Making A Difference

Friday’s workout blew chunks.  Well, not literally, but it could have had I continued.  My wife was in the emergency room the night before until 3AM, and for some reason I tried working out the next morning.  I stopped before I got hurt.  In any case, I made up for that with today’s ride.  The family spent the weekend in Deer Creek State Park, camping, just south of Columbus.  My route took me from our campground to my home in Fairfield Township.

After 23 years of avid cycling I would think I would know how to do this.  I learned a lot this ride.  I figured out hydration some years ago.  I brought 120 oz. of fluid with me and then picked up another 50 or so when I reached Lebanon.  I usually eat every hour when I’m on long rides.  Two weeks ago, this plan left me trudging through the last 10 miles of a 65 mile ride.  And today’s route was new to me, as well as longer, so I wanted to be extra prepared.   I had to change something.

I decided to bring a ton of food, granola type bars that fit in jersey pockets.  I also had a couple of muffins that a friend had brought camping.  Knowing I was going to push my best distance for the year by 15 miles I started eating right away.  I wound up eating every 30 to 40 minutes instead of every hour, and I finished the ride not so much refreshed as not so miserable.  A shower and shave later and I was as good as new.

Here’s today’s 80 mile ride.