Today was a hard day

After yesterday’s ride debacle, broken spoke nipple 14 miles into the ride, I felt I needed a nice easy ride on a beautiful Sunday morning. Off to Bicycles East for the Show & Go SS/FG ride. I get there about 20 minutes till 9 and am the first one there. Jackie shows up a few minutes later, then Chris then finally Jim and his girlfriend Carrie (I hope I spelled all those names correctly).

The first thing I notice is that I am the only one to be riding a single speed. That’s not so bad, it’s Sunday and Sunday is for social riding. Fast but not too fast at the start, and for the first 25 miles I was ok with the pace. The hills were starting to hurt, really missed those extra gears climbing. About 6 miles from the finish, the tank was empty, nothing left to climb with. Cramps in both quads and in my left calf. No way to stand without severe pain. At that point I remember what I always tell Nicole when things start to get tough, its all about pain management. Managed the last climb of the day, a 6% grade just past the church up to Highway 51 at about 4 miles per hour. All I can do is keep the bike upright and not fall over. Still had a bit left to ride the last couple of flat miles at a respectable speed, but it hurt.

Jim stayed with me the last few miles trying those same mind tricks we play on others, “no more hills”, “its all downhill from here”, “we are almost at the top”. Of course none of that works but it was nice to not finish alone.

Will I do it again? You bet. Will I ride it on my single speed? Sure will. Did I have a good time? Absolutely.

There is nothing like a Sunday Social ride!