First ride over 5 miles...I'm skeered!

[schnitzle]

And I lived to tell the tale! hahaha I made it about 10 miles.

It went pretty well! We rode from Matthews Beach to Blyth park near Bothell Landing. Then going back I started to feel like I just couldn't get the strength back in my legs if that makes sense? I think it was those under the intersection tunnels that really did me in going back. Going through the last one I didn't shift right and barely made it to the top of the hill on the other side. I had to take a break for a few minutes there, then when we started going again my legs were immediately burning and I felt like I couldn't coast to rest. Sooo we went a bit farther, and stopped as planned a at Tully's coffee.

That's when I called my partner (we live about 5 miles away) and asked her to come get me Going the other 6 miles back to Matthews beach just seemed impossible. Also I felt like we had been going downhill a lot going into the Lake Forest Park area, so I psyched myself out thinking that there was going to be a lot of inclines going back :P Stupid! I think that coupled with the fact that I knew I could get a ride did me in. I felt really good though and thoroughly enjoyed myself! The Burke-Gilman trail is so nice (well except for that hot flat part in Kenmore/Bothell!) and even though it was a sunny Saturday I felt like the traffic level was reasonable and I never was scared. I may have been that new cyclist that you warn other cyclists about though!! hahaha

AND I didn't fall down! That's the one thing I ask before I ride. Please don't let me fall down for some stupid reason. So far so good!

Thanks a million for all the encouragement and well wishes! You guys are the best <3 The women I rode with were also really understanding and helped me keep going. They also told me I had nothing to worry about regarding the ride back to the beach, so I'm determined to go the whole distance next time!

[zoom-zoom]

They also told me I had nothing to worry about regarding the ride back to the beach, so I'm determined to go the whole distance next time!

You'll totally get there!