July 3rd Rides!

[lauraelmore1033]

Didn't feel like riding, but I hadn't ridden since saturday and even then, the ride was cut short by a slipping chain problem (learned you're supposed to get a new one every 1000 miles and Bessie was long overdue) so I grudgingly set out for a spin on the Interurban trail near my house. I'm a total wuss about riding in the heat, so I put ice in my hydration pak and wore my new clipie sandals without socks. It was over 80 degrees, but felt hotter on the trail since there was not a speck of shade to be found. I was in poor-me mode the whole way, cursing the headwind which followed me both ways, the blackberry bushes which were out to get me, the hills which had grown hillier since the last time I'd ridden. Oh, and there were some chuck holes that had it out for me too, and, well, it was so hot. Whaaaa, whaaa, whaaa, I know, I know. What a baby! ( I used to think it funny that northwesterners thought 80 degrees was hot too, when we moved out here from Indiana 20 some years ago. I guess I've acclimated). As I headed back up the hill from Alderwood Mall Parkway,griping inwardly at the butt ugliness of the area and the steepness and duration of the hill (which hadn't seemed like much of a hill the last time I rode it) I briefly entertained the notion of getting off and walking the rest of the way. This damn hot, ugly hill didn't deserve the effort. I dismissed the idea, and, just as I clicked down a gear and picked up the cadence, my young neighbor drove by in his sleek little sports car and honked at me. A wave of gratitude washed over me that this young man (who had never had a very high opinion of me) had not had the opportunity to catch his ridiculous old-lady neighbor walking up a hill. Suddenly, everything seemed brighter, and the pedaling was easy breezy after that. When I got home, hubby was impressed that I'd ventured out in the heat and, I was really happy that I had.

[maillotpois]

Great ride up Mt. Tamalpais - it was warm and sunny and the view was amazing!!

[mimitabby]

Laurelmoore, great story, thanks for sharing. Been there, done that. (except for the cute neighbor part)

[Jiffer]

Suddenly, everything seemed brighter, and the pedaling was easy breezy after that. When I got home, hubby was impressed that I'd ventured out in the heat and, I was really happy that I had.

Hilarious.