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Meeting the CHALLENGE

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The Cheaha Challenge is over for another year. It is said to be the toughest ride in the South. I'd hate to see a tougher one. I rode the 102 miles on Sunday. All I can say is, "I finished!" This was the toughest thing I've ever done. Nothing else even comes close. The grueling climbs followed by swift downhills kept coming and coming and coming. By the half-way mark, I was very tired. By the end of the hills, I was exhausted. I rode the last 20 miles back to Piedmont on guts only. I honestly thought I wouldn't make it. But I did and I am proud.

Today I have been resting. My legs are like jello. I really needed a bigger cog on the back. I was washing it today and saw how small it looked. The third chain ring didn't give the huge advantage I expected. It was more like having 1 extra gear. When I shifted down to it from the 2nd, there wasn't a huge difference. Next year I think I'll man a SAG stop.

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