Ambitious, dedicated, and determined - serious adjectives to describe an eleven-year-old, but they all apply to Kari Krouse, the youngest person ever to complete a CCC century.

When the Tammany Trace first opened, Kari's dad, CCC member Fred Krouse, took all of his children riding on it. He also began searching the Internet for cycling events. He foundTransAmerica, a ride across the country, scheduled for Summer 2000, and signed up.

Krouse and others will ride from California to Washington, D.C. to gather support for a bike freeway stretching across the country that will allow no motorized vehicles. TransAmerica Cyclists will ride for 75 days, 5 days per week, 60-90 miles per day.

As Fred talked about it at home, Kari became interested. She thought she might want to ride with him. Dad thought it was a great idea, but insisted on Kari doing some long rides before making a commitment.

Kari started training in July on her new Bike-E recumbent. By fall she was ready for the three long rides her dad said she had to do. She did the Tour de Tangi, the MS Tour, and the Tammany Trace 100.

The weather has forced some curtailment of their training schedule recently, but on good days Kari and her dad are still out there riding.