It’s Tuesday lunch ride day. I wondered if I’d go at first because I felt so sluggish this morning. I kept wanting to go back to sleep. But there’s nothing like a brisk ride on a brisk, sunny day to get the blood going, so out I went.
We started with about 7 riders and somebody out front accelerated a little much for my taste at the very beginning. Hello? Warm up anyone? Sheesh. Things settled down and the wind was at our backs. It was no small wind, so I knew we’d be hating it later.
Things were fine as far as I could tell and then I had the lead up a climb on Alexander. We got to the turn, I look back and we were down to four riders. Hm. We turn into the wind and things begin to break up a little. I bridge us back up and I’m given the front just in time to finish a climb into a full on headwind, and short psuedo downhill then a longer climb. It’s wicked hard and I give up the lead to climber Brad who rides off with Mr. John R. McAdams as I seem to roll backwards, at my limit. My limit’s not so high these days and I’m trying to drag a little more weight up these climbs. Not excuses. Reasons. I think I’m entitled at this point.
Luckily for me the two tough guys are stopped at a light and I catch up again. We finish well except for me getting dropped on hills every time Brad takes the front. He later admits that he was pushing the hills harder today. Well…I figured I’m just getting slower, which is fine. I think I did well. Me and the nuggin had a good ride.
P.S. I told all the guys the previous week that I was pregnant. I was a little concerned that they would be all nervous about me riding with them. I needn’t have worried. They were just excited because that meant I would be getting slower. I can’t think of a better response, actually. Very cool.