It's good to have goals...

A few things I'm thinking about doing:


In a few weeks - Take my daughter to Tradewinds Park to watch a Circuit Race.


In a few months - Check into getting Level C Official's License from USA Cycling. 


In a few years - Become a League Cycling Instructor (LCI).


We'll see!  ;-D

Joined a club...

I just signed the hubby and I up for membership in the Boca Raton Bicycle Club, www.bocabikeclub.org.

I'm pretty psyched about it because I feel like I'm ready to try some club rides.  The BRBC seems very active, well organized, and the cost of membership was reasonable.  I think it will be a great way to meet other cyclists and continue learning as we take our riding to the next level.  

The club's big event is the Frank Stark Celebration Ride.  It's in honor of a member who passed away and they've held this event for the past 20 years.  The route appears to go from Boca Raton, up to Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, including crossing over the Intracoastal Waterway.  That sounds awesome to me!  I was already interested in the Metric Century route of this event, and now that I'm a member I will definitely get the day off from work and ride it!  It's on my calendar now... July 10th!  ;-D

That rack!

Two hours!  


Two hours to get the damn rack on the back of the car.  I really don't understand why it's so hard to do.  Is it the rack, the trunk and the spoiler, or just user error, meaning me?!!  Either way, there was a lot of cursing involved and a bit of yelling at the hubby when he tried to help.  


Not fun, but at least it's on there now and it's done!  Whew!

Bike rack mystery - finally solved...

I have been searching on and off over the past few years for a bike rack for my car.  Apparently I don't have a normal car because finding a rack that fits has evolved into quite a mystery.  I didn't want a roof carrier and I don't have a hitch, so that rules out 2 out of the 3 types.  It leaves the trunk rack, which shouldn't be a big deal.  Except for my car, it is!  The trunk of my car is not metal and many brands say they are not compatible with the fact that my car appears to be constructed out of plastic or some other crappy material.  Also, I have this cool spoiler on the trunk.  Yeah, it's cool until you're trying to fit a bike rack over it.  That's when you realize it's actually a rather large spoiler and the damn thing is in the way.  Someone gave me a really nice Saris bike rack awhile back because she wasn't using it and she knew that I would.  But it wouldn't fit over the spoiler so it wound up on the back of my hubby's car.  That's nice for him.  But, we tend to ride at different times because of our current work schedules and I typically don't drive his car.  Alright, I never drive his car because it's a stick shift and every man that tried to teach me stick wound up sceaming at me and kicking me out of the car.  Anyway, since I'm gearing up to bring home the new bike and will probably want to explore some new places to ride, I once again tackled the mystery of the bike rack.  I did some research online and made some phone calls.  And now, thanks to Thule and Peter Glenn Ski & Sports in Delray Beach, I have a really nice rack that's just waiting to haul my new bike around town!  ;-D

Bikeless = unhappiness...

I am bikeless and not happy about it.  Hopefully, I will be able to pay off the new bike in the next week and a half so I can bring it home.  I am really unhappy.  I feel a bit claustrophobic, if that makes any sense.  I want to ride and am in total withdrawal.  Arggghhhh.  :-(

My evolution in the saddle...

Discount store NEXT Power Climber.
Bought on sale for around $79.
Mine was blue, not teal... but you get the idea.


Trek FX 7.1 Fitness Hybrid.
Bought for around $450 at a LBS.
Decked it out with about $150 in accessories.






My new beloved bike...
Specialized Allez.
Lists for around $750.  Got an awesome deal on last year's model for $625 from my new favorite LBS.

I said I never would, but I did...

I said it here numerous times.  I swore I would never sell my beloved bike, my Trek Hybrid.  But, I just did.  I feel kind of empty inside and I'm twitching a little bit from withdrawal.  I am sad about it, but I feel like I did what had to be done.  


I have a road bike on layaway.  I needed the money to go toward the new bike.  I also live in a townhouse and have limited storage space, as in the space behind my couch in the living room.  I couldn't find any way to justify keeping it, except that I just didn't want to let it go.  But, I feel a little better because I sold it to a co-worker whose sole form of transportation is his bike.  He had beat the shit out of a discount store mountain bike (just as I had before I got the hybrid.)  He needed the bike and I needed it to be with someone who would take good care of it and enjoy the hell out of riding it.  He's had the bike less than 24 hours and I've already gotten a phone call and a text about how much he loves it.


And so, one era ends and another begins.  Hopefully I will be able to pay off and pick up the new bike in about two weeks.  It's an entry-level roadie that will enable me to take my riding to the next level and shoot for my first century ride.


I guess I'm kind of going through some growing pains.  I outgrew that cheapo mountain bike and moved up to the hybrid.  And now, I've grown up a bit more and am ready to take on the next challenge.  I feel sentimental about my past rides and excited about the future ones.  It's enough to make me twitch.


Bye-bye, baby!  It was a great ride!  

The NYPD's assinine anti-cyclist mission...

