78 Miles!
June 04, 2007
Saturday was the day! The day started off at 7am when 10 neighborhood ladies got together for one single purpose: to bike for the cause. Helmets, bikes, and water packed we were ready to kick some asphalt! Some of us were going for 38 miles, and others for 68.
The Little Red Ridinghood tour is one of two nationwide all women ride and Saturday I was able to see the most amazing thing ever--over 1500 women gathered together to bike for the cause! I felt honored to be a part of it.
Women encouraging one another, supporting one another and coming to the aid of each other. I will never forget the sights and the feelings in my heart from this one experience.
When we took off at 8:30am, there was laughter and excitement all around. 10 miles into the ride, I knew that I was going to change my mind about the 38 mile ride. My knew was feeling great, I was averaging 17 mph and my heart was full of joy. When the first stop came at 21 miles, we found out that we got routed to the wrong direction, adding an extra 10 miles to the ride, so instead of 68, we were in for 78! But, I was still feeling quite well so I made the decision to go for the 68 miles rather than thet 38. Since is much more fun when you have someone with you, I convinced C, one of my neighbors (she is the picture above), to go for it with me, she agreed without much coercing. We rode together for the rest of the miles, cheering each other on, encouraging each other when the path got tough, drafting off each other when it got just too hard.
At the 40 mile marker, we were still feeling quite good. Our hands started to get numb and our bottom was starting to get a bit sore but our hearts were happy and full of energy, so we kept going. At 55 miles, we stopped for lunch....my favorite was being served, Subways! It was the perfect lunch! I wolfed down that sandwich in about three bites and off we went for the rest of our trip....the hardest part of it of it all.
The next leg of our tour was the toughest of it all...everything was uphill and our legs were feeling it. Our arms started to get numb and our legs just wanted to give out. We were getting tired and the only thing that kept us going was each other. With words of "you can do it", "just one more pedal", "think how far we have come, we can't give up now". We climbed to the summit....it is not really big but to us it seemed like Mt. Everest!
On our last stop, we were met by smiling faces of our loved ones! Sam, Wonderboy and Little Benny were there and they just ran to meet us....little Benny just crashed into me like a little football player. They were so happy to see us and my heart was overwhelmed by the reception.
After a quick rest stop, we climbed on the saddle again for our last leg of the ride. We were tired and the Aleve I took that morning was starting to wear off. It was almost 3pm, almost 8 hours since we started off! We climbed on the bikes and off we went for our last 17 miles. At mile point 65 my Aleve wore off completely and my knee started hurting. Our left arms were going completely numb and we decided to make quick stops to stretch our legs and give our arms a rest.
When at the beginning we saw a downhill as a break, we started realizing that after them came a hill and our enthusiasm for the downhills wore off. At this point we started concentrating more on gaining momentum and speed just to make the uphill climb. It is amazing how a little ant hill can seem like Mt. Olympus when you are tired! On the last hill of the trip, we joined the ranks of a bunch of raiders, slowly we pedal our way up. Then, we were cheered on by Sam and the kiddos who caught up to us in the car...with words of "you can do it Mom", I was able to climb that last ant hill. Once at the summit, we were told the wonderful news that we were only 2 miles away from the finished line. Those words were enough to give us both a burst of energy and our legs got a little faster.
At the finished line we were met by all of our friends and families who happily cheered for us. We had made it! 78 miles!
With tears in my eyes and a full heart I can truly say that I would not have made this journey without the support of my new friend C....we started this journey as neighbors and we ended up as friends. They say that misery loves company...well, I can say that misery does love company and makes the misery bearable but success, when you achieve success, it tastes so much sweeter when you have company! We did it girls! We truly are the kick asphalt club :)!
Way to go, Isela! What an awesome way to pair fitness and a good cause. And, as usual, you went the extra mile with it. (Or, extra ten miles. Even better!) Congratulations!
