Miles: 69.46
Time: 5.31
Max: 34.4
Avg: 12.5
Temp/Humidity: 86*/83%
Cloudy, few sprinkles, few drops of sun- warm but not too hot & WINDY
My First (Metric) Century Ride
hosted by Atlanta Bicycling Campaign
Yesterday I thought I had everything all ready for this morning. Flat repair kit packed, food packed, clothes laid out, bike in top shape....All I had to do this morning was get up, eat and air up my tires. Nothing turned out as planned....as usual.
First we ended up going to bed later than I wanted, and then I kept dreaming that I was waking up all night as I was thinking about the big ride. This was my first big organized ride with a big group of people. I was excited hoping to meet some new cyclists and see all the set ups, then I was nervous too. Did I have the miles under me to finish without bonking? What if I get flats or have a mechanical disaster- will I be able to deal? I actually got nervous like before a running race or my first couple triathlons. I only had a couple goals:
- Don't Bonk
- Have Fun
Physically I felt pretty good that morning, other than being nervous which caused me to 
start acting all pissed off which is how I deal with nervous. Solbiskit unfortunately for him was along for this ride, which meant he got the brunt of my crap as he usually does being the Boyfriend and all. That isn't the point of this right now...back to my story.
I woke up 20 minutes late, as I didn't actually set my alarm only changed the time- classic. When I woke him up he said he wasn't planning to get up for another 10 minutes. So I got ready in a huff, and tried to get last minute stuff together. Isn't it funny how you think your all ready, then it's like- oh, my helmet, where's my gloves, oh I need a sweatshirt just in case...oh damn it, I should bring a rain/wind jacket too just in case...do I have my patch kit packed? Oh, I should bring my debit card and ID too- where is it? Then I went through this with Solbiskits' stuff too. Next thing I know we were carrying arm fulls of stuff that we might need out to the truck.
We also forgot to hang up his bike shorts, they were still wet in the washer- so we put them in the dryer. I was in the kitchen fidgeting because I couldn't figure out what to eat. My normal daily routine is wake up, drink water, bike 8 miles to work, shower/dress, then eat a big breakfast. So naturally my stomach wasn't hungry yet, but I knew that I'd be STARVING 10 miles in if I didn't eat something good that would burn slow and easy. Oatmeal? Fruit? Tuna? Granola Bars? Eggs? Yes- eggs and toast, total last minute. I cooked up the eggs perfectly because I stared at them to hurry up while they cooked, that seems to help. I ate while Solbiskit loaded up the bikes. He came back in and asked me what exits were closed downtown for all the construction. I had forgot about that and realized at that moment that we were TOTALLY going to be late and I suddenly panicked. FU*&! We grabbed our stuff and headed out already the tension thick with my nerves high strung. Normally he drives slow and steady, taking his time, looking around sipping his tea...that morning he hauled ass! I was holding the door arm as we stopped and took corners on two wheels! I kept looking back waiting to see the bikes fly off the rack! As we were almost there and I commented that I didn't know he had this kind of driving in him, he told me about his 18 speeding tickets in 18 different states. The things you learn about your significant other in the heat of the moment!
We pulled into the parking lot, safe and sound at 8:20- the guy with the flag told us to go to the right and go back to the other parking lot down the street because they were out of parking. Solbiskit lurched forward in the truck into the crowded parking lot and said 'get all the stuff out and then I'll go park'- I of course argued that we had waaay too much stuff and No! I'll ride back too with him just get us out of that parking lot. As the steam came out his nose, he navigated us back out and down the street, again speeding. We missed the turn into the parking lot... he was frustrated and a little mad. Whipping a U-ey we finally made it to the parking lot. Other late arrivers were there too, getting their bikes together so I calmed a little bit, none of them looked worried. As we mounted our machines and head back to the starting area the crowd was heading out right at 8:30. We hadn't even checked in yet. I was pretty upset at this point realizing that we were about to do this in the back pack or mostly alone. After checking in and getting our tee shirts we headed out with our maps. The first direction guy said 'yeah, it's all marked' when I asked. I told Solbiskit he didn't have to ride with me and to just go ahead. I'm not going to go into more detail, but lets just say that at the end of the day I apologized to Solbiskit for my terrible mood. I was in a funk! I've never rode so far and not been able to shake off a bad mood. I think it actually got worse the first 25 miles.
My legs kicked in and felt good around mile 10. At the turn around I thought if I am having fun I'll tell Solbiskit I'm going to do the 75 loop. He was trying to make me feel better, I complained at all the stops that it was lonely out there since we, I mean I was the very last one out there. After the 10 mile (20 mile turn around)
stop at the QT the few (stragglers) people from the parking lot turned around and I was left alone. He waited at the first couple stops for me, we'd head out together I'd get irritated because I could tell he was riding really slow just for me...
start acting all pissed off which is how I deal with nervous. Solbiskit unfortunately for him was along for this ride, which meant he got the brunt of my crap as he usually does being the Boyfriend and all. That isn't the point of this right now...back to my story.I woke up 20 minutes late, as I didn't actually set my alarm only changed the time- classic. When I woke him up he said he wasn't planning to get up for another 10 minutes. So I got ready in a huff, and tried to get last minute stuff together. Isn't it funny how you think your all ready, then it's like- oh, my helmet, where's my gloves, oh I need a sweatshirt just in case...oh damn it, I should bring a rain/wind jacket too just in case...do I have my patch kit packed? Oh, I should bring my debit card and ID too- where is it? Then I went through this with Solbiskits' stuff too. Next thing I know we were carrying arm fulls of stuff that we might need out to the truck.
