Made a mistake

Went for a ride this evening, planned on 25-30 miles, and I knew from the start that I was in for a world of hurt. Just a few miles down the road, I’m already spinning and feeling my legs burn. But damnit, I’m committed, so I press on. I set small milestones to get my through, surely I can get there, and now I’m sure I can get there, and….. eventually I was half way through. And I’m also at a crossroad. I can take a right turn and B line it straight back home. Or I can turn left, and get those miles in…… left it was.

A few miles down the road, around 17 miles, I turn off the roads and get into the gravel. And man was the gravel tough work. Big gravel, loose, hilly. Can’t stand to go up the hill since the back wheel would spin out. Had to take it easy to get around the bends as the bike got squirly. Don’t get me wrong, it would have been fun on any other day, but I was in the hurt locker at that point.

I press on, find this bridge and snap a shot to share, and continue on my way. I start getting a headache, and remember the apple in my jersey, and decide it’s long since time to get it in me. As soon as I take a bite the gravel road turns to the left, and I see a steep hill. Oh no. I’m in the wrong gear, I can’t breath because I’m chewing, I’m spinning way to quick but can’t change gear because I’m right handed, so spinning is killing me. Spinning up hill, can’t breath, no end in site to the hill. A mountain biker comes up from behind and passes me as I’m on the struggle bus, disappearing off into the distance. Wasn’t able to get the apple finished until I crested the top of the hill. Simply awful timing to bite into an apple.

On the bright side, the headache subsided, and I pushed through the remaining miles. A fast gravel descent, a water crossing (8 inches deep, 8ft wide), and back to the road for a fast ride to wrap it up. That was a tough 27 mile ride.