So I take to the roads when the Kinetic Half cyclists are all out. The plan is to ride the sprint course and I bring a map,which I promptly lose. But that’s OK because I remember it’s almost all left turns and have a vague recollection of road names. I figure I’ll recognize the names when I see them.
This plan would work perfectly if all pertinent roads were labelled at the relevant turn, which didn’t turn out to be the case. I considered going back to ride down the unmarked road to see if it was the one, but decide to continue forward instead just in case the real turn was just ahead.
I am on the Half IM course now, but in reverse and I’m sure everyone wonders what the heck I’m doing. Granted, I don’t have a number on my bike, but do have on my aero helmet and race wheels because, you know, like, I’m racing tomorrow. I stop and ask two ladies at a water bottle hand off station. Are they local? Yes. Do they know they’re way around this area? No. But she calles a couple of people who can’t help and no, she doesn’t have a course map. Perhaps if I could remember the exact name of the road, that would help. Hmmmmm.
I eventually continue on and ask some guy sitting along the side of the road at the end of a bridge. I stop and ask him. Local? Yes. But doesn’t know road names. What the heck is that? He tries to talk me into going into his lake house to check the map online (wink, wink) and isn’t it too bad his sons are there. Ooh. Ick. “Uh, NO.” I relate firmly and continue on without the any hesitation. Dang, yuck. Well kids, I guess this is why you shouldn’t stop and talk to strange men on the side of the road.
Further down the road I stop an official on a motorbike. Do they have a map? No. But if I continue on and turn left, the highway will take me back to the park. Hmmmm. Clearly I missed my turn back there, but no going back past weirdo guy if there’s an alternative.
I finally make it back much later than expected and plus an extra 10 miles. Oh well. All warmed up for tomorrow!
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