100K (of biking!)

Sure, I could title this post something about "Romantic Anniversary Trip to Michigan" or "The day I rode my first 51 miles" or "When I felt like I wanted to cry, yet felt nervous and excited at the same time".

You see, this probably all started around November when Andy suggested we go on a big bike ride.  His first idea was to ride in Jamaica- kind of like riding across Iowa but in Jamaica.  The more we looked into it we just didnt think we could make it work.  Maybe someday.  Then Andy found the Zoo-De-Mack...  a 51 mile bike ride from Petoskey, Michigan up to Mackinaw City, Michigan.  Let's remember people- the most I had ever ridden in one day was 26 miles and that was in August after a whole summer of riding my bike and building up for it (and I didnt go very fast!).  How could I possibly be in shape to not be miserable for 51 miles in mid-May?  I was very worried that this trip would be less than pleasant- in fact at least twice I mentioned that maybe we shouldnt go.  I was scared.


As the winter progressed Andy kept riding miles each night on our indoor stationary bike.  I just couldnt get on it.  We did quite a bit of running at the indoor track (as mentioned in the previous post).  I also signed up for a spin class and was able to attend the last 6 sessions before it was done.  I can't quite tell you when the moment hit me that I would be okay- that I would get up the hills and that I wouldnt feel awful- but thankfully that moment occurred BEFORE we left!  So- that is