This past weekend, my husband, Rick, suggested we go on a cycling adventure. We live in the country, so we decided to ride to a brewery/winery near us, Morgan Ridge Vineyards and Brewhouse. We could eat outdoors, socially distanced of course, and cycle back. Now this has been a goal of mine but I kept putting it off due to the fact that the location is 9.6 miles from our house (yes, so when I do the math that is 19.2 miles round trip) on VERY hilly roads, some very trafficky.
Now I have cycled MUCH further and most times with great success, so I decided to suck it up and go for it. I decided if I got there and couldn’t return, I’d call someone to come and get me. Rick would think this 19.2 miles as a walk in the park. Please note, he can ride a LOT further on a bike than me. He’s been known to leave from our house and cycle to Morrow Mountain State Park which is 50 miles round trip (62 miles if he goes to the top of the mountain) plus he’s in way better shape than me as he runs and does Crossfit. Go Rick!
Now I enjoy cycling, but I am not a die-hard cyclist. I tend to enjoy trail rides versus the road (not mountain trails – I’m not into that adrenaline rush as I don’t like rocks and tree roots coming at me going downhill at what I can imagine would be 100 MPH). I’ve enjoyed New River Trail State Park, High Bridge Trail State Park, Virginia Creeper Trail all in Virginia, Pinellas Trail, Courtney Campbell Causeway Trails and trails in Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Florida, the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, SC and cycling around the trails and roads in the Outer Banks. Another fun weekend was spent in Oriental, NC participating in the Cycle North Carolina Coastal Ride. These trails and areas are very scenic and some you can stop for lunch and a beer reward along the way.
Well Back to the Adventure
So we head out and already the temperature was getting up towards 80 degrees. About 2 miles from the house, as we were headed up a huge hill, I guess Rick could hear my heavy breathing and said, “This should be the only hill this big.” Then we rounded the corner and I said, “uh, what about THAT hill” to which he replied, “Oh, I forgot about that one.” Now I know the roads to our destination and I know there will be many more HUGE hills to follow. I’m sure he was just trying to be encouraging.
We made it. The whole way I kept saying to myself, “I’m calling someone to come and get me” as I was replaying all of those hills in my mind that I would encounter the other side of going back plus I was thinking about the rising temperature. (I’m almost ALWAYS a very positive person….. but give a girl a break here.)
We enjoyed a nice lunch and some adult refreshment, relaxing about an hour chatting with people we encountered while there. As I was sitting there, I decided to just go with it and cycle back home. If at some point I couldn’t make it, I always had my “call a friend” option.
I’ve always told Rick NOT to talk to me while cycling up a hill because I can’t talk back. But he still does. He always says that I DON’T have to answer. And at one point on this adventure he was signing, “Country Roads, Take Me Home.” How lovely, right??
I Made It
Yes, I just kept pedaling. Slow and steady at times, trying not to focus on the looming hills in front of me and I kept my eyes just in the space right in front of me with every turn of the pedals going up those hills. I made it! Very tired and drained, but I made it! Life is like that too. We should not focus on that struggle but rather reaching the goal. It usually gives a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Cycling can be incredibly fun, and I do know my limits. And as dear friends we have cycled with (Marcia, Dennis, Jenny, Steve, Jeff and Donna) have said to Rick, at some point it is no longer fun. I am always thankful when they reign him in as his limits are higher than our limits.
There is something to be said about being out in nature.,,, Cycling past beautiful wildflower fields, lakes, scenic overlooks, horses as well as the smells of flowers and honeysuckle or the
sounds of birds singing or roosters crowing. And during the ride and/or at the end, we
usually enjoy a reward.
For the LOVE of Cycling and America
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