I am proud to say I was born in NY and I love NY.  But it appears that all logical and rational thought has disappeared from the upper ranks of the NYPD.  What the hell is up with this ongoing campaign against cyclists in the city?!!  It's such a misdirected effort and a waste of law enforcement manpower and resources.  The amount of media attention this issue is getting should trigger enormous embarrassment for the department.  Maybe even enough for them to learn their lesson and go back to fighting crime and catching bad guys!!!

Road Rights - From Bicycling.com

Excellent article from Bicycling.com regarding road rights and the legal consequences (or lack thereof) of car vs. bike accidents.


http://bicycling.com/blogs/roadrights/2011/04/22/road-rights%E2%80%94maryland/

"2011 Editors' Choice Winners" - From Bicycling.com

A few rides to drool over...

http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/bikes-and-gear-features/2011-editors-choice-winners

Bad week for bicyclists in South Florida...

I read on two separate blogs that 8 accidents involving cars vs. bicyclists occured during the past week.  The bloggers wrote about what a high number that was and the potentially deadly problems that exist on South Florida roads for cyclists.  I started searching for media reports online so I get could some more details to post and blog about here.  I am outraged to tell you that I could not find any!  I searched local print and broadcast news outlets in vain.  This is a disgrace and a major lapse in local coverage.  And as a former TV news producer, I am fully qualified to say that!

Organizing events calendar...

My hubby and I have been talking about future events we would like to do.  Obviously, I want to do more cycling events, including riding my first century.  He currently does 5k's, will attempt his first half-marathon in a few months, and wants to work his way up to triathlons.  Add those dreams, aspirations, and goals to our work and family life, and that's a bunch o' stuff to keep track of.  Therefore, I'm putting together a calendar to help us pick and plan which events we want to sign up for.  This way, when we hear about something or see a new event pop up on active.com, we will have a place to put it!  Plus, it will help us space out events.  For example, I am interested in a ride in October and he says he wants to do it with me.  But, I reminded him that he's already signed up for a half-marathon that's 2 weeks later.  Come on, one of us has to pay attention to that stuff!  ;-D

"Florida Cycling Magazine"...

Just came across this, apparently it's an e-zine.  I subscribed so I can check it out.  From the link below, click "subscribe" toward the top of the page and you'll get a form to fill out, if you're interested.

http://www.floridaracingmagazine.com/

Bicycle accident stats...

Since 2001, Florida has lead the nation in annual bike accident deaths.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 1 in every 6 cycling deaths across the nation took place in Florida, making it the most dangerous state to ride in.

A major cause of these accidents?  "Motorists often fail to yield the right of way legally due the bike rider, not realizing (or ignoring) the fact that cyclists have the same rights to the road as a motor vehicle."

Sad, but true.  :-(

Cyclist's Rights vs. Reality...

Just read "Florida Bicycling Street Smarts:  Riding Confidently, Legally, and Safely", published by Rodale Inc. and Rubel Bike Maps.  It is distributed by the Florida Department of Transportation (who I am not a fan of) and the Florida Bicycle Association (who I am a fan of).


Now that I've finished reading it, I must say I am even more frustrated than ever.  The emphasis is on a cyclist's rights.  That's nice in theory.  However, as I've ranted about on more than one occasion, our "rights" are different from our "reality"!  And this is from a cyclist who spends most of her ride time on bike paths so I only come face to face with cars at intersections.  This publication is written for cyclists who are riding on the roads with cars!  I fear it was written with a much more optimistic perspective than actually exists out there, especially where I live!


Here are a few annoying quotes that assume drivers will not mow you down...


"Usually, the next driver will have time to react to your signals. If you make your intentions clear, the driver will almost always let you into line."
Where I live, most cars don't yield to each other, so I seriously doubt a South Florida driver is going to be happy to let a slower moving bicycle in front of him!


"Some motorists may think that the bike lane is "your space" and you should stay in it. Your safety is more important. Bike lane or not, follow the lane positioning guidelines in this booklet."
And to hell with the cars around you.  That is, until they send you to the emergency room.  Make sure you lift your head off the pavement to get the license plate of the one that hit you and kept going.


"Giving in to this bullying will slow you down and leave your self-esteem in shambles. Stand up for your rights. Don't let rude drivers spoil your trip. Outbluff them."
Are they seriously encouraging me to play chicken with a motor vehicle?!!

"You outbluff a driver by making it clear that you don't intend to stop. Continue to move forward - and keep pedaling, since your turning pedals are a clear signal to the driver. Meanwhile, figure out when you'll have to hit the brakes, in case the driver pulls out in front of you anyway... 

In 999 cases out of 1000, the driver will stop and wait for you before you have to brake."

No way!  Did they really try this 1000 times?!!


"Be wary - many people including police officers and insurance officials do not understand bicyclists' rights to the road and this may cause them to have a bias against you."
Great!  How am I supposed to stay safe if motorists, police officers and insurance agents don't even know what my rights are as a cyclist?!!  Can this really work if I'M the only one who knows the rules?!!


I don't mean to sound pessimistic.  I see it more as realistic.  And, that's a shame.

Loop The Lake - $ raised by event...

