The day that would never end

7 a.m. - hit snooze button for 4th time, got up to get ready for 40 mile ride. Rode down to meet some friends for coffee at 8.30 before the ride.

8.30 a.m. No sign of friends.

8.45 a.m. No sign of friends

9 a.m. No sign of friends, but folks start showing up for 9 a.m. start time.

9.15 a.m. One friend shows up, says they misjudged the time, and she got lost on the way. Other friend had to turn back for work.

9.30 a.m. Start off on ride toward the river -- to ride south along the Sacramento River.

9.30-10.30/45 a.m. Cruise along with fun group of cyclists at about 18-21 mph. Stop for quick pitstop, continue onto Clarksburg, CA:

10:45: turn around to head back toward West Sacramento, where I will break off from the group and head home -- about 12 more miles to go.

11 a.m. Curse and yell at wind that blew at us from all sides. Riding buddy and I tried to take turns drafting (hiding behind each other and using the other's body as a wind block), but eventually just settled on ride side by side because the wind was blowing from the sides as much as it was coming from the front. Averaged about 10mph for an interminable 10 miles.

11.30 a.m. Curse wind some more.

11.32 a.m. Continue cursing and wondering if I stop pedaling if I'll actually get blown back to Clarksburg.

11.40 a.m. Make a mental list of any and all friends I might have who would pick me up and drive me the last few miles.

11.45 through 12:15 inclusive: Remind myself why we're all out on the River Road on a blustery Saturday riding over streets that haven't been repaved since the Spanish Inquisition.

12:30p Arrive home with wind-burned cheeks, hoarse voice (from the yelling), and riding buddy in tow, as neither of us were keen to the idea of her riding another 20 miles home.

Fast forward to 3p.m.: gather up a few things I need to get done in Davis, call friends at bowling alley to say I'll be late for the birthday-bowling party, and head out to Davis.

3.45p: Get talked into playing one game (?) of bowling. Is it ten frames per game, or is a frame a game? I don't know. I lost AND I broke a nail. There's no beer at this bowling alley. Aren't beer and bowling like peas and carrots?

5 p.m.: say goodbye to birthday girl, run a few Davis errands, hop back on the Freeway to head home, change clothes, open and close fridge a few times before accepting there just wasn't anything in there to grab and eat.

6.30 p.m. hop back on Freeway, drive up to Placerville, CA to attend a Blame Sally concert. The Blame Sally girls graciously offered to advertise the ride, tell folks why I'm riding, and solicit donations.

7.30 p.m. Talked to several people about the Ride, handed out some brochures with my webpage on them, listened to people tell me why they wouldn't be donating, listened to a couple of women who apparently know more about cycling, AIDS, raising money, local bike rides, and bike commuting than I could every hope to, and who also refused to even take a brochure because what would it teach them that they didn't already know? They suggested we might meet again on an upcoming century. Yeah.

9p.m. Listened to amazing music with Blame Sally, blushed a bit when they gushed about how great it was that I was doing the ride.

9.45 p.m. Blushed again before the break when they touted the cause again and encouraged people to donate. Chatted with some folks during the break, and gave out more brochures. Answered questions about the Blame Sally t-shirts as though I knew what I was talking about.
Wondered if I'd have been more gregarious and forward if I hadn't been at the tail of 100 miles in two days, and a whirlwind of a week.

11.15 p.m. Concert ended with another plug for the ride. People filed out and gave me a few dollars here and there. I accepted with many many thanks. Thanked the band, and gave them a couple of brochures, and at least one promised to donate.

11.40 p.m. Finally back in my car, hopped on the Freeway again to head home. Changed car clock ahead an hour with a deep sigh, and a bit of a grimace. Reminded myself of the warm, light summer evenings to come. Rolled down window and sang along with radio to keep myself awake.

1.30 a.m. Arrived back home. Brushed teeth, fed cats, got into bed, set alarm for 7 a.m., and laid there waiting for sleep to beat out the exhaustion. Also made some promises to myself about eating better (more) this coming week, and giving my legs a chance to rest before the Benchmark ride next weekend.