Riding the ‘Bergs
Well, I think this weekend went by way too fast, don’t you?
Saturday was Chris’ 30th Birthday. 🙂 It was also the same day as my cousin’s high school graduation party. It was a BLAST!
Saturday night we celebrated Chris’ birthday–we hung out with friends and had ice cream cake that I got from Kurver Kreme. Their ice cream cakes are amazing.
We had fun just hanging out and playing video games at our friends’ place. 🙂
Sunday Chris and I went out for a long bike ride.
I mapped out a route that went up to Thacher and around Berne, to make sure we got lots of hills in. Boy, did we ever. Its so hilly out there in the Helderbergs.
Also, did you know the name “Helderbergs” means clear mountains?
I’ll never get tired of these views!
Our ride took a long time, 5 hours to ride 57 miles. We took a bunch of breaks and stopped at some gas stations to get snacks, etc. but next time we’ll definitely plan ahead and stop someplace for lunch.
I’m not going to lie, riding 57 miles will intense hills and steep climbs is really tough. It has me questioning my ability to ride 75 miles in the Adirondacks. I really want to do it, but there is a part of me that really thinks I can’t, and that it will be just too hard. I’m not really sure what to do.
Ride Stats
We got kind of lost out in Berne, since my internet doesn’t work on my phone way out there–and my directions were wrong, but we still found our way back to 443 which will take you back to Albany. 😉 Overall we had a tiring, but fun weekend.
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jess
This post reminded me of the time a friend and I accidentally ran from Malta to Stillwater because we had taken a wrong turn (or two). Lovely pictures, I can think of worse places to be lost, but when you only have your legs to get you back it can be a bit stressful, lol.
jess recently posted..Femine Thrifted Finds
Amanda
I hear ya about those hills! I live up there and do most of my runs right there, there are days when the site of some of those hills make me want to cry!
christine
Looks like a great day for a ride! I’ve driven those hills near thatcher park, you’re a champ for biking them!
Kathy
57 Miles – Way to go, Jen! Kathy S. and I were admiring your feat this morning when I saw her in the kitchen!
Sue
Happy Birthday Chris!
Sue recently posted..Mid Week Menu
Respect the Distance
Respect the distance; respect the event.
The ididaride is a brutal, demanding route even if you’re in great shape. Considering your longest ride-to-date has been short nearly 20-miles and contained not even 1/3 of the total overall climbing, it’s smart of you to reconsider. If this were a marathon, you would have begun tapering at least 2 weeks in advance and have put-in much more training (miles + elevation). Given where you’re at (you’ve made great progress, btw), you’re risking more than just a day of suffering on the bike. What if the weather is “off”? Are you prepared to suffer through 75 miles in rainy conditions?
Also, you’re putting yourself in a scenario where causing an over-use injury is a very real possibility. Is this ride worth jeopardizing your entire Fall running schedule?
Jen
I don’t know why you didn’t put your email down — since you won’t get the e-mail for my response, but you are correct! I’m not doing it. I didn’t have enough weekends to get in long rides, and I even got my money back! Woohoo. Maybe next year.
Respect the Distance
Glad to hear this. It seems as though too often people throw their common sense aside and view these mammoth, physically demanding events (ididaride, gran fondo, marathon, triathlon) as mere “trophies” that are achieved via participation … adequate training be damned!
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