Team In Training
Saturday the 22nd we rode 56 miles through Franconia Notch in NH. It was the toughest ride yet. In fact, I would say that this ride tested my physical abilities and endurance more than anything I have ever experienced in my life! The second half of the ride was very trying. We had a 2-mile climb up-hill in, aptly named, Sugar Hill, followed by 8 miles of straight-out head wind, and finished up with 14 miles of steady incline (also with a head wind), the last mile of which was quite steep. It was at about that point (about mile 48 of the ride) that I had to stop. The previous 20 miles or so had taken everything I had. The wind was brutal, especially when you're small like me, and the hills had just done me in. I broke down and sobbed. J stopped and the two of us walked up that final hill together. At this point the wind was just whipping, and the temperature had dropped as well. We sat for a bit with the few others who hadn't been in the front pack, and coach Don who'd come back to help us. The last 6-7 miles of the ride were down-hill, followed by a big lunch/dinner. On the bright side, the vews were spectacular, and the scenery was beautiful. I brought my camera, and managed to take some nice photos, as well as have our SAG driver take a group photo, before I ran out of film. Next week we ride about 60 miles - Mt. Watchusett. Stay tuned!