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Michelle, me, Karen |
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Karen and Michelle looking cute as always! |
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Good stuff, I must admit! |
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Lining up at the start |
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Some of the Greenhouse Scholars |
Somehow I ended up at the very front, which was fine with me, because I don't like getting stuck in a group--biking or running. The route eventually took us on a bike path, which was flat and straight, and I took off. For a while there were women behind me, but most of the time, I was riding alone. About 9 miles later, we headed onto a very busy street. There were police at the intersections to stop traffic, which was really nice, and cones blocking the right lane for us. In spite of that, this was, for me, the toughest part of the course. The road was a slow, long incline, at least one mile long, and the road was in pretty bad shape, with lots of holes and uneven pavement. We were riding into the wind, and I struggled to maintain my cadence as I climbed this hill. A couple of women caught up to me, and I waited for them to pass me. But they never did. When we finally got to the top of the hill and off that crappy street, I told them to go ahead, but they laughed and said they were happy right where they were. Later, they admitted to drafting off me. I kind of figured that was what was happening back there. That's why I wanted them to pass me....so I could draft off them....
At mile 17 there was a rest stop. Since I brought my Nuun with me, I didn't want to stop, and the volunteer who was flagging everyone into the rest stop told me to go south. After a couple of miles, I realized where I was and that I was going the wrong way. I stopped and pulled out the course map. Sure enough, he sent me in the wrong direction. I turned around and headed back north again, eventually joining the other riders. Good thing this wasn't a race!
There were a few more hills and the temperature continued to rise, along with the humidity. I was sweating like crazy and drinking my Nuun. I was hungry too, but I didn't want to stop to eat. I just wanted to finish. The route went right past my sister's house, and I planned to stop there. I finally headed down her street, and there she was! It was great to see her, and she told me that the finish was just a few blocks away. We made plans to meet up there, and I headed back towards the college.
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Yay! My sister Lisa and me |
While we were sitting, two of the Greenhouse Scholars came up to us, thanking us for participating. They told us where they were going to college, and as it turns out, both of them were nursing students. I told them I was a nurse practitioner, and we had a great conversation about that. I was so moved by these young adults, both so articulate and genuinely pleasant. I couldn't help but think what a wonderful cause we rode for, and what a great experience the day was.
My sister walked me back to the car, and I loaded the bike in. As I was driving her back to her house, we heard a whooshing sound in the back of the car. My bike tire went flat, just like that. So weird. When I got home I tried to fill it back up, but it wouldn't. I'm not sure what happened, but I'm grateful I didn't get a flat on the road!
Overall, Venus de Miles was an amazing experience. My only complaint obviously, is the volunteer who sent me the wrong way. The course was well marked and having police at the intersections was very reassuring. Riding through the beautiful northern suburbs of Chicago was a plus. The after party was wonderful, with food catered by Whole Foods. I highly recommend this ride, and plan on doing it again next year. What a wonderful cause!
And in case you were wondering, here are my final numbers from my Garmin:
I know it wasn't a race, but would you not have wanted to know how you did?
Have you ever done a bike ride for charity? Would you do a bike ride that wasn't a race?
I'm linking this one up with Jessica at The Silvah Lining--she hosts a Race Recap linkup every Tuesday. Every 3rd Tuesday, Lara from Uptite Mamas and I get to co-host it with her! Please head over and linkup a race recap you've written, new or old. And check out some of the other posts!
You and your sister look so much alike! I was sad not to make it to Venus de Miles last year. They put on a great event and I love how closely tied the cause is with the event!
ReplyDeleteI plan on doing this one again! What an amazing event.
DeleteYou did a great job Wendy :) tell us about the Hoo ha cream ;) j/k. Glad I got in a Wendy squeeze before the ride!
ReplyDeleteAh, the Hoo ha cream. I couldn't have ridden all those miles without it! <3
DeleteYou and your sister are SO pretty!! Congrats on a great ride - stinky about the misinformed volunteer! I love reading your recaps, Wendy, thanks for linking up. #TuesdayTales
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to have an actual recap for the link up this week!
DeleteWhat a fun event!! That would be a great one for cyclists of all abilities it sounds like! That post ride party is better than some races I've run! Congrats on a great ride and tacking on extra miles too!
ReplyDeleteThis was a really great event. Michelle and I were talking about it yesterday at lunch. The post race party was the best!
