I know it's crazy but..

[LadyinWhite]

I'm doing the Tour de Cure tomorrow and I'm terrified. I get knots in my stomach every time I think about it. It's completely irrational. I've been practicing - I only signed up for the metric - I've even been riding the route already! (The Tour leaves from right near my house so I've been following the road markers lately on my rides.)

Here's the thing - I've never ridden in a group before. I am a member of a cycling club and I could ride w/ a group if I want - but I'm so uncomfortable with the idea that I've never done it.

I know there is no reason for me to be so nervous. I know that it's not a race, I have nothing to prove to anyone, everything will be fine etc etc etc.

DH's advice is "If it stops being fun, call me and I'll come get you. There is no reason to be out there on your bike weeping or miserable or in agony. If it stops being fun, just call."

I hate that I'm so nervous about it. I guess I'll continue being nervous until I'm there, on my bike and going.

I'll keep you posted.
:rolleyes:

[bmccasland]

LiW,
You'll do fine! It's a "ride" not a "race." Yes, there will be those that will turn it into their personal race, but unless you're a really fast rider, you won't see much of them. If you've riden in group rides, then you do have the experience you need. Stop at the rest stops, chat with folks, have fun! :)

[Over50Newbie]

Last year I did the Tour des Farmes ride, which was 45 miles. I had only had my road bike for a month, and had never ridden longer than 30 miles.

I was also terrified, and besides that, the weather was horrible - it rained the whole day.

When I started, I felt like I couldn't breathe and I was wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was crying on the bike, thinking... I will just quit at the first rest stop.

But at the first stop, I started talking to some people, and then went to a quiet corner, closed my eyes, and told myself, "This is crazy, just relax and have fun."

And that is what I did. I did the whole thing; I was the absolute last one to finish, but ended up having a blast.

So, take it from someone that has been in your shoes. Attitude is everything. Tell yourself over and over that you are going to have fun, and I bet you will.:)

Lynette

[Zen]

You are not alone.

We've all been there, and you have the support of DH.

And now it's time for an appearance by my inner Drill Sergeant:

You've got people expecting you to do this!
You said you'd do it and dammit you will!
You will be fine, you will surprise yourself, and you will have fun!
DO YOU UNDERSTAND, PRIVATE LADY?!!!!!!!

[Flybye]

Hey lady in white!
Me too !! I started cycling with my new bike in March. I signed up for a women's only ride in Utah, metric, and, as with your ride, it is tomorrow.
I am chicken!!!
Chickens unite!!!!!:D
Zen's inner sarg. is right - we can do this, we just have to get there and get it done!
I love the advice about having FUN - that is what got us into this in the first place FUN!!!! That is what we are going to do tomorrow, okay, you and me, have FUN!!
I haven't ever ridden in a group ride, either. Let's hope no one will know! Kidding - I plan on asking lots of questions.
I am sure we will both have some stories to tell one another on Sunday/Monday. Your post made my day. I look forward to hearing of your victory and sharing mine :eek: :D :confused: :rolleyes: :D

[Veronica]

Hey, I get nervous before every big ride. Tomorrow I'm doing my 5th double. I was awake this morning at 3:30 thinking about what to pack.

If it's riding with others that has you worried, just remember to be predictable - no sudden swerving, stopping, etc. If you need to stop on the road, look behind you, holler "Stopping!" and then pull over to the side.

Think hard before you call your DH if you're not having fun. Rides aren't always 100% fun. You may be unhappy for 10 minutes, but then you find your groove and life is good again.

Enjoy your ride. Don't worry about being last. It's no big deal. Trust me on this one. :p

V.

[Jenn]

You are going to do GREAT!!! Just think of GOOD you are going to feel once you have accomplished the ride!! You are at least going to TRY and that is awesome!! Like Flybye said, we look forward to hearing of your VICTORY!!!:D

[mimitabby]

I am nervous too. I was talking to the only woman who ever did Cannonball,
a race across the state of Washington. She has done multiple Ramrods; she's done Multiple STP's, she's done all sorts of rides. SHE doesn't sleep well before a big ride either.
When she told me that, I instantly felt better. but i still lose sleep, have
intestinal difficulties, etc, etc.

[LadyinWhite]

You guys are awesome. I feel better all ready. I feel SO much better knowing it's not just me!!

I'll let you know how it all turns out :)
T.

[Nokomis]

No matter how prepared I am, I get the nervous tummy before charity rides. I couldn't even tell you what it is that increases the anxiety, but it goes away once I start riding.

Just be aware that if your stomach likes to go to mush, be careful what you eat & know where the toilets will be at the starting point.

[SouthernBelle]

I'm looking forward to some excellent ride reports after this weekend.

[chakra]

Years ago, I did the 50K Ride for Heart - I was terrified! But what I found was that all the guys in lycra who wanted to turn it into their own private race did so - my heart hammered (hey, at least the cause was right, LOL) as they tore past me yelling "your left!" every second or so - but then they were gone, and the rest of us could just enjoy going at our own pace, enjoy talking if we wished, loiter at the rest stops if we felt the need, and have us our own party!

