When the only things stable in life are family, friends, and outdoor pursuits, sometimes you just pour your entire soul into them. Lately, cycling has been rejuvenating. Aside from smiles and laughter from my family, I end each week looking to reboot my soul on a deserted road. That's not a religious statement, or something super deep, but it's been my mental state lately.
137 miles is long enough to feel adventurous. Especially when your GPS fails to load the turn by turn directions and you are 95 miles out to the next gas station. Farm dogs add an extra urgency to the legs, even when you're stuck in a low spot looking for that part of your soul hollowed out by weekday cube life. There are a few funny things I've discovered lately. For one, nothing is complicated. The number of factors in your environment are reduced to your company, a bike, current conditions, and mental state. In the end, everything's going to be ok - nothing is fucked. Secondly, at some point, you just lose it and start to laugh. There's a euphoria that comes from exhaustion and exposure that can't be matched. Combined, these two factors always have me coming back for more.
Last weekend left me confident in the plan. I started low due to the week's training load and came out the back of the ride with a full tank. I could have kept going and probably should have. If anything, simply to continue enjoying another spring weekend pushing two wheels.
Things that worked:
Things that need considering:L
137 miles is long enough to feel adventurous. Especially when your GPS fails to load the turn by turn directions and you are 95 miles out to the next gas station. Farm dogs add an extra urgency to the legs, even when you're stuck in a low spot looking for that part of your soul hollowed out by weekday cube life. There are a few funny things I've discovered lately. For one, nothing is complicated. The number of factors in your environment are reduced to your company, a bike, current conditions, and mental state. In the end, everything's going to be ok - nothing is fucked. Secondly, at some point, you just lose it and start to laugh. There's a euphoria that comes from exhaustion and exposure that can't be matched. Combined, these two factors always have me coming back for more.
Last weekend left me confident in the plan. I started low due to the week's training load and came out the back of the ride with a full tank. I could have kept going and probably should have. If anything, simply to continue enjoying another spring weekend pushing two wheels.
Things that worked:
- Hammer Perpeteum (210 calories, 10g protein, 52g carbs) in two bottles
- 10 Hammer gels
- 1 Hammer Bar
- Venison jerky for protein
- Revelate seatpack
- Recovery - two immediate carb/protein heavy meals and a beer or two
Things that need considering:L
- Revelate top tube bag - gets in my way
- gpx file not loading to Garmin for directions
- More real food between stops
- Duration of lights