Sheesh!

My hubby has been trying to get me to join the local cycle touring club so I can do some organized long rides. He really has no desire to do rides over 30 miles and I need to do rides over 30 miles, so we have a problem since he is currently my ONLY cycling partner.

Today I had a 3 hour and 50 minute ride on my training calendar and I REALLY did not want to go by myself, so I put on my big girl pants (I read that somewhere and it cracked me up. I stole it. Not an original RBR-ism) and picked a ride. The Cycling Club recommended picking an easier ride to start so you can get to know the group. That is what I thought I did. Note: I said 'thought.'

Apparently, I was gravely (dramatic sure, but is my story) mistaken. It was a 40 mile ride around the reservoir, no real climbs. It was classified as Grizzley Bear, which is supposed to be their easier rides. Granted the ride posting did say that this would be "slightly more athletic than you typical grizzly bear ride."

Hmm.

My definition of slightly and their definition of slightly, vastly different. Their definition includes a goal speed of 18-20 miles an hour on the flats (which was really a steady up grade. Note: Exhibit A - Picture of elevation chart)

*I don't know why the scale is screwed up. It was only 42 miles not 62.

Anyhoo, the only people that showed up for this ride were 3 HARDCORE old guys from the Cycle Club and one other guest that was an ex-bike racer.

Awesome.

All I could do was pedal my little heart out and try to suck in oxygen as often as possible. The Hardcore Trio and Racer Dude were very gracious and nice to me, but suffice it to say it was a long afternoon. I need a nap.

AND, I have to run 10 miles tomorrow. My poor little leggies are ti-red!

Other news:

I am off to Africa on Tuesday. Like how I say that all casual like I jet off to foreign countries and exotic locals all the time? Actually, I have never been out of the country and this trip is a HUGE deal. I am very excited, but a little scared. Getting my enormous animal family ready for me to leave for 2 weeks is a nightmare and I am super stressed. Plus I need to pack and there are all these rules about what you can and cannot bring, how much it can weigh, etc.

Anyway, I am excited and getting closer to being ready. That and training are why I haven't posted in a couple of days. My hubby takes awesome pictures (and NO I am not the least bit biased!) so I will link to them or have a slide show here when I get back.

Don't worry I won't make you come to my house and trap you in the living room while I regale you with tales of our African adventure, just a little blogger slide show thing-a-ma-job.