October 14 rides

[redrhodie]

Oh, Indi, you are a Pollyanna !

This ride was WAY too hard for a flat riding Newport girl! I lost Indi flying down a descent around mile 20 something, and didn't see her again. Riding alone in the CT wilderness I slowed down to look for the arrows, since we had already missed one earlier, I didn't want to get lost alone in this place I'd never been to before. I felt a little like my avatar!

I got picked up (not literally) by this cutie who was not doing the NBW ride, but just out doing his hill training. He and I talked and rode at an easy pace, and he led me through as he knew the route I was probably taking, which was great, because I have an awful sense of direction, and some of the arrows were way after the turns. He said good bye as he thought he'd be turning to do his hills, and I'd be going straight--an easier ride. Then, he saw the arrow, and said, "Oh, you're turning with me. Looks like they're throwing some major hills your way." OH BOY! He wasn't kidding!

I wasn't even half way through at this point, and my energy wasn't good. I thought, if I'm going to finish the ride, I can't climb every one of these. There was no pick-up wagon, so there wasn't a lot I could do if I couldn't complete at this point. I started walking some of them, eating some snacks as I did, hoping I'd reserve some energy for the rest of the ride.

I got passed by a nice woman and a couple of guys, and met up with them later where they told me not to go down to the ferry, since it wasn't running because it was too windy. (The ferry went across a river, to a road that was supposed to add the 3 miles to make this a metric century). Windy? I hadn't even noticed the wind!

The three of us parted, and at this point, I hit my own personal wall. I was halfway through, exhausted, and knew the worst hills were coming up. I called home, and asked DBF to come get me, which is kind of a joke because he doesn't drive. He gave me a much needed pep talk, told me to rest and eat, and get back on the bike when I felt better. Oh, I was also out of h2o, so dehydration was factoring in, too.

I found a farm stand and bought water, and imediately felt better, but still was walking some of the monsters.

I called Indy, and she said she was just ahead, and would be at the hopyard, but didn't see her. I'm soooo glad, too, because after I left there, I met up with the 2 guys I had met earlier, who were having about as much fun as I was on the hills. They were talking to a couple of other guys about alternative routes, because they were done climbing. They saw me walking up a hill, called me over because they knew I was one of them, and off we went in the opposite direction to the course! This is when it got fun.

The new route was dreamy. I didn't care that there was traffic. Newport has prepared me well for that! The men and I flew. Only a couple of minor hills, and a whole lotta downhills and tailwinds! It was delightful! I felt great at the end.

Yes, I cheated ! I don't care who knows it! I rode 60 miles, my longest ride yet. I'm totally proud of myself!