What happens when you bite off more... (Aug 15 rides)

[alpinerabbit]

...than you can chew...

so, I hadn't been on the road bike for close on 5 weeks. so, I had not trained much at all lately. so, I'd had half a bottle of wine the night before and the flu the week before was also a factor?
...and did I mention I probably have lost muscle to be replaced by flab?

Never mind! we embarked on a 110 km, 1600m climbing ride Saturday morning, hottest day of the year (mere 30°C forecasted but that's pretty hot for us), got out the door late with the muesly for breakfast an hour past...

After about 40 mins we already got hungry and had the very wise choice of coffee and a croissant, before going into the first climb, upon which my tummy was already upset. Topped it off with a coke and pastry before the second climb - that's 70k into the ride and behold, my speed dropped to 7 or 8 kph; tried another gel, tummy didn't get any happier.

Had to stop twice for breath and water, DBF ended up coming back down to get me and had to push me the last few 100m (like in the old days - first season cycling ) - I was almost bonking... that cost me a few tears while sitting down to catch breath, and was followed with a shaky descent.

After the final 20k home, I dropped like a sack of flour on the lawn at my parents' and got woozy when we donned the swimsuits to take a refreshing dip in the pool (I warned DBF to watch out for me drowning, just in case). I guess that's why they do the swim first in tris, so they don't lose anyone.

that-was-not-so-smart..... but it shows that you can still push that little bit furter.... and the ride was very pretty...

[Biciclista]

gorgeous photo! sounds like you need to eat a little better, eh?

[smilingcat]

5 weeks of no riding then go out for a ?? 110km ride and 1600m of climb

soft drink and a pastry during the ride That sugar rush will make you crash. Seriously!!

Well... you're really tough.

the picture is so pretty. You didn't happen to climb the mountain in the background?

[alpinerabbit]

hee hee, no, that's for pedestrians only. Pretty long climb. I want to do this sometime, maybe this fall. Only done it twice in my life. It's 1000m elevation gain in itself.

[DebW]

Ooo, I miss Switzerland already. It's bloody hot and humid here in New England.