squirrella: (avocado)
squirrella ([personal profile] squirrella) wrote2006-09-19 09:57 am

The final hours

I never finished my moving tale. Obviously, we made it home. It only took... I don't know. We left Lowell, Mass at... 8ish and my mom dropped me at home just after 8 that night.

I actually don't want to write about the return trip because it involves a highly volatile encounter with some jacknut in NYC. I still get sick to my stomach thinking about it and how crazy that guy was. Sick to my stomach like thinking, gee, we could have died.

Let's talk, instead, about the final hours of the bike ride.

When I left OC Sunday morning, I was making little promises to myself the entire way: get over that first bridge, and then you can stop. Get over that second bridge, stop. Get to the first rest area and stop. Get to 35 miles out and stop. Get here, get there. Get to absolute 150, wherever that is, and just flat-out stop.

When we three were within 30 miles of the finish, I knew I could make it. 30 miles! That's less than a trip to Valley Forge and back! Nevermind that I'd only spent some 11 hours and 140+ miles in the saddle over the last 36 hours... Punchy, exhausted, and sunburnt (each rest stop found me shivering), we three crossed the finish line in team formation.

And even though I spent the entire weekend declaring my outright hate for this ride, I've already considered next year. Next year, I want to raise $1,000. That makes me a VIP and VIPs get free massages at the end of the ride. That, my friends, is why we ride.

Speaking of massages, 9 days until Chocolate Town.

[identity profile] purlewe.livejournal.com 2006-09-19 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I think you deserved the massage yesterday!!

congrats. I am so proud of you.

how's your cycling butt??

[identity profile] squirrella.livejournal.com 2006-09-19 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
it's not my butt that hurts...

A wonderful thing I swear I'll never do again!

[identity profile] tawdryjones.livejournal.com 2006-09-19 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
It really makes me feel better to hear that I'm not the only one who had to make promises to herself during the ride.

Now I'm discovering new pains in my body that didn't hurt yesterday and the fact that stairs are my new enemy.

Re: A wonderful thing I swear I'll never do again!

[identity profile] squirrella.livejournal.com 2006-09-19 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)
stairs and chairs!

why is it that the terlitt is the most comfortable seat in the house now? oh, because it's got that big hole that puts no pressure on your bits.

i only left on a bike sunday morning because i didn't want to be a pussy. however, for future reference, i love being a pussy.

the terlitt is a wonderful seat these days

[identity profile] tawdryjones.livejournal.com 2006-09-19 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
haha! Yes, for future reference, peer pressure and pride are no good for a pussy.

Re: the bike ride makes for good contraception

[identity profile] squirrella.livejournal.com 2006-09-19 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
NO PUSSY PRESSURE for one week.

Re: A wonderful thing I swear I'll never do again!

[identity profile] laurushka.livejournal.com 2006-09-19 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
wanna borrow my donut?

congratulations

[identity profile] freetobeflea.livejournal.com 2006-09-22 12:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Great ride Heather!

I've done it twice but always with 2 days in between. You are amazing and should be super proud of yourself!

Re: congratulations

[identity profile] squirrella.livejournal.com 2006-09-22 01:03 pm (UTC)(link)
THANKS! I think if I'd had a couple of days rest, I'd have felt a lot better about riding back. As it is, I completely pussed out this week and haven't ridden to work once. I keep telling myself it's because I need a new bottom bracket on my bike... but really, that's no excuse, since I have the mountain bike...

miss you!!! we should plan a drinking night soon-ish.

not a wuss at all

[identity profile] freetobeflea.livejournal.com 2006-09-23 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
our girly bits can only take so much pressure. you need a break to recover.

let's pick a night in early OCt to meet at the Royal Tavern for drink and nachos. I'm working my way through their bourbon list. ANd that is a joyous thing.