Went out yesterday for one of my favorite local rides which involves about 2,300’ of climbs and 36 miles and it turned into a ride of regret (Or in BF terms: Regert). Didn’t eat enough, pre-ride for reasons unknown (not wanting to admit I am a dumb ass). Only took one large water bottle with electrolytes even though it was the warmest day of the year. Packed along one gel and an all natural ‘energy’ bar consisting of fruit and nuts. I knew the legs did not feel right after the first few pedal strokes since I had a hard workout a couple of days before, but figured they would get with it after a warm up. No luck there.

Hill climbs start the route at 8 and 12% and found the HR way up and the speed down. Do you think that should have been a clue to turn around and go back? Went through my water bottle pretty quickly trying to get a little boost, but no luck since the legs continued to protest. Decided to down the gel which usually provides pretty rapid energy and it helped a little since there was a 1/4 mile 12% climb coming up. Made it up in the lowest gear and it wasn’t pretty, so decided to eat the bar too. Still no big result with a 10% 1/10th of a mile climb coming up. I am now at mile 26. Slogged up that and after three miles made it to a park with water for my bottle and a bench to sit on while looking at a nice lake and contemplate on why I even bothered.

After 10 minutes and downing a full large water bottle and refilling, took off again facing some nice downhills followed by a prolonged 5 and 6% climbs. Back down to granny gear and limped my way back up. The only good part of the ride was finishing with a 1.5 mile downhill with a top speed of 41.

As the saying goes, “Some days you are the windshield and some days you are the bug”. Not taking the day off made me the bug.

Pic of the lake where I pondered my dumbassery


Beaver Lake