8.03.2011

The Beach Babe Bicycling Classic Tour Report

The Green Girl and Lexa made their touring debut at the Long Beach Beach Babe Bicycling Classic along with fellow Sole Runners, Isabelle, Kathleen, and Miyuki.

The 38 mile route started at The Queen Mary, went along the Shoreline Bikepath, through the Peninsula and Naples, through Seal Beach and Sunset Beach and then turned around at the Huntington Beach Pier.

The ride was created by women for women and it was evident in the thoughtful touches throughout the tour.


PACE 'Chillin' ? mph
The event started off with welcome activities that included a raffle costume contest.

At the start, the riders seeded themselves based on their anticipated speeds.

We quickly identified our section by the 'PACE 'Chillin' ? mph' sign.


PACE 'Sizzling' +17 mph
When I realized each rider went down the starting chute solo, all my fears about taking out other cyclists like dominoes were assuaged and I relaxed.

The course was well marked with Beach Babe Bicycling Classic signs and there were also plenty of volunteers directing traffic.

About 10 miles into the tour, at Eisenhower Park in Seal Beach, we stopped at the well stocked rest stop for some refreshments and snacks.


Sole Runners having lunch at the Beach Babe Bicycling Classic medals
I'm a very food motivated Green Girl so the tour highlight for me was the lunch at Zack's at the Huntington Beach Pier.

We got to enjoy turkey sandwiches, salad, and fresh fruit with ice cold lemonade before we headed back to the start.

When we got to the Finish, we each received a Beach Babe Bicycling Classic medal.

I dropped Lexa off at the Bicycle Valet and then we all sat down and enjoyed the live entertainment while we ate some more food.


Sole Runners with our Beach Babe Bicycling Classic medals
They handed out more raffle prizes and thanked all the participants for attending.

The event was extremely well organized and they were clearly prepared for riders of all abilities and experience.

Now that Lexa and I have some tour riding experience, I am feeling more confident about next month's Tour DaVita.

15 comments:

  1. That looks like so much fun! And I love the 'chillin' pace too...right up my alley

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  2. I wouldn't have been brave enough to sign up for something like that, but it looks like SO much fun!! Yay you!

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  3. Chillin pace- sounds like my kind of pace! Nicely done!

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  4. Medals? I did a freaking century and didn't get no dang medal!!!! JEALOUS! And lunch mid-ride? HUH?

    I've been wondering how the ride went...looks like you survived - and had fun! YAY!

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  5. Love "Pace Chillin'." My friend told me of a race where they serve lobster with 20 miles to go. I said, "I am SO doing that race!"

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  6. I'm a food motivated person too : )

    Happy you're feeling good about your race!

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  7. What a blast!!
    "Beach babe"... Love that!
    When there's a "pace slower than crap" lmk!! I'm in!

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  8. Good thing you kept your helmets on at lunch. Safety first!

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  9. That looked like so much fun! Beach babes. Love it!

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  10. Well done with your first tour, awesome! I think with cycling a well organized event is even more important than with running.

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  11. That sounds like a really fun ride.
    Good for you and good luck next month.

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  12. What a fun race! Amazing!!! Love the blog :)

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  13. Sounds like a great race - love the chillin' pace:)

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  14. What an awesome tour to be a part of! I'm jealous! Sounds like it was a lot of fun.

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