I hope it turns out just like that for you! I felt horrid the 3 days before I rode, but after the first half hour (while the speedies were going by) I had a great time.

With luck, you'll get to meet other riders who go at the same pace as you, and maybe you'll even make some friends.

I'll keep you in mind while I'm stuck in class tomorrow;) (dang grad school never ends).

Chakra

[RoadRaven]

Very crazy
Very sane
I lookfor ward to reading how you did
Its a shame you and FlyBye aren't doing the same ride!
Y'all have fun
:)
Thats what its about, remember...

[LadyinWhite]

I posted that I successfully completed the ride under the June 2 rides but thought I'd take a minute to share the details here, with you guys who were such a great support to me.

First of all - I was up at 6, checking tire inflation, lubing this and that and generally trying not to stress. Just before 7 I decide to ride over to the start. DH decides to ride over w/ me for moral support. He is in army green cargo shorts, lime green polo shirt, sneakers and helmet. We get there and I just have to laugh - while I'm checking in w/ the remaining 100 milers (they departed at 7) DH is putting my free tshirt on over his polo so now he looks utterly ridiculous, he's snagging a Tour de Cure water bottle and filling it for me, he's making himself a bagel w/ butter from the breakfast tent. In short, he's having a grand time.

I'm totally tense - surrounded by all sorts of decked out roadies in full kit.

Then I hear the 100's get called to the start. The 62's don't leave til 8. So I hit the head and pace around a little finally I say to DH, I'm leaving now.

Yep - I totally chickened out of the group ride experience, succumbing to all my anxiety. He pins on my number, gives me a pep talk and decides to ride with me for a bit. The number starts flapping like crazy as we leave so we swing back home for a sec to get additional pins and then we are off. He rides with me about a mile to a deli where he's going to get coffee and I continue on alone.

The first half of the ride was glorious - the route I knew well b/c I'd been practicing it, straight to beach. This first town had police stationed at every intersection expecting riders. I was all alone but when they saw me coming they stopped traffic in all directions and I flew through - it was SO fun. That feeling right there was worth the whole experience. They yelled Good Luck!!

The next town wasn't so great - streets PACKED with craft fair shoppers and then the next town was jammed with a local 5k run happening. I was yelled at by a guy with a bull horn to get out of the way. :(

Stopped after that at a g/f's apt for bathroom and water break and a pep talk. And then I was really off. Headed into a route I didn't know - I followed the markers painted on the ground and rode solo almost the whole rest of the way -

There was a couple that kept arriving at the rest stops about 5 min after me and one older gentleman rode with me out of a rest stop for a bit but I just couldn't hang on to him. He blew me away. :rolleyes:

It was HOT riding (mid 90's) - baking at the intersections.

Then I began to recognize where I was again and knew I was headed home :D I almost wept - not from relief or exhaustion but from "omg I did it"

I stopped at the last rest stop which was located right in my normal riding route, called the DH and told him I couldn't be more than 30 min out. 20 min later I pulled through the finish! DH and boy were waiting cheering!!! I absolutely LOVED the volunteers whose sole responsibility was to cheer and congratulate people arriving. When DH took this picture below - I truly was on the verge of tears knowing that this ride represented how far I'd come in regaining my health.

[KnottedYet]

HOOOORAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!! :D :p :D :p :D

I loved reading your post! Good riding, good writing, YOU ROCK!!!!!

[Flybye]

YOU ARE AN AWESOME AND BEAUTIFUL WOMAN :D :D :D :D :D :D

Cheers to you!!! You did it!!!

I know the teary eyes "wow I did it!" because I did it too!!
Cheers to our success!
Wasn't there part of you thinking, now wait, something must be not quite right, did I REALLY do this? It seems so surreal to me today. You too?

Although my woo - ha and my knee remind me that it is very real :eek:

Here is a picture from my first ride, too!!
Yeah us!!
Chickens, UNITE and ROCK!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!

I now have an inner-drill sarg, you too?????

[LadyinWhite]

Nicely done! So psyched to hear you finished as well. You are right - we are awesome ;) !

Sorry to hear about the hoo ha pain - I'm happy to report no soreness anywhere at all today. Re: knee pain - I hear ya - I have to be super careful when I ride, as soon as I start to mash even the slightest, I get left knee pain reminding me last years injury. Really slows down the pace when one depends exclusively on spinning for "power" LOL!

RE: inner sargent - YES YES YES - I heard that voice more than once LMAO Once on a hill, no one around anywhere, SO VERY HOT outside and I sound like a freight train climbing - thank goodness for that inner sargent. I suspect I'll be hearing from her again.

PS: LOVE your bike! What kind is it? I really want to get an upgrade at the end of this season - I'm looking at Giants mostly because the LBS that I absolutely love deals them.
Mostly what is surreal is that I signed up for this ride last fall and now it's done. I am having trouble getting used to what that feels like!! I feel confident I could have done the century - but do you think it's wierd not to really WANT to do another super long ride?

[luv'nAustin]

Whoo Hoo for both of you! Have you picked out your next rides?

