Two weekends ago I did what my short yet powerful legs had never done before...rode 128 miles on my bike in two days! I proudly rode in the BIKE MS 2011 RIDE around the Skagit Valley along with my team of awesome bikers called the Fighting Axons. I arrived on Friday night and set up my tent at the Skagit Valley Fairgrounds then searched for my peeps amongst a city of white team tents. Since this was my first time riding and I had only recently joined the team, (thanks to Trevis Gleason for the team hook up) I knew I was going to be a bit of a loner, but not for long. These people were so welcoming. Honestly I never knew how much of a support system the people of this ride; riders and volunteers alike, were capable of! If it wasn’t somebody trying to feed you, hand you a beer, helping pin on your rider numbers, letting you know there was loose gravel ahead, or fixin’ your busted spoke (thanks Recycled Cycles)..they were thanking you endlessly for riding! Everyone was a rockstar.
The first day of riding was great, not only was it a gorgeous day, but I rode way more than I had originally intended. Once I got to the lunch rest stop, I realized I had it in me to do the 74 mile route instead of the 50ish one. With the longer ride I luckily got to ride up a many beastly hill climb and take some pretty roads that brought you down to the marsh lands. Getting to cross Fidalgo Bay on the boardwalk was amazing as well as crossing Deception Pass Bridge, that was rockin’ too. We were waved across by our friendly motorcycle guides and could see the creamy teal water way way down below. Such a beautiful landscape for a (part grueling) full day ride. But I know that I kicked ass the first day, I even astounded my team mates when I got back. (Though now my bar has been set, no screwing around next year, gotta keep up my stride.)
Its funny though what your body does after you ride 74 miles...refuse a beer, eat pizza (that was won by our team! Holla Fighting Axons!) and the best piece of cold watermelon of your life then pass out on your back with every limb sprawled out wide...for two serious hours! Really though what was I to do? Gotta take care of your body on this ride because you are doin’ it again bright and early the next day.
After a well, dear-god-im-schnasty shower I met back with the team to party it up. Our “partying it up” meant that we lounged with beer and noshed on chips and another team’s freshly made Portuguese doughnuts. Another team’s “partying it up” consisted of a tent decorated in wild 80’s decorations, a sweet cover band and dancers wearing sparkly dresses and hot mullet wigs. My legs wouldn’t let me do anything of the sort, the rest of the team seemed in agreeance.
Waking up Sunday after a glorious sleep on my air mattress I made my way to breakfast, crammed some biscuits, egg and orange juice and got myself stretched for part deux. Sunday’s ride was a bit more North of the day before and took us through more farm land and open fields then West by the beach. Since I took the 52 mile route I found myself riding with more of our team and incidentally had a big group lunch in Bow. Lunch was pretty good too. We had pita, chicken, a hearty quinoa salad and string cheese. Fancy I know, but hey you just gotta get filling food in your body to keep ya fueled. What was also great about the hospitality of the ride were the great rest stops. They had everything we could need so we didn’t have to carry it ourselves. As a commuter who needs a rack and fenders, I will say that taking off most of the extra weight on the bike allowed me a faster ride. Someday soon too I think (at the advisement of some of my teammates) I think I may finally be ready to try clip-in pedals. I’m guessing after I get over my fear of using them, I will wonder why I was being such a wiener because of how much more power ill be utilizing. Time will tell on that one.
Overall I had such a blast! It was a great weekend. We helped raise lots of money for Multiple Sclerosis. Met amazing people. Ate great food. Rode our asses off. Therefore I’m hooked, and am already registered for next year.
Heres two team pics courtesy of Mark Steudel...
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