They Say Everyone Has Bad Rides

I've been told by multiple parties that everyone has their off days that cause a bad ride. Apparently, Murphy was with me today. In reviewing the ride, I've yet to come up with the "what was wrong" answer that made tonight's ride so rough. Best solution I can find is that is was just one thing after another, I finally broke, it became physical, and all-in-all it was a bad ride.

Allow me to start at the beginning. We just returned from vacation, so I haven't been on the bike for over a week. Today's ride was the women-only 10 mile ride, so I figured that was a good way to ease back into my routine. I decided to ignore the fact that it was 98 degrees out and just be sure to drink lots of water during the day, on the ride, and on the drive home. The ride leader had emailed that she wouldn't be able to make it this week, but a substitute leader would be there. Pete decided he would come too and if the ride happened, he'd ride a different route in the neighborhood. If the ride didn't happen, he and I could ride it anyway.

We ended up with a substitute leader who was unfamiliar with the route and leading a beginner's group. There were two other women there. Pete hung back to wait for Sierra who was running late, so it was a small group. The four of us headed out down the access road. A truck decided to sneak out of a driveway between the second and third cyclist, so the last two of us had to maneuver into the driveway around the truck. The gal in front of me made it, but I hit a divot in the lip of the driveway and went down. I rebounded quickly and was back on my way without pausing or thinking about what had just happened (and all of the cars around me who saw it!)

Our interim leader does not stop at all of the stop signs. If she sees it's clear, she keeps on pedaling through without confirming we all made it through the last intersection. We got to the shorter route option turn that I took last time, but I was told that was the wrong way. Then one of the more experienced riders coaches me about the next intersection because if we have to stop, the start through the turn can be a challenge. She wasn't kidding! We had to stop and the start was a bit of a challenge, but I made it. A block or two later, Pete and Sierra caught up with us.

This is the part of the route that is some rolling hills. The first time, it was a challenge, but I learned the value of rolling hills and how they can really give you some assistance and confidence on hills. I discovered that my bike was not shifting as smoothly as it should. Sierra and I paused for a moment at the spot of last ride's "break point" while the leader checked the map. When she was done, she took off and left us in the dust. I put my water bottle back and jumped back on.

Around the corner is the hill where I dropped my chain last time. I'm ready for it and am looking forward to making it up the hill this time. Pete is behind me cheering and coaching me on. He tells me to shift into the small ring. I try, and it won't go. I can't twist the shifter any further and the chain hasn't moved. Meanwhile, I'm losing speed going up the hill. I give up the shifting into the big wheel and downshift the other gears. Then I drop the chain, again! Over I go. Crap! I sit there for a moment taking in what happened and then stand up and brush myself off. Meanwhile, Pete fixed my chain for me.

I walk to the top of the hill and jump back on my bike. The downhill is a welcome break, not to mention the breeze on my hot and sweaty face. Then it's announced that the leader and I just blew past the turn. I'm pissed at this point because I've just lost my downhill momentum to get me up the next little incline on the missed turn street. I hang a u-turn and head up the street. My knee hurts with each down stroke. I'm mentally broken and can't get up this little "hill". Pete and I decide to double-back and meet the group back at the parking lot.

We slow it down and I'm trying to assess what has caused me so much trouble on this ride. I need a break, so I find a shaded driveway and stop. I'm emotionally drained! I'm ready to tell Pete to go get the truck, but instead of saying it, tears roll down my face. This little ride should not be so difficult. I stand there feeling like I'm going to loose my lunch, shaking all over and silent tear mixing with the sweat on my face. I'm a wreak, but I'm determined to finish the ride, yet I'm afraid to do so. I was trembling from head to toe. Each time I picked up one foot to clip in to the bike, I'd wobble so much on the other foot, I would have to get both feet on the ground again.

Pete asks if I want him to go get the truck. My response is "yes and no". Talk about sending mixed signals! Poor guy. I finally decide I'm going to try to get up the next little incline, but if I get to the top and there's another hill, I'm stopping and he can go get the truck. I manage to get back on the bike and up the incline. There is another "hill", but I have momentum and I'm ready to keep moving. I make it up that one and then there's a long, slow downhill. I enjoy every second of it! I'm beginning to tell myself I can make it. I have to slow down the speed and my cadence, but if I can just finish, I'll be happy at this point.

On the long straight part of the route, the bottoms of my feet are not happy. I'm tired, so I'm truly pushing down on every pedal stroke and my feet are going numb. I stop for another quick break. It doesn't take long, but I just needed to get off the pedals for a minute. I'm back on the bike and the final neighborhood turn is in sight! I'm determined and I'm making each stop a California stop if it's clear. I stopped for the last two to allow cars behind us to pass safely. Meanwhile, the ride leader has doubled back and is now riding the route on her own and waves on her way by.

We get back to the parking lot and I'm all smiles again. I know it was a rough ride! I'm glad I made it, but I'm sure struggling with what went wrong. Sierra is there and exhausted in the grass. All the other riders left. I'm not impressed, but oh well. Sierra is glad that it wasn't just her struggling with the heat. We both made it and I'm proud of us for that. I don't like the struggles I went through, but I guess it has to happen some time. Pete will work on my bike to fix the chain and shifting problems I'm having.

Goals
Today's Miles: 10.2
Total Miles Achieved: 130.1
Financial Investment: $840.16
Total Weight Loss: 0