Beautiful cool sunny/cloudy day. DH and I took off from work early to do a ride because yesterday sunday was rainy so we worked sunday instead.

We wanted to do about 20 miles. We wound up taking a route to a favorate organic food farm store up in the hills. But we chose the "hard hills" way to get there this time- had never tried it before. The route 7 way has a reputation as THE killer test for bikers around here.

We did make it in the end- but I had to walk up several parts. It was indeed KILLER, one killer hill after another! I had to stop several times to let my heart slow down and catch my breath. At one point I had to sit on the ground for a few minutes because I got weak and kind of "iffy". (yes, I had tons of water drinking all throughout, and had eaten a granola bar 30min before we started). DH was very patient and encouraging, and offered for us to turn back several times. No, I said, let's do it. I think it didn't help that it was the first day of my period. Also didn't help that our ride started immediately with a long steep hill, instead of a nice warmup to get going.

I did peddle quite a bit of the big hills in lowest gear though, and my DH kept saying he was very proud of me. He didn't seem to have many problems with it- what's up with that??
Anyway, we eventually got to the highpoint of the ride in terms of elevation (Thank GOD), and after that it was only delightful. We got to the store and I was suddenly ravenously hungry!! Had a craving for carbs and I ate a BIG plate of fish, brown rice and veggies, with a roll, lots of water again.
The sun was getting low and golden, so we got going back towards home- mostly blissful cold breezy downhills this time!
It was "only" 18 miles, but man what a workout. I'm glad even for the walking parts- it all builds more muscle for next time.