Summer Review

The summer of 2008 was defined by two big events and many small but equally great ones wedged in-between.





I thought I’d revisit my post from July 3rd….
1. 204 miles. Period. …This is still the way that I feel about it. In fact, I didn’t get back on my bike for a good 2 ½ weeks. We’ve since reconciled our differences.

2. The “Blaze of Glory”…I still don’t know what the heck that was?

3. “The Hill” at mile 43. …mostly hype. It was no different than the hill we faced during the Lilac Century…in fact, it was shorter.

4. No stopping on the Lewis and Clark bridge…It looked and felt more like a herd of cattle. We were corralled on a side street until we were about a ¼ mile long modge-podge of cyclists. Once we were let loose, we inched (and I mean inched) our way up one side of the bridge; spaced out a little at the top and roared down the other side. This is where heeding the advice regarding the expansions should have come in handy…but I forgot it. I was a lucky one though and made it through just fine.

5. No new va-jay-jays. Dammit.

6. Optimism…I did greet the second day with the same optimism. Mostly because I knew we were half done and it was my understanding that the second day is easier…more on this thought later.

7. No rain. ‘nuf said.

8. expansion joints…see #4

9. Shy bladder…I am a freakin’ camel. Seriously.

10. “By this time tomorrow, I’ll be done”. Yes, this was expressed many, many times.

11. Great company, a great deal of giggles and MILES OF MEMORIES….I hit this one right on the nose. What a great group of gals to complete such a crazy goal with!

There were many great highlights. Kathy Best was my riding buddy both days. We laughed, I cried. She led many pace lines, I mustered up 1 ½. At times, we’d blow past groups of guys at a time and we didn’t mind a bit that it bothered them. There were a few times however, where I lost Kathi because she set her sites on showing up the fellas. “Oh hell, there she goes again…” But we made a few friends and encountered some weird people, too. I loved coming across those with radios strapped to their bikes, those with costumes, and of course the tandems were always a hoot. And about the idea that the 2nd day was easier? I call BS on that one. I told Kathi that if I saw another hill, I was going to plant myself right where I was and she'd have to come back for me with the van...we conqured about 6 more hills after that.

I won’t lie though. It did get frustrating at times when we encountered the rude and/or uneducated, both motorists and cyclists. I know 10,000 cyclists can be a teeny-weeny bit overwhelming but that doesn’t mean they can act like they didn’t see me.

Overall, the race was well supported, the food they offered for lunch was fantastic. We received a finishers patch that they placed on a rope so it could double as a medal? I think? And don’t forget the Tyvek STP jackets! Now, every time I pass a house with Tyvek on the side I proclaim, “I have a jacket made outta the same thing that house is wearing!” Nice.

If the STP is anything like childbirth, I’ll forget the pain and look forward to the next one. What a blast!