Tour De Chaumont

Today was the Tour De Chaumont – a bike ride around the Chaumont NY area to benefit a local garden/touristy club.

The ride had 3 options, a 25, a 50, and a 100 mile route.  Marc was not interested in doing this and when I signed up I debated which length to go on.  25 miles is reasonably easy for me now, but 50 is a bit of a challenge.  100?  Uh…NO!

So I decided to challenge myself and do the 50.  It was a late starting ride, so I had plenty of time to get up and get ready.

I arrived at the fire hall, got myself signed in, readied my bike and took off.  It was mostly cloudy today and with a temperature in the low 70’s.  It would have been perfect except we are having a cold front move in and ahead of it was EXTREMELY strong winds. 

The start headed directly into it.  And we would make loops running along the shores of Lake Ontario – normally beautiful views, but on a windy day, the wind just tears across the water. 

At a measly 12 miles in, I was pedaling so hard and feeling like I was pedaling through quicksand the wind was so vicious.  I began to doubt myself – if I was this shot after only 12 miles?  I was going to be SCREWED trying to go 38 more!!

Here is a map of my travels from Runkeeper.

  The second loop – the big one at the bottom – that was long – about 20 miles of the whole thing and it was definitely hard.  Lots of people were out and about – walking, mowing their lawns, painting – typical fall chores – I distracted myself by waving at people and commenting on the day.

Finally that loop was finished and I hit the main road again.  At 35 miles, I arrived back at the start where you could stop before the last push and get water, snacks and use the facilities if you wanted to.  I wanted to.  I was very surprised that was a whole group – all middle age men – who elected to not finish.  They were packing up their bikes and getting their ziti dinners. 
I’m not going to lie – I considered quitting as well.  But I didn’t want to give up.  There was no money or glory on the line – there was just my determination to do what I came to do – ride 50 miles. 

And so I mounted my bike and took off – telling myself the hard part was over – one more loop – 15 miles.  I could do it. 

And so I did.  With each CHIRP of my Garmin I counted down how many miles to go.  I arrived back at 3 hours 17 minutes and 49 seconds.  It was not fast, but given the battle against the wind, I am satisfied. 

I don’t even look that tore up!

I sat down and enjoyed the ziti dinner the garden club served – older ladies that were cheerful and shocked that I did the 50 – “All alone??!!” they gasped.  It was pretty cute.

So 3 hours is a long time to spend with your own thoughts.  I am not a person who likes to be alone.  I am surrounded by others in my work and rarely do things like this without Marc.  I try to stay as far away from me as I can.

But today I had a LOT of time to think.  I haven’t felt like posting here because I feel like most of you who read this want to be inspired or get the lowdown on how to maintain a weight loss.  And I can’t give that to you because I’m failing miserably in that department.

So I tried, very hard – especially during the long and lonely stretch of that 2nd loop to figure some things out.  Where I am and, more importantly, where I am going.  I don’t know that I reached any solution, resolution, or any inner peace.  But I did spend some time with me and did meet a goal I had set for myself.

And I know one thing – I will sleep well tonight!!