Bike Benzie was August 19th

Sunday August 19th marked my first time participating in a large event like this.  At 17 to 100 miles I chose the 30 mile loop. I saw that registration started at 7:30am according to the website but the ride would begin at 11:00am.  I didn’t want to attend all of the activities so I went at 10:00am.  I didn’t realize that there was no mass start – so I could have come early and started early – very important for next year when I will do more miles.  I left at 11:00am and began a slow easy climb out from Crystal Mountain.  Never had to use the front gears.  The back country was beautiful.  Homestead road had some old things I hadn’t seen since I was a kid in Oakland County 50 years ago.  An old stone watering trough.  Barns ready for recycling.  A mix of fields and red pine plantations and everything was very green because of recent rains.  Turning right onto Marshall Road it looked straight up!  A mile climb the last 1/2 mile had to go 4-500 feet.  At the top was the old Narrow Gauge Road winding into Beulah and cherry pie at the train station.  Heading back I was passed by a couple of returning centurions.  The hills that were no challenge at the start used all my gears after 30 miles and I wasn’t the only one having to dig.  I play hockey during the week so biking seems like a nice compliment to the same muscle groups.  I swam distance in high school and wind has never been an issue.  I usually am just getting started when everyone else is done.  This doesn’t always work well when a game clock is involved.  I started this year low impact with the Ride For Silence then did a school bike-a-thon.  I’m hoping to get a fourth event in this year and may look at combining the swimming and biking next year – although my knees don’t like running.