Ride for Heroes - CycleTour

The first 12 miles of this ride were interesting and LONG!

We got started late, so that didn't help. It was interesting though, as we started out before the slower group and pretty much did our own ride up until mile 5 ish.

Up one of the hills Kenny dropped his chain. No biggie. We waited and then off we went again.

Then, my boyfriend got a flat. So, he changed that- it was being a bugger so it took longer than usual. Luckily he found the tiny shard of glass that caused it. While changing the flat, all the 8 and 20 milers caught up to us. Once the tire was changed, we took off again.

At this point, we had to dodge all the "slower moving vehicles". No problem, we just kept moving along.

We hit our first hill, and at the top there is a wreck. Apparently, an older man went up the hill and passed out at the top. He had obviously fallen over on the bike when he passed out and he wasn't breathing when we got there. It was a very scary moment. I use to know CPR, but haven't done it in about 10 years, so I wasn't going to rush in. Someone else started CPR and after a couple of minutes (yes, we thought he was dead!) he started to breathe again. Once we saw that he was going to make it, we moved on. Soon after we left and ambulance arrived on the scene.

After that, we crosed over the freeway and hit the service road on the other side. This is when the headwind kicked in. It was kicking our butts. I tried to draft, but it wasn't working out. Hills and wind. OH JOY!

Once off the service road, the wind was tamer as we changed directions.

At the first rest stop, around 12 miles, we assessed how we were doing. It was already 10:30 ish and we had only gone 12 miles. Not good. We all pretty much agreed that a shorter route was going to have to happen. Kenny still sounded like he wanted to do the 64 miles, but said he might chnage his mind.

So, off we went again. Let me tell you, there were hills on this ride. I love the challenge, so it was fun, although painful at times.

At the next rest stop, we talked again and Jill said she had to break off and do the 30 mile route. Her family was waiting for her and they had to get a new puppy. So, off she went and it was just Jonny (boyfriend), Kenny and I.

We all then decided that the 40 mile route was going to be good for us. With the wind and hills... it was for the best.

Once we left this rest stop, we hit A HILL. You know it's bad when they have signs on the side of the road and people cheering you on. I just got in my lowest gear (I really needed a triple!) and starting pedaling. I got to the top- didn't stop once!

I passed my boyfriend on the way up... and after he caught up to me... he was not happy. I was so pumped though and started saying I should run 3 miles after the ride, so I wouldn't have to workout on Sunday. My timing was bad- he wanted to kill me for mentioning running. HA!

From that point, we all pretty much rode our own rides. Jonny was ahead of me (usually within sight) and Kenny was behind me (not usually within sight). We agreed to meet at the next rest stop.

So, we meet at the next rest stop and our little group (I saw a cycling buddy there) was really going off about the hills. It was funny. I tell you what, that is when the swear words started to fly. HA!

Then we left and finished off the last 13 miles. Let me tell you, the 40 mile route was just perfect. Just enough of a challenge, but not too much to make the day completely miserable. I think the 64 miles would have been just too much for our group.

Once the ride was done, we waited for Kenny and cheered as he came in. We yelled his name and waved our arms... but he didn't SEE us. I think he was completely out of it. We did meet up for the burgers the firemen were cooking, after the bikes were packed up.

Overall it was a great time! I'm so happy we drove out there to do it. I will be back next year. The country roads were nice, I loved the hills and riding around and seeing the lake was beautiful. I got to see ducks, cows, horses, baby cows...etc. It was so pretty.

This was such a nice bike rally. It had a great small town feel to it. The aid stations were wonderful and so were the volunteers. The firemen were there and cooked for everyone afterwards. Having it at the High School stadium (a very nice one at that!) was neat. The route was challenging, but beautiful. I will go back next year.