You know, maybe this belongs in the exercise section, but I can't help but think that there is nothing to get the taste of humiliation out of your mouth like the sympathy of friends. Especially when they can laugh, shake their heads and roll their eyes at you, then type something understanding afterwards.
So - my first charity ride (for Juvenile Diabetes) is Sunday. I wanted to do 20 miles today, 25 tomorrow and rest for two days. (It is only a 25 mile ride) So after dinner, off I go. Now, I haven't ridden much since my surgery 5 weeks ago, and I did notice it was a little darker than usual when I left, but off I went.
It was going great - not too many people on the rail trail (warning number one) and I was cooking - Heart rate at 145, averaging 14 miles an hour, though I got up above 21 mph for a little while on the paved section. Speaking of the paved section, I did notice that the cars on the nearby road seemed to have turned on their headlights. (Warning number two) I got to the end of the road, 8.5 miles, and headed back, 2.1 miles paved, then into the woods again. At this point, it was definately getting a little darker than I expected, but I was cooking! I only had 6 miles to go - no problem...
But you know, once that sun goes down, it gets dark REALLY fast. Now, I could have turned around, gone back to the paved section and walked over to Stewarts to use the phone - but I was sure I would make it before it got too dark.
I didn't. Man - it is so dark in the woods. I heard thumping hooves, owls were hooting, things scuffling in the leaves - it got to the point, I was riding on whatever looked lighter than the trees. Only hit one bump big enough to put me into the air...But I stayed on the bike. I thought of hopping off and walking, but I would have been even more nervous and it would have gotten pitch black before I could get to the end.
Finally, I get to a place where the trail crosses over a road. I look to the other side, and all I see is a black hole. My car is still 3.1 miles away. Time for plan B. I ride down the road, knock on some strangers door and call my husband to come save me. He had to put the children into the car, in their pajamas, and come rescue me.
I am so embarrased and believe me, I'll never do that again! The good news - I did go 14.5 miles in an hour, my average heart rate was 145 (though I wonder if this was due to my nerves) and I burned 550 calories.
I love to ride, but I think I'll make sure to go BEFORE dinner from now on.
When good bike rides go bad...
Gina in NY
- thanks for the giggles.
Gobble-Gobble!
Van
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