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.