Too cold to ride? Ride faster

The second day of the March Benchmark Ride was even colder than the first. Being worried about what time it was and getting to the ride by 8:30 or whenever it was, I forgot any and all warm gear. Dummy.

Here's the one photo I took on Sunday (lots more photos of coastal riding coming soon!):

Capturing the Pippi-effect.

What to do? Ride faster. It will 1) keep me warmer and 2) get me done and out of the cold quicker. In theory.

So off I went. 22.5 miles from start to first rest stop. I was doing okay until two of our guys passed me like I was standing still. I also slowed down a little while kicking myself for not recognizing one of the guys who passed me, and with whom I'd conversed for a few minutes, as someone I've ridden this ride with for the past 2 years. In my defense, we are all kind of incognito.

So I stopped at the rest stop, fueled up a bit, and hit the trail again. 22.5 miles to the next rest stop. I'm not sure how long folks hung out at the rest stop, but I didn't see anyone until I get to Rest Stop #2. Why? I was out in front! It rained the whole way there in a cold and annoying way. Began to wish I had my rain and wind-proofing wind-breaker, even though I don't believe in them.

Came to Rest Stop #2, had some snacks with shaky hands, and then hopped on my bike for the last 20 miles of the day. This stretch was into the hills, so I expected it to be a little colder.
And it was.

The morning was quite nice and I was really digging riding on my own. The rain stopped and started again as I made my way up. After Saturday's hills, this route seemed pretty [easy]. At least the hills didn't produce any medically unsafe physiological reactions.

Up to Folsom Lake I went. Took a little look around, and then back down the hill. 65 miles or so and a total of 106 for the weekend. Not too shabby.

While it's true that the 'speed demons' among us had stayed home for this ride, it felt pretty good to "come in first." Of course, there was no parade in my honor when I got back or anything, and no big ribbon to ride through (each of which I'd imagined in detail during those last 10 miles -- I even practiced sitting up tall so I could go through the ribbon with victory arms), I got to experience the monumentally overwhelming feeling that comes with marked progress -- progress achieved through nothing but work and dedication.

Pretty cool, I think.

I've been nervous to write about this weekend at all because I was happy with myself but didn't want to broadcast it to the world. First I climbed the heck out of those hills and then I rode the bike trail faster than I ever have?! What the heck! It's one thing to be pleased about it, it's quite another to go tooting my horn all over the Interwebs.

So it goes. Maybe part of the lesson here is learning to be comfortable with achievement -- especially athletic achievement. It's way outside my comfort zone.