My ride today was absolutely empowering. It was around 44 degrees when I left this morning with gusting winds of up to 45 mph. The wind chill from them felt around 30 degrees, no kidding. I sucked it up, dressed in just about all the gear I own and rode to Nyack and back. Nearly 75 miles!
Now, after a very long, very hot shower and some delicious mixed veggie and tofu stir fry I feel practically sedated. I may pass out before 8pm tonight – I am that beat. Happy, but oh so exhausted.
On the way out there most of what we got were headwinds. Powerful, chilling headwinds and it was no joke of a ride at all. I would even venture to say that overall it was one of the more mentally and physically taxing rides I’ve ever been on. I met up with 2 incredibly cool local cyclists who rode so fast and were so badass that they inspired me to somehow soldier through. We stopped once so I could buy an extra pair of socks (my feet were completely numb) but besides that I really feel that I was able to hang. For me that’s a big deal, especially when I know I’m riding with much more experienced cyclists. I so don’t want to hold people up, especially those that are being awesome enough to guide me on a first trip.
Even though the weather wasn’t exactly what I might have wished for, it made me work that much harder and I feel like I am that much better prepared for the Century now. The ride has lots of pretty sizable hills, they weren’t easy by any stretch but I managed them.
There wasn’t a lot of bike traffic, which under the windy circumstances wasn’t a surprise, but it made my first trip across the George Washington bridge seem that much more intimate and kinda special.
Thanks so much to Pit and Taliah (of the amazing bicyclepaintings.com). They encouraged me, inspired me and made today’s ride incredibly awesome. Thanks so much ladies!
Man, I need a personal masseuse. What a day.
We knew you could do it!! Wow, how impressive!!
wow!!! that’s awesome, brrrr I would have been freeezing. You’re ready for anything girl!