*collapses*
Today is gorgeous, in the mid-80's, and the first weekend I've had in a while where I didn't have something already planned. So, having updated and charged my iPod, filled my water bottles, and in theory prepared myself for extensive physical effort, I set out earlier this afternoon (12:30?) to ride my bike from North Andover to Salem (by way of the Baja Fresh in Beverly) and back.
I made it all the way over to the location of Baja Fresh with no trouble via Hwy 114 and 62, filled with energy and generally having tons of fun. Having arrived there, though, I discovered that Baja Fresh's local branches are apparently one more casualty of the economic downturn -- no more Baja Fresh. : ( I made do with lunch at a nearby Panera, spending nearly an hour recovering, then headed south across the bridge. I picked up a handful of touristy postcards from one of the shops there, then began heading back northwest.
The ride back, being mildly more uphill than the ride there, was much tougher than I'd realized. (This was not helped by the too-sweet fruit punch I'd had to drink for lunch.) With some inspired exhaustive effort, though, and a bit of walking on the lengthier uphill stretches, I managed to finally stagger my way back to North Andover by about 5:30.
I suspect I may have pushed my still-getting-back-in-shape body a wee bit too hard. The total distance I biked was 42 miles or so, and the harder part was on the way back. *facepalm*
Also, I neglected one important thing:
Sunscreen.
I managed to avoid getting too badly burned, but that's definitely something I'll make sure to remember next time. For now, plenty of ice water (in small doses) and loooooooots of rest.
I made it all the way over to the location of Baja Fresh with no trouble via Hwy 114 and 62, filled with energy and generally having tons of fun. Having arrived there, though, I discovered that Baja Fresh's local branches are apparently one more casualty of the economic downturn -- no more Baja Fresh. : ( I made do with lunch at a nearby Panera, spending nearly an hour recovering, then headed south across the bridge. I picked up a handful of touristy postcards from one of the shops there, then began heading back northwest.
The ride back, being mildly more uphill than the ride there, was much tougher than I'd realized. (This was not helped by the too-sweet fruit punch I'd had to drink for lunch.) With some inspired exhaustive effort, though, and a bit of walking on the lengthier uphill stretches, I managed to finally stagger my way back to North Andover by about 5:30.
I suspect I may have pushed my still-getting-back-in-shape body a wee bit too hard. The total distance I biked was 42 miles or so, and the harder part was on the way back. *facepalm*
Also, I neglected one important thing:
Sunscreen.
I managed to avoid getting too badly burned, but that's definitely something I'll make sure to remember next time. For now, plenty of ice water (in small doses) and loooooooots of rest.