tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post1829623867809111394..comments2008-06-10T17:27:09.058-05:00Rogerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06299633199465525149noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-85703020331562863552008-06-10T17:27:00.000-05:002008-06-10T17:27:00.000-05:00I attended a bike-a-thon this weekend that's about a 90-mile drive for most of the people who attend from Seattle. Participation was down by 50%; and a lot of people car-pooled to get there.BikingBishttp://www.bikingbis.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-10194741031728784222008-06-10T02:24:00.000-05:002008-06-10T02:24:00.000-05:00Besides the gas prices, the weather<BR/>hasn't been the greatest this year <BR/>either. We've skipped a few rides <BR/>this year because of rain, high <BR/>winds, or adnormally cool weather.<BR/>Your BABES Hidden Lake Winery Ride was one we skipped when we woke to rain in the morning.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-85882526939024313442008-06-09T18:08:00.000-05:002008-06-09T18:08:00.000-05:00Roger, <BR/><BR/>The gas prices have definitely turned me away from doing numerous rides this year already -- the TDS and Hostelling's first century were the two exceptions. I was planning on doing Chief's ride, but because of the cost of gas, decided to pass (gave a donation instead). Same for the second Hostelling century. <BR/><BR/>While I would prefer to ride on low-traffic roads in the country for my long (> 30 miles) rides, I am reconciling myself to the idea that I am going to have to put in my miles in an urban setting and/or figuring out ways to do that relatively safely.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14242583237796329835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-13021320187440952702008-06-09T10:50:00.000-05:002008-06-09T10:50:00.000-05:00It is a very rare occasion that I will go on any ride at all that I need to drive to. The ride must be at least 50 miles. <BR/><BR/>That was the case even before gas prices jumped.cyclingredhttp://www.spokesnspin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276525.post-90155004138971306402008-06-09T07:16:00.000-05:002008-06-09T07:16:00.000-05:00The ONLY "group ride" I'm familiar with is one I never joined! During my 2002 cross-country trek (featured this month in my own online blog), people kept asking if I was "trying to catch up with that group." Apparently, a large multi-state ride had started just before my own solo adventure.<BR/><BR/>Group rides can be a great source of fun, competition, and camaraderie, but there also is something to be said for the solo experience.Jim Klinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12631474182772443020noreply@blogger.com