This is a snippet from an email I received:


"Thank you again for your support for Loop the Lake for Literacy.  Through your participation, the net proceeds of the event are more than $24,000!  Because of you, children, teens and adults will be able to gain literacy skills during the coming year that will help them the rest of their lives."


Yay!  ;-D

National Bike Month info...

From the League of American Bicyclists... May will be National Bike Month!


http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/

Loop The Lake - preliminary design of official jersey...

As posted on Facebook (except it wasn't as blurry there!  LOL!)...

Rules & regs...

Just read the "Florida Bicycle Law Enforcement Guide."  The Florida Bicycle Association offers free copies.  It was very informative. I just wish it included diagrams in certain sections.  Pictures would have helped clarify some issues.  But, overall it was well done and should be read by more people.  They probably should hand out a copy with each bike sold in Florida!

Loop The Lake - Epilogue...

(Post 9 of 9)


Epilogue –

Lessons learned:

- It was my first organized ride, so I obviously learned a lot about how an event works and how to cycle in that atmosphere.

- Equipment matters, but it’s not everything.  I was still successful.  But, I think in this situation a road bike helps you work smarter, not harder.    

- Sunscreen.  Bring it.  Use it.  Wear it.  Apply it again.

- Two bottles/cages are better than one.  Stay hydrated.

Nearly 250 cyclists took part in this event.  99 riders completed the route I did, the Metric Century.  I was out there for approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes (including about 5 minutes at each of the three rest stops and the wait times with the police escorts.)  My actual ride time was 4:30. 

My hubby and I came home, got cleaned up, and met my parents out for dinner.  They had been watching our daughter.  I showed her my medal and told her she could wear it.  That was, until the waiter brought over her macaroni and cheese.  Then I told her to give it back to me before she got it all cheesy and messed up.


After dinner we went to Walgreens to shop for some pain relief.  I chose Tiger Balm gel and patches.  That night I drifted off to sleep with a patch on each thigh, thankful that they were soothing my aching muscles.  

Thanks to the donations I raised from supportive family and friends, I will be receiving a Loop The Lake jersey in the mail over the next few weeks.

Two days after the ride, I put a road bike on layaway.  I got a great deal on a 2010 Specialized Allez Double.  It’s last year’s model.  From my research, it should be a good entry level road bike for me.  I don’t know how long it will take to pay it off and bring it home.  But, it’s mine and someday soon I will ride it.  I think it was the smart way to go since I have a kid to feed and put through college.  I was trying to upgrade but still be realistic about my budget.  I had already done some casual research on road bikes so I just got more specific with it and then I went to two different bike stores.  The guys at both stores raised their eyebrows at me and chuckled when I said I had just done a metric century on a hybrid.  They agreed wholeheartedly it was time to upgrade.  However, I did not trade in my beloved (hybrid) bike.  That wasn't even an option.  I will keep that bike until it disintegrates into dust.  I love that bike and what I can do on it.  Different rides, different equipment.  I will enjoy riding both bikes for a long time to come.

Three days after the ride, I was back at it riding my typical quickie 5 miler before work. 

I am researching what other events I would like to do in the future.  I would definitely ride Loop The Lake again next year.  And I’m looking for my first Century (100 mile) event. 

To be continued…

;-D

Loop The Lake - Post-ride...

(Post 8 of 9)


Post-ride –

My hubby and I talked as I slowly rode back toward the parking lot and event tent.  As I pulled up, those same two ladies with pom-poms cheered.  I climbed off my beloved bike and was well aware that I was walking kind of funny.  One of the event organizers came over to give me my finishing medal.  Everyone was walking around with them on.  I got my helmet and sunglasses cord all tangled as I tried to get them off so she helped me and put the medal on over my head.  It was pretty funny how uncoordinated I appeared to be from exhaustion.  

Two riders that I recognized walked by and saw the medal.  They seemed happily surprised that I finished and congratulated me.  It was very nice.  

My hubby and I grabbed some lunch and drinks and I kept watching for mountain bike girl to arrive.  When she did I congratulated her and gave her a pat on the back.  In all honestly, she was not a mountain bike “girl”.  She was probably in her 30’s or 40’s.  She also weighed more than I do.  And I’m not petite.  I really don’t know how she did it under those circumstances and with that bike.  All I can say, is that it was totally inspiring.  Another lesson learned.  

The hubby and I packed up our stuff and loaded the bike onto the rack.  I lowered myself into the passenger seat and was relieved that I could now deal with my pain in private.  My quads and calves have never hurt that bad.  My hands and feet were, for the most part, numb.  My ass felt like it had morphed into the shape of my saddle.  I wasn't sure what was going on in the crotch area but it probably would have freaked out my gynecologist.  I was sweaty and sunburned.  And, I was also happy as hell.  

My hubby and I drove away and headed for home.  I called my folks and told them I did it.  I listened to a wonderful voice mail from a good friend who called about ten minutes after the ride started to wish me good luck.  It sounded just as sweet even though the ride was over.  I posted on Facebook that I did it.  And I told my hubby that I wanted to do it again.

Loop The Lake - Section 4...

