The Last Long Training Ride

Goals for this ride:

Ride in the dark: done

Ride 125 miles: done

We wanted to start in the dark because we’ll have to do this on August 10 and wanted to ensure our lights were sufficient. Also, it’s obviously cooler then and we wanted to cover as many miles as possible before it got hot.

4am.

So early. 

But that is what time we woke up, ate breakfast, and drank a bit of coffee.

At 545, we were outside and ready to go. No pictures because my pockets were so full of bars, gels, etc. I couldn’t have pulled my phone out without scattering stuff everywhere.

By 730, we had covered some bike path, road, and gravel path before it was time for a pit stop. (It was really time 15 minutes before this.)

Now the middle part began, out to London, OH and down the VERY straight Ohio to Erie Trail on our way to Cedarville.

(The Road Goes On Forever)

After a lunch, at 1045, at the Subway in Cedarville and having completed a metric century, we started our way back home and metric century #2 of the day. 

(Oh Soy!)

About 15 miles after another water stop in London, finally dipped off the bike path and onto some country roads. By this point we were both starting to feel the heat and the miles in our legs.

(I still have my beard.)

Just before our second gravel loop, we passed the 100 mile marker. Woo! We’re done...nope...25 more miles.

Okay another pit stop and I dunked my head under a faucet. By now the temp was in the low 90s.

We “powered” through the bumpy gravel (with the help of my excellent singing.) and got back on to familiar roads to home.

Recovery began immediately upon arrival.

The next 10 days will see some shorter rides to keep our legs moving but no big efforts as we allow our bodies to heal from this one.

We’re looking forward to the Big Ride. This last ride makes me think we can definitely do this!

Speaking of doing this, let’s blow the top off of the fundraising goal! We’re close but need your help with anything you can give and spreading the word to others.