53 Miles Of Cycling
14. Jun, 2008 
2 Comments
This morning a group of friends met at one of the parks in Nashville. Bikes, bike shoes, water bottles, GU gels and a few eats for a long the way and nothing but time on our side. There were 9 of us that started out together, but 6 of us were still in the group when we finished. We have no idea were the other 3 went off to but we weren’t worried. They were experienced. About ten miles into it we met up with another group of cyclists. This brought our group to about 15 riding together down the country roads making our way into Franklin, TN. Our goal was to take this hill called Theta out near Leiper’s Fork. Before we got to Theta the 2nd group split off from us and we pushed on. I kept hearing about how bad this hill called Theta was. Well let me tell you…It was the hardest hill I have ever gone up. I thought my legs were going to break off and life would cease…(not really mom), but it did hurt like nothing I have ever felt. When we got to the top, I thought i had just defeated the Romans and conquered new land, except there was another nasty hill coming…oh boy.
The ride today was a first for me. A first to do anything over 30 miles at a time. I can see the more I get into training the bigger strides I take. After today’s ride I can tell that 50 miles is going to become a norm on the weekends with shorter miles during the week. I’m pretty excited about that part.
The part that I loved the most today was the one thing I didn’t expect at all. RAIN. It rain for the majority of the ride. Sometimes it was a complete down pour. That didn’t slow us down at all. We pedaled right through it. What did slow us down were the 3 flat tires that happened in our group and a need stop at Pucket’s in Leiper’s Fork.
Here’s the thing about Pucket’s in Leiper’s. It’s a grocery store/gas station/place to eat. The locals hang here, farm trucks and all, Harley Davidson riders stop here…and us pedaling our little bikes and our tight fitting shorts stop here. Getting a good picture yet? It’s a sight to see. Note to photgraghers. Go hang out here on a Saturday or Sunday and you will get some great shoots of diversity in action.
As most of you know, I have dedicated my summer to triathlons. Every weekend I’m home, I will race in a triathlon if there is one happening. Or…as in the case of this weekend, do something with training I have never done before. I have to think that while I can physically do it, I need to challenge myself to go above and beyond what I think I would ever try or do. Today was 53 miles.
If you have the opportunity to challenge yourself, sit down and make a plan and set some goals. See what happens in your journey to reaching your goals and challenge yourself to literally go that extra mile.
If I can do it…you can do it.
Now onto the rest of the weekend….:)
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I haven’t made it up Theta but I have made it part way then layed on the road and sucked for air. I am still training but not ready for 50 miles yet. Do your feet fall asleep? You were very close to my house.
Let get together and play some texas.
Wow! 53 miles that is incredible! What an accomplishment. You said you had never gone over 30 at one time before. Had anyone else? Were you all at the same training level? If you’re at different levels how do you stay together? I’m finding in TNT that no one else does interval runs per Jeff Galloway. So I am often alone while the group goes on. It kinda feels like i’m cheating bc I’m not running the entire time. Just curious how you dealt with that issue in your runs or rides….