Cycling in the Rain
So yesterday, after being inspired by watching the Tour de France on TV and hearing from Shannon that she is going to get to ride with Lance, I decided that even though it was lightly sprinkling to go out and go for a ride.
A few days ago, I had purposely driven around up here to try and find roads that would work out and eventually I found a way that roads would connect and give me a distance that would be quick enough to do on a moments notice, but long enough to make a good workout. I was trying to find something in the 35-40 mile range, and eventually after finding roads, and then grading them on how smooth they looked, how busy they were, how big of a shoulder they had, I eventually came up with this giant Sudoku puzzle to deal with. I solved it though, and as a bonus, at the end of the route was a giant hill. I immediately named it the Col de Quail Run.
I left the house and was in an okay mood until I realized that the sidewalk that I thought went all the way through wasn’t completed in two spots so I had to hop onto a busy road for two short sections at the beginning, and then the crossover over I-76 was busy, but at least traffic was slow.
I was pushing it and made it up and over some of the smaller hills and finally got to the large hill at the end that I named the Col de Quail Run. Why did I name it that? I don’t know, because any good hill needs a name, and 152nd Ave sidestreet doesn’t sound threatening enough.
I cranked it up the hill without changing to the small ring (granny gear) but I was about to pass out at the top when a guy who owned the property at the top of the hill said, “You’re the first biker I’ve seen come up this hill.” I responded, “Oh really? Well, I bet it’s a lot more fun going down.”
I turned around at the top and realized I averaged 16.7 mph for the 17 miles going out. That’s a little faster than I wanted to average. And that’s when the rain started hitting me in the face. I went down the giant hill but instead of pushing it, I just let gravity guide me down.
Then the rain picked up.
I thought about calling Colleen to come get me but she was busy doing other things. I never called but the rain got to the point where I couldn’t see where I was going, my shoes were soaked, my jersey was dirty and my hands were starting to prune up. I had over an hour left in my ride. But I persevered.
Upon arriving back at the ranch, I immediately got out some ice cream and had an appropriate post-ride snack.
Next time I’m going to take Ryan.
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Glad to inspire:) I went riding this morning out to the local resevoir (colloquially known as ‘the rez’. apparently people in Iowa are unaware of what ‘the rez’ means in our native state) and there were like 60 turkey buzzard things all with their wings spread out (about a 5 foot span) sitting on the damn. It was freaky. So I turned around…I’m such a wuss…and only made it 20 miles today. I asked the guy at the bike shop a couple of weeks ago where I should go for a ride and he showed me some “easy 100s” instead of the 30-mile range I was looking for. (did I already tell you that?), so I need to go exploring too. Somehow I think we should both stay inside this weekend though….hoooottttt!!!
oops…I meant “sitting on the dam”, not the “damn”. hehehe
Oh yeah, one more thing. You are NEVER allowed to call your s.o. to come get you, else you will endure YEARS of torment from, well, from me. HA! This does not count for SAG wagons on ‘official’ rides though, or else I’m setting myself up for torment…
It is hot out, that’s for sure! However, I’m still going for a ride somewhere. Just don’t know when and where. *sigh*
haha, “official” rides….pfffft! By the time I suit up into my spandex and air up my tires, fill my water bottles, and mount my bike, heck, I’ve already started sweating and as far as I’M concerned…it’s an official ride.
Sweat == Official Ride
Q.E.D.
Hey Matt,
I look forward to it. I think I’m going on like 20 miles tonight after work, maybe I’ll stop by. I’m still recovering from Mexico though, so if my stomach will let me I’ll definitely go…We’ll talk later, I hope all is well.
HOLY CRAP!!!!! I was TEN FEET from LANCE!!!!!! It took all I had to not jump on his bike and well, you know. He came a day early to the ride “secretly”. He passed us at about 20mph, it was awesome! And he had Matthew McCaugnehey (sp?) with him that first day. All the pictures in the paper of him showed him swilling beer at every beer garden across the state, it was AWESOME!!! More later….