In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins - not through strength but by perseverance.
Posted 3 years, 10 months ago on Monday, August 16th, 2004 under Cycling · No Comments ·
I rode 30 miles yesterday, give or take a couple. I took the southern Johnson County trail from 135th and Neiman up to 119th and Quivira, and then over to 435 and Stateline for about 25 miles round trip. That was actually my second ride of the day. Just before that one, I rode about 5 miles with a friend. It was her first time on a bike in about 20 years (!), and so we took it easy. She was a trooper though, she didn’t start cussing me until the 2nd or 3rd mile.
As for myself, I didn’t take it so easy on my own. It took just under two hours to go the distance. That’s about double my normal ride, and by the time I was done, I was done. The "Stick a fork in me" kinda done. That last mile was a killer too… I was fine up until then. Heading south on Quivira between 119th and 127th is all uphill (and yesterday it was against the wind). I was praying to gods I don’t even believe in to give me the strength to keep going. I was NOT going to get off and walk it… that would be humiliating and defeatist. It hurt, but I’m damn glad I did it. Funny thing is, I’m not even sore today. Yesterday it was hard to stand up for the first hour or so, but today… though I can feel a little something in my thighs and gluts, it’s not pain… just a slight weariness.
Now, if I could just apply the same determination and courage to asking out that waitress… ;)