Life Behind Handlebars, from the couch to the century
So. Brian turned 31 today. A few days ago, I asked him what he wanted to do. Originally, we were going to have people over for dinner. I mean, yeah, that's what we'd normally do. We enjoy having people over.
Well, we changed our minds.
We decided we were going to do a century.
For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a 100 mile bike ride.
We were in for some hard work, but we felt ready.
We got up early and ate french toast and eggs.
Then we packed the car with our bikes and some food. Lots of energy bars/gels and a cooler with some cold drinks and snacks. Even a carafe of coffee lol.
Now, let's think here for a minute. Let's really think about this. 100 miles. A 100 mile ride. We started riding a little over a year ago. At that time, Brian weighed 350 pounds.
This guy... he was this guy:
This guy who could ride a bike around the block. This guy who couldn't do more than a mile or two without using his inhaler four times and needing to go home.
This guy... wanted to ride 100 miles today for his birthday. Because he's earned it. We've earned it. We wanted to do it because we COULD.
105 pounds lost and almost 3,000 miles of riding this year... he knew he could do it. So we went for it!
We started with some energy shots and a ready to go photo!
We went to a spot on Xenia that has four paths intersecting. Our plan: to take each path 12.5 miles and then turn around and come back to the station. That way, we'd get 25 miles on each path and never be more than 12.5 miles from our car. Brilliant, amirite? That way, no heavy packs were needed as our snacks and drinks mostly stayed in the car. We just took a few things with us on each path as needed.
Well, as always, I'm going to now make my obligatory Fight Club reference. haha. I know you all love how I can make a FC reference about anything... anyhow, we got to spend about 20 miles with an awesome single serving friend today! We saw him with his loaded up bike and asked if he was touring.
His name was Justin Mauser and get this guys, he was on his way from Maine to his home in Arizona! Dudes, I googled that shit and Maine to Arizona is like almost 3,000 miles. So, of course, we were like well, holy shit, this guy is super legit! And we talked to him as long as we could before we had to turn back. It was really awesome.
You should all check out his blog here: http://wishfromcoasttocoast.blogspot.com/
Annnnd if anyone is feeling generous, you can donate to his cause here!
http://friends.wish.org/001-000/page/Justin-Mauser/Charity-Bicycle-Ride.htm
I'm going to try to toss some money in the bank and send it their way if I have some left over after ordering that cycling kit. Which I really need to get on.
He's on a charity ride for The Make a Wish Foundation! Super cool.
We swapped stories about animals, weather and everything else we could. I tried to get him to take some of those sandwiches I had in the car, but he had already eaten lol.
Eventually we had to turn around, we wished him well and headed back to the station.
EDIT: totally forgot to mention it was his birthday today as well! He turned 23 today! Happy birthday Justin!
By the time we got back from the third leg of our trip... my right foot was KILLING me. I switched today to 105 pedals and cleats from my campus pedals.
They always tell you never to make drastic changes to your bike routine right before a race or a long ride... but I didn't bother with that advice... and well... it sucked. My feet weren't used to the cleats and it was just crazy painful after 75 miles.
After 90 miles I was in so much pain, I was almost in tears. It was actually pretty awful lol.
I'll tell you guys... at 98 miles... I was feeling it. I was almost done. I was in pain, I was tired, I was feeling like I couldn't go two more miles, as bad as that sounds!! Then I realized... HEY I have TWO more miles! Just two! So I sacked up, shifted into a harder gear, thought hurting foot be damned, got into my drops and took off. I caught up with Brian who had got a bit ahead of me and we sped into Xenia Station with me not too far behind him ;)
We did it you guys! 100 miles!!
We were feeling mighty accomplished and tired. And hungry lol.
So there it is. Our first century! This is just the beginning! I'm so proud of us and so proud of Brian. Two years ago, I don't think anyone would have believed this was even possible. It's just insane. I'm so so proud. We have really hit a mile stone today. What better way to ring in his 31st birthday, than with proof that he's younger than ever!
I love you sweet heart and I'm so lucky to have you in my life! We're the best ever.
I can't wait to ride the Seattle to Portland next year.
Posted via LiveJournal app for iPhone.
Edit: Decided I had to add these at the end! I know you've seen Brian's several times, but I've directed a lot of folks to this entry... and I just made one for myself. And WOW!
Almost brings a tear to my eye!!!