[Flybye]

Whoo Hoo for both of you! Have you picked out your next rides?

Yes, my next ride will most likely be with a group of Boy Scouts on Huffy Bikes that they purchased at Wal-Mart. They have a 50 miler coming up. I am the "elected" mistress of the road for this one. Now I know that no one will be saying "on your left" during this ride :rolleyes: :p I will be able to say that I kicked you know what on this one!

I am, on a more serious note, not sure what to do about another ride. I do want to do another one, but nothing has captured my attention at this point! Thanks for asking!

[Flybye]

Nicely done! So psyched to hear you finished as well. You are right - we are awesome ;) !

Sorry to hear about the hoo ha pain - I'm happy to report no soreness anywhere at all today. Re: knee pain - I hear ya - I have to be super careful when I ride, as soon as I start to mash even the slightest, I get left knee pain reminding me last years injury. Really slows down the pace when one depends exclusively on spinning for "power" LOL!

I am glad to hear you had no pain!! I feel lots better this evening.

RE: inner sargent - YES YES YES - I heard that voice more than once LMAO Once on a hill, no one around anywhere, SO VERY HOT outside and I sound like a freight train climbing - thank goodness for that inner sargent. I suspect I'll be hearing from her again.

Heehehhheheheh = Me too!!!

PS: LOVE your bike! What kind is it? I really want to get an upgrade at the end of this season - I'm looking at Giants mostly because the LBS that I absolutely love deals them.

My bike is a Giant OCR 2 - it is my first bike (well, okay, there was the one with the banana seat and the flag ;) ) and I really have been happy with it. I don't have a "benchmark" bike to compare it to. I love the geometry of the bike. I rode LOTS of bikes (mostly because I am such a tightwad - I spent all of my Christmas and birthday money from EVERYONE that gave me a gift - I pleaded for money instead of Chia Pets and slippers) and this one was so comfortable. It just felt natural. I love my LBS guys, too. They are so encouraging.

Mostly what is surreal is that I signed up for this ride last fall and now it's done. I am having trouble getting used to what that feels like!! I feel confident I could have done the century - but do you think it's wierd not to really WANT to do another super long ride?

Yeah - It will be weird to ride just because you want to take a ride for the heck of it and not because you have a specific goal in mind, huh?
No, I don't think that it is weird not to have a plan to ride a long ride again, but I suspect that the bug will bite again. Cycling is just so much fun!


Congrats again. Relish it.

[Flybye]

We told ours, now tell us yours................

[Tri Girl]

Congrats ladies on your rides!!! Love the pictures you included and the tales of your adventures!
I, too, was terrified of my first century last summer. Rode 90% of it alone and lonely, but I had the best time! Thank goodness for the wonderful volunteers, eh? They make everything sooooo much fun. I, too, cried the last mile of the ride. Just from sheer elation that I did it.
You two are GREAT!!!! :D You must tell us of your further riding adventures when they happen!!! And be sure to tell us of the Boy Scout ride, Flybye- that sounds like it'll be a BLAST!

[Jo-n-NY]

Congratulations to two awesome ladies. You both did GREAT!!!!

~ JoAnn

[spokewench]

Great Stories Ladies! We all knew you could do it! Now . . . . the next one!:D

[CycleChic06]

Ok, reading all your success stories about riding distances you've never ridden before, and reading about how everyone gets so nervous before group rides has made me feel sooo much better about my ride coming up this weekend!

I signed up for a 60 mile Tour de Cure ride that takes place this Sunday. I don't know what I was thinking when I signed up for that distance. Last year I did the 30 mile route and it was no big deal, and the end of last summer when I was riding every weekend, doing 45 miles or so, 100K would have been no problem. But so far this year I haven't done more than 35 miles a couple times. I'm seriously doubting whether I can do this 60 miles.

But after reading all your stories, I feel better about it, I know I can do this. It'll be such a personal accomplishment for me to finish this. But I'm still on the verge of chickening out and doing the 30 mile route...can I do this ride???

[Tri Girl]

Oh you can do it- you MUST!!! If you only do the 30 you'll regret it. Get on out there, do the 60 and have some fun. It's not like you have to do it in 3 hours or anything. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, make a new friend or two and have some fun!!! You'll be glad you did.

[Flybye]

Get an inner drill sarg. if you must, but do it!!!
I want another success story!
If it is a personal accomplishment victory will be even sweeter.
Just remember hydration, food, and pace yourself.:D :D :D :D
Go baby, Go!!!

[LadyinWhite]

I considered bailing on the 60miler but I think, looking back, I'd be so disappointed with myself if I had. Once you are riding, everything will just fall into place.

I also agree about stopping and enjoying - it's not a race. I stopped at a yard sale and at my friend's apt. Why not? Not to mention the rest stops were amazing. (one was giving out jelly beans! :D )

You'll do great!

[CycleChic06]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I really need it! I'm wicked nervous, but kinda looking forward to the challenge. I'll let you all know how it goes...

[Flybye]

We haven't forgotten you Cyclechick06 - how'd it go:D