept repeating it.
and all of you, thanks for making this so much fun! I actually got
a little
choked up at the finish line - I hope you're all doing the century again
next
year, because I'd really like to do it with you.
Nancy
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October 15 report from Maureen...
I just wanted to say "amen" to what Nancy
said in her last message. I really
enjoyed the ride and the Babes made it so. The comments I got about the
wonderful shirts were amazing! Thanx to Joan for the design and
for going to
the trouble of sending me the jersey.
Riding with Sue was an extra treat. She and my friend Pete ( guy who
hung
around at lunch) made the ride especially enjoyable. I finished in
my best
time ever. I had three invitations for dinner and was treated to lunch
with
the Babes. When I got home last night, I could hardly fit in to my
doorway,
my head was so big.
Maureen
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