Tried to ride the Century

The Century (100-mile bike ride) is the marathon of cycling, the ultimate challenge and all that. I decided to go for it on the Pittsburg ride. I wound up taking a short cut and only going 85 miles. Total time was 7 hours, with 5 hrs 45 minutes on the bike. I had an average speed of 15 mph, unless you add in the rest stops, which brings it down to 12 mph.

My knees again were objecting most loudly. They were screaming, "You should have done the 60-mile ride!" Also the sitting on the bicycle seat was getting to me again. I may need to look into a women's-specific saddle or some bike shorts with a gel insert strategically placed.

All in all, it was a positive experience. I didn't sleep well being in a strange town in a hotel by myself. The weather was beautiful, though, and the winds were mild. 85 miles is a personal best, and I am proud of the accomplishment. There is always next year to complete a whole Century.

I was surprised at how not sore I am now after the 2-hour drive home, but then I remembered that I took 4 ibuprophen...

The Cute Overnight Girl

At the hotel in Pittsburg, I decided that the night desk clerk was cute. I went back to request a wake-up call in person rather than calling. (I was unloading my bike, so I just rode it over to the lobby.) Then I was getting ice and I decided that I should ask for directions to the place the bike ride started.

She was tall and had a very short haircut. I was beside myself and didn't know what to to. I called a friend who said, "Go talk to her." Then I called shrijani who said, "Go talk to her." Both suggested that I think of it as practice. After all, I am probably never going to see her again. Also, thinking that it doesn't have to lead to anything took the pressure off.

Since being able to talk to strangers is a prerequisite to meeting people, I got myself all cleaned up and I did it! I went and talked to her. I noticed that her name was Amy and I told her I was coming to talk to her because I wasn't sleepy and was traveling by myself. I asked if there was anything to do in Pittsburg beyond the usual college bars. (There wasn't.) I even went so far as to ask if she was a student and what was her major. (Too young! Still an undergrad.)

I thanked her for her help and went on back to my room. I know this doesn't seem like much, but to me that was a huge step. I am hopeless, it is true. I don't know how I expect myself to date when I can't even really talk to strangers. Obviously, I need more practice, and that's what this was.