Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Day 5 - Alone Again on a Long Boring Stretch



Thursday, Sept 3
Torrey to Panguitch with Planet Ultra
3940' feet of climbing
106 miles of biking

The Boyfriend and I set off together. Today's journey involved a long mostly flat stretch and a lot of wind. Basically, a day to get us from Point A to Point B. We were fortunate though that the wind today was maybe 10 mph. For those of us who have biked South San Jose in the late afternoon, the Utah wind was piddly. However, I was cold and appreciated that The BF was out in front protecting me. What a way to keep the romance alive!

The BF joined the tandem at around mile 20 and left me. What a way to keep the romance alive.... nah, I wanted him to get a move on after babysitting me. [p.s. on one descent, somewhere on our trip, the tandem people hit 60 mph]. I make a tactical error, talking to S.A.G. support and soon found myself in the back of the pack. It is today on a long boring stretch in which I planned to do my first 105 miles that I suddenly feel alone, wondering where I am, what day it is, tired of consuming gels, PowerBars, and so forth. Okay, I was feeling sorry for myself having no one to flirt with.....

The ride leader told me that if I was too slow, they would have to pick me up and take me to the hotel. Well, people, let me tell you, I kicked ass. Yeah, I had a plan to Motor West and I got my kicks but not on Route 66. Well, not really, but I tried to keep my spirits up. The road was uneven and dull with a lot of farmland and an exhausting climb of 10 miles.

At mile 65, I hung up my shoes. The weather turned funny, once again, with threatening dark skies. I made a very wise choice. Almost all of the other riders got caught in the coldish rain and many got flats. The BF got two flats! But his slimy gel stuff sealed up the punctures and got him home. [p.s., he is now experimenting with tubeless tires]. Me, I enjoyed yakking away in the comfort of the warm van with the Canadian and the retired military man with the broken wrist who were providing S.A.G. support today.

Stats:

65 miles
35 max
12.4 mph avg

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Christine, you're not supposed to acknowledge a "long, boring stretch" in vacation commentary. The standard practice is to make out like you were enraptured every moment of your trip so that those of us who are often tired or bored on our vakays feel inadequate.