Chicks that ride at night...

or perhaps this should read, Chicks that are ready for the century ride....or Chicks that mourn the end of summer.  Or maybe even Chicks that use excuses -- "it's too hot", "it's gonna get dark", "the kids have soccer practice", "the air conditioning broke", "my grip fell off".

Monday was Labor day and many of us rode on the long weekend.  Pat, Suzanne and Karen did 50 miles on Sunday.  Karen on her HOT new silver Raleigh road bike. She was fast! Theresa rode Torrey Pines on Saturday and then again on Monday with Chris.  The Century training chicks are ready!  Only two more days and we will be on our way to San Diego from Irvine.

Wednesday night we got to try out our lights as we started our normal Shady Canyon Route, climbed the hill and then traveled Bonita Canyon to Jamboree, where we climbed up Jamboree again.  Here we met the back bay trail for our route back to Barranca and Harvard.   Our trip back up the trail was in the dark.  Theresa, Chris and Pat  had front and tail lights to help guide the others.  As it is getting darker earlier and earlier it may be our last full group evening ride and we will be limited to weekends until next Spring.

What a long way all the chicks have come, remember those first couple of rides in March and April when it was a struggle to get through 8 miles and how slow it was.  Wednesday night no one thought anything of hopping on the bike (after a quick restroom stop) and doing 20 miles with hills!

Don't forget to sign up for Trek's Breast Cancer Fundraising ride on October 8th   http://www.active.com/cycling/costa-mesa-ca/trek-breast-cancer-awareness-ride-two-wheels-one-planet-2011.  It's 25 miles which will be a piece of cake and a fun event.

Chris, Pat and Theresa will be starting early in the morning on Saturday for the trek to San Diego. If you see a north bound Amtrak train after 4:30 pm, be sure and wave as they are sure to be on it.  Yes, you too Pat, as we know you will make the train.  Perhaps the next column should be Chicks that make the train.