A few months ago a memo went out to all of the Morgan Stanley employees in the Bay Area regarding the Marin Century, a well known bike ride just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. MS was the lead sponsor and they were getting a group together to ride in it. I thought it sounded like fun so I signed up. I ride to work everyday and I have gone on a few distance rides (20 miles or so), so I didn't think 100 miles was completely out of the question. As it grew closer to race day, I got a little nervous as I began to realize that it was 5 x's further than I have ever ridden before. Well yesterday was game day. I realized I bit off more than I can chew when I arrived and everyone appeared to be professional cyclists with $3000 bikes. A few looked at my bike and said I'm at a huge disadvantage because of my commuter bike. That was encouraging. I kept up with the MS pro team for the first 30 miles and then they left me in the dust as we climbed a monstrous hill. The ride started in San Rafael and looped through the headlands towards the coast. I started at 8am and finished at 4:50pm. The ride was brutal, a lot of hills and strong headwinds the first 50 miles. Probably a great ride for someone who trains a little better. All in all it was a well organized ride and a lot of fun. Hope to see you all out there next year.
Then, we went to a birthday party for Sienna's friend, Oliver, who turned one year. It was in Tiburon at his grandparents' gorgeous home right on the beach (I pretended the party was for my birthday too--this would be my place of choice!). Sienna could not resist playing in the sand, getting in the water, playing with all of Oliver's new toys, and trying on everyone's shoes. It was fun to hang out and enjoy the beautiful weather.
The SF branch sponsors an ice cream social for the families of Morgan Stanley employees. They had a clown/magician, face painting, and a truckload of SF's Mitchell's Ice Cream, including my favorite: Ube (purple yam). Sienna enjoyed the social more than this picture shows; I don't think she liked being so close to the clown.
A few months ago a memo went out to all of the Morgan Stanley employees in the Bay Area regarding the Marin Century, a well known bike ride just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. MS was the lead sponsor and they were getting a group together to ride in it. I thought it sounded like fun so I signed up. I ride to work everyday and I have gone on a few distance rides (20 miles or so), so I didn't think 100 miles was completely out of the question. As it grew closer to race day, I got a little nervous as I began to realize that it was 5 x's further than I have ever ridden before. Well yesterday was game day. I realized I bit off more than I can chew when I arrived and everyone appeared to be professional cyclists with $3000 bikes. A few looked at my bike and said I'm at a huge disadvantage because of my commuter bike. That was encouraging. I kept up with the MS pro team for the first 30 miles and then they left me in the dust as we climbed a monstrous hill. The ride started in San Rafael and looped through the headlands towards the coast. I started at 8am and finished at 4:50pm. The ride was brutal, a lot of hills and strong headwinds the first 50 miles. Probably a great ride for someone who trains a little better. All in all it was a well organized ride and a lot of fun. Hope to see you all out there next year.