(Post 7 of 9)


Section 4 –

I left the rest stop pretty quickly.  I was eager to keep going and finish this thing off.  Mountain bike girl stayed an even shorter time than I did and left before me.  I caught up to her and we talked again.  I told her I’d see her at the finish line and moved along.  

Once again, I started talking to myself out loud.  But, this time my voice sounded less encouraging and more desperate.  I’m going to finish this mother off!  I’m going to do this!  I cursed randomly and chugged the Gatorade in my bottle quickly until it was dry.  Hmmmmm.  This might be a problem.  I’m really freaking thirsty.  And I have a long way to go.  Okay, don’t panic.  However, I do make a mental note that most of those road bikes that have passed me have two bottle cages on them, not just the one like I have.  And so, yes, another lesson learned.  This one is going to get painful in a little bit.


At some point, I honestly don't remember when, two guys sped by me on road bikes.  The lead guy was wearing a cycling outfit that said "UCF" on it.  I wasn't too far gone to put two and two together that the University of Central Florida must have a cycling team.  Another guy was drafting right on his back tire.  They had to be doing somewhere between 20 and 25 mph.  I mean, they were really moving.  To top it off, I noticed the rider number on their bikes as they whizzed by.  They were apparently in the last stretch of the 120 mile ride around the entire lake.  And they were going to finish way before me.


I pushed on and kept pedaling.  I’m doing about 12 or 13 mph now.  I spot those same two guys ahead of me from earlier and I start focusing on simply catching up to them.  I push and push and finally I’m behind them.  Not really close enough to have a conversation but close enough to feel that I’m not alone in this final struggle to get to the finish line.  

The lake is now down the hill on my left and a road is down the hill on my right.  I notice that a few cars have passed by on that road.  Cars with bikes attached to the back of them.  That means some folks have finished, packed up, and are heading home.  And I’m still fucking out here.  Okay, let’s focus.   

The guy who’s struggling falls back a bit closer to me.  He starts talking to me and I can tell he’s really hurting.  He jokes that he left his ass several miles back.  We see a hill coming up and he starts saying he doesn’t think he can make it and he’s going to have to walk the bike up it.  I tell him there’s no pride at this point, if you have to walk it do it because we are going to finish and that’s all that matters.  

However, I don’t practice what I preach.  I haven’t walked the bike once so far and I don’t want to do it now.  I throw it into a lower gear and grunt with each pedal crank up that freaking hill.  Toward the top it feels like I’m not even moving forward at all.  I hear the guy yell at me, “You can do it!”  I manage to overtake the crest of the hill and my bike literally stops.  I straddle the bike to regain control of my limbs and it happens.  The most nasty, severe cramp I have ever experienced.  My right quad (thigh) is spasming and pulsing and I’m grabbing at it and trying not to fall over with the bike still between my legs.  

I don’t know what happened to the guy, but all of a sudden mountain bike girl is next to me asking me if I’m okay.  I am gripping my leg and the massage therapist in me is trying to work it out.  I look at the computer on my bike.  I’m at mile 51.  How in the hell am I am going to get to mile 62?  The spasm subsides a bit and I immediately put my ass back on the saddle and start slowly pedaling.  Mountain bike girl offers me some water.  I thank her but there’s no way I’m taking her water because she’s got her own problems busting her ass on that bike.  I tell her I’m going to ride ahead to try to loosen my leg up more.  She says if I’m hurting and I stop, she will give me water when she catches up to me.  So unbelievably nice!  

I push on and catch up to the two guys again.  I’m really parched.  I know I’m dehydrating and I don’t want to suffer more painful spasms.  I see a downward hill ahead and a police officer in a truck where the route transitions off the levee.  I also see a water fountain a short distance away near a bathroom and parking lot.  I stop by the truck.  I tell the officer I’m know I’m going off the route but I’m going to head over there and hope the fountain works otherwise I’m not sure I’ll make it.  He says don’t worry about it, take this bottle of water I’ve got in my cooler.  Are you shitting me?!!  I thank him profusely and tell him he’s a lifesaver!  He asks if I’m the last one and I say there are at least two people behind me.  One guy was cramping and kept stopping and then the girl on the mountain bike.  I have already chugged the whole damn bottle of water and feel better.  At least, enough to hopefully make it to the finish line.  I thank him again and take off.  

I catch up to the two guys again and the lead guy points ahead and tells us there’s the finish line, we’re almost done!  We wind back through the little bridges with the concrete poles.  At one point, the slower guy falls back and tells me to go through the concrete poles first.  I squeeze between them and then take a left turn so wide that I practically sideswipe the wall.  He says “whoa” and I laugh.  It’s pretty indicative of how fried I am at this point.  

We reach the last hill of the day.  He exclaims in frustration, “Oh, there’s no fucking way!”  I assume he got off and walked the bike up.  But, I’m finishing this fucker off and I’m going to do it right now.  

