sandi_SL4-22

ROUTE: Collin Couny Bike Rally
TEMP: 72*F
TRIP: 38.03 miles
TIME: 0830hrs
TOTAL TIME: 03:15:15
GOAL: to "finish the ride"
OF NOTE: a large group for the 36 mile ride. many, many hills with steep upgrades. the downhills were absolute relief from the climb b4.
8 June 2013: the day started at 0400 hrs. not exactly my ideal time for waking up. but we needed to be there by 0630 hrs. we were there well b4 that time. it was 0545 hrs when we parked the car in the grassy area. we were the first to arrive aside from the event volunteers. we were the first to get our bike numbers and t-shirts.
about 15 minutes later, others arrived and that began a steady flow of people and bikes.
finding our starting point for the 36 mile ride, we waited, and waited, and waited. finally, 0800 hrs came and the longest route bikers were allowed to leave. we finally left the start around 0830 hrs. the crowd of bikers was large but everyone was courteous as we all headed in one direction. after turning onto the road, we could spread out a bit and get goin'. i did my best to stay with my hubby but it was not to be. he settled into his rhythm and i into mine. about the 3rd turn, the group i was with started hearing about a wreck and cracks on bridge. there was a wreck of several bikes and a couple of people were being tended to. their ride was over. cracks on the bridge weren't that bad for my bike as i was riding a mountain bike. my tires were much wider and thicker than most of the bikes out there that day. hubby was way ahead of me and i didn't really mind cuz i knew he couldn't keep to my slower pace. he told me later that he was riding with the first group to start. however, we did meet at the first rest stop and stayed together for about 1.5 miles. we were stopped by the police directing traffic. quite a large group of bikers were gathered and waiting to continue the ride. hubby turned around and i lost him as we were waved to proceed. he finally caught up with me and stayed with me for about 1.5 miles again b4 he took off on his pace. this time he circled back to me and rode with me to the next rest stop. having refueled our bodies and water bottles, we continued on. it wasn't long b4 he "left me in the dust". i reminded him to take it easy over the walkie talkie and he was gone. i was now on my own for the remainder of the ride. i didn't really want to be but i wasn't gonna hold him back. we have very different riding techniques. as i rode with my thoughts, i hoped he wasn't pushing it on his left knee as his surgery was on Tuesday. i thought about how proud my dad would be to see me riding in a bike rally and actually making it. wondered what life would be like if my sister was still here. so many different thoughts. but i always came back to me. encouraging myself to keep goin' and don't give up. i thanked Daddy for helping me with each stroke of the pedal. the final rest stop was 18 miles from the last one. after i stopped and took a short break along with some food, drink and ice, i got back on my bike and finished the ride.
the roads were back country roads with lots of steep inclines and really nice downgrades. i struggled on most of the uphill climbs but i didn't give up nor did i stop in the middle of them except for one with a curve. i stopped just b4 the curve and thought, "i can't do it anymore." but then, my determination and Daddy spoke to me with that still small voice and encouraged me to continue. i reclipped and made the last rest stop where i was even more determined to "finish the ride".
i did take in the scenery and enjoyed seeing the horses, which i would rather be riding. despite the hills, i really enjoyed the route. however, i do need to ride more uphills so i can make it up without goin' all the way down to F2 R1,2 on the gears. a challenge i will meet and accomplish by the end of July. that's the goal.

as i rode the 36 miles, i thought about a lot of things. but mostly i thought about me and getting to the finish line.
when i arrived at the start/finish, my name was announced over the loud speaker. hubby had asked to announce my name with encouraging words. i didn't really acknowledge it cuz i still hadn't crossed the finish line. in fact, i wondered how he knew my name and then i thought it was for someone else. but hubby was there with a smile on his face beaming and telling me how proud he was that i "finished the ride".
after crossing the finish line, i rode my bike up onto the sidewalk, told hubby to grab the bike as i could not put my feet on the ground. once the bike was securely held by hubby, i gently put my feet on the ground and straddled the bike. hubby handed me a bottle of CRAZY water and i slowly drank it. a few minutes l8r, i dismounted and hubby took the bike and put it away for the trip home.

b4 leaving the event, we walked around to see if we could find a bite to eat. we didn't want burgers or "fast food". i wanted a good salad and he really wanted barbecue/brisket. so off we went to find an Olive Garden.
when we arrived at the Mesquite Olive Garden, they had just lost power. so i decided to go to SpringCreek Barbecue cuz i didn't want to wait. i needed to eat. hubby really wanted to eat there anyway. and they even had a nice sized salad that i ordered and devoured. after that, we went home.

8)