LilaBear
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I’m a newcomer to RoadBike riding, but have been inspired by many people on this forum. I’ve ridden a lot more than I would have expected this summer, and enjoyed it way more than I expected. So the pinnacle of my summer achievement was to ride in the Buffalo Bicycle Classic in Boulder. The ride choices are 35 miles, 50, 70 and 100.
I’ve done a couple of 35 mile rides and I wanted a stretch target, my plan was to do 50. I was excited to find that Robyn was also going to be riding, and she’d set a goal of 70 miles. She'll put in her own Trip Report too.
Then over Labor day weekend I got sick with a cold that spread to my chest. On Thursday I sounded like a Bronte sister trying to hack up a lung, and it seemed to be getting worse every hour. I'd resigned myself to this Buffalo Classic just not happening which was a huge disappointment. But on Friday I seemed a lot better, and yesterday better yet. So I tried a little cycle and seemed to be able to breathe fairly easily.
This morning I started off with Robyn and her Uncle and some of their friends, but didn't really keep up, so I'd catch up at the aid stations. Robyn was undecided between the 50 and 70 mile ride, cos there's a big hill just after the 50 mile turnback. I was undecided between the 35 and the 50, I knew I could do the 35 and I haven't done 50 yet – and I’ve been sick. I was still debating this at the 3rd rest stop when someone showed me the 50 mile turnaround sign next to me and told me that I’d already made the decision – all I had to do now was to get back!
It had started off cool and dry in the morning, by now it was sunny and clear. There are 2500 riders, although they get spread out so it wasn’t crowded. It was so fun to be bowling along the country roads, with the mountains on one side, and cyclists to the front and back of me.
It was also wonderful to stop at the aid stations and take a breather. I’ve never been to one of these as a participant before and I felt I was earning my free food (which was delicious).
At mile 36 I was officially on my longest ride since I got the bike. Here I was lucky enough to meet up with some people I’ve ridden with from my LBS, and one woman I knew to be the same pace as me. They invited me to join up and ride home with them.
At mile 44 I found that my thoughts had nothing in them but turn, turn, turn those legs. Which didn’t seem like a good mental place to be, so I lifted my head up to enjoy the view and remember why I like cycling. It did the trick. I wouldn’t say I came home strongly, but I was still on my bike. Even if the last 500 yards was a very nasty steep hill and I was in granny gear, I was still on my bike.
They were offering lunch, cold beers and a massage just ahead. Which was a strong incentive.
I’m back, clean, refreshed and have that glorious feeling of a spent body after a hard day that has been a real achievement.
Photos to come - I'm always challenged by having a Mac at home and it seems to create extra and long winded steps!
I’ve done a couple of 35 mile rides and I wanted a stretch target, my plan was to do 50. I was excited to find that Robyn was also going to be riding, and she’d set a goal of 70 miles. She'll put in her own Trip Report too.
Then over Labor day weekend I got sick with a cold that spread to my chest. On Thursday I sounded like a Bronte sister trying to hack up a lung, and it seemed to be getting worse every hour. I'd resigned myself to this Buffalo Classic just not happening which was a huge disappointment. But on Friday I seemed a lot better, and yesterday better yet. So I tried a little cycle and seemed to be able to breathe fairly easily.
This morning I started off with Robyn and her Uncle and some of their friends, but didn't really keep up, so I'd catch up at the aid stations. Robyn was undecided between the 50 and 70 mile ride, cos there's a big hill just after the 50 mile turnback. I was undecided between the 35 and the 50, I knew I could do the 35 and I haven't done 50 yet – and I’ve been sick. I was still debating this at the 3rd rest stop when someone showed me the 50 mile turnaround sign next to me and told me that I’d already made the decision – all I had to do now was to get back!
It had started off cool and dry in the morning, by now it was sunny and clear. There are 2500 riders, although they get spread out so it wasn’t crowded. It was so fun to be bowling along the country roads, with the mountains on one side, and cyclists to the front and back of me.
It was also wonderful to stop at the aid stations and take a breather. I’ve never been to one of these as a participant before and I felt I was earning my free food (which was delicious).
At mile 36 I was officially on my longest ride since I got the bike. Here I was lucky enough to meet up with some people I’ve ridden with from my LBS, and one woman I knew to be the same pace as me. They invited me to join up and ride home with them.
At mile 44 I found that my thoughts had nothing in them but turn, turn, turn those legs. Which didn’t seem like a good mental place to be, so I lifted my head up to enjoy the view and remember why I like cycling. It did the trick. I wouldn’t say I came home strongly, but I was still on my bike. Even if the last 500 yards was a very nasty steep hill and I was in granny gear, I was still on my bike.
They were offering lunch, cold beers and a massage just ahead. Which was a strong incentive.
I’m back, clean, refreshed and have that glorious feeling of a spent body after a hard day that has been a real achievement.
Photos to come - I'm always challenged by having a Mac at home and it seems to create extra and long winded steps!
