You don't realize how much easier it is to get up in the morning and go ride than it is to get up in the morning, fix breakfast, do some housework, take a nap, and then go ride until you try it. Yikes! As we headed out to pick up the truck, actually seeing how blue the sky was, how bright the fresh green vegetation is, and envisioning how perfect the wildflowers are made the idea of riding even more of a challenge. In order to talk ourselves out of skipping the ride, I got online to confirm where the recent wildflowers sightings were located. None of them were anywhere near us, so it wasn't worth the effort. Okay, off to ride!
We were late enough arriving at the usual parking lot, that all of the other riders had already gone home for the day. I have the tennis shoes on to test how the pain in my foot takes the long ride. We head out! I'm feeling good. I know the route. The weather is beautiful. I'm ready to ride. At our first water break (3.4 miles), we check the numbers. It's taken us 17 minutes and I'm averaging a speed of 11.5 miles per hour. Wow! Last week, I was in the 9-10 mph range. I'm excited. And so far, no foot pain, so it must be the shoes.
We start off again, but we've just made a left turn, and now we have a head wind. Ugh! Pete moves in front to break the wind and I try to maintain the pace. I do pretty well for awhile, then the wind shifts and we have a crosswind. Oh well. Chugging along, I notice that we're coming up to the spot where the pavement changes. This is the butt and padded shorts test. We not only pass the 6.2 mile mark where I turned around last week, but we keep on going.
At 7 miles it's water time. Now you see why people wear those Camel Backs so they can drink and keep on riding. I'm feeling the ride in my thighs this time. However, my butt is fine and besides knowing I'm using my legs, I'm doing well. I want to keep on going. I originally told Pete that today's goal was to meet last week's distance, so I've already achieved the goal. I'm told that the next decision point is at 8.5 miles at the drag strip.
When we get to the drag strip, I'm still feeling good and energized too. However, the numbers tell me that I should call this half-way. I have three options:
- turn back and go the way I came (a known route)
- continue on with Pete and cross over I-10
- take the I-10 access road, a rough road, and meet Pete when he catches me
I opt for the third option. It sounds like a reasonable shortcut, not a lot of extra miles and a change of scenery. I'm warned that one of the roads can be a mental challenge, but I'm ready for it. Physical challenge may not be good this late in the ride, but if it's a mental challenge, I know Pete can talk me through it. Armed with my verbal directions I watch him ride up and over the overpass, and I continue under it to ride the access road.
What a road! Talk about bumpy. Not having a rearview mirror, I've trained my ear to listen for approaching cars. Unfortunately, with the interstate right there, I can't distinguish what's on the access road and what's on the interstate. I stick to the shoulder and hope for the best. I'm riding a slower pace as the road is rough, I know Pete is going further than I am, and I'm ready for a brief break. Interestingly, riding along an access road, you can read the signs on the interstate that tell you how far to your exit. Made for a helpful hint having not ridden that part of the ride before. And thankfully, only one pick-up truck came along, so I was good.
I make my turn and am now watching the signs for my next turn. I come to a T in the road and there are no street signs. Hmm... well, it doesn't make sense to double back, so I take the instructed left and hope for the best with visions of being lost in the country on a bicycle. Thankfully, the second mailbox has the full street address, so I confirm I have made the correct turn. I approach a stop sign and assume this is my next turn, but wouldn't you know, NO street sign! Can't a girl catch a break? This is the intersection where I said I would wait for Pete if he hadn't caught me yet. Thinking about the route, it makes sense that this should be the turn, so I make the turn and see a tree up ahead that provides some nice shade and a good rest point to wait for Pete to catch up.
He comes around the bend and we continue on. This is the part of the ride that he said would be a mental challenge. Right away, I have my first real hill (and he'd argue about it being a "real hill"). I know that he can't go as slow as I will, so I'm not about to try to keep up with him. I'm determined to pedal to the top though. Watching my cadence, I downshift one gear when the cadence gets low and then my cadence pops back up. This also helps me to not focus on the crest of the hill. However, I eventually hit first gear, and I'm not to the top yet, so now I have to just keep pedaling. I made it. I'm out of breath and we just left a break! It doesn't take long though and we're back in line and moving right along. We come to another hill and I go through the same thing. This time I'm a bit more ready for it, but still out of breath at the top and my thighs are burning now.
Finally, it's time for another rest. I'm beginning to think I may have made the wrong call and should have turned back and called it a shorter ride. My legs are getting tired, but I'm at 14 miles. Pete tells me that we are now half a mile from our usual first break. That's good news and energizes me a bit. I have hope that I can make it now. So we head for the last leg.
When I hit 15 miles, I shout out. I'm so excited! I met last week's goal and I'm feeling good about it. Sadly, I think that was a bit of adrenaline kicking in. By 15.5 I'm tired and can't keep up. I'm not falling too far behind, but I have to down shift occassionally to keep my legs going. As we near the next intersection where we have an option to go straight (the way we came out) or take a left for a different route, but same mileage, Pete gives me the option. The only thing I can think about it the little rise that I pushed myself on last Sunday. I know that my legs can't handle that now and I ask to go straight and take a break at the gas station.
We take another water break at the gas station. I'm at about 16.7 miles and I'm tired. I know I can make it now though. We just have to cross the highway and then it's truly the home stretch. Ready, we cross the highway and I'm ready to roll in to the parking lot. The little town is always so nice to roll through, but maybe that's because it means you're almost done. As we get to the elementary school, my mileage is showing 17.6. That just won't do, so I pedal to the end of the road, turn around and take the long way through the parking lot. Hmm... still not enough. Two more loops and the mileage clicks over to 18 miles! Yay!!!
I feel great about the distance today. Oddly, I feel good about the burning in my thighs. I'm excited about the increase in my average speed. Pete tells me he's proud of me. It makes for a great ride when I was ready to go shoot wildflowers today instead. It shows me that the consistent work on the trainer paid off.
I did notice that as I got tired I tended to lean on my hands more and therefore, my thumbs are sore now. I'll learn in time not to do that. But, the new gloves were an improvement. I don't know if it's the fit, or because they're women's gloves, but I'll take it. The padded shorts were definitely worth it and now I need to think about a second pair with different padding. The sneakers seemed to work better. I'll try the "bike shoes" tomorrow to see if it's my techinque or the shoes for the shorter, group ride.
Goals
Today's Miles: 18
Total Miles Achieved: 67.3
Financial Investment: $216.39
Total Weight Loss: 2
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