We also forgot to hang up his bike shorts, they were still wet in the washer- so we put them in the dryer. I was in the kitchen fidgeting because I couldn't figure out what to eat. My normal daily routine is wake up, drink water, bike 8 miles to work, shower/dress, then eat a big breakfast. So naturally my stomach wasn't hungry yet, but I knew that I'd be STARVING 10 miles in if I didn't eat something good that would burn slow and easy. Oatmeal? Fruit? Tuna? Granola Bars? Eggs? Yes- eggs and toast, total last minute. I cooked up the eggs perfectly because I stared at them to hurry up while they cooked, that seems to help. I ate while Solbiskit loaded up the bikes. He came back in and asked me what exits were closed downtown for all the construction. I had forgot about that and realized at that moment that we were TOTALLY going to be late and I suddenly panicked. FU*&! We grabbed our stuff and headed out already the tension thick with my nerves high strung. Normally he drives slow and steady, taking his time, looking around sipping his tea...that morning he hauled ass! I was holding the door arm as we stopped and took corners on two wheels! I kept looking back waiting to see the bikes fly off the rack! As we were almost there and I commented that I didn't know he had this kind of driving in him, he told me about his 18 speeding tickets in 18 different states. The things you learn about your significant other in the heat of the moment!
We pulled into the parking lot, safe and sound at 8:20- the guy with the flag told us to go to the right and go back to the other parking lot down the street because they were out of parking. Solbiskit lurched forward in the truck into the crowded parking lot and said 'get all the stuff out and then I'll go park'- I of course argued that we had waaay too much stuff and No! I'll ride back too with him just get us out of that parking lot. As the steam came out his nose, he navigated us back out and down the street, again speeding. We missed the turn into the parking lot... he was frustrated and a little mad. Whipping a U-ey we finally made it to the parking lot. Other late arrivers were there too, getting their bikes together so I calmed a little bit, none of them looked worried. As we mounted our machines and head back to the starting area the crowd was heading out right at 8:30. We hadn't even checked in yet. I was pretty upset at this point realizing that we were about to do this in the back pack or mostly alone. After checking in and getting our tee shirts we headed out with our maps. The first direction guy said 'yeah, it's all marked' when I asked. I told Solbiskit he didn't have to ride with me and to just go ahead. I'm not going to go into more detail, but lets just say that at the end of the day I apologized to Solbiskit for my terrible mood. I was in a funk! I've never rode so far and not been able to shake off a bad mood. I think it actually got worse the first 25 miles.My legs kicked in and felt good around mile 10. At the turn around I thought if I am having fun I'll tell Solbiskit I'm going to do the 75 loop. He was trying to make me feel better, I complained at all the stops that it was lonely out there since we, I mean I was the very last one out there. After the 10 mile (20 mile turn around)
stop at the QT the few (stragglers) people from the parking lot turned around and I was left alone. He waited at the first couple stops for me, we'd head out together I'd get irritated because I could tell he was riding really slow just for me...
It was pretty obvious. He rode about 5 miles sitting up like this. We haven't conquered the riding together thing. He never rides NEXT to me, apparently I talk alot. I ride to socialize and sightsee, he rides to work out. We haven't figured out how to merge these well.Finally after some sharp words about me not needing a babysitter, he took off. And I was alone....
It got lonely, but I kept myself busy with my camera and the rural houses and horses. I just couldn't shake the funk. But I'd look around and was glad I was riding. My body was holding up well.I hydrated plenty, and ate a few granola bars on the bike. All in all I felt really good. Surprisingly good in fact. I got lost once taking a wrong turn, the cue sheet said a left, but there was no left so I went right- luckily it was a loop. Apparently Solbiskit took a wrong turn somewhere too.
Looking back at it all some very important lessons were learnt.
- Always communicate to your partner what time you need to be there.
- Plan ahead, go over everything your bringing three times. I read that somewhere for triathlons.
- Getting to the start early will make it more enjoyable. Trust me!
- Ask about route markers. We didn't even know to ask, but turned out every turn was marked with a white 6 on the pavement with the top of the 6 pointing in the direction of the turn. Good to know!
- If your late, it really isn't the end of the world. Just make the best of it, unlike I did.
Looking back I 
wish I would have just smiled Usually that works and changes my mood. Next time...
1 comment:
The two of you should join us on a Sunday morning ride out of Aurora Coffee in Virginia-Highland. There's always some one to socialize with and others to work out with. Details at this Yahoo Group.
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