Kroger Loves Me!

As some of you know I have started a new activity (for me) called cycling. Those who do this often make it seem easy, they ride along effortlessly, smoothly, looking fluent and one with the road.

Believe me it's not that easy. At least not for me. Running and cycling are very different, from what I've gathered thus far there are those who are good runners and those who are good cyclists and most folks are not good at both, or like both at the same level.

I am enjoying learning to cycle. It is such a different experience and there is so much to learn and get used to. For example:

The bottom part of the handlebars, the part that curves toward you, are called drops. The first time someone told me to use my drops I thought they were telling me it was time to put drops in my eyes! There are lots of little terms like that, all part of the learning experience.

There are a few things that are difficult for me to get used to. Such as, you ride on the RIGHT side of the road. Sounds silly I know but I am so used to running on the left that I find myself going to the left on my bike when I really need to stay on the right.

The most difficult thing for me is looking back over my left shoulder to see if there is a car coming. Keeping the handle bars from turning when you are looking over your shoulder is impossible! I am afraid I will go right into the ditch or hit a tree or something. Therefore I rely on others to tell me if a car is coming or I stop and look...I keep hearing this will be easier as I get used to it...yeah right!

And let's not forget the seat...when the heck do your bones get used to that bumping up and down on that seat? Again people say "oh you will get used to it", OK ... so WHEN????

My last experience though was the one that thus far wins the prize. I went out for a ride with some friends who are training for several triathlons...yes they are she beasts... no doubt. It should have been an easy 30 mile ride. The most I had ridden before this ride was 18. No problem, I think to myself. We begin to ride, it's great at first and then we begin climbing hills, everywhere we went was an incline. Not to mention the wind was at 20 mph in our face! REALLY? Why did I do this. One thing I am not comfortable with is drinking water while riding and so I just didn't drink until we took a break. A little too late for that. At 80 degrees and humidity above 60% drinking and eating are important. I ate at noon but didn't ride until 3:30.

Because I run so much I know when to fuel and when it's OK not to, it's different in cycling and it's something I was not ready for. I simply did not prepare.

Even before half way I had no water left. The girls were sweet enough to give me water but it was too late I was already dehydrated. At mile 25 we went by the Kroger so that I could get a banana and some more water. I tried to eat, tried to drink but I felt pretty bad and although there were only a few miles left I simply could not go on. But before my friends could hit the road and leave me to get a ride home I got sick.

Yes, I threw up 4 or 5 times right in front of Kroger with people going in and out to buy groceries...there I was hurling chunks of banana. Needless to say I was very dehydrated. Lesson learned, I will be more prepared on my next longer ride!

They went on while one of the husbands came to pick me up and take me to my car.

Do I still like cycling you may be asking? Heck yeah! I can't wait to go out with them again, this time better prepared for the long haul.