The only really stressful part of the day was when we got to the hills. Just as I was preparing for the first curve, I looked in my mirrors and realized another bike had come up behind us. Now you have to realize in Alberta, good twisties are few and far between. This is also a back highway with not a lot of traffic, so it's a popular local route. I felt very bad that I hadn't seen him earlier, I would have pulled over, so he could pull ahead and enjoy them at his pace, not mine. I went around the first curve fine. As I was approaching the second curve on a steep grade I see the cyclists, some coming up and I could see some starting to coem into the valley on the other side. I didn't freak out even when some of them were in my lane, but I did let off the throttle a little. When I knew I had cleared the cyclists, I relaxed a little going up the valley and was actually picking up some speed by the end of it.
I felt so bad that he had to sit behind the "newb" on the fun part but he must have realized, the training session going on in front of him because when he passed, he gave me a big smile and a thumbs up!
I gave him a slightly enthusiastic biker wave!
It made me feel a little better that I got a thumbs up instead of a birdie!
PS If the biker that was behind me reads this - thanks for the encouragement!
it's always great to learn something new.