[Here is a special writeup from Ali who rode her longest ride to date at 60 miles on day 1 of the MS150. Sounds like they had a great ride!]
So, putting aside the fact that this is only the second time I've ridden with a big group and that this would be my longest ride to date, I think I was in great spirits. The day was beautiful, everyone else was really excited, and I was set to ride with a great group of women.
So, putting aside the fact that this is only the second time I've ridden with a big group and that this would be my longest ride to date, I think I was in great spirits. The day was beautiful, everyone else was really excited, and I was set to ride with a great group of women.
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| Captain Snookums with Ali and Val in pursuit! |
So, the three of us headed off together with newly introduced Margaret and Val totally hitting it off. I rode a bit ahead with some great ladies and had my first experience having to fend off chasing (large) dogs. Thankfully I was with a group and not alone.
We caught up with Jen at rest stop 2. She had been in such a groove she didn't feel like stopping. We had time for Val and Margaret to stretch, down a couple fabulous cookies and contemplate chasing them with pickles (more on that later). The next 10 miles, while mostly uphill and against the wind, I found truly hilarious. I think Val found her true calling. Instead of training dogs, she should switch to training people. Remarks of note, and by no means in entirety, include: "you need to peddle faster", "If I see you with straight arms again I will smack you". I laugh, but only because most of the harassing was not directed towards me.
We reached our turn around time in order to cheer on Buddy, Dave and Peggy who were just leaving. More stretching, some amazing muffins and more hydrating. At this point we had a discussion about the irony of being thanked by the many volunteers. This is humbling to me because I feel like I have the easy job. I get to ride my bike, with amazing people through beautiful scenery, stopping at my leisure to quickly inhale all food and liquid in my way. They have to sit in the heat, in the same spot, for 6 hours taking care of sweaty, stinky, tired riders. I totally have the easy job.
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| At rest stop 3! |
Moving on, we'd been warned about some stray dogs chasing riders on the return. Witness Val aka: Mama Bear - fending off dogs armed with sticks, and continued harassment about form. Amazing! We made back to rest stop two in really good time. More stretching, cookies and pickles and off we go! Not my favorite stretch of road ahead. Although it had a wide shoulder it also featured several inch deep rumble strips which made the inevitable switching back and forth a little teeth-rattling.
Our last stop of the day was by far my favorite for atmosphere. The family in charge of the Walk MS in Santa Fe decorates tents in a luau theme, complete with Tiki bar and dancing hula boys (coconut bras optional). Not only did they offer mango juice, chocolate covered strawberries and brownies, but it was a great boost to spirits for the last 10 miles. In a happy turn of events, we met up with Peggy, Dave and Buddy, who had been slowed by Buddy's tire trouble. Margaret also needed a quick tune up and we were soon revved up to finish.
It was nice to ride in a good sized group as we headed back into Espanola, giving us a bit more visibility. Our Tiki stop revving lasted, at least for me, until the last climb into Pojaque. A quick stop for fortification for the last 3 miles and it was smooth sailing into the Casino parking lot with the 7 of us finishing together. That was pretty cool, I must say.
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| the seven of us finishing strong |
We probably spent the next hour talking about how amazing Fritos, popcorn and creamsicles are. I believe the words "life changing" may have been used. The simple pleasures.
Regrets: only ate one muffin at rest stop 3, didn't bring extra chamois butter, having tutu envy
Hooray for Ali! Wouldn't have known it was your longest ride to date!
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