So last year I tried my hand at road bike racing and pretty much loved it. So, this year I decided to try again and up my distance. I road 11 miles last year. This year I road 27 miles and convinced my husband to join me.
I’ve been planning on this for basically a year now. Guess how much training I got in?
If you guessed anywhere next to nothing, you guessed right. For some reason fitting long bike rides into my schedule is difficult. Especially in the summer heat. Especially when you are a master at procrastination, like myself. Procrastination for the win!
When I realized that I only had one week left until the race I figured I could just hop on the bike and go for it right? Right.
All things considered, I’m pretty proud of the fact that I made it. I survive 27 miles on a bike, with next to no training, and lived to tell the tale. It was painful and I was slow, but I didn’t stop.
Afterwards I rewarded myself with a Poppin’ Johnny burger from the Rockin’ Rollers food truck. It was well worth it. I’d probably ride 27 miles on a bike just to get that burger. It’s truly that delicious.
Pro tips from a procrastinating biker:
- For the love of all things good in the world, BUY THE PADDED SHORTS!
- Make a good playlist ahead of time. Never trust shuffle.
- You probably should also invest in padded gloves. You’d never know how tired your hands could get from riding a bike.
- Stop for water. I may or may not have had a little heat exhaustion and been worthless for the rest of the day after the race. Drink water. Don’t die.
- Find a kind-hearted buddy who will let you draft off of them. S.O. to my kind father for basically pulling me uphill for 10+ miles. Love you.
Who else has tips from the Tour de Gap? Please share! #allthingsabilene
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