The Ride (Part 2)

We are now heading northeast from historic Cross Village (the lunch stop) towards Mackinaw City.  The terrain flattened out significantly and so did the pack of people.  There was a choice to ride 25 and stop in Cross Village or continue on for the full 51. 

I didn't mention a big unanticipated surprise on our journey.  There was a recent bug hatching in northern Michigan (maybe no-seeums?(not entirely sure  ).  You know, the little tiny bugs that are plastered all over your windshield when you drive fast on the freeway?Flying down hills at 30+ mph makes YOU... a human windshield.  Disgusting!  I was happy not to have facial hair, they were in Sam's beard and mustache.  I inhaled several and they found their way through my sunglasses and in my eyes.  If you thought about it too much ick, best to keep riding and keep your mouth closed. 

Despite the flatter terrain, the wind changed directions, seems we were fighting it the entire way.  We only stopped once and that was for a quick photo on the lake.   We saw some wipeouts, mostly skinned knees. There was a woman who crashed and her bike was pretty banged up.  I have to talk about the fashion for a second, wow:

• Way too much spandex and lycra!
• Picture someone who shouldn't be wearing spandex or lycra and then add :  padded butt shorts, YIKES, while they may be comfy, they are NOT flattering, saw some saggy padded butt shorts too!
• There were themes; for those of you that have been on traditional trips with us (i.e. canoeing) you know I love themes.  Quote from Karen " If Tami does this again, I see a theme in our future".  I loved the guys who wore 'tuxedo shirts and their helmets had orange construction cones on top! too cute!
• Many people had clips for pedals and clipped on their shoes ( I could never do this, and clearly some of them shouldn't have either!)
• For those that are fb friends with Sam, saw the dude in the maid's uniform with the fishnet stockings! FUN

People were mostly friendly, chatty, relaxed and having a great time.  After my temper tantrum before lunch, I apologized to my best friend, thanked him for doing this with me and had a wonderful time!

By the end, Sam and I were exhausted and ready to stop pedaling!  When we crossed the finish line, I was a tiny bit emotional, not quite as emotional as when I did the duathalon, ( that day I actually balled at the finish line!) this time I just felt glad we finished and mostly glad we spent time together doing something different that we had not done before.  The Bacardi tent was hopping, $2 drinks and I must say the grape rum with sprite ROCKED! 

We hung out for a bit and then road back to the hotel.  Before dinner I took the kids to the pool, and hit the hot tub.  At the hot tub I met Chet and Polly ( names NOT changed to protect the innocent, --these were their actual names LOL).  Chet was an older gentlemen (maybe 65ish) and is daughter Polly (25 tops), they did the ride too.  Chet said this " Every now and then in life, you have to have an exclamation point" " do something different that you will never forget" he said.  I loved that he said that!  I agreed, I will not soon forget this ride.

 Everyday life is so busy; work, kids, sports, class, chores, its so great to take a 'time out'.  It was awesome being in beautiful northern Michigan, bugs and all.  I loved spending time with Sam, Karen and Jay, I loved that our kids were waiting for us, anxious to go to dinner and take the ferry to the island.  (Don't worry we did not leave small children alone!)  Katie our 15 year old niece who has grown into a beautiful, responsible, brave and mature young lady took care of them for the day.  I even loved that my phone was dead!   I hope anyone who reads this will consider doing this with us next year! 

To our jazz girls -- Total calories for the ride = 1432 (about  2 1/4 classes--- OUR CLASSES ROCK when you do the math!) You would have to do BLOW and Enrique about 3 or 4x to make your butt burn like those hills though!

I am rejuvinated and can once again start a new week.  I leave you with this final thought:

"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other". -Douglas H. Everett

You only get one shot at it, make a few exclamation points!  xxoo

The Ride - May 2011 (Part 1)

And so it begins, the ride from Boyne Highlands to Mackinaw City, 51 miles of pure fun!  I didn't sleep well the night before, it was a busy day at the Toledo Zoo with Matt's 1st grade class.  We got home from the zoo, finished packinig and we were on the road to Northern Michigan.  I never sleep well in a hotel the first night, tonight ,was no exception.

We arrived at registration, picked up  our packets, our wristbands (very important to have these)  and of course our souvienier tshirts!  We moved on to breakfast, it was a buffett feast loaded with enough carbohydrates to induce a coma.

Before we left the finish line, I already lost my wristband, I hoped this was no indication of what was to come, because the people at registration would not replace it!  In the car, on the way up, I downloaded an app for my phone so I could track our route, determine our speed and ensure we went  the full 51 miles!  (no cheaters! and I love stats!)

And we're off, it wasn't a 'group start' which means riders could start the ride any time they wanted between 8am and 11am, we started about 9:30.  The weather was perfect.  The people watching was even more fun!

The first part of the ride was loaded with hills.  Uphill, then downhill.  I'm not sure which was worst, going up and the insane burn in my butt, or going down at 30+ miles / hour.  Sam loved this part, flying down the hills, no need to pedal. I hated this part, I rode down with the brakes on, envisioning that I would hit a rock, flip over the handle bars and be in the emergency room . 

Below is a link (which would be from the app I downloaded to my phone, however, the constant use of the GPS and lack of signal burned out my battery halfway through the ride!  http://www.mapmyhike.com/routes/fullscreen/17873704/  

Some riders reported speeds of 40mph going down hill at the "Tunnel of Trees' (which was lovely--the trees, not the speed).   I was alone at this part of the ride going down this crazy hill.  I experienced what bike racers call 'DRAFTING" A group of 8 riders (clearly professionals)  were on my left flying down the hill  all in a single file line,  their speed was so intense it pulled me into their DRAFT and lined me up right behind them, it was crazy! The wind tunnell just sucked me in, I had never felt something like that before.

So ,I mentioned I was on my own during this part of the ride, I also mentioned Sam loved the speed.  We were going down a hill, I asked him to wait at the bottom of the hill for me, (while I rode the brakes)  and I didn't see him again until lunch!  I was mildly annoyed with him! He had my money, my i.d. and my lunch ticket (remember I lost my wristband-which entitles you to lunch). I arrived at lunch and searched everywhere for him, the more I searched, the madder I got.  How could he be so insensitive?  I had no cell service, because I used up my battery on bike route mapping! ugh...Where the hell was he?  20-30 minutes later he arrived at the lunch spot, I apparently passed him without realizing it.  He was snapping pictures and I was pedalling my ass off trying to catch up to him so I could yell at him for not waiting for me.  It was nothing a little food, drink and balanced blood sugar didn't cure :) (ok ok, yes of course I yelled at him a tiny bit)

 Lunch was the 1/2 way point, the 4 of us had lunch together, rested and stretched our legs a little and we were on our way, once again!

Stay tuned for Part 2.