I was crazy nervous. First, I had to find a way to transport my bike. I borrowed a friends SUV. At this point, I decided that I need a bike rack.
It felt like I waited forever for the race to start. My big fear was that I would take off and knock everyone down. I tried to get at the very back, but people kept coming in droves behind me up to the start line. I chatted with those around me while I waited. One guy asked if I wanted to join their MS150 team. I was already on a team, so I said no. He said I was making a mistake. That his team is sponsored by a beer company and would be more fun. I thought to myself that the last thing that I need on a bike is a beer.
Finally, the race took off. I was riding along, no problem at all. Smooth and steady. I passed by Egal and some other co-workers who were still in the parking lot. Apparently, they were having some issue with getting their bikes off the car and ready to go. It was funny. She had all the gear and was all ready to go, and couldn’t take off yet. I joked with her, and I would have waited, but I wanted to get done with the ride and home as soon as I could, so I took off.
I loved it. I was passing people, riding along, having a blast. Then someone I recognized from the office passed me by. We were talking about the ins and outs of riding. I asked what happens if your tire goes flat. He said that you change it. Change it? With what I wondered aloud. This is when I learned that you need a tire repair kit on your bike. I also discovered that I had forgotten to put water in my water bottle. He traded one of his bottles for my empty bottle. There is a lot to remember with this whole bike riding experience.
By mile 30, I was all alone, and I was completely miserable. At one point, I wasn’t sure I was even still on the course. It was horribly windy, and I felt like I had no idea what I was doing.
The head wind was so bad the last five miles of the ride that people were getting picked up by the SAG wagon. I can not imagine qutting with five miles to go when you have done fifty. I pressed on, and at one point I turned the corner, the head wind became a side wind and it blew me down off my bike. I was happy when I saw the finish line. I told myself I was done biking for ever once the MS150 was done.
I dreaded the next training ride.