Well, I've completed a bike tour of Wine Country with Backroads. I signed up for this trip in early January, thinking it would get me some early mileage and give me a boost on my way to the first century of the year. It certainly accomplished that: the first four days were 32, 47, 49, and 51 miles. But, by day four we were riding completely in the rain, and a windy, drenching rain greeted us on day five. So, I chose not to ride on flooded roads in torrential, windy downpours. Instead, I did what all good red-blooded Americans would do when faced with nothing to do in Napa. I went wine tasting! Let nobody claim that I can't make good of a bad situation.
The rides were certainly challenging. When we did not have rain, we had headwinds. It took a lot of gumption to get back on the bike and ride. There were some serious hills, and I don't believe Backroads fits their bikes with the right gears. Their smallest chainring is a 30 tooth, and the rear is a 32 tooth. At home, for example, I have a 24 in the front and a 34 in the back, and I still don't think I get down low enough.
But, after a long hill at the end of the 50 mile ride, I think I still had something left in the tank. So, the basic goal of training for century rides seems to be achieved.
More pictures of the tour can be seen at my webspace album.
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