DeleteMe too! I took my bike to the bike shop to get the tire fixed, and he told me it was something with the valve. This is my 3rd flat this year and I've had enough! LOL!
ReplyDeleteNice job. Suddenly I'm reading a lot of blog post by runners about their bike rides. I think it's a sign I should dust off my bike. I once did a century a month for 13 months, but now I haven't ridden in 2 years.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about that too, how many runners are riding now! For me, I started up again when I broke my foot a few years ago. I bought the road bike and rediscovered my love for riding a bike! My coach incorporates bike rides into my marathon training plan too. It's really a great change of pace.
DeleteWhat a great event, Wendy! I think it's so great that those students took the time to speak with you and tell you about their experience; that would definitely make it more meaningful, for me. It sounds like you had a great ride!! Congrats on your effort and being willing to take on something new for a great cause!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great experience and I can't wait to do it again next year!
DeleteI love doing these types of rides that are not races. they have a whole different vibe to them. Hoha ride glide is my favorite chamois creme. Better to be sent off course on a bike than while running right?!
ReplyDelete100% agree!
DeleteCute pic of you and your sister! What a nice organization behind the bike ride- that makes all the difference! Bummer that the volunteer sent you in the wrong direction- lord only knows where I would have ended up- I sometimes get turned around easily! Looks like this was a great event and a nice after party! Thanks for linking up today!
ReplyDeleteI have a pretty good sense of direction, which makes me happy that I figured it out before I rode too far!
DeleteGreat job! Bummer about the wrong turn! Looks like you made it up though!
ReplyDeleteIn the end, it all went well.
DeleteSo glad your tire didn't go flat on the course!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both!
DeleteThat is so cool you got to meet some scholarship recipients and that they were going into nursing! Supporting a cause is great but it is even more meaningful when you actually see and meet people in which your donation is going to affect.
ReplyDeleteI have never done a bike race or an organized ride. My hubby and I used to ride bike (leisurely) together but it is an activity he is unable to do anymore, so I have given it up too. But boy did I wish I had some hoo ha glide back in the day when I would ride!
It was so moving and touching to meet some of the recipients. What an amazing group of young people! I was so impressed.
DeleteSounds like a great event for a great cause! It almost makes me want to sign up for a bike ride... That really stinks that the volunteer sent you the wrong way!
ReplyDeleteSince I'm not a cyclist, I liked that it was a ride and not a race. For me it was fun and a great way to get some crosstraining in.
DeleteSounds like you had a great time! Bummer about being sent the wrong direction, though. I've never done a charity bike ride (I actually don't own a bike!) but it sounds like something that would be fun to try sometime!
ReplyDeleteI would do this one again! It was top notch.
DeleteI can't believe that guy sent you the wrong way! You were the only one?! Sounds like a fun time, nonetheless, and so happy that flat tire didn't happen when you were on the bike!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I didn't get that flat on the road. The bike shop told me it was a bad valve on the tube. That's lucky!
DeleteGreat job, Wendy! Way to push through! That's so annoying that the guy sent you the wrong way, grrrr. I want to hear more about the Hoo Ha cream - there is nothing worse than getting, uh, bike chafing. It must have been so touching to hear the Greenhouse Scholars stories and talk to some of them personally. That would make the event so much more meaningful, knowing how it personally helps others!
ReplyDeleteThat Hoo Ha cream was, shall I say, very soothing. I need to find some more!
DeleteSounds like such a great time. The cream...why hasn't someone else thought of that before? I am amazed at how you have the time to do all that you do. I know it's just a matter of making the time because none of us have the time....so I guess I am amazed that you make the time...but I guess you are having a blast, so that certainly makes it easier !! (the flat tire is an interesting mystery...you'll have to update us on the potential cause)
ReplyDeleteIt helps that my boys are teenagers and want nothing to do with their old mom...I guess...but other things have fallen by the wayside. I have no garden to speak of this year! And my house...well, it needs some attention too.
DeleteThe bike tube had a bad valve.
It was so humid that day. I thought of you and was glad it was a ride vs a run. I'll have to do this next year. Sounds like fun minus the wrong directions.
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to do this next year. Since it's not a race, we can ride together!
DeleteI've never done any kind of biking event at all, so this is very interesting to read about! That's annoying that you were sent in the wrong direction, but glad you figured it out pretty quickly. And that is crazy that your tire got a flat right after the ride was over! Glad it didn't interfere with the actual ride!
