Goldilocks 2014

Goldilocks 2014—we did it! After last year's soaking wet morning my sis and I were eager to to try this event again and finish a full course. We chose to do 40 miles knowing Cec had never ridden that far before and it would be a good goal to complete.

This race was the day before mother's day so mid May but it was not a lovely spring day! The weather that morning was so risky—windy, way cloudy, and the forecast changing from 30% to 40% chance of rainstorms. We were stressed but just hoped it would hold out long enough for us to ride at least most of our course. We knew we could handle a little rain but not a downpour—those are freezing and super slick on a bike.

 Joseph dropped me off at the starting line in Daybreak and I wore lots of layers in case it warmed up and I could ditch some. I did get rid of my gray half-zip and about 10 minutes later wished I had it back!

Squished amid the group of women riding 40 miles, waiting at the start line. Our start time was 8:30 am and I was amazed at how many riders there were just for my group. It was a weird feeling when I usually ride alone or with just a few other people—I do not like sharing the road with so many cyclists! We stayed in a pack for 5 miles or so and then the crowd slimmed out and we had plenty of space.

This was around mile 8 or so and it looks like things were clearing up. Too bad it started hailing on us about 5 minutes after I took this picture. Then it turned into light rain that lasted about 20 minutes or so but we just kept on riding! It wasn't too wet to slow us down but it sure chilled us. We didn't stop at the 17 mile snack/aid station because we weren't tired yet and it ended up being a wise move to  just keep our hearts and lungs pumping so we could stay warm!

I love that this race was right in my "backyard" and stayed so close to home and the roads I am very familiar with. My cute family came out to cheer me on twice, once when we passed our little neighborhood right at the beginning, and again right near the end. When I met up with them this time I had texted Joseph to being me a neck gator as the north wind had picked up and was making me so cold riding right into it. I also look very happy because Cec and I had just stopped at the last snack station a mile or so up the road and we had eaten pretzels and bananas and chocolate and swedish fish. Seriously those pretzels were soooo good! Funny how I was wanting that salty snack but it makes sense since sweat drains a ton of salt from the body. 

 

We took this right after we crossed the finish line. Hooray for us! It was such a great ride and we were just really grateful the weather was pretty nice to us and didn't take us out with a deluge.

I vote for 70 degrees and lots of sunshine next year while we ride 60—who wants to join us?!