We did it!! My brother, Chuck and I crossed the finish line at the Capitol yesterday. It was such an amazing feeling!! Chuck did the entire route (ended up being 135 miles instead of 150) and I did 70 out of the 135 (50/70 on Sat and 20/65 on Sun). There was a stretch of 40 miles on Sunday that ran from Pops in Arcadia to Spencer that was a real killer...hill after hill. So, I hitched a ride from Pops to Spencer and then cycled the last 10 with Chuck.
I learned so much on my first long-distance ride and plan on learning more! For sure, I need a road bike and not a mountain bike. My new cycling friends (of course, this was a social event for me!) told me I was working too hard and could have gone farther if I'd had a road bike. Then I learned, the hard painful way, that my ten-year old cycling shorts were worn out! That's all the detail you need. Finally, I learned that even though there are rest stops every 10-12 miles, you have to be able to handle the hills. So, I'm thinking about next year and how to train.
The finish line was so awesome. My daughter, Laura, was in charge of the finish line and she did a great job. There were charcoal burgers, chicken, and hotdogs, massages, liquid refreshments (yes!), but the best part was riding in and seeing my family and friends waiting for Chuck and me with signs and cheers. I have to admit I got a little emotional, which I didn't expect.
Thanks, everyone, for your support. It meant a lot to me to know I was riding for my sister and for everyone else who struggles with MS.
Left to right: Front: Conner and Laura; Back: Patricia Ayling, Steve Powell, Risa Powell, me, Tracy, Rick Ayling
Chuck and I at the finish line!
We did it!!
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