This is my longest ride to date. Don't laugh, you have to start somewhere. I've been hankering to do for a long ride since rugby has been over. I told myself I was going to take a break from hard physical activity for a week or two, buy some much needed cycling gear and then start up my training, easing my way into it. Then I had a amazing idea (like all my ideas).
I've been trying to go for rides with Travis and Janine for some time, but either weather or rugby kept getting in the way. Joey was racing out in Schwenksville (near Pottstown) so what better way to kill a Sunday than by taking a nice long ride out to the race, watch
some cx racin' and get my long leisurely ride in (and also show off some of my new gear)? Yes I know how far Pottstown is from Philadelphia. We all met up nice and early at the Art Musuem and started the trip out to rural suburbia. We started on the Schuylkill River Trail until Valley Forge, were we then veered off onto the Perkiomen Trail. Travis started lagging behind due to her hefty mountain bike and time was ticking away so she waved Janine and I on ahead so we wouldn't miss the race. Everything was going really well, minus the woman who ran into Travis and then bounced into a tree, until a particularly rocky part of the Perkiomen Trail, which was primarily gravel, dirt, leaves, etc. Not so good for skinny little road tires like Janine and I were sportin' on our bikes.
About 6 miles from our destination, my back tire went kaboom...NOOOOOOOOO! Crap, we are so close and I'm so not good at changing tires! The last tire I changed was in my house and after 30 minutes I had to walk away or I was going to have an aneurysm out of sheer frustration. Thankfully I was able to change it in less than 5 minutes, but then Janine's CO2 cartridge wouldn't work so we had to wait for Travis to catch up with her spare (mental note: always carry my own gear with me). We got it inflated and we were on our way. After a few more miles and me realizing I put my back tire on with the brake against the tire (I thought is seemed harder to pedal) we climbed some hills, made a u-turn and finally found the race sight. Unfortunately we miss Joey's entire race. Goddamnnit, and he did really well too. We hung out for a bit, refueled, took in some sun and then started the long journey home. Ugh. Luckily Travis made a phone call and was able to have Meredith pick us up in Collegeville. As we were riding, I was almost certain we could make it back to Philly...eventually, but it was probably best to get a ride. If we decided later on the way back that we were indeed super tired, would kinda be effed. We got back to my place and fested on hot roast beef sandwiches and Punkin' Ale to help with the refueling process. Good God it felt good to lay down on the couch.
I was absolutely knackered yesterday and this morning, but now I feel pretty good. My muscles are a bit sore, but nothing outrageous. I can't wait to do it again.