When I was in 8th grade, I did a ride across
Kansas … 50-80 miles per day for about a week. It was hot. And don’t be fooled,
Southeast Kansas is NOT FLAT!!! on a bicycle. And in the heat, the tar on the
road gets sticky. After that, it was years before I got on a bike again. A few years ago, I did a few Olympic distance
triathlons … those 2 races were the ONLY times I have ridden 20-miles (or more)
since the bike across Kansas. A few months
ago, I was feeling brave and did a 20-mile ride with Shakira on the road. It
was actually fun. But, that’s it.
I keep saying that I need to get out on the road. When I
heard about La Vernia Wild West Hammerfest, I had the perfect excuse. This small community hosts an annual ride of
multiple distances 34, 53, 65 miles and a 10-mile family ride. The ride
supports the La Vernia Veterans Memorial Project … great reason to support an
event. I chose 34-miles. They have a
military/veteran rate, so I signed up on-line. The temperature dropped on
Friday and we were blessed with rain.
There was threat of rain for the ride, so the Musician worried about me
…he knows my fear of bikes and lack of skill. Friday night, the Musician aired
up my tires and loaded Vaderette on the car. Saturday morning, I took the
shopping tag off my bike shorts (yes, never been worn) and grabbed a rain
jacket. Headed to the park and picked up my packet. I didn’t know how to wear
the bib. I pinned it to the front of my bike jersey and zipped up my rain
jacket. Seems most people pinned it to the back of their jersey. 
I met Shakira and her friend Christina and we decided to
ride together. This was Christina’s first long-ride, too. Said “hello” to some
other friends who were going out at different rates and paces. And Let, who was
on crutches and couldn’t ride, but proved to be a great cheerleader. We went to
the start line, said a prayer, said the national anthem. The 65-milers left,
then the 53-milers. Then us. We stayed toward the back, but it was still tough
getting going. I’m not the only person who is unsteady with bike mounting and
handling. We pedaled leisurely and found a comfortable pace and got out of a
crowd. Each section of the route was completely different.
Start to Rest-Stop #1. The weather was comfortable. The cold
front was great. Temperatures were comfortable. Slightly windy. Shakira’s toes
got cold, but my mountain bike shoes provided good protection. The road had
some really rough and bumpy areas. The hills were gentle rollers. If this were
a race, it would be described as flat … not “rolling hills” that race
organizers euphemistacly call steep climbs. Sometimes they were tough when the
wind was against us. I had so much fun. This was great. I didn’t feel the
pressure of a race. We got to the rest stop and I had an orange wedge and was
thinking I could go like this all day. Christina didn’t want to stop for fear
she might not get back on the bike. 
Rest-Stop to Rest-Stop. Shakira and I re-mounted and turned
the corner to be met with a wall of hard wind. I swear the wind was enough to
stop the bike. Same rolling hills for the next 13 miles, but with wind that was
rough. Cross-winds that made me clutch the handle bars and pray that Vaderette
wouldn’t fall over. Head-winds that required grinding in low gears to keep
going downhill. Sudden gusts that almost brought me to dead halt. Is it my
imagination or did the wind pick up when there were uphill climbs? We caught up
to Christina. At one point, I was leading the threesome and Shakira told me to
go on ahead. I was ready to be done. My girlie parts started to talk to me …
and then yell at me … I wasn’t having as much fun anymore. I spent some time in
my own head and kind of liked my conversations, though. I was good company. I was
relieved to find Rest-Stop #2. I hung out and waited a few minutes for my
partners. Ate some Gu chomps. I should note that I had set out nutrition for
myself the night before and left it sitting on the kitchen counter. After
chomps, I felt better. I guess I needed calories. Christina decided not to stop. I think her
words were “let’s just get this finished.”
Rest-Stop #2 to Finish: We got started again and turned a
corner. The road got really smooth. The wind died down, or at least felt
better. My girlie bits stopped talking … I think because they gave up telling
me I was not being nice to them. I decided I liked being in my own zone and
went off on my own to the finish. At 30-miles, there was a marker on the ground
for the 34-milers to turn and the others to keep going straight. I shouted (OK ... screamed with joy) at
the volunteers because I was happy to be heading home. I got barn happy. At the
finish, I waited a few minutes to see Christina and Shakira come through. They
had to head home quickly. I headed to lunch with friends who had ridden
34-miles, much faster than me, though. I wasn’t concerned about my pace because
this was a ride, not training, not racing … just getting to like my bike again
… sort of.
This was a great ride for the 439 riders who signed up. I
never felt unsafe on the roads. The support and volunteers were really
incredible. The countryside was absolutely beautiful. We were lucky to avoid
rain, but the temperature was grand. The community was really supportive with
lots of police support at intersections. The car traffic never felt scary. I
will do it again. But, I was tired and would enjoy the rest of the day on a
couch.
