Remember I was feeling tired and low? Remember that? That was until I realized that I was leaving for a ten-day vacation withOUT bikes on Friday afternoon and holy crap it was time to do something before I gorged myself on delicious food and did nothing for an extended period of time.
I debated about 2 seconds before throwing on my cycling gear and getting my ass out to the Thursday ladies' ride. Only Marie and Sarita showed up and we decided to have some fun on the more technical Rattlesnake and The Notch. I, being the least technically skilled rider there, shrugged my shoulders and said, "Hey, I'll learn something!" I am so over worrying about whether I can do it or not or freaking out that I am holding people back. If they want to wait for me, they will. And if they don't? Well, I guess I'll see them at the end and we can go have drinks.
One way I do excel? The uphills. This allows me to take pictures of others' suffering. I am sure they appreciate it.
I'm not sure how I managed to get this picture of Sarita since it's a downhill and she's a technical queen.
I don't have any pictures on Rattlesnake or The Notch, probably because I was focusing on the actual ride and trying to figure out how to ride the technical aspects without dying. I didn't die, but I didn't ride every obstacle either. Next time for sure.
Afterwards, Sarita and I went for a much need margarita and delicious Mexican food. Since our husbands didn't return from their own mountain bike ride until 11pm the night before and life had dealt us some disappointments lately, we felt entirely justified. It was a perfect end to a perfect ride.
Alexandra works every other Friday so every Friday I try to steal her for a road ride. This time, we only did a quick two hours to the end of the pavement and back. We were blessed with no wind, a rarity in the Gunnison Valley, and good company (you know. each other.). It was fitting considering it was my last day of retirement sans children and it kicked off a 10-day vacation that included zero bikes.
On mornings like that, I think: I am one seriously lucky girl. Seriously.