I take the hill, I hit the straightaway and I’m heading to the finish line.  The other guy is ahead of me.  His friend, the cramping guy, and mountain bike girl are behind me.  I see my hubby ahead at the finish line.  It’s so late in the game, that it’s just him and a deputy sitting in his car.  My hubby took a picture as I approached the finish line.  You can see me smiling and you can also see that I’m a bit hunched over my handlebars from fatigue.  My arms are also a completely different color than they were this morning.  I roll through the finish line and raise my right arm up in celebration.  My hubby got a great picture of that.  As soon as he stops taking pictures, I roll to a stop.  I say, “I did it!  And I’m not doing anything like this again until I get a road bike!”

Loop The Lake - Section 3...

(Post 6 of 9)


Section 3 –

Upon leaving the second rest stop, I encountered mountain bike girl again.  I asked her how she was doing and if this was the furthest she’d ever ridden.  She said no, but by the time we hit the finish line, it would be.  I again told her I’d see her down the line and moved ahead at my own pace.  

Instead of having a tailwind on the return trip as I’d anticipated, I hit a harder headwind.  I dropped down to 11 to 12 mph.  That really sucked.  Road bikers who lingered a bit at the second rest stop were passing me.  A guy on a really nice road bike pulled up alongside me.  I recognized him from the jersey he was wearing.  He struck up a conversation, asked where I was from, and told me he was from Boston.  He commented on the headwind and how that was tough for me since I was more upright on my hybrid.  I appreciated that he realized it and was trying to be supportive.  He told me to keep it up and I told him I’d see him at the finish line.  He rode on ahead and I tried to settle into a rhythm.  

Fighting the headwind.  Quads and calves burning.  Wondering how far I could take this since I’d never ridden this far.  I tried to relax and started to talk to myself.  Out loud.  Come on baby, you can do it.  Thank goodness, no one was around to hear it.  Bikes up ahead, and bikes behind, but no one else around me.  

For awhile, it was just me and the alligators.  I saw them in the water, their eyes and snouts barely breaking the top of the water.  I wondered what prevented them from running out of the water, up the hill, and eating me?  I didn’t have an answer.  I scanned around to make sure none of them were hiding in the grassy slopes on each side of the path.  

As if I didn’t have enough going on, it was around this time that I realized I was getting really sunburned.  I mean, my arms were getting really damn dark.  And I remembered, I had brought sunscreen.  It was in my Camelbak.  Back at the car.  I had been so nervous and distracted that I didn’t think to spray it on before I left at 8 am.  And now, a few hours later at lunchtime, I was getting burnt to a crisp.  Another lesson learned.  

I pushed on and saw a group gathered ahead.  That became my singular mission.  To catch up to that group before they left and I couldn’t see any bikes ahead of me again.  As I approached, I tried to be calm and not show how thrilled I was to be in the company of other riders again.  I acted (and the Oscar goes to… ) nonchalant as I pulled up to the group and removed my aching ass from the saddle.  I stretched my legs and listened to the conversations around me.  Apparently, the police were again waiting for a group to gather so they could escort us back through the town.  A few other bikes pulled up after me and we waited.  A few people were getting antsy but I was happy to stretch my legs.  Of course, I had not been waiting as long as them, either.  

Mountain bike girl showed up and we chatted some more.  Some of the riders around us commented on how she was doing this route on that bike.  She just laughed and said we should meet her out on the trails so she could kick our ass out there.  We all laughed.  

The officers led us through the town again.  That’s when I encountered two new guys.  I honestly don’t know if they were on hybrids or mountain bikes because I was behind them and didn’t get a good look.  Also, by that point I could care less about details like that.  One of the guys was struggling and his friend was hanging back with him.  I wanted to pass but the struggling guy was all over the place and I couldn’t get past him.  I figured screw it and just paced behind them a bit.  It was actually nice to be closer to other bikes after all the solitary riding I had done.  

We rode into the third and final rest stop.  I threw my bike up on the rack, ate another peanut butter sandwich and I don’t remember what else.  I got a Gatorade, poured it into my bottle, and stuck it in the cage on my bike.  Keep this in mind because I’m about to learn another lesson.

Loop The Lake - Section 2...

(Post 5 of 9)


Section 2 –

I finished my business at the first rest stop, got back on my bike and headed down the road.  Most of the riders had already left with a police escort to ride through the town.  A sheriff’s deputy was announcing last call and a small group of us gathered by his car.  I took the opportunity to pull out a protein bar and devour it.  I was feeling pretty good.  I listened to the conversations going on around me and made some small talk with a group of women behind me.  We were next to a cemetery, and I said I wanted to get moving because it was creeping me out.  A few of the women agreed and we laughed. 

I noticed that mountain bike girl pulled up next to the officer in the car and was talking to him.  I was still amazed that she was doing this and wondered if she would actually go all the way and finish.  

Finally the deputy gave us the go ahead and our small group maneuvered along a few roads and through intersections.  I think we had actually waited longer to get going, than it took to ride through the town.  Anyway, we went back up another hill and back onto the levee.  The majority of the group took off and I wound up with mountain bike girl.  I asked her how she was doing and we chatted briefly.  I was trying to toss her some support because I knew she was at even more of a disadvantage on that bike than I was on mine.  She had a cheery disposition and seemed to be enjoying herself.  I told her I’d see her down the line and proceeded on.  

