I like the way the ride leader started this ride. He made a point to say he'll be checking license plates to be sure no one gets left out on the road. He also provided his cell phone number to everyone should they need a pick-up, once he finished his ride, he'd go out and pick-up anyone who needed it. He started the ride based on the new average speed rules and everyone was off.
Starting from the somewhat gravel parking lot was rough. Then it's uphill to the highway. Once you cross the highway and get on the side road, it's uphill again. What is it with these routes that start with uphills? We signed up for the 41 mile route, but had been told it was worth doing the 44 if we could because the roads were better. I was enjoying the countryside and the small town feel and couldn't imagine what bad roads they were talking about.
We must have crossed the county line, or something. The road suddenly got bad. Actually "bad" may be an understatement. I suddenly was so focused on the bumps, holes, and cracks in the road that I couldn't enjoy the countryside. I actually squealed a bit in fright during a downhill as I saw a jagged edge in the pavement that I didn't see any way around and appeared bigger than I could safely roll over. I managed to squeeze over behind Pete and get beyond the hazard safely.
I've noticed a trend the last few weeks that I'm not happy with. I seem to struggle on Sunday rides. I struggle to get rolling. I struggle to get those wheels moving. I struggle to find the energy to keep moving. Today was no exception. It doesn't help having slow and hard starts going uphill, but I can't blame the slow Sundays on that. This is something I need to focus on and find the solution. I now have two and half months to solve this. I cannot have a bad Sunday ride in October.
We finally made it to an intersection that Pete called "decision time". We could turn right and call it a 21 mile day, or we could turn left and continue on for the 41+ miles route. I said, "no, I want to go the 40 miles." So we turned left. I kept hoping the road surfaces would improve, and honestly, they did... a bit. The surface that was used though is still a rough ride. About a mile down the road I said, "Can I change my mind?" Pete did not seem surprised and agreed. We took a quick break and turned around.
We decided this ride was long enough, and I was ready, to begin trying butt butter. I know! What on earth? I'll allow it to the product people to explain:
Chamois BUTT'r is the number one choice for cyclists who use a skin lubricant and chamois cream to improve riding comfort. Chamois BUTT'r prevents the uncomfortable rubbing and chafing that most cyclists experience when sitting on their saddle.
I promise, if you sit on a saddle, with your legs constantly moving up and down for more than 30 miles, you will decide giving this butt butter thing a chance is worth any sacrifice. When Pete rode the Bike to the Beach event in 2006, he turned the pedals 42,000 times over the two day ride. Once your shorts are on, you really don't notice a difference, but it does feel different pulling on your shorts with this goop on the chamois pad as you yank on the shorts.At this point in the ride, I was seriously aching. Every point of my body that touches the bike hurt! I was cursing the bike every inch of the ride. The shocks in the front fork (part of the frame from the handle bars to the front wheel) were causing my shoulders to jerk up and down. I've never had my shoulders ache on a ride. Partly from the stress of watching the road surface and partly from the non-stop jerking of my arms up and down, my forearms began to ache and burn. I was leaning on my hands, so the palm of my hands burned. My butt had all new pains (despite the butt butter.) And the bottoms of my feet were burning in pain, and no pulling on the pedals was relieving that pain and ache. I was glad I'd made the decision to turn around when I did. I was relieved it was only me and Pete riding together today. I had to stop every three miles (and sometimes after only two miles) just to get off of the bike. A brief three to five minute break and I could get back on the bike and pedal a little further. Pete was very patient with me, but I know it was rough to keep stopping after such short distances.
I was relieved when we hit the highway. There was a new surface and finally, the ride smoothed out a bit. Unfortunately, it was too late in the ride and much to short of a distance because I blinked as we went over the river, and we were back on a rough surface again. I was watching the distance and knowing we were getting closer to the truck when there was suddenly a hill in front of us. Seriously! I don't recall going down this hill, so how could there be an uphill? I was angry and determined and forgot my pain. I just kept pedaling and downshifting as I needed to. As we were nearly at the top of the hill, Pete says, "You've been really consistent up this hill. Steady speed and now you're at the top. Catch your breath." I did feel a sense of consistency, but as soon as I was done being angry at the hill, I went back to my whining about my pain on the bike.
As luck would have it, there was a second "final" uphill to get to the truck. Good grief! Now I'm pissed and just want to be done with this ride. I manage to anger my way up the hill again, although slower than the last one. As I crest the hill and begin to catch my breath, I try to take in deep breath. Instead of catching air, I get a big gasp full of sweat and snot. Now I'm hot and sweaty, in pain at every point on the bike and quite literally out of breath and frantically gasping for air. I know the heart monitor jumped a few more beats as I struggled for air. A quick calming thought and I managed to catch my breath as the truck came into sight.
We rounded the offramp and rolled into the parking lot. This finish was a new experience for me. Usually the hammerheads are long gone by the time I roll into the parking lot. This time, since we'd gone for the shorter route, they were still loading up their cars and some even rolled in right behind us. There was no cheering as I rolled in today and I was content to get off the bike, grab some cold water, load up, and drive off.
On the ride home, Pete and I debrief a bit about the ride. He says, "you weren't having fun out there so it was worth turning back." It's fair to say that I did not have fun on the ride today. He hit the nail on the head with that one. I wish I had realized that while I was out there pedaling. I don't know that it would have changed anything, but I do think I wouldn't have been quite as frustrated with my performance. At any rate, I suffered through and survived. I found yet one more reason why I should get a real road bike. Not what I had hoped to accomplish today, but a good lesson to learn.
Goals
Today's Miles: 22.3
Total Miles Achieved: 415.4
Financial Investment: $972.39
Total Weight Loss: -0.0
No comments:
Post a Comment