The Udder Ride

Yesterday we drove out to Union, IL (about an hour west) for a 32-mile bike ride. They offered a 50-mile and 100-miler too. We got our bikes all set and took off. We just made it there by the cutoff time, tho there were still some people rushing in.

The parking lot was packed with empty bike racks on the cars. The 100-miler people had to be there by 8am so they were out there for 2 hrs already. We signed in, handed over our $25 admit fee and got our arm bands (they were black and white like a cowhide).

Got our bikes out of the car and noticed the girl next to us. Skinny lil thang, not one pound of flesh on her....car had an IM sticker from Madison. I knew she'd be whizzing by us in no time, no matter how much earlier we left. See, I ride my mountain bike...been keeping the road bike ready for my daughter as she planned on doing the triathlon with me in 3 weeks, so I figured I should get used to my only other bike. Well......I looked like quite the newbie out there---mountain bike, puma shoes, running tee---I didnt know it then, but it sure hit me later on.

We took off, following the map given to us at registration. Nice, flat land---good old Illinois---flat as a board! Beautiful farmland out there---cows, horses, fields freshly planted. I love newly planted farms---rows and rows of green growth---everything in such perfect order. Pure America!

At around 4 miles, Haight noticed 3 figures behind us---skinny IM chick I figured. Yep--she flew by us, but she did say "Hello". OK--she's nice! Haight flew on up ahead of me, it was hard work for me on the mountain bike. But I kept plugging along.

I remembered my trainer telling me to drink an entire water bottle during the 14-mile bike part of the triathlon I have coming up, so I tried to make sure I did that on this ride. Gatorade sure is refreshing on a hot summer day. Though I could see how a stomach could get tired of it after a really long ride.

At 19-miles there was a pit stop. We got off the bikes still feeling good and checked out the food. There were pb& j half sandwiches, HUGE cookies, bananas and jugs of water and gatorade. We filled up our bottles and snarfed down a sandwich (cookies for Haight, but I'm being true to the Leanness Lifestyle program--lost 6 lbs already!!). Then we were off again!

After another 5 or so miles, we saw the 100-miler bikers turning onto our road. Man are they fast! And decked out in FULL biking wear! I loved all the colors! And the bikes!!!! OMG----now I sure felt like a biking virgin! That was it---I was going for the road bike next time---with a bikers shirt and biking shoes! I shan't look like a farty-old-lady out for a ride to the library!!!

The last 10 miles were a struggle for me, but not so much that my quads were screaming. I see the work that has to be done. We got back to the car and I dropped onto the grass. Ahhhh....soft grass, warm sun, perfect blue sky with some puffy clouds and a great workout behind me! Life is good!!!