On Saturday, Holly participated in the Tour de Okinawa, which is a two-day biking event with about 20 separate races/rides. The weekend is filled with everything from professional road-bike races to a unicycling competition. Holly rode in the Yanbaru Century Ride which was a 189km (117 mile) course around the northern half of the island. There were about 600 participants in the Yanbaru ride. Holly's support crew consisted of a driver (Jason), a cheerleader (McCall) and a public relations specialist (Juniper). A fourth crew member (Denver) dropped out at the last minute due to important soccer and birthday party commitments...
Holly's Biker BuddiesAbout two months ago, Holly was lucky enough to find a few experienced road bikers to train with on Saturday rides. Some of them also participated in the same ride as Holly and they rode together. They are (listed from left to right) Frank, Shea, Brian, and Terry
Road Biking Is Not all Fun, Sweat and Spandex
Occasionally pain, blood and grease are also involved.
McCall Was Always There For Encouragement
Some Signs Were Also Translated into Engrish
Engrish is a term used to describe English that has been poorly translated from Japanese. The Tour de Okinawa was fraught with some beautiful Engrish. Fortunately, there have not been any reports of American participants being injured after the signs instructed them to "speed down" certain steep and curving hills. In case you are confused, the signs should have read "slow down."
The weather for the first half of the ride could be described as windy and rainy. The weather for the second half of the course was stronger wind and heavier rain. Some participants threw in the towel and quit early, but Holly was not thwarted. In fact, she was the first woman to finish. Great Job Holly!!! Click above for some sweet footage from the ride.
