[Megabeth]

“kittens with top hats”…Whoops, that was me all three times.

[Megabeth]

On the bike trainer last night, part of what I did was pedal using one leg, alternating each minute.

I feel every one of those muscles today. Ow ow ow.

It’s amazing how isolating each leg makes you focus on the whole mechanics of the pedaling circle and the motions required to get you through that whole circle.

[Megabeth]

Also, full disclosure, I didn’t ride on New Year’s Day, so I’m already down those daily points…

[Megabeth]

Put me in coach, I’m ready to play. Thanks for possibility of joining via late sign-up. Hope I can do whatever team I get put on proud.

[Megabeth]

Enough is enough! I have had it with these #*(&$ bikes on this *((*&#@ plane!

(Sorry, couldn’t help myself.)

[Megabeth]

Can I do it counter-clockwise? I’m still dizzy…

[Megabeth]

@rcannon100 38945 wrote:

We started talking about Freezing Saddles a month ago, and registration started on Dec. 4.

Ha! Ironically, the Hains Point 100 was “born” the evening of December 3rd so I lost all touch with reality since then…

Rather than cause any statistical upheaval, I can withdraw and just cheer from the sidelines. (Any team that would like me to kick Mark in the knees so it reduces his mileage, I do take bribes…)

[Megabeth]

I submitted my form. I hope the All Powerful Oz will let me in. I’ve been (sorta) good this year.

(My strava doesn’t have my commuter and short haul rides in it…I’ll load them all up in 2013. I promise!)

[Megabeth]

D’oh! Uh, is it too late to join a team? (Sorry, I got a little distracted over the past few weeks…)

[Megabeth]

We did the ride back several times back when there wasn’t a lottery. Last time we did it was in 2001. So, some of this information may be dated…

It is definitely a great ride. Riding and looking up at Radio City Music Hall just sticks in my mind. Riding over the Verrazano Bridge was flippin’ fantastic. You get to see New York in a way you never otherwise get to see.

But, if you do it, get there early early early to be near the front. We had lots of bottlenecks on short inclines (like the 59th Street Bridge) where folks hopped off their bikes without warning and starting pushing them up causing a domino effect because folks couldn’t get by. This happened several times during the ride. They might have taken care of some of that over the years; but, it can definitely slow down your ride experience.

We also learned to plan on spending the night after the ride. It saves a little of the worry of having to wait to get on the ferry and then get too tired on the ride home. I believe we stayed at the Embassy Suites near Battery Park (I used points for the hotel night, definitely worth it). So, it was a short ride from getting off the ferry, getting to the hotel, and then getting a good dinner.

Over the years, it just got a little *too* crowded so we stopped doing it, since we’d done it several times before, in favor of some other rides. But, I do recommend doing it at least once.

[Megabeth]

I want to thank EVERYONE who came out to ride and to donate to WABA’s Women & Bicycles program.

I have to say, my head is still spinning (yes, it’s going clockwise over, and over, and over again) with everything that happened just over the span of a few weeks.

I came through on my promise and rode 100 miles (plus two for good luck) around Hains Point and you all came through with your donations.

We are pleased to announce that the Hains Point 100 has raised over $1500 for the program. We also had over 100 riders show up yesterday.

This ride could not have been done without the generosity and support of others. From your bike decorations, to signs (Thanks, Kathy!), to baked goods, to people blowing on vuvuzelas throughout the day, to folks I’d never met before let me draft off of you for miles and miles – you are all near and dear to my heart.

Even better news! It was announced yesterday that there is now a generous program supporter that is now matching donations up to $4000. About $550 of the money raised so far from the Hains Point 100 will be matched by that grant.

So, if you haven’t donated yet, or you missed the ride, don’t worry, the funds donated to Women & Bicycles from now until the end of the year will get matched! Get your donation in here before the end of 2012.

Again, thank you!

[Megabeth]

@Bilsko 38778 wrote:

I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s ride!

I am too!!!

By the way, folks can follow the ride day festivities on Twitter: @HainsPoint100 Ride hashtag: #HP100

[Megabeth]

I happy to let ya’ll know that additional “ride day” details are now posted.

[Megabeth]

Thank you for the chem warmers and the possible hot cocoa set-up! There will be many happy feets and tummys out there.

Just so everyone knows, no e-mails have gone out yet. We are combining one final e-mail to everyone with ride day details. We have had a major uptick in riders over the past few days so I want to make sure I have as many people who are intending to come on the list. And, there are a lot more details to coordinate because of the uptick…which is awesome, but makes more moving parts. Phew!

[Megabeth]

Some have already seen this on the Facebook page but…

Like New Belgium beer? I know I do! (Especially after this ride!)

Like it so much that you’d like a jersey or a trucker hat or a pair of socks from New Belgium Brewery?

Well, you’re in luck! FIVE lucky rider/donors will receive a New Belgium Beer swag package on Sunday.

Oh yeah!

Also, if you want to donate you can go to this new direct link to make your donations to WABA’s Women & Bicycles program.

If you are riding, please be sure you fill out the rider form on the Hains Point 100 page so I know you’re coming.

[Author]

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