I got back into my groove around 15 or 16 mph.  It didn’t take long before I had to pee again.  Are you freaking kidding me?  Little did I know that was a good sign that I was staying hydrated.  I’d figure this out a short time later.  I cruised along, pretty much on my own.  There was a bit of a headwind but I figured that meant I’d have a nice tailwind later on.  I would be proven wrong about that one, too.  I started getting a little lonely and wished that my hubby was riding with me.  

At some point, I passed a sheriff’s deputy.  He asked if I was the last rider and I jokingly said that I felt like I was but there were actually 2 or 3 people behind me.  He laughed.  I realized that he was with the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office.  We had ridden so far west that we were in another county.  I had never been to Hendry before.  Wild.  

In general I was feeling good but my hands were getting a little numb.  I just pushed on and did my thing.  

And then it happened.  

Riders started coming toward me.  I knew that the second rest stop was the end of the line and then the route doubles back to the start.  I just didn’t expect to be that far from the rest stop and have the beginning of my group already heading back. One guy was trying to pass and didn’t see or expect me to be there.  That freaked me out for a second.  Before I could figure out what to do or say/yell/scream, a rider a few people ahead of him yelled at him and he got back in line.  Crisis narrowly averted thanks to an observant lead rider in that group.  So, now I’m kind of mortified.  I’m chugging away, trying to keep a smile on my face but having some real doubts.  Many of the riders smiled at me.  It was blatantly obvious that I was doing the best I could on a hybrid that I probably should not be on for a route of this distance.  I felt that most of them were trying to show me some encouragement.  One guy held out his hand for me to give him a high five.  I was taken by surprise and by the time I figured out what he was doing, it was too late for me to extricate my numb hand from the bars to slap him.  I felt stupid as I passed the riders behind him and hoped they realized that I was struggling, not rude.  

I breathed a huge sigh of relief as I pulled into the second rest stop.  Two women from the event staff were holding pom-poms and cheered at me as I pulled up.  I gave them an appreciative smile and said thanks.  I put my bike on the funky thingee and wolfed down some snacks.  As I chewed, I listed to a guy telling someone in his group that he didn’t know how he was keeping up with them since he was on a hybrid.  And he said, as far as exercise goes, you’re getting more of a workout than we are on our road bikes.  I smirked to myself.  A woman in the group asked me to take a picture of them.  I did and then told the guy that if he felt like getting more of a workout he could ride my hybrid the rest of the way and I’ll take his road bike.  He declined my offer and laughed.  I laughed too because I knew that I was going to be shopping for a freaking road bike sooner rather than later.  

I hit the port-a-potty again.  Even though I thought I had to pee, let’s just say the pitstop wasn’t as productive as I expected.  That should have been a sign to drink more.  But, I didn’t give it much thought because I had to jump back on the saddle and start heading back.  

This was now unchartered territory for me.  The furthest I’d ridden up to this point was 30 miles.  So, as I left that rest stop I knew I was about to go on the longest ride of my life, so far.

Loop The Lake - Section 1 - Starting line...

(Post 4 of 9)


Section 1 – Starting line…

I pedaled slowly out of the parking lot, leaving my hubby behind.  I didn’t know where the start line was, so I just followed the riders ahead of me.  And then, a little way up the road, I saw cyclists gathered by a large contraption with a red banner.  Okay, great, I found the start line.  Now, where do I belong?  There were four different routes and the stickers they gave us identified which group you were part of.  Mine was “M53”.  The “M” signifying the metric century ride.  The people around me were a bit confused too and were asking each other which group was leaving first.  Then, a voice announced that the 200 km riders were about to head out.  I found out later there were about 40 cyclists who tackled that 120 mile route that circled all the way around the lake.  When the horn blew, and those bikes took off, a few of us wished them well, said better you than me, and then we all laughed that none of us wanted any part of that ride.  

Back to figuring out where I should be.  The guy in front of me also had an “M” number, so I asked him if we were in the right place.  Someone heard us and said our group was taking off next.  So we both pushed our bikes up a small hill and wiggled into the group at the starting line.  I asked the woman behind me if she was an “M” because I didn’t want to cut in front of her.  She said no problem.  And I joked with her that in a few minutes I’d be in her way, so I really should probably get behind her.  She laughed.  They blew the horn and the group surged forward.  Before I could get my foot into the clips, I had to pull up and stop.  There was a guy just ahead on a recumbent bike who seemed to be having a hard time getting rolling.  We maneuvered around him, rode under the start line banner and were on our way!  

We rode on a path, then crossed a few little bridges where you had to wiggle between some concrete posts.  That was a bit nerve-wracking.  But thank goodness someone back at the start line had mentioned to be careful with those, so I knew they were coming.  We climbed a hill and were up on the levee that goes around the lake. 

The path was wide enough for 2 or 3 bikes bar to bar.  I worked my way to the right and pedaled along.  The bikes naturally starting spacing out.  I carefully observed what was happening around me.  Cyclists passed, some calling out “on your left” as a heads up.  I find it interesting that some riders can call “on your left” and it sounds like they are your best friend.  But, when others (possibly myself included) utter those words it sounds a bit aggressive.  I have to work on that.  