Posted by: sincityspuds | June 05, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Does it sound corny to admit your story made me tear-up a little bit? You are awesome, Isela! You really, really are! Like someone else mentioned, it seems like just yesterday you were just learning to ride a bike and now... 78 miles. What can I say other than WOW! You are truly an inspiration.
Posted by: Hope | June 04, 2007 at 09:12 PM
Awesome job Isela!! You are amazing!
Posted by: Zonda | June 04, 2007 at 08:12 PM
Isela! I am so proud of you! 78 miles... I bet never, in your wildest dreams, would you have thought a few months ago that you'd have gone on such a ride. I you are an inspiration to me!
Posted by: Becky | June 04, 2007 at 04:49 PM
Wow, good job Isela! I went 14 miles on Saturday and was pretty excited about it, but now I will have to bow down to you and your amazing 78 miles. (put some ice on that knee)
Posted by: Elisabeth | June 04, 2007 at 02:58 PM
My girl - you are one hell of an inspiration...
Posted by: Deb B. in VA | June 04, 2007 at 01:40 PM
Oh WOW Isela! I could feel your excitement just reading your post and even I was getting excited!! HUGE congratulations and 3 cheers for you and your new friend!
Posted by: Kansas A. | June 04, 2007 at 12:59 PM
You are awesome! Great job!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 04, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Good for you! I'm proud of you for setting out to do something, then going the extra mile, you're an awesome example :)
Posted by: tracey | June 04, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Good for you! I'm proud of you for setting out to do something, then going the extra mile, you're an awesome example :)
Posted by: tracey | June 04, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Good for you! I'm proud of you for setting out to do something, then going the extra mile, you're an awesome example :)
Posted by: tracey | June 04, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Congratulations Isela! That's quite a feat to undertake! 78 miles! That's just so cool. Sounds like you and your friends had a wonderful time. Great memories!
- Lily Wigworthy
Posted by: Knit and Purl Gurl | June 04, 2007 at 11:29 AM
You are a goddess of cycling! Woohoooo!
Posted by: Romi | June 04, 2007 at 11:10 AM
WOW! I get a little pissy if I have to dirve a CAR for 78 miles without a break!
I am so proud of you. You have such a wonderful enthusiasm for everything you do.
You are fabulous role model for your children. They see you doing difficult (seemingly impossible to some) things, and you always do so with a positive attitude. They will grow up feeling like they can do anything!
Huggz!
Posted by: Jeannie | June 04, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Wow, that is incredible! The first ant hill would have done me in - I'm impressed.
Posted by: Kathy N | June 04, 2007 at 09:53 AM
Congrats! That's quite an achievement. :)
Posted by: Cindy in Oregon | June 04, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Great accomplishment Isela! I'm so proud of you!!
Posted by: lynda | June 04, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Great accomplishment Isela! I'm so pround of you!!
Posted by: lynda | June 04, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Wow, 78 miles? Are you serious? I am in serious awe. Good for you. That's all I have to say.
Also, you are looking really freakin good!
Posted by: Kim | June 04, 2007 at 08:28 AM
Wow, I can't even imagine! Good for you, what an awesome accomplishment!
Posted by: Brenda | June 04, 2007 at 07:54 AM
How awesome!!! I haven't rode a bike in years, so I'd probably collapse after the first mile! You've got a lot to be proud of!!!
Posted by: Laura | June 04, 2007 at 07:06 AM
Oh my god! 78 miles?!?!? You kick ass!
Posted by: sprite | June 04, 2007 at 06:48 AM
Isela, You Done Good Girl! 78 miles, and to think it was not too long ago that you were just learning to ride a bike. Your knitting community is so proud of you.
Take more Aleve and soak you achy muscles in some warm salt water and bask in the glory of your victory.
Posted by: tonya5015 | June 04, 2007 at 05:40 AM
Isela!!! GOOD FOR YOU! What a wonderful accomplishment! Grrlfriends make the world go round! You all deserve a big pat on the back (and a hug, too!);-)
Posted by: margene | June 04, 2007 at 05:35 AM