Changing Gears

On Sunday I did something I never thought I would do.

I entered a cycling event for charity and rode over forty miles.  Now, I know lots of folks can ride forty miles without blinking an eye, but for me it was a big deal.  I had not really been on a bicycle in over twenty years, so I was a little nervous about trying to keep up with everyone.  But on Sunday morning I showed up at the Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio and entered the Fiesta Wildflower Ride.

Like a bad omen my front tire's tube blew out on me while pumping up.  I thought for sure that meant I was going to have to sit out the ride. Luckily some friends had an extra tube and another friend could help me change it.  Sam, Glenda, and Shauna, thank you! 

The first stretch wasn't bad at all.  I didn't even bother to stop at the first rest area.  I really got in the zone around the tenth mile.  It was overcast and cool and nice for riding.  The wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country bloomed in oranges, reds, blues, and greens.  Cows behind barbed wire watched us speed by.  There were hills, too.  But they didn't seem too bad.  At least not at first.  Around mile thirty the hills felt a little more difficult.  I didn't stop at the last rest area though I probably should have. The last five miles were difficult.  My thighs felt like concrete. But then I pedaled my way across the finish line with a great big smile on my face.  Then it was time for water, kiolbassa, and Red Bull. Then, as in the beginning, my back tire's tube blew out while riding back to the truck. I'm just happy that didn't happen on the road!

I know I wasn't the fastest guy out there (heck, I may have been the slowest), but I was happy to be there and thrilled that I finished.  I'm happy to say that I'm already looking forward to my next big ride.