Back on the bike...

Saturday, I went to Ann Arbor with Jon and Sue to do the AABTS' Dexter Breakfast Ride. We debated about whether to do the 38 or 48 mile ride, as the weather was looking pretty ill. So we figured we'd ride to Dexter - about 10 miles away, and see how we felt/how the weather was holding out.

Before we headed out, it started raining. We were told that if we saw lightning, "all bets are off... just hunker down and wait it out." And off we went...

Not even into our first mile, lightning arcs across the sky. So I looked back at Jon and Sue to see their reaction. Reading no sense of concern, and having very little concern myself, I kept pedalling.

After riding along for a bit, I dehydrated.

Okay, I didn't really, but I figured a lot of people out there would be disappointed if I didn't! :)

Anyhow, we plugged along, and the rain started falling like it was coming out of one of them sweet showerheads. I was wearing only my jersey and shorts, and was kinda cold. My shoes and socks had been soaked since mile 3.

So at mile 6, we stopped at a park entrance and considered our options. Seeing as that I'm not really smart when it comes to "things that happen while riding that are detrimental to my health", I was surprised to hear my voice say "I'm all for heading back".

We agreed to cut the ride short, and started back towards Ann Arbor. After climbing the hill we had just come down, I suddenly found the strength and drive to barrel ahead.

I was soaked to the bone, and chilled on top of that, so I thought it was prudent to get back as quickly as I could. As lightning and thunder tickled my eyes and ears, I occasionally looked down at my speedometer. It consistently read 17, 18mph.

Now and again, I could hear Jon behind me saying something, but I had become too focused to ask him to repeat himself. As I rode, looking for the best line around cracks in the road, I found myself "in the zone". "The zone" was a welcome place... like an old friend whom you miss dearly. I haven't been riding much or too well again this year, so it was rare to find "the zone".

I suddenly found myself "outside of myself", thinking "Damn, this is the greatest feeling in the world - this is the greatest ride in the world!"

And yet, all I wanted was to dry off and warm up a little.

So we eventually get back to the starting point, only to see all but 5 riders (which included Jon, Sue and I) still sitting there. They said that once they saw the lightning, they decided to wait it out...

Despite the ride only being 12 miles, I really enjoyed it. I felt strong, which is a great, great feeling!

This week is a busy one for me... The lecture at Gilda's Club is this Thursday, and I am still not sure what I am going to talk about! I've got a lot of ideas, but nothing is set in stone yet... It's a good thing that I'm a good planner!

Now in the CD player:
"Singles 45 and Under" by Squeeze
"Talkie Walkie" by Air
"Anthology" by Argent
"Get Behind Me Satan" by the White Stripes