My First Long Ride of the Season

No rain....yea!!!!

I was excited to head out this morning for my first long distance ride. I had seen in the weather forecast that it was supposed to rain, but had planned to go out anyway. I was thrilled to learned that it wasn't actually supposed to rain until the afternoon. As it was, it was cool and misty--it reminded me of the Oregon Coast, which I love.

So it was a good ride.

It started out a little rocky, though...

My plan was to ride 15 miles along the Mt. Vernon Trail, starting at mile 1, riding to about 8 1/2 and heading back.

Unfortunately, when I was about halfway there, I realized I had forgotten a snot rag. I knew that with the weather the way it was, I would definitely need to blow my nose more than once, so my mind raced for a solution.

I remembered that there was a grocery store not far from mile 7, so I decided to stop there and pick something up.

I don't use tissue, because it just falls apart, so I was hoping to find a cleaning rag or something--even a small dishcloth. Anyway, I spent an inordinate amount of time looking around the store and finally saw a package of Kleenex brand Viva Towels. It said, "Soft and Strong Like a Cloth" on the outside. Perfect!

They lived up to their name and were excellent at the job. I've decided to keep them in my car in case I forget for future rides. :o)

But now I was at mile 7, so I had to either drive back to mile 1 or change my plans. I decided to start at 7 and ride up to 8 1/2, then back to mile 1, and back to mile 7. Actually, it turned quite well--so well, I think I might keep doing it. Heading backwards, there are some pretty steep hills...better to tackle them in the first half of the ride than the second! :o)

Speaking of hills, this route has one very steep hill that I had tried my "100 count" strategy on in the fall. It only took counting to 12, but it is VERY steep, and there is a hairpin turn leading up to it, so you can't get any momentum before tackling it.

Today when I approached it, I downshifted, headed up and--wow! I went up lickety split! Woo hoo! Again, more evidence that my fall training paid off! (Of course, there is the possibility that it was so easy because it was in the first part of my ride, rather than in the last part...)

Anyway, despite all the craziness, it was a good ride. I was suprised how tired my legs were when I first got on the bike (as a result of yesterday's ride), but as I warmed up, that went away. It was nice and cool--not too cold, and like I said it reminded me of the Oregon Coast. I saw a lot of nature riding along the river, and I was just so grateful that I have this ride to "force" me out. I think my natural inclination would be to just stay home.

When I was done with the ride, and the bike was back on the rack, it suddenly hit me--I was SOAKED AND FREEZING! I guess the exercise was keeping me warm and the scenery was keeping me distracted. When I got home, all I wanted to was hot food and a hot shower. After that, I plopped down on the bed and promptly fell asleep. I guess I hadn't realized how tired I was, either! But I know from experience that that recovery--how you feel after the ride--gets significantly better the more you work out.

So, my eating wasn't that great--in fact, it was pretty awful. I was just so cold when I got home!!!! I definitely was not in the mood for a fruit and protein shake...

10:30a - Access shake
12:15p - Access bar
2:00p - multibean soup, piergie, holuski
6:30p - went to a party and ate a variety of snacks into the evening: chips and bean dip (with lettuce and tomato), artichoke bites, fresh vegetables with dip, hummus and pita, chips and spinach/artichoke dip, strawberries & grapes; drank lots of sparking lemonade and sparkling apple cider.