Chicks ride differently than guys

You can tell by the smiles in the photo, chicks have fun when they ride.  They can be competitive, but it's really all about encouraging each other and waiting for all riders.  Tonight we rode the full back bay loop.  It was challenging because of the rollies and everyone was able to practice their gear changing on the hills.  We had a stiff headwind coming along the inside trail, but also enjoyed some nice downhills that we definitely earned.

 

Another thing that separates chicks from guys, is it's all about "color".  I remember when Pat was shopping for her bike.  The sales guy and I were looking for the best deal and a complete bike which had good components and would last her a long time.  Pat was looking for "color".  She compromised by buying a pearl white bike (notice the color description, guys would just say white).  She knows she can accessorize and add color as she wishes.

Then when we showed Karen a very lovely feminine bike, pale blue with white hibiscus flowers faded into the paint, her comment was I really don't like light blue.....  Even Chris admits that the lavender metallic color was definitely a draw in her decision.

I do have to tell you that I've officiated at a lot of bike races and during the women's fields, it really is more social.  They spend the first multiple laps of a criterium, talking to each other, before the challenge of getting down to the competitiveness of racing.  Even before the race starts you can hear them talking about nail polish colors they use as touch up paint for chips in the pain on their bikes.

Back to our ride..... after the last hill, coasting the final 1/4 mile, Becky said, "This has been my favorite ride so far."   So it was worth the drive to start there and worth all of the hills.

Some of us will be doing the Sunday OCW short ride from Irvine. 

http://www.ocw.org/RideCalendaraspx/RidesbyDay.aspx?Date=6/19/2011

Guests are welcome.  Also Sunday is the time to sign up for OCW's Amtrak century (100 miles in one day).  See Theresa or Pat if you are interested in signing up or training for this challenge.