(Disclaimer: For the last year and a half probably I've biked once per month at best.)
A few weeks ago, Richard and I started our early morning weekday rides, once a week at 5:45 a.m. Yes it is awfully early but I actually haven't had a hard time getting up because I'm so excited to ride. Plus it's great to be done and have a sense of accomplishment all day.
The first week, we did a modified ABC route. Our plan was to ride nine miles out, turn around and come back but at about the seven mile point, we hit a road that was in the process of being paved and was covered in loose gravel. Rather than risking a flat, we modified our route on the fly.
Bad idea.
We ended up cutting through an office park with a very busy highway interchange at the start of rush hour traffic. Even though I ride on the interstate frequently (according to Annnn), this was a little scary. And longer than we planned - about 23 miles. Whoops! I was late getting home.
The next week, we decided to revisit the Power Sprint loop with an added out and back that we did so frequently two summers ago but not at all last year. I forgot how fun that course is! Jackie met us which was great and we rode 18 miles.
Last week, we had a rain delay which caused us to punt to the next day, and then poor Richard couldn't come. Fortunately Jackie still could and we did the Power Sprint loop plus again. We ran into Teresa Stadler out in the country and she rode with us briefly, looking unbelievably fit and cute. I guess one benefit of not working out much is that I haven't been injured, so I hadn't seen her in awhile.
Then this week, we went back to the modified ABC route and did it as planned since the road work is complete. TG Kathryn and work/school friend Dave-with-a-new-bike met Richard and me. My distribution list has over 20 people so it's always fun to see who shows up on any given ride. We went a little more than 18 miles which is really all I have time for in the morning. Unless I want to get up even earlier, which I most definitely don't.
This week, I also started riding on Monday nights which I'm hoping to continue through the fall. Annnn met me and we had a fun ride through Goochland, bouncing the lead back and forth.
I've had some longer weekend rides too including the longest one I've done in awhile, 28 miles with Kermit and Richard in late May. We did that same loop again two weekends ago with my friend Susan from work. Deanna, Bethany, and Annnn met us at WC to pick up the loop and even gave us an escort back to my house. Very fun!
But probably the funnest ride I've had in a long time was a few weeks ago with Jennifer, Annnn, and Susan when we did the Charlottesville Oly course. It's 23 miles of rolling hills through beautiful countryside.
Of course I'm too dumb to take pictures BEFORE we ride when I might look a little better. And where's Annn you may wonder? She has a knack for disappearing when the camera comes out. Or maybe she's just a figment of my imagination... kind of like an abusive imaginary friend.
After we finished, we had a relaxing lunch and beer sampler at the new Devil's Backbone microbrewery and then headed up the mountain to meet Deanna and Patty for a girls' weekend. Deanna had ridden Crabtree Falls that day and I'm even more completely in awe of her. She said it made the Blue Ridge look easy. I can't even imagine!
I'm looking forward to some more great riding this summer and hope that I can figure out a way to add more distance. I'd like to do the RABA Heart of Va long metric (75 miles) in September if possible.
It's so great to be back on my bike!!!! Now if I could just talk myself into a little swimming and running....
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