Well, the bike is covered, the gear is washed and the memories of a most incredible week linger.
I still can't believe that we did it.
Now, I know, it would be easy to say, "I" did it....but there was a real sense of "we" all along...even on the toughest climbs and the longest days.
Quite honestly, at the start of the ride, having never ridden even 2 days in a row, I couldn't even conceive how it would be possible that I could do 7 long, grueling days. I knew that I could do it, as lots of people do it every year...I just didn't see how it could be possible, knowing how some long TRAINING days would wipe me out and I'd crash on the couch for 4 hours after.
But I learned a lot in a week.
One thing, is that the body is pretty much the greatest machine on the planet. They say we use only a fraction of our brain...as my body bounced back each day and my muscles kept giving me strength day after day, I realized that we only use a fraction of the true capability of our bodies.
By Wed/Thurs, I truly woke up ready to go each morning, and I started to feel as though it was certainly do-able. Riding in on Saturday to the amazing group of friends in LA gave me such an adrenaline rush, we went for drinks/dinner and then more drinks until, around 11:00, I finally said, 'What the hell am I still doing up?"
The memories and experiences of these 7 days would certainly fill this blog, so I won't even try to retell all that happened. But the '30 foot view' of the whole experience is that, even with everyone assuring me how incredible the event would be, it surprised me in the most unlikely ways. I found that the most obviously sentimental parts of it didn't get to me like the simple things that would creep up on me and blow me sideways until I had to hide my sobbing from those around me.
The simple kindness of the ladies who set up a table of coffee and doughnuts roadside to show us support, the number of straight allies who joined the fight and rode just as hard, the roadies who got up earlier and worked harder with never a complaint, but only a hug of support... (I could go on and on and on).
It's simply one of the rare opportunities to witness the best in humanity in a 7 day stretch, all while challenging yourself in a way you never thought possible.
You become a different person for that week. You're in a zone. It's all about the ride. Eating enough, drinking enough, getting to bed early enough...you truly feel like you have the priorities of an olympiad. Now, maybe, now, knowing that I CAN do it, that I CAN ride every single mile and I CAN make it to the top of every single hill without stopping or walking, maybe knowing that, my next ride, I won't have blinders on so much... but I think you almost have to maintain that focus for the week.
I chatted with one of my training buddies last night, Laura, and I was embarrassed to admit that it took me until Thursday to unpack and wash the gear. I've taken the week very easy, so I couldn't blame being busy, or just being lazy, as I really couldn't wait to put everything away clean and fresh...but there was something psychological about it... once I washed everything, it was truly over.
She was cracking up because she revealed that she went through the same thing and finally washed everything yesterday.
I completely see how people do this ride over and over, year after year. It's a rare experience unlike anything else. I would encourage EVERYONE to experience it. You really feel alive on so many levels.
I am honored to have had the support and love along the way from those friends and family out there. Although I did this ride alone, I never felt lonely. You were with me every sweaty mile.
Thank you!
