8.6 the hard way

Yesterday around 4 we got a buzz at the door. The nice mail carrier lady brought up a big box from Nashbar. It was Mrs. CK's helmet, clear glasses (which were apparently too dorky to wear) and a taillight. I still need to find her an 'acceptable' water bottle but she wanted to ride! She stored a little bottlle in my camelback. The new helmet is good looking and seemed to be the primary reason for her wanting to go. Hey...whatever it takes.

The helmet is Titanium or dark silver in color and really nice. Although the description said it didn't, it in fact came with with with a Blackburn 3.0 blinkie that actually clips right to the back of the helmet (on built in spot). The helmet has a nice rain cover that snaps right into matching snaps around the helmet. I didn't check out the ear muff things that slide in too much, but it looks ok too. I didn't bother with the included mirror. I really like this design. The taillight is nice and bright with side amber lights, a solid, blinking, and chase mode.

We headed out and crossed 176 and did so again as we went toward ' the hard side'. I said OK and we could stop, turn around, or I could go get the car at any time. We never made it to the parking lot on that side because you can turn left and use the underpass tunnel now. She never gave up! She walked up some hills but kept saying how pretty it was. We stopped occasionally, but we kept going. We made it to the asphalt and she wanted to go to my parents! there were the hills and I reminded her to gear down and remember to breath. I tried to pass on a few things learned from DM. She said she wanted to go the backway or stop before we got to the Midlothian entrance to hillside,which I said would be longer but less traffic. But, she decided she was ok when she crested the hill and we continued to 60 and onward. She did about 8.6 hilly miles in under an hour. I, again, could not be prouder.