So… what is all this cycle-talk for anyway?
What? You haven’t heard? No? Oh… well in that case, let me fill you in…
Every year for the last nine, North Carolina Amateur Sports has run a Fall “Mountains to Coast” bike tour called “Cycle North Carolina” (or “CNC”). The ride for 2008 will be the 10th Anniversary ride, from September 27 to October 4, going from Black Mountain, NC, to Oak Island, NC, and I will be going.
What’s that? I’ve never been much of a cyclist before now? I’m going to kill myself on this ride? Well, that was kind of the point…
I need to lose some weight, and losing the weight by itself doesn’t seem to be much of a motivation to me. So, in late 2007, I decided that I was going to participate in the next CNC. This would require that I train for the event in order to survive it. Over the course of training, I’ve found that I very much enjoy riding my bicycle for long distances, having done a few solo half-centuries (50 miles) and a solo metric-century (100 kilometers, or 62.5 miles). I get a lot of audio-book-listening done, see a lot of great countryside, and get a lot of exercise.
Anyway… CNC this year will be at least 440 miles over the span of seven days. (I say “at least” because one of the longer days will have a century-option of which I plan to take advantage.) I’m riding a Cannondale mountain bike (yes, I said mountain bike) that I’ve had for 12 years or so (so it’s a hardtail… no suspension, front or back) and previously used for commuting to work and some light trail riding in and around in San Francisco. I made some updates to the bike last week (new slicker tires, clipless pedals, longer handlebar with bar extenders) but it’s still no road bike. I’m not riding for speed or efficiency… I’m riding for exercise! Why would I want to make it easier?
Here’s the trip highlights for those who are interested (avoid the PDF brochure: it was made for printing, not for online reading)… it looks like the overnight stops will be a lot of fun.
Wish me luck!