I survived the big ride!

It is over, now a thing of the past and I can't wait to take on the next challenge.
The Sojourn bicycle trip to Vergenees, VT was FANTASTIC.
The first day was a breeze riding about 12 miles followed by a lobster dinner reception where we met the owner of Sojourn Bicycle Tours. And the wine was free flowing.
Our accommodations at the Basin Harbor Club were fantastic. The entire time we were there everything about the location was first rate.
Our tour guides Luke and Barb were unbelievable. You couldn't have asked for two nicer people.
I will admit I was one of the slowest riders in our group. But everyone was supportive and good natured about it. On the last day when we biked to Burlington I wasn't sure I would make it but Barb rode right by my side encouraging me and waiting for me all the way into downtown.
I am now looking forward to new September and being able to participate in the New Hampshire Three Notch Century. Have to start strengthening the legs for those hills.

The Big Ride is quickly approaching

Last week I was feeling on top of the world.
I felt like I was making fantastic progress.
This week I am frightened that I won't be able to complete even the shortest distances each day.
If I don't and run out of steam will I be failing myself?
Will we have wasted all that money?
I guess only time will tell.
What I do know is that throughout this ordeal I have managed to lose 51 pounds to date.
My energy level has increased dramatically. My arthritic left knee has gotten stronger and I can almost see my facial cheek bones.
I am scared and excited.
Every day I am on the bike and most days I try to make a spin class in the evening when I don't have to cover a meeting or event.
I am, not sure there is more that I can do.
Tomorrow, Les and I will be going for a 25-mile ride and then the reward will be lunch at a new vegetarian restaurant in Chester.
The countdown has begun for the Big Ride.

Motorists need to understand what bicyclists endure on roadways

This post is really for motor vehicle operators who are not familiar with cyclists.
When a cyclist is riding on the road there are many reasons why he/she may not be hugging the curb.
There might be a lot of road debris over there, or there might be a series of drain basins or the roadway might be littered with pot holes.
Any of these scenarios could mean disaster to a cyclist if their wheel gets caught up.
Another reason might be the visibility on that particular stretch of roadway. If the street is tree lined there might be a lot of shadows and riding more in the center of the road might increase visibility.

The clock is ticking faster than I can pedal

The trip of a lifetime is less than a month away.
I don't feel like I am prepared for this trip to Vermont for a bicycling adventure.
I am training twice a day for the past couple of weeks and plan to continue up till we leave.
Every morning at 6:30 a.m. you can find me pedaling my way around the town of orange.
You can't miss me. I have the bright orange top and a flashing light under the seat of the bicycle.
Some of you have seen me saying "Hi Bridget" as I pedal past you while you are out for an early morning stroll.
In the afternoon/evening you can find me at LA Fitness in a spin class. Here I am trying to make my legs stronger so I can pedal faster and harder.
While the weight is dropping off my body frame and I am able to wear clothes that have been in the closet for at least a decade I still don't think I am ready for this adventure.
The journey continues.

Only a month to go before the big ride!

It has been nearly a month since I last posted anything. It has been a REALLY long month training-wise.
I have been spending more time in the gym than in the saddle of my bicycle.
I have been focusing on endurance and strengthening my legs so the hills aren't as challenging next month in Vermont.
I am not sure they will be any less challenging as I still cannot scale the hill on Meetinghouse Lane!
That is definitely a bummer.
On a positive note I am ALMOST at -50 lbs! Of course my father-in-law in his complimentary way believes I have another 75 lbs to go ... enough said on that.
I do believe my endurance is better and I was able to go faster this morning.
My goal for this month is to be in the saddle every day that I can and in the gym working on leg strengthening at least three times a week.
This is it, I am in the home stretch.
I have not been able to accomplish as much as I had hoped to but what I have learned is that I can do m ore than I think.

There are some really nice people in Orange

While I have lived in the town of Orange for 23 years riding a bicycle in town has given me a new perspective on people.
There really are some considerate, caring folks who live in town.
Take this mornings ride for example - I was off my bike at Robert Treat and Ridge roads. It is one of those places I seem to always stop at to catch my breath and drink some water.
A woman in a mini van stopped to see if I was alright. It made my morning.
This wasn't the first time I have encountered caring people on this journey to a better me.
When I was learning the basics of staying upright on the bicycle I took a tumble and fell in the High Plains Community Center parking lot. A number of people rushed over to offer assistance. I was so embarrassed by the fall I told them it was a practice fall although my shoulder was killing me.
More recently, a couple of weeks ago I took another fall right in front of Town Hall. A motorist who happened to be passing by stopped to see if everything was alright.
There are of course those who don't even see you on a bicycle. It seems they are driving along in their own little world and the damn bicycle is in their way. Or they are talking on their cell phone or texting while driving.
In any event a cyclists has to have eyes in the back of their helmets sometimes.
It is a hard feeling to get used to.
Anyway there are some really caring people in town and I thank them - you - for making the time to stop.

Two steps forward, three backwards

It has been a month since I last posted and a lot has happened.
I can now ride nearly 15 miles as long as those miles are flat.
Throw in a couple of good hills and I am wiped out.
On a couple of occasions I have tried to start my ride from home instead of driving to a location.
Each time this is done it completely wipes me out before the ride is really even started.
My other half, who is a triathlete, has suggested that I need to strengthen my core and legs. So I am now back in the gym doing leg strengthening and the god awful stair master.
I am beginning to lose my optimism of being ready for the September bike ride. It is really depressing.
I have also hit another plateau with weight loss. Fortunately I haven't gained any weight back but I haven't lost any either.