Shell Ride

I just got back from my second ride! It was back in Katy, starting again at Katy Mills Mall. Our options were a 46 miler or a 63 miler. I went with full intentions of riding 63 miles, but at the 20 mile break area, I was pretty sure it wasn't going to happen, and at the turn off for the longer miles, I had missed the cut off time for the suggested distance goers by 15 minutes, and no other riders were heading that way, so I knew I would inevitably get lost. As a result, I rode the shorter distance with my friend Liz (she's the reason I signed up for the MS 150) and it was really fun. We kept pace together rather well, and it was nice to chat with someone, making the time and miles fly by!

My stats:

Miles: 50 (I did some laps around the mall to make me feel better!)

Time: 3 hr 45 min (that's with the rest stops)

Ave Speed: 16.5 mph

Top Speed: 25.5 mph

Calories burned: 1950

I started out behind my friend Nate, and kept pace with him for about the first 15 miles. We were cruising at 2o+ mph and it was really fun, but after some time I was really starting to feel it. We hit a turn where a bunch of riders had to turn around (because they went too far), and we got split and then BAM the headwind kicked it. (It's truly amazing how nice a tail wind is!) Not long after I completely lost him, I ran into my friend Liz. And we basically rode together the rest of the way. It really is fun riding with someone. Keeping pace with the faster riders is excellerating and hard, and I can do it, but not for the whole time. It was cool seeing the difference from this ride from the last. I'm definitely more comfortable on my bike, and still have lucked out with no flat tires and no falls! I did nail my shin with my pedal, but I can take a bruise!

Under the weather with beautiful weather

This week has been absolutely gorgeous and what have I done? Nothing. I've been attacked by allergies or a head cold or a sinus infection or something and have felt like crap, taught my normal classes, and gone home hacking for the rest of the day/night. Now that it's cooling off again, I'm feeling a little better, but still not quite up to par. Am I cursed? Yeah, probably!

In other news, I've gotten some of my first donations for the ride! I'm so excited! It makes everything a little more real, and my goal a little closer! Like always, what have I gotten myself into?!

First Ride: Completed!

I did it! I woke up at 4am to go to Katy to ride my first REAL ride! It was for Ducks Unlimited and there were probably 3000 riders (my guesstimation). I felt sheepish breaking out my camera before, but I wish I would have taken a picture ride before we started! It was an awesome sight! Anyhoo--My stats:

Mileage: 48! (I know, I even amaze myself, but real troopers went 70!)

Time: I think I ended up just over 3-3.5 hours

Average MPH: 13.5 (before you laugh at my slowness, in my defense, there was a stellar headwind/crosswind, otherwise I was cruisin' at about 15-17 mph).

Calories burned: just under 2000

The ride was actually quite nice. We started out at Katy Mills Mall, and basically ended up in the country. I have a map-otherwise I really have no idea where we were at! There were a few hills--my favorite showing up after spending an hour with a headwind, just to find a hill, and thankfully a reststop not too much farther!

Things I learned:
-You may pass one or two people here and there, but when you get passed, it's by a troop of like 20 riders hauling.
-Reststops are amazing and incredibly unsanitary! We are talking food (M&M's!) and portapotties and no sanitizer. (note to self: carry hand sanitizer).
-My hands and toes never warm up. I think I knew this after years of skiing/snowboarding/snowmobiling--but it still shocked me that they still are tender 10 hours postride.
-Bike seats are not comfortable. Whoever thinks they are are insane.
-I need cushier shorts. (see above).
-Glasses are key when riding. Thank you Shawn!
-Biker shorts may go up to the ribs of most ladies, but guys have a tendency to plummer it.
-Bikers are funny people. They are generally nice, chatty, and courteous. The rude ones pass unexpected without calling out.
-I need a little boombox thing for my bike. A group passed me with one and I wanted to join (but there were like 30 people passing me and I get shuffled in a group that big).
-I now understand when people say they have ridden with thousands yet rode alone (that would be me today).
-I like to hold the low handlebars, but my hands fall asleep.
-I get extra momentum when I know I only have 10 miles left. I think it's motivating knowing I can give my rear a break and try to thaw my hands.
-I have been riding on flatish tires. It makes a difference when you air them up to the proper psi.
-I think I may have made a mistake for signing up for the MS 150. I like to ride, but I'm such a fair weather friend (ask any of my friends back home when it comes to snowboarding and waterskiing!). I don't like the cold, I don't like the wind (Hello, Texas), and I'm kind of a pansy. What have I gotten myself into?! I know in the end, I will love it. It's like now--I think of how miserable I was, but all I feel is the accomplishment of doing it AND NOT FALLING! (This was a prime goal!)

Anyhoo, with my first real ride under my belt, I do feel a lot more confident about the big ride. It really is fun riding with others, and even though I'll be hurting tomorrow, it could have been a whole lot worse!

My First Real Ride

My first real ride is coming up this Saturday. I'm just praying the weather will be good, and that I won't fall! I know it's probably inevitable, but I'm already scared to death as it is, that I think a fall would ruin me! I'm only signed up for 37 miles (I know "only" is a funny word, but I was too scared to sign up for the 45 or 70 mile), but I don't know if I can hack it. This will be a real eye opener to my dreams of being a biking star (aka-finishing the MS 150!).