ReplyDeleteI feel so lucky that it didn't go flat on the course. I've never really done a biking event before, and I really enjoyed this one!
DeleteI did a ride kind of like this last year - it wasn't a race, more like a "Tour" and they had different distance options. I'm doing another one in September that's 125km.
ReplyDeleteThis was really fun, and I'd do more bike rides like this!
DeleteI didn't know you're an NP! That's awesome and such a great career. I think when I'm tired of OT I am going to be a PA, though I was advised by a few NPs to go the NP route. That's something to really think about. Lake Forest is a beautiful area, I'm sure the ride was gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI'd advise you to go the NP route as well! Independent practice and all...
DeleteOh, fabulous! What a great cause!
ReplyDeleteI have never done a ride of any kind, mostly because I'm terrified of biking in a group. However, it always look so great. Thanks for linking up!
I'm not a fan of the group ride, but I'm getting over that. This was fun.
DeleteThis is great, Wendy! Sounds like a fun time. I haven't announced publicly yet, but I think my older son and I are going to ride the Tour de Cure New England Classic 550 next year. A 7 day charity ride raising money for the American Diabetes Association. Should be good mother/son bonding time and raising money for a good cause.
ReplyDeleteI love that you're doing that! I wish my boys shared my love for the bike (or the run)!
DeleteGreat job! So nice you got to see your sister, too!! I don't have a decent enough (or working at the moment) bike to do anything like this, but it sure looks fun!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a no pressure ride! It was a really great day.
DeleteSounds like you had a great day, despite a few minor hiccups! I've participated in runs that aren't races, and I always find it really inspiring to see people of all fitness levels getting out for some exercise together! Great job :D
ReplyDeleteYep, the good certainly outweighed the bad on this day! It was fun.
DeleteAwesome job! I am very interested in biking but have never bitten the bullet.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just love it! Cycling makes me feel like a kid again!
DeleteSounds like a great time! Maybe next year, I can join the party...maybe (if this isn't the same weekend as the Bix7). :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, now that would be a blast! I'd love it!
DeleteGreat job! and that... hoo haa glide... I need to check that out! haha
ReplyDeleteMade my ride very comfy...
DeleteWoo hoo! Looks great. That glide made me giggle and I am definitely itching to get back on a bike.
ReplyDeleteNo itching with the Hoo Ha cream! :P
DeleteSo Hoo Haa glide may be the best name in the world for a product
ReplyDeleteDon't you think? Now to find it. I think I need to order it. I'd be too embarrassed to buy it!
DeleteHoo haa cream!!! Lol. Great job, I want to do a bike race someday.
ReplyDeleteMade for a very pleasant ride!
DeleteBest cream name ever! I've been intrigued by doing a charity bike ride for a few years. Maybe one day soon I will get in on one!
ReplyDeleteThis was a really good one!
DeleteI would definitely want to know how I did. Race or not. I'm not a biker but I would do a charity ride. For the cause and the fun.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend this one! Either in Illinois or Colorado. I think the Illinois course would be technically much easier! It's really flat here.
DeleteI don't have a road bike, so I've never done anything like this. I would definitely have wanted to know how I did though! Looks like a fun time! Is there a significance with the 62 miles? 100k?
ReplyDeleteI wondered the same thing, altho, yes 100K!
DeleteI want to try the hoo-ha ride glide!
ReplyDeletegood stuff!
DeleteCongrats on the finish! I have got to try a bike race soon!
ReplyDeleteOh, this was fun!
DeleteI got sent in the wrong direction by a volunteer in the Shawn Nassaney Memorial 5K in 2012, my first. It's a horrible feeling once you realize what happened. You can bet I asked clearly the second year. A friend and I formed a team and though I was not racing for time, I wanted to finish. How disappointing that I missed a whole loop.
ReplyDeleteThe photo with your sister is lovely. How sweet it is that you rode by her home.
And thank you for sharing the story of the young people for whom you rode. A wonderful group, indeed.
Oh, I will do this one again! Probably one of the most meaningful events I've ever participated in. Seriously.
DeleteVisiting from the race recap linkup. Great job! Getting sent the wrong way sounds so annoying! I am paranoid about getting lost especially in trail races or something that isn't super obvious where to go!
ReplyDeleteIt was annoying, once I figured it out!
DeleteI love how athletic and well rounded you are! I'm glad you had a fun time with your sister! Hope you got your tire fixed. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was fun! And yes, my tire is fixed.
Delete