This ride for me is a confidence killer! Lol! I did it last year too. It is cold and so windy. It doesn't start until 9:00 am, but we wanted to get an earlier start. So my friend Susan and I set out about an hour early. We went about 25 miles or so before we got onto the course where other people had started out. At that point Susan took off at her pace. I'm sure it was killing her riding so slow with me. Ha! At about 50 miles I stopped for a rest room break and I fell getting back on the bike. I was so upset with myself. I am frustrated with all this falling business. And during all this I was directed to go right rather than straight because they hadn't known I had started early and had already done this portion of the course. And I was feeling defeated and was distracted. So I ended up repeating a part of the course - and of course it was the hilly portion and not the straight away. Oh my luck. So for the rest of the course I wasn't sure how much further I had to go! That was tough for me mentally! With the hills and the wind my pace was beyond discouraging. More than once I considered just pulling over for the SAG car. I am working way too hard to be this slow!
But let's look at the positives:
1. I rode my farthest ride EVER - 83 miles!
2. My cadence is significantly improving!
3. I worked on shifting gears!
4. I didn't brake going downhill and actually reached a speed of 26.4 mph!
5. I worked on hydration and nutrition.
6. I didn't quit when I so desperately wanted to!
8. And last but not least, I got to spend a little bit of time with my awesome and inspiring friend Susan Oyler!
So at least I am walking away with lessons learned along with these bumps and bruises!
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