Long Ride

It is Memorial Day Weekend and that means it is time for my twice a year long ride. A ride that I do to prove to myself that I can ride more than my commute. I typically do one on Memorial Day weekend and one on Labor Day weekend. Last Labor day's ride was spoiled by the overpowered riders of the Philly Bike Club turning a B ride into an A+ ride. See my post from that time for the fun details. This time around I decided to go back to soloing it.

The requirements are that I ride at least 40 miles. I made that, just bare minimum, with complications.

Last night I checked my Camelback and discovered it was leaking. This was going to be a problem as I really need a Camelback to do a long ride. I went and found the older one (which does not have the capacity needed) and found it was rotting. This means I would need a replacement. My initial plan was to start the ride around 10AM. It did not work out that way.

Early Sunday morning I went down to Target to try and get a replacement. My previous one was bought on the cheap from BJ's but my membership had lapsed. I didn't want to buy one from the local bike stores since they have a hideous markup, I would have to spend over a hundred for a model similar to the one I had. I had paid about $20 for the old one. Trouble was, Target, which I knew had dozens of Hydropacks last year when I was trying to find a real backpack, had none this year. Growl.

I crossed the streets to Modells, but Modells might as well call itself 'glorified Sneaker Store'. No such thing. I guess they leave bike stuff to the specialty stores.

I stopped in at WalMart to see if they had anything I fucking HATE WalMart now more than ever with every fiber of my being. While I was going in a fight nearly broke out in front of the store and somebody slammed into with a cart when they weren't looking . Nothing more than a "scuse me" with the fucking tone of "Outta my way". Anyway, the only models they had were crap. At least they had one. I did not buy it. I figured my ride could wait until the afternoon and I would get on from the local bike shops.

So I jumped on my bike when I got back and headed into Center City. I was too early. Both bike shops did not open until 12:00. I had 1/2 to kill. I stopped by my parents place. Chatted with Dad (Mom was at church) and saw his new color printer. When 12:00 rolled around I headed out to the stores. I went to the one on Chestnut since it was between me and home. Of course, they didn't have much,only one model. I wasn't impressed with it since it was just a glorified version of the one Wal-Mart had. Pheh.

So I rode down to the store on South street. I went in and found a nice display of several models. Only problem is that they did not have any tags with specs or prices. That's usually trouble. I picked up a model that had the features I wanted (3 Liter bladder, outside pockets, etc.) I grimaced, knowing that this kind of model would cost me about 80$ online. I figured it would be about $125 in the store. Oh well, I was not about to ride without one. Joy of joys, it was $25. They were clearing them out to make room for this years models. I never knew these things had model years!

At this point it was past noon and I had already tired myself a bit riding around downtown. I mused that perhaps I should wait until tomorrow and do the ride in the mornings, but I would them be exhausted for my parents annual BBQ, and I could forget being able to bike commute come Tuesday. So I gave myself a 1/2 hour rest, got my shit together for the ride, and headed out.

The ride went fairly smoothly. One driver tried to yell at me in Manyunk. I think he felt that I was holding up the cars behind me. This typical mouth breathing narrow gazer failed to see the cars in front of me that were holding me up, with good reason, as this was on Main street and they've added a lot of pedestrian crossings. This was where the 25mph speed limit was meant, at least at this time of day. After that I had to race up a very harsh hill with a truck behind me and was gasping for breath. This is where I felt I really showed being out of shape. Or I just plain suck on hills.

The ride was smooth after that. One stop for a bottle of Gatorade and peanut bar, one stop at Valley Forge. The ride home some problems with the seat slipping down started to get to me and make my butt hurt. It makes you realize why recumbents are so love by their users. On the last leg, on the former West River Drive (now MLK drive) I realized the pain was getting hard and I was getting weak. I bonked. I decided that even though I was on the 'final stretch' I had to stop and rest. I did. After that the ride was smooth and I trundled on home.

I am out of shape, yet still in shape. I went thought 2 liters of water in the pack, as well as the Gatorade. I ache, my lungs feel a bit strained. I wonder if I always feel this way or if I am just noticing it more. I guess one of the joys of blogging is that it will be a journal of my aches and pains from these long rides.

Time for sleep.