Saturday Ride -60 Miles-

So this week was a little lack luster as far as the amount of riding I was able to get in. So Saturday morning i awoke with grand aspirations to make up for it, and get to my 100 mile mark.

I went out to mapmyride.com to find a suitable route. I figured I would head back up to the MDT (Harrisburg Airport) then out rt 230, cut through Mountville, and continue south looping back to Columbia then home. That route was estimated at 75 miles.

I hit the road a tad later than i wanted but at least i was motivated to get home while getting the miles in.

The good news was for the first 30 miles to the airport, i put down an average speed of 17mph, which for this fat guy is pretty good!. Since i felt good getting there i figured i would spend the next 40+ miles at a tad more relaxed pace.

I headed into E-town to get Gatorade, and a candy bar, I had been without any liquid for about 25 minutes and in the heat i was sure do for some. I filled the bottles, drank what wouldn't fit in the magnum bottles, and headed towards Mt Joy. After getting comfortable climbing the rolling hills, i was just starting to hit my stride, when kerpow my rear tire exploded.

So after taking the tire off there was a quarter size tear / blowout on the tire. I attempted to put a patch on the tire, knowing full well that it would be futile be i though what the hell.

Well it didn't hold, and i blew out my last remaining tube. So after a call to my SAG vehicle i walked up to a closed body shop and waiting.

Beth rolled in after awhile, and i had already removed the tire, as i had a spare tire in the back of the subie. less than ten minutes later i was rolling again.

I still felt pretty good, but the heat of the day had taken its toll, i had to still roll about 25 miles home in about 1.5 hours or so. Had this been the start of the ride, no problem, but now after a while i was getting tired. By the time I hit Chickie's rock my head was starting to pound and i knew i was starting to feel the effects of dehydration. It was the heat of the day and i was sweating more fluid than i could take in.

I focused on my breathing and relaxing as i climbed up and over the monster hill. Still even though i was starting to hurt i still climbed pretty good.

I got into Columbia and realized that i still had to be home in 30 minutes. Well i knew i can make the ride from home to Columbia in 30 minutes because it is down hill, but i hadn't in a long time made the return trip in under 40 min. I was tired, and suffering, but oddly felt that i was going to make it. I didn't attempt to hammer home thought i just set a good 15mph+ pace the entire way. I rolled in at 5:00 on the dot, 30 minutes to the number. I'm still not quite sure how it all came together, but all in all a good ride.

Total Mileage 62.62
Average Speed 16.3
Average Heart Rate 145!





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