Little Red Riding Hood Century

We signed up for this race months ago and all of the sudden it was here. It's an all women's ride with 6 different lengths. We did the 103 mile option. There were 2600 women riding of all ages and skill levels. The race was so well run and the volunteers were great. The food before, during and after was great and there were so many porta potties along the way. There was even a portable hand washing station for us at lunch. They know their crowd I guess. It ended up only being 3 of us because Traci got too sick to ride with us. Next year we'll all be out there and maybe have a few more with us. Trust me if you bike (and your a chick) you want to do this ride.

Leigh Anne's husband James drove us, made sure our bikes were tip top, met us every 30 miles to see if we needed anything and even helped a few others on the course. It was so great to have him supporting us. Thanks James you rock!

The start of the ride was freezing. It was cold and the roads were wet so we layered up. Thank goodness I over packed and brought a few of everything. Leigh Anne and Gretchen both had on 2 layers over their jerseys and I threw on my jacket and vest (the best part about that is that my jacket fills up with air so my sleeves were very poofy while we rode but my vest kept the rest tight so it looked like I had 80 prom sleeves on - several people commented on them and someone actually thought I dressed up on purpose).

Leigh Anne, Me and Gretchen

The first 60 miles we made great time. We were averaging around 20 mph and not pushing ourselves too hard. We had this really long steep downhill and I actually hit 40 mph. Then about 20 miles later we had to climb a very long hill right before lunch. I was ready to get off my bike by lunchtime and it felt great to stretch and eat. It had warmed up by now and the weather was perfect.

The funniest thing I heard the whole day was when I heard this girl say "does it help if I break the wind" to her friend. She was being so sincere and I giggled like a 4th grade boy. But honestly...that is some funny stuff!

Me, Gretchen and Leigh Anne

After lunch we hit a MAJOR headwind for a good 25-30 miles. It was completely demoralizing and we could barely maintain 14 mph for most of it while pushing hard. Drafting didn't help much because it was a cross wind but we just kept pedaling through it. Every time a gust would come you would hear Leigh just grunt - it was hilarious but definitely how we all felt.

The course was amazing and completely beautiful. It was so bright green. I just kept looking around me at the farmland and streams and the mountains thinking of just how beautiful it was. The downside to all this farmland beauty was the smell - it smelled like manure pretty much the whole ride.

Gretchen, Me and Leigh Anne
So excited to be done!

Kickin' it with the big bad wolf at the end.


It was a great ride and I will definitely do this one again. By the end of the race and the whole drive home I was so slap happy...I had way too many caffeine shots in my gels I guess.