A Challenge Completed - Venus De Miles

Well, I am very happy to report that not only did I complete all 67 miles of the Venus De Miles, I actually rode 72 miles.  Not too shabby if I do say so myself.  Now, don't get me wrong, the ride was definitely hard and not without it's challenges.  Let me tell you all about the day.

First of all, I got next to zero sleep the night before. My nerves were at an all time high, and I kept waking up thinking that I was going to over sleep, or forget something or both! Plus, I drank way too much water the night before so I had to get up several times for that as well.

But, as I finally got to sleep, the alarm was beep, beep, beeping. I actually for a moment forgot what today was...and started to hit the snooze.  Luckily, I was awake enough to remember my mission for today. Ride my brains out until I crossed the finish line. Check.

Getting ready was pretty uneventful and my sweet husband actually woke up and followed me around to make sure I had everything I needed, ate some breakfast and was excited for the day. And I was off, before I knew it I was riding my bike along the bike path on my way to the starting line. Yikes!!

When I got to the event, I was slightly overwhelmed. It was 6 AM and there were women with bikes sleep walking all over the place. I parked my bike next to a few other dozen bikes and started the search for coffee. Ahh, found it...of course the longest line.  Oh well, maybe I'll chat with some people in line and maybe find a riding partner since I'm solo today (and not really looking forward to riding alone).

I got a cup of Joe, but no new friends.  Everyone seemed either paired off, or not quite awake enough for chatter. I then went over to the Team Venus tent to put some ribbon on my helmet signaling me as a team Venus rider (and hopefully would help me pair off with another lonely rider). But, no...no new friends there either.  By now, it was time to find my way to the starting line.  There was some confusion as to where the 100 milers and the 67 milers should line up. I kept telling everyone who would ask that I was riding the 67 mile ride and asked what they were doing.

Then, I heard a voice behind me, "I don't know..I'm doing the 67 mile ride and I know this person in front of me is too so I am following her because she looks like she knows where she's going".  Ha! I turned around and she was pointing to me. I started to chat with Alice, who would turn out to be a great riding partner for the day. :o) I asked her if she was riding with anyone (nope, alone...all of her friends dropped out), what pace does she ride at, (13-15MPH, ahh..me too..prefect). Would she mind me tagging along and riding with her, nope, she would love that. yay!! Victory and were were ready to start!

The next 20 miles or so were pretty uneventful.  Alice and I chatted for most of it and found out that she worked for a company that our company does a lot of business with and so we talked shop quite a bit, which is rare because most people never know what I do, or where I work.  Soon though, we got to some challenging hills and I suck at hill climbing and Alice was quite the strong climber, and we were separated.

It was okay, I hate the feeling that I am slowing someone down and honestly prefer to climb alone so I can concentrate on the task at hand. :o) Plus, we had the big 2K foot climb coming up, Left hand canyon to Jamestown...so I knew I'd probably lost my riding partner for the day. Oh well, it was still nice to have someone for a while.

At the bottom of the hill as I was starting when I was switching my front chain to the inner ring, it skipped the inner ring completely and landed on my pedal arm, locking up my pedals and my bike started to wobble and tip over, I thought for sure I was going to fall over, but luckily I was able to get unclipped and save myself from humiliation and pain! Yay!  As I was standing there trying to stop shaking and regain my composure, a cute guy in a pink tutu (all of the ride support was in drag, it was an all women's ride after all. ;o)rode up and stopped in front of me. He asked if I needed help, and I said naw, my chain just fell off.  He stopped his bike and said, Oh, let me put it back on for ya.  And in a second it was all better.  And so was I, time to start climbing.

The climb was hard, I won't lie.  It took just about everything out of me. I kept telling myself, okay, just one more mile. you can do it.  come on! Just think about the feeling accomplishment. So, when I got the Ward turnoff, just three of the steepest miles from the top, I was done. I pulled over and one of the ride marshals was there and he asked if I was okay.  I said I was but I was turning around, as I tried to swallow back the tears and catch my breath at the same time.  I just can't go any further. I don't have it in me. really, I don't.

He refused to let me quit, he was an awesome cheerleader and then did a great job of chatting with me about his bike club and taking my mind off things until I was able to get enough water and air, that I was actually starting to feel better. MUCH better. Then something crazy happened, I started riding back up that hill...to the top. He said to be sure to wave to him on my way down. I told him it may be in a couple of minutes if I didn't make it to the top, he said...that's okay, at least you made it further than you are now. Hmm, good point and something to think about.

It was super tough, but I did it...I made it to the top....and immediately started the super fun 10 mile decent....I managed a top speed for 35MPH on that canyon. On my way down I kept my promise and waved to Paul, gave him a thumbs up and thanked him for talking me off the ledge. He said, did you make it.  I said, Yep! I did. THANK YOU!! He shouted a woooohoooo!!! To me and said that's awesome! :o)

At the bottom of the hill I was on HWY 36 and stuck behind a group of 4 riding double wide so I couldn't pass when Alice came up behind me and said HI! I found you!! Wow! I guess she spent a long time at the top of Jamestown and so I was able to get ahead of her. She said she took an extra long break because it was so hard and such a struggle for her.  Now, we were done with the hills and riding together again. yay! We passed those girls (so annoying, you're supposed to ride single file) and raced over the rollers on HWY 36, sooooo much fun!!!

Soon after that though, Alice got a flat.  Bummer!! Luckily some more men in pink tutu's came to the rescue. :o)

Before we knew it, she was all fixed and we were on our way to ride to famous fruit loops. It was my first time riding them, and even though by this time my legs were cramping something fierce, I still enjoyed them...but my speed was suffering....every pedal stroke was painful. It was hot and all I could think of was, great...is this how the MS is going to stop me today. I won't allow it.  I am going to keep going until I can't physically pedal, I can ignore the pain.  Right? Yes, I can, and I tried to concentrate on anything..the beautiful scenery. The amazing weather. The miles I've riden so far. I can do this.

Then, All of a sudden I looked up and didn't see Alice in front of me anymore. Then I looked down, and there she was.  She rode on a gravel road and her bike slid out from under her.  We sat for a while until she regained her composure and double checked everything to ensure there wasn't any serious damage.  Nope, just a little road rash and a few more scratches on her bike, but that was it. She was a real trooper, and soon we were off.

At the last rest stop, I was so tired...I just wanted more than anything to call my husband and ask him to come get me.  But, nope, I promised myself that I would not quit...and I had a little more left in me before I would get to that point. I mean, after all....I already rode 59 miles, what is another 8 miles. I can do that. No problem. Right?

Plus, these cuties were there to cheer me on and give me the strength to carry on to the finish. After a photo op, some electrolyte chews and some nectarines I was ready to get this thing over with.

The last 8 miles seemed to drag as much as the first 20, but I made it.  As I turned the corner to the finish line and heard the cheers and whooohooos, I started to tear up. It was a VERY long day, full of challenges and victories...but I did it!! Wow, I did...I did it. Yay! It's over. As I crossed the finish I looked straight ahead and there was my husband waiting there for me, with my flip flops...and the most adorable smile. Yay. I did it.

Now, where's lunch and the beer? :o)