Anyway, most bikes were part of at least a twosome, if not a larger group.  I didn’t mind being on my own, at least not yet.  I was used to riding solo.  But, it was cool to watch the groups riding and working together.  I was sure the miles would pass faster for them as they talked and laughed.  Suddenly, I found myself in the midst of a group of three people.  It was a guy and girl, I’m guessing they were a couple.  They had road bikes.  Their friend was behind them.  She was on a mountain bike.  I was already painfully aware that me and my hybrid could not keep up with the road bikes.  I was doing a respectable (for me and my bike) 15 to 16 mph and they were whizzing by like I was standing still.  So what the hell was she doing out here on a mountain bike?  All I could tell was that it was a nice bike, from the name on it and the looks of it.  I had no idea if she’d ever done anything like this before.  The couple spoke to me and joked around and we rode together for a bit.  I don’t know if you could say I was actually leading or actually drafting, but I made an effort.  After a short time, mountain bike girl insisted they stop waiting for her and go on ahead.  Before I knew it, they passed me and were gone.  But, that was okay.  I was finding my groove and feeling good.  Except, I had to pee again.  

I tried to ignore that bloated feeling and pedaled along.  I made a point of taking in the sights around me.  The lake, the trees, the other cyclists.  I wanted to remember it all.  Several people passed me and commented how much they liked my jersey.  I had bought it from Google.  It had the little android guy riding a bike and was white, green, and black.  Pretty sharp.  As soon as I saw it online, I knew I had to ride in it.  At first, I responded with a cheery “thanks”!  Then as time went on I got a little smarter.  A few women passed me on nice road bikes and said, “Hey, I really like your jersey.”  I quickly said, “Hey, I really like your bike, wanna trade?”  They all laughed.  

I rolled into the first rest stop, obviously near the back of the pack but feeling good.  The stop was well stocked, just as they promised.  I grabbed a banana, Gatorade, and water.  Since I was so late getting in, they were already getting ready to leave.  At this point, we were leaving the lake briefly and sheriff’s deputies were shutting down a few small town roads for us to ride through to then get back up on the levee.  A woman with a bullhorn said we should prepare to leave and follow the police vehicles.  I muttered, “Not until I pee, lady!”  Well, maybe it was a bit louder than a mutter because a few people around me laughed.  I put my bike up on one of those funky racks again and ran over to the port-a-potties.

Loop The Lake - Breaking down the ride...

(Post 3 of 9)


Breaking down the ride…         

At this point, I’d like to break down the ride.  There were three rest stops that divided the 62 mile route into similar length sections.  For me, each section took on unique characteristics.  Here we go…

Section 1 – Nervous, observant, finding my groove.

Section 2 – Got my groove, a little lonely, kind of mortified.

Section 3 – Cheering myself on out loud, eyeing the gators, dehydrating.

Section 4 – Cursing and cramping.

Loop The Lake - Pre-ride...

(Post 2 of 9)


Pre-ride…

We arrived around 6:15 am.  Cars were slowly showing up at the parking lot next to the event tent.  Some cars carried bikes on the back, some on the roof, and some SUV’s and minivans hid their bikes inside.  


The first thing I noticed when I swung open the car door was that it was cold.  My hubby and I were both surprised and figured it must be 10 to 15 degrees colder than it was at our house.  The sky was still pitch black so I figured once the sun came up, things would warm up pretty fast.  


We walked over to the tent where package pickup began at 6:30 am.  I showed my drivers license and received a manilla envelope with two stickers in it, one for my bike and the other for my helmet.  They put an orange bracelet on my wrist, the kind that you have to cut off otherwise you’re stuck wearing it for all eternity.  They checked a list for my size and handed me a pretty cool event t-shirt.  It was long-sleeved which I thought was weird in South Florida.  However, many people pulled the shirt on as soon as they got it since it was chilly.  


So far, things were humming right along even though I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.  Everything seemed to be well organized and the event staff and other riders were friendly.  They broke out the pre-ride breakfast and the hubby and I grabbed some bagels.  I felt insecure being the newbie and said I wanted to eat over at the car.  


As we walked across the parking lot I took notice of the bikes all around me.  Road bike, road bike, another road bike, holy shit.  I pointed it out to my hubby and worried about me and my beloved bike, the hybrid.  Would we be able to do this?  Was it suicide?  Would it be a mortifying, humiliating, embarrassing day?  Awwww, crap.  


As I mulled it over in my head, the sky began to lighten as the sun rose and I began my first lesson of the day.  I tried to observe what people around me were doing, without appearing obvious.  Okay, so there’s a rider number for my bike.  Where does this go?  I look around.  Sticker on top tube, gotcha.  And the one for my helmet?  Right up front, no problem.  I’m watching and learning.  And the more I looked around, the more I checked out the other bikes.  I saw so many names I recognized, and one or two that I didn’t.  Were those the really, really expensive bikes?  Well, too late to go buy a road bike so me and my beloved (hybrid) bike will give it our best damn shot.  


