Just did my longest ride ever, 50.3 miles (yes, I circled around my block once to get it past 50). I'm tired. Felt good the whole way, minus the fact that I was really tired of the wind that kicked up the whole 25-mile return trip. I was supposed to be keeping my heart rate between 125 and 135, which was easy at a 15-16 mph going down to Ft. Lauderdale. My heart rate was between 145-165 the whole way back and I was going at most at about 12-13 mph. The ride took me 3 hours 44 minutes, and I stopped once to get some more water (two bottles were not enough in the heat and sun). I took three of these along with me for snacks, and liked them, but dropped one before I could get it in my mouth.




Very tasty and easy to eat (I cut the tops off before I left home and had them in one of my pockets). My legs were tired at the end, but I never felt like I lost energy, though I was really ready to get off the bike when I got home.

I also took a couple of these (read about them here so thanks!) and put it in the water I got on my way back:



Tasted just like not-sweet Gatorade, which I liked.

The best part of the ride was when I saw a woman from my 6AM interval cycling class at whiz by me in one town. I caught up to her at a light, and she was nice enough to ride with me for about six miles, which slowed us both down, but we had a nice gab.

I do have a question for you experts: I have been told to not hose down my bike, but I was spending 20 minutes trying to get the sand out of everything, and was getting nowhere. I finally took out the hose, and within seconds, it was clean. I did dry it off really well, lube everything, and then polish the frame. Is this really a no-no?

Oh....my biggest lesson learned today was just because you put on sunscreen when you leave the house, it does not mean you won't get fried. I look pink and silly. I will remember to bring some with me next time.