Ugh, why did I sign up for this?

[Skierchickie]

I usually find that the more I dread the thing I signed up for, the more glad I am that I did it afterward. If it's really really really tough, I get a great feeling of accomplishment afterward. That isn't to say that it always goes well, but if I'm REALLY dreading it, it is never as bad as I anticipate.

Like the others said, you didn't sign a contract. It's totally up to you (okay, was up to you, since it's 5pm here now). Just remember that you are stronger and more experienced now, and you've already proven that you can do it!

Oh, and I typically regret signing up for every event I do, and wish I hadn't, and I dread everything! But once I get out there, I'm usually glad I did.

So what did you decide? How did it go?? Are you glad (either way)? I'm time-traveling back to this morning, to support you and give you good vibes.

[Zen]

I'm time-traveling back to this morning, to support you and give you good vibes.

Take me with you. I want to get up earlier.

[Skierchickie]

Take me with you. I want to get up earlier.

Sorry, Zen - I don't know what time zone Limbo is in, but I'm not going any earlier than 8:00 am EDT. Are you in?

[TrekTheKaty]

Knowing I've already plopped down the money usually motivates me. When it was 32F at the start of our scheduled century last year, I rolled over and went back to sleep.

[tharley]

I'm dreading Elephant Rock in 2 weeks. What were DH & I thinking when we signed up? We paid good money, so I will be going...just going very slowly.

[NoNo]

Well I went and I finished! It wasn't pleasant, at least not the first half. We started on the water, rode east about 10 or 11 miles, and then turned north. If you don't know Connecticut, turning north means going uphill. So we climbed. And climbed. And when you thought you were done, you climbed some more. In the end, we did 3300 feet. I went slow, used my granny gear liberally, and just went with it. The nice thing about this ride is that there's no set start time. So that meant that there was a constant stream of riders catching up to me and I was never alone. I really couldn't take much more leading up to the halfway point, and I was beginning to overheat. I stopped, poured some water on me, caught my breath, and continued on. On one of the uphills I had to make a right and two cars nearly collided in front of me, killing my momentum. On one of the big downhills, I heard a clunk and realized my bag had popped off the bike The second rest stop was a welcome sight. I knew the worst of the hills were behind me. There were some nice downhills, and I hit 45mph on one of them. But it was still rolling and my legs were tired. Slow and steady, I continued on. When I was a mere mile from the end, the guy in front of me hit some rubble in the shoulder and went flying into a signpost. He wasn't seriously injured, and while rolling on the ground in pain he screamed out "MY GARMIN! MY GARMIN! Where is it?!" There was a cop at the intersection we just came from, so we flagged an oncoming car to go get him. I continued on and finally made it to the end. Well, the end of the official ride. My brother lives two miles from the start, so we just rode to it, adding an extra 4 miles to an already long day.

Am I proud of myself? Yes, I was really surprised at how well I did. Would I do that particular ride again? No, it's just not fun. It's hard to enjoy the beautiful scenery when your gasping for air and focused on climbing the next hill. But I think it gave me more hope of completing my century in two weeks. That ride isn't nearly as hilly, so I think I have a chance.

Here's the elevation profile. As you can see, there were few breaks to be found.

[tharley]

Great job! I am very impressed.

[ny biker]

Here's the elevation profile. As you can see, there were few breaks to be found.

FWIW, this will probably change your definition of "a hilly ride." There are rides that I thought had killer hills when I first did them. Then I did a ride with seriously killer hills, and now I enjoy the old rides and realize they're not all that hilly after all.

Also when I do encounter hills now, I just think: I can handle it, I've done worse.

BTW NoNo, is the trolley museum in Branford still open? We visited it when I was very young.

[Zen]

Sorry, Zen - I don't know what time zone Limbo is in, but I'm not going any earlier than 8:00 am EDT. Are you in?

I can do that. Let's go!