I had to go to the bathroom, probably a nervous pee because part of me was definitely wondering what the hell I was doing in the middle of all this.  I rolled my bike next to me as we walked toward the bathrooms.  They had set up some bike racks that I had never seen before.  Uh-huh.  Another lesson.  I picked up the bike and hung it from underneath its seat.  Uh, okay.  That’s what everyone else did.  Alright.  I went about my nervous pee business and then we headed back over to the car.


I had bought a Camelbak for the ride.  It was loaded down with a water reservoir and some assorted stuff I might need like tubes (even though I didn’t know how to change a tire), sunscreen, bug spray, a rain jacket, etc.  When I picked it up to put it on, it felt really heavy and I immediately balked at wearing it.  I told my hubby that I thought it was really going to weigh me down, plus when I looked around barely anyone else was wearing a pack.  He agreed and started stuffing some of my snacks into the back pockets of my jersey.  Meanwhile, I squeezed as much as I could into the waist pack I always wear when I ride.  


Other riders were on their bikes and heading out of the parking, I assumed to the starting line.  I mounted up and slowly rolled after them.  My hubby followed me, camera up to his face, taking pictures.  We shared some small talk banter that I can’t remember.  And then I told him that I love him, I’ll see him later, and please don’t come get me.  And he said that he wouldn’t.

Loop The Lake - Good Morning & Getting There...

(Post 1 of 9)


4/2/2011

Loop The Lake For Literacy, Lake Okeechobee, FL 

(A.K.A. – My first organized ride & my first Metric Century)

Good morning…

The alarm went off at 4 am.  I was hoping that would be the most unpleasant part of my day.  I’d find out hours later that would not be the case.  I was tired.  But, with each passing moment as we prepared to leave, I got more and more jacked up on nervous energy.  Got all my gear?  I think so.  Road ID on my wrist in case I crash, fall, bonk, pass out or croak?  Check.  Bike secured on the rack on the back of the car?  G-d, I hope so.  My hubby programmed our destination into the GPS and we drove off. 

Getting there…

Lake Okeechobee is inland from where we live.  It only took an hour and fifteen minutes to drive there, but it’s a totally different part of South Florida, called the Glades.  Yes, that’s because it’s basically a human populated part of the Everglades.  The small towns of the Glades are in sharp contrast to the overpopulated, overdeveloped, fast-paced chaos of the cities on the eastern coast of South Florida.  And so, when the GPS told us to make a turn onto a desolate looking dirt road, we questioned it.  The paved roads may have taken us a bit out of the way and a few minutes longer, but eventually we got where we were going.

History, women, and bicycles...

No wonder I feel the way I do about bikes!  Love this!

From:  "Bicycle" - Wikipedia.com

Quote - "Female emancipation.

Woman with bicycle, 1890s

The safety bicycle gave women unprecedented mobility, contributing to their emancipation in Western nations. As bicycles became safer and cheaper, more women had access to the personal freedom they embodied, and so the bicycle came to symbolize the New Woman of the late 19th century, especially in Britain and the United States. The bicycle was recognized by 19th-century feminists and suffragists as a "freedom machine" for women. American Susan B. Anthony said in a New York World interview on February 2, 1896: "Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel...the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood."

The bicycle craze in the 1890s also led to a movement for so-called rational dress, which helped liberate women from corsets and ankle-length skirts and other restrictive garments, substituting the then-shocking bloomers." - End quote

Great articles on Group Rides/Drafting/Century Rides -- From Active.com

Basic Skills for Group Riding | Active.com http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/Basic_Skills_for_Group_Riding.htm 10 Rules to Group Ride Like a Pro | Active.com http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/10_Rules_to_Group_Ride_Like_a_Pro.htm Get Comfortable With Drafting | Active.com http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/Get_comfortable_with_drafting.htm

10 Secrets for Riding in a Peloton | Active.com
http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/10_Secrets_for_Riding_in_a_Peloton.htm


To Group Ride or Not to Group Ride | Active.com
http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/To-Group-Ride-or-Not-to-Group-Ride.htm


How to Successfully Complete a Century
http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/How-to-Successfully-Complete-a-Century.htm


How Many Centuries Can I Ride This Year? | Active.com
http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/How_many_centuries_can_I_ride_this_year_.htm

'Bill Seeks To Amend Bicycle Handlebar Law - From WPBF.com

"Bill Seeks To Amend Bicycle Handlebar Law - WPBF West Palm Beach"
http://www.wpbf.com/politics/27426713/detail.html?taf=wpb


Are you freakin' kidding me?!!  This is what our lawmakers are doing?!!  If you want to talk about laws and bicycles there are way more important issues that this handlebar law.  And seriously, you South Florida lawmakers, we have much bigger problems here so why don't you try using your time more wisely!  Did anyone notice that not one single person in this package was even breaking this law?  And the cyclist who got hit by a car?  That was a coincidence and had nothing to do with riding without your hands on the bars either!  Geez!

Loop The Lake - Pics