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This ride was nuts. Haha Started out at the back of the pack, then caught up by clocking 25 mph pedaling - that was a first. The headwind started around mile 10 and never stopped. Managed to stay with the front runners for the first 20 miles. The group stopped at a gas station for a break - I responded to you while eating my sandwich there. Left with the middle of the packers…not sure how my partner and I ended up being the only two on “analog” bikes in a group where everyone else had e-bikes that allowed them to cruise up hills without missing a beat, but here we were. I even ended up LEADING the e-bike group for a bit, setting an 18-20 mph pace.
I hit a wall around mile 35 - I did not eat well yesterday, didn’t sleep well last night (4-5 hrs), ran my 8 miles + elevation AND trained legs yesterday: my entire body felt like I was trying to pedal through clay. I actually went into aero position to try to make it easier for myself. (I’ve been surprising myself by the small things I am now able to do on the bike that I couldn’t do before without losing my balance.) It helped a bit. That relentless headwind was just killing me by then.
It was still a freaking record. I still managed a 15.1 mph average pace for 42 miles: it’s the fastest I’ve gone over that distance. This was with a HEADWIND for 32 of those miles + not sleeping well last night + being under fueled. I’m so tired but so proud of these numbers!
There was a group picnic after the ride. My partner has told them about me doing the Gran Fondo only 4 months after riding a road bike for the first time. This was only my 2nd time riding with them and my 1st time meeting everyone…I was received as The Beast. Apparently now I have a reputation that precedes me! It was super fun - it’s a great group. There’s even two deaf riders! I ate the equivalent of a house and was still hungry after.
For the record: NOT complaining AT ALL! :) Just listing the things I had going against me because I think it makes the fact that I not only persisted, but did really freaking well, even BETTER! I love when this happens: when you really have to dig to complete a workout when you think you have nothing left, but then it turns out to be a personal best. It’s MY FAVORITE!!!