Heart of Virginia

Next week. Anyone doing it?

I wish....is it all week?

This weekend
http://www.raba.org/HOVA/HeartofVA_Full_Info.html

There were about 500 cyclists, although everyone was pretty spread out except in a few spots. The landscape is just lovely, and mostly flat with some rollers and only a few what I would consider climbs (had me huffing and puffing, anyways). People came from far and wide. I met a few who had come all the way from New York, and also two who had come all the way from Asheville (6 hour drive!) The traffic was very light. Lots of farmland. I had not been to these areas before, and I'm surprised that there's so much farmland so close to Richmond.

The rest stops were okay, but here were no cookies!

I did the Metric Century, and although I've done plenty of Metrics without any trouble, I had trouble with this one. It was so hot (in the 90s) and very humid. I drank plenty, but I didn't eat enough. I only had one GU at around mile 20, and I really could have used another one at 40. I ate at the rest stops, but I would have done better with some cookies (can you tell I like cookies? My partner rode with me the whole way (as he always does), and really kept my spirits up the last 10 miles.

The last 10 miles were really hard, but I just kept going and not worrying about my speed. I made it, and the ice cream at the end was mighty tasty, although I could only have a little bit because my stomach was not its usual steely self.

I went out for pasta and pizza with my partner, drank lots of water, and slept a solid 12 hours last night.

Distance: 61.75 miles
Speed: 14mph. Cruising for most of it at 16+, the last 10 miles I was lucky to break 10mph.

I will do this ride next year, but I hope they have cookies.

Well done, you, Tulip.

But if your partner was your "domestique" (sorry, not sure of the spelling) shouldn't he have been carrying supplies for you?? :p

I love it when my partner rides with me, I really feel like I 'can'... and you did! Glad you got well-deserved solid sleep.