We actually have a picture to commemorate our first outdoor cycling road trip...yeah...it's free advertising for D'Italiano. Okay, not completely free--we got a pulled-pork sandwich each for posing in front of their truck. Geez...what some people do for freebies. :)
But what about the ride itself? It may have been the most humid day we've had up to that point this year. Let's see what else I can think of to make our first ride more adventurous than it really was. It had rained the day before, I think, and there were puddles on the trails. We did 31.5 kilometers with some near wipe-outs to boast of...hmm...I don't think cyclists boast about that. I was on a mountain bike pedaling twice as hard as the hybrid and road bike riders.
The highlight of our trip was the food. The D'Italiano sandwich was unexpected, but was a welcomed treat. It hit the spot at the right time. However, we had our sights set on Sunset Grill, so, great pulled-pork sandwich or not, we trooped inside for our 1 p.m. breakfast--waffles with fresh strawberries and, humid weather notwithstanding, coffee of the hot kind.
The ride back was easier, maybe because I had a full stomach or maybe the single-trip experience I'd gained by then was starting to pay off. I thought I was this hotshot six-year spinning veteran, and would be able to handle outdoor cycling easily. Well, let me tell you that there's a humongous difference between the two. Although I was no worse for our outdoor tryst, other than a few patches of sun-burn, I must point out that cycling outside is no stroll in the park. The outside elements, learning to change gears so no one hears the cranking sound you're not supposed to make, other cyclists--some who are crazy enough to careen into you, a moving bike versus a stationary one...challenges not for the faint of heart.
Really, cycling isn't quite this dramatic...only the rider is.
Labels: cycling, cyclists, D'Italiano, outdoor activity, Spinning, summer fun
