So today was the big day. We woke up, ate some oatmeal and a banana
and headed toward the start line. We had decided in advance to NOT do
the 2 day ride and just ride the first day. We ventured off and it was
a beautiful morning. We were on the side of the highway with plenty of
shoulder space and shade. We started going down hill and continued
that way for about 15 miles. I was thinking it was going to be a great
ride.
We got to the 260/60 intersection and turned and so began our uphill
adventure. We thought we would just turn around at 32.5 miles and go
back the same way we came but we remembered the 15 mile downgrade and
didn't want to climb that at the end so we came up with plan B.
Minda has relatives in springerville which is where the ride ended on
day one. We made it to the first rest stop, grabbed some food to
refuel, water to hydrate and she made a few phone calls and rounded up
a ride for us from Springerville back to HonDah Casino where we
started. We left our rest stop (after climbing some very difficult
hills) and started back out, headed toward springerville. Well, let's
just say that this is when my love affair with my bike ended. We went
what seemed like straight uphill for the next 8 miles, got a little 2
mile break and then continued uphill again. The winds were so bad, it
made me feel like I was pedaling in place. Add a lack of shoulder to
that and you can paint the picture.
At about 55 miles I wanted to violently throw my bike into traffic and
never see it again, OR roll up in a ball and cry like a baby. BUT
Minda was ahead of me and I didn't want to delay her with my crying
fit.
Several times, she came back to check on me and I was determined to
finish, even if it took me all day!
Well, it did take me 8 hrs-out in the sun to ride 65 miles. That
includes the time we stopped at the break for some lunch and water and
make some phone calls. It also included the time we were getting a
ride back. I think I was on my bike for nearly 6 hrs. My booty is in
much pain- that is an understatement!
Ok, so we get out of the car about 3 miles away from the start so we
could officially finish our 65 mile ride (minda did 70 due to the turn
arounds she did on my behalf).
It was a great challenge. I won't be doing it again simply because the
roads really freaked me out. We had about 18 inches to ride between
the bumps on the side of the white line and the edge of the ashpalt.
It was scary and if you ever could get some speed, it was too narrow
to really feel safe.
Minda was practically unaffected by today… Me, I can't sit well, I
am totally sunburned and my shoulders/neck are so sore from gripping
the life out of my handlebars. I guess I learned that it is probably
better to train a bit???
I have not exercised regularly for some time now and I am not quite
sure what I thought I was made of… : )
I am glad to be done, so proud of myself for not throwing a fit and my
bike is not injured. I am disappointed that this million hours of
exercise didn't make me skinny ; )
We are now at Mommy's (Jill's mom's house) for a wonderful place to
rest and recuperate. We had home tomorrow sometime.

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