Ride: 57 Miles of Country and Cold Feet

Valentines Day Ride
57 miles, Tualatin countryside

The previous Saturday long ride was supposed to be 38 miles but of course I got lost and it turned out to be 45. This ride was in the book as 42, but of course I got lost and it turned into 57.

Something I have learned: If I ride my bike more than 5 miles, chances are good I will get lost. This doesn't pose a problem when I'm riding around Portland because you always sort of know where you are so you don't THINK you are lost. But once I get onto unfamiliar territory, slap a radio tracking collar on me and send the helicopter out because who knows where I will end up.

This prediliction to disorientation I will have to remedy before I leave for Orland. I'll have the ocean to my right (I think) to at least up my odds of staying on course. I'll know, for example, if I find myself waist deep in the Pacific, I have taken a wrong turn.

So this leaves only 2 possible wrong directions, North, and East. A complete moron can keep that straight right? RIGHT?

Anyhoo, this route was beautiful, once you get out of the suburbs. The roads out of town were fine, nice bike lane the whole way, but boring. Once into the country the bike lane and shoulder disappear but so did almost all the cars, so it was ok. I hit the road early, I was pedalling by 7:45 so that helped as well.

After the ride I felt ok, which was a good sign. I sometimes find over exertion to result in a feeling not unlike the beginnings of the flu where everything kinda aches and I feel run down. I felt tired after this ride but not achey and achey in a bad way. I've got 3 months left to train and having knocked out almost 60 miles without dying is a good sign. The real ride will have a few 80 mile days, a couple 50s, and a couple 70s so I'm feeling confident.

After the ride I went into the grocery near the start of the ride to refuel. I walked around and couldn't find anything good. I didn't think I was THAT far outside of Portland that I couldn't find a roll up/wrap something vegan, but I guess I was. I was hungry in that way that you kinda feel crazy so I grabbed Kettle Chips (black pepper and salt version) and Cracker Jacks. On the ride home I ate out of both bags at the same time. And while you may be recoiling at the thought, the fat and salt and sugar totally hit the spot!