Another Val & Linda excellent adventure

The day over at my parents on Saturday was very nice, but it was hot.  I don't do well in hot.  The kids had a good time playing together - swimming and then fishing.  We had a nice barbecue that ended up being an 'inside-a-cue', as the propane tank ran out about 5 minutes into the cooking process.

We got Sophie back to my ex about 7pm - thoroughly exhausted but happy.

Linda & I were pretty tired, as well.  We settled in to watch "The Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith.  For those of you who don't know this about me, I'm a total mush when it comes to movies.  I get completely absorbed by what I'm watching.  This movie tore at my heart something fierce.  I cried 85% thru this film.  My eyes were killing me and my nose was completely stuffed up.  Linda just shakes her head at me. 

The plan was to be on the road on Sunday by 9:30am.  We got up about 9... it was overcast out.  Coolish in temps.  After lollygagging about,  we decided that we would continue with our plan for the 38 mile bike trip.

We had a few false starts - forgetting phones, keys, etc... and we reached Guilford about 11:45.  It was chilly out and looking very much like rain.

We headed out feeling good.  The route was the one we did last week with an additional 18 miles going into Madison and through Hammonasset State Park.  The new part was the first leg of the journey and we immediately realized that this was going to be more challenging, as it had many more inclines and hills.  It was humid, though overcast.  A lot of the route was in the sun, versus shade.  The scenery was not as pretty to look at until we got to the State park and reached the beach.  I was drenched in sweat.  Linda looked just as fresh as when we first started out.

There were no equipment malfunctions.

My butt was sore and Linda's shoulders/neck area was sore - as she was leaning over more using her road bike this time.  Our incentive was that at the end of the 18 miles, there was a DQ waiting for us!  The last leg before DQ had us going thru some really pretty Cape Cod neighborhoods along the water and then thru the town of Madison with it's little shops and restaurants.

We took a break at DQ and contemplated not doing the other 20 miles, but I kept hearing Weese's voice saying "38 miles sure seems like a long way to ride" and I couldn't bear to have to admit that she was right! We had been stopping often along the ride for water, stretching and butt-relief breaks, so though we had gone 18 miles, almost 3.5 hours had elapsed.  The sun was shining brightly when we had reached the beach and I was sweating profusely.  The ice cream hit the spot and I splashed lots of cold water on my face before hitting the road again.

So off we went.  With me whining most of the way!

Somehow knowing the route that we had done before made it a bit harder when we started riding again.  The unknown is good for optimism.  Knowing that there were 2 huge hills to ride up, made me feel more tired long before we even reached them.  But it was a much shadier route, so the breezes were much cooler.

The first big hill was hard, but we did it and felt great.  Then we were on the 'pedal malfunction' road and we noted the spot where it happened.  I reassured Linda that my pedals felt good, even if my butt and neck did not!  We got to just before the 2nd hill and I made Linda stop.  I got off my bike, calmly walked across the street, sat on the grass and laid back.  I could have just stayed there.  It felt so good.  Linda asked if she should go get the car.  Again I heard Weese and said, "No" as I grudgingly got up and mounted my means-of-torture bike.

The 2nd hill was a doozy.  I had walked it the last time, as it was impossible to ride up hill with only 1 pedal.  It was hard walking, but not that much easier riding.  When I finally reached the top, I told Linda I wanted to modify the route.  I think my exact words were "F*ck Hoop Pole Rd".  We could continue straight on the road we were on and only cut out a few miles out by not doing this other loop.  My only regret in not doing that loop was that we wouldn't see that horse.  But seeing the horse was not enough to make me change my mind!

When we hit the main road that would bring us back to the commuter lot where our car was, I almost started giggling with happiness!  I thought how great - only 3-4 miles to go and no more hills!  They were the longest miles of the entire trip! I kept asking Linda, "How much farther?!!" I think if she had a weapon with her, she would have easily killed me, left my body on the side of the road and just forgotten all about me!  It was not the same fun ride that we had shared the week before.  ["Sorry, hon.  I will be better next time!  You know how cranky I get in the heat and when I'm in pain!"]

When we reached the car at 6:45pm - almost 7 hours after we left it, we were both very happy to sit on the cushy seats in the car.  We packed up and then drove the route we just rode to clock the mileage.  It turned out to be 32 miles, versus 38!  But still something to be proud of.

We both agreed that in the future, 12-20 miles was long enough, until I build up some endurance (as I mentioned earlier - aside from her neck/shoulder region being sore, Linda was fine throughout!).

We got home, had some take-out Chinese, took the best hot showers, and relaxed.

Today, we are just chillin.  Both of us are sore.  Linda's lower back, tush & shoulders/neck and my tush and shoulders/neck.  The sun block worked and except for my nose there were no sunburns.  (My nose sweats the most and it's impossible to keep sunblock there for any amount of time!)

We slept til 9 this morning and lounged - reading papers.  We just had some lunch.  We'll be heading to a local lake where Linda will fish and I'll be reading.  Sophie went to the Memorial Day parade with my ex and some friends.

Here's hoping that the aches and pain subsides soon.

Comments

[SassyFemme]

32 miles is a long ride! LOL at the influence Weese wields over our lives! :)

[val]

Sassy... thanks. And though I did mentioun Weese, it was our own grit and determination- and my biggest inspiration is my lovely Linda.

[Tina-cious]

WOW. Better women than I am! LOL

Congrats! That's impressive! :)

[val]

Well, you're playing football - so that's equally impressive/stupid, right?! :)

[weese]

hmm, 32 miles sure seems like a long way.
ha!
AND you did it!!
you should be very proud.

(next time perhaps i should say...what? you're only riding 32 miles??)

[val]

weese... thanks. Just words of encouragement are just fine! :)
Towards the end of the summer, I hope we're doing 30-40 mile rides, but for the next few weeks, I think a max of 20 at a time is good for building up the endurance!

[ezer knegdo]

Wow - impressive. I would have thrown in the towel at the DQ!