And Rollin', And Rollin'

That's weird.... I wrote that last post over a week ago in a motel lobby and it only just now got posted on my blog. Weird.

I journaled on this trip, which I never do, so I'll let you peek into my book (re-written for this post). I take you back to the beginning of the ride.

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This was all Janet's idea - she said she needed to do this ride and that she would do it alone if I didn't come along, so.... We didn't really practice, unless you call three 20-mile rides practice, so I was, at the very least, concerned about the outcome.

Friday morning, I awoke to the sound of multitudes of crows outside my window- a raucous, scary noise. When I went out to set up my bike to go, there was a dead crow in the alley. It didn't seem like an auspicious beginning for the trip. It was a good ride, though. We biked 40 miles from Ames to the Boondocks, with a tailwind most of the way. Nice! I lost all my M&Ms to Janet that night playing King's in the Corners.

The next day, Saturday, a black cat walked right in front of us, twice, as we were leaving in the morning. Another great day though. Started cool, but we shed clothes through the day as it warmed up. Yesterday I was having problems with my right hip-flexor (a recurring problem with me) which caused me concern because it normally lingers a while and makes it hard for me to lift my leg (can make it hard to get on the bike, much less pedal). I iced it last night and had no problem with it at all today (or for the rest of the ride). The most trouble has been with our feet. They only seem to want to ride for 25 miles and then they complain - a lot.

Sunday's biking started out really slowly. I was working really hard and figured it was the headwinds. Finally, I noticed a recurring noise at my front tire. There is very little space between my front tire and the fork, too little, and there was a spot on the tire that would rub on the fork every revolution. In effect, it was like I was feathering the brake that whole time. Dang! I let a bit of air out of the tire and all was fine after that.

Did I mention headwinds? AUGHHHH It's awful when you have to fight your way up a hill only to have to force your way back down again. I couldn't coast all day.

Tuesday we had head winds again. The first 5 mile were awful! I was working really hard and still slowing Janet down. Finally, when we stopped to rest, she said," Sue, why are you working so hard. It shouldn't be this difficult for you. It's not that bad! Maybe you should check your tires again." At that, she looked at my rear tire and said, "There's your telephone!" My cell phone had slipped out of my un-zipped (oops) rear pannier, fallen toward the bike, and wedged itself between the frame and the tire. It had been a brake for 5 miles. I wore a flat spot on the edge of the phone and took who-knows- how- many miles off the rear tire. Well, it was much easier pedaling after I removed it. Can't believe it didn't fall off onto the road- and, it still works!
We only had to bike 35 miles Tuesday, but it took us 6 hours to do it because of the wind. We would wait for a semi to come along (in the same direction we were traveling) and kind of ride its slipstream for a bit after it passed. Gave us a little boost.

Wednesday was a short ride to New Ulm, 20 miles. We contemplated riding on to the next stop, but decided against it. Had a pleasant afternoon playing Kings In The Corner and reading. We didn't even use the hot tub that night. I think it was in New Ulm that we stopped at a hardware store and bought some wide, white electrical tape. Our bicycles are called BikeE's and that is written on the side of the flat, rectangular frame. With cutout tape letters, we changed that to PrayBikeEat, which is what we did all day. I realize that I've neglected to tell you about the neatest part of the ride. Janet bought along a list of all those attending the retreat and each day we took 12 or 15 of them (or so), wrote their name on a payer card, attached some beads and waxed thread to it, and prayed for them by name. /when we got to retreat, we attached the cards to our bikes, which were parked in the main hall, and folks could retrieve their prayer card to take home.

Thursday's day started with "THE NEW ULM HILL". It's awful ; steep and long , way long. We were going 3 or 3.5 mph the whole way up. About half-way up the hill was a wreath tied to a post next to the roadway. I was beginning to think it was for me. We had side winds all day that turned into headwinds at Hutchinson. 46 miles and no coasting at all. We had several close calls with the traffic on highway 15 and were glad to get off the road and into a hot tub.

Friday was nice. Not much wind at all and, knowing that it was the last day we had on the ride, we enjoyed it all the more. We got to the retreat center in Paynesville about 2:30, before anyone else was there, in fact.

It was a great ride! Janet and I enjoyed the biking, the challenges, the scenery, the people we met, and each other. There were downsides to the ride, and these we decided to immortalize in a song, which we sang at the talent show. Actually, I sang it and she led the audience in singing the 3-word chorus as she played guitar from her bike. It's sung to the tune of "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes.

Aching backside, knees and toes (knees and toes).
These are all our biking woes ( biking woes).
And bugs that fly right up your nose.
Aching backside, knees and toes.
(Up your nose!)

Sun that burns and wind that blows (wind that blows).
Wearing all those spandex clothes (spandex clothes).
And bugs that fly right up your nose.
Aching backside, knees and toes.
(Up your nose!)

Dead things lying on the road (on the road).
Skunk and snake and rat and toad (Yes, a toad)
And bugs that fly right up your nose.
Aching backside, knees and toes.
(Up your nose!)

All those corn fields to and fro (to and fro),
Keep us hidden as we go (as we go)
And bugs that fly right up your nose.
Aching backside, knees and toes.
(Up your nose!)

Trucks that blow us off the road (off the road)
Biking with a heavy load (heavy load).
And bugs that fly right up your nose
Aching backside, knees and toes.
(Up your nose!)

Hills and hills and hills and hills (hills and hills)
Hills and hills and hills and hills (hills and hills)
And hills and hills and hills and hills,
Hills and hills and hills and hills.
(Up your nose!)

This ride coming to an end (to an end).
No more biking with my friend (she's my friend)
And bugs that fly right up your nose,
Aching backside, knees and toes.
(Up your nose!)