Good Life Ride

What a beautiful day for a ride.  Yep, I said "ride".  This is my first Good Life Ride today.  Bad part first...I signed up for the 22 miler but dropped to the 10 miler.  I was afraid I could not maintain the 10 mph requirement for the 22 mile distance.  I rode my bike on Monday for 15 miles and it was tough!  Don't know if it was where I rode or the grades or just the plain fact that I didn't use my gears as I should.  I am so new at biking and have SO much to learn!  I knew I could ride the 10 miles and probably could have done close to 20 with no problem but the speed made it a question.  After all, I can't stand when people bypass the rules just because they want to do something.  It is so selfish and annoying to others.  Hence...10 miles for me today. 

I wanted to do the very best that I could even if it was a fun ride.  It's just the competitor in me, I guess.  I started out in the front so I wouldn't have to get around those that planned on a leisurely ride or those with children.  For a short while, there were four people ahead of me.  It wasn't too long though before two couples passed me.  As we got through the roads and headed out on to the trail system the trees kept it nice and cool even though the temps were not bad to begin with.  The trail was so nice to ride on.  The eight folks that got ahead of me were barely seen after a couple of miles on this turn.  I enjoyed this so much!  It was so peaceful.  Before I realized it I was nearing the turn around point and they were all there .  I know this was a ride and not a race but when I reached this point, I didn't expect to just sit around and laugh at the teenagers that couldn't get the water container open for me!  A little irritating as it should have already been done.  After a quick swig, I got back on the trail and headed back to the finish. 

The feeling was so different from a race as there weren't any Start or Finish Lines.  You started together and finished on your own.  Something I've got to get accustomed to if I want to do more.  One thing I wasn't excited about was the many, many times you had to slow to almost a stop or stop completely for the road intersections on the trail.  I would guess that there were at least a dozen of those ONE WAY!  This slows you down a lot and really cuts into your speed.  Okay...it's coming out...the racer that I am. 

There were 4 rides today.  They were 10 miles, 22 miles, 40 miles and 64 miles with varying start times and locations.  The further you rode the earlier you started.  All ended at Tacky Jack's in Gulf Shores.  TJ served nachos and drinks and they were so good.  I can't wait to do this one next year...and, as of now, it will definitely be the 22 miler.  I found a couple of friends afterward and talked with them some.  Marsha and Pete were so encouraging even if they had just finished their 40 miles.  It's friends like these, whether they be bikers or runners, that reaches down inside you and gives you that extra "atta boy" that everyone wants and needs.  Thanks, guys!!  I appreciate you! 

Here are my stats when it was all said and done.  10.47 miles at a 10.6 mph for 59:03 minutes.  I am well pleased since I know this could have been faster.  I really, really enjoyed this and YES, there will be more.  I learned more about my gears and how to utilize them...again, this is a learning curve for sure, but my hope is getting stronger.  Unfortunately, there are no pics today.  :(  But I learned that I could get into this new sport easier than I thought I could.  Yay! 

I hope you are outside doing something because it's got to be beautiful where you are today.  I want to encourage you to at least, get out and walk a little.  Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all of my lady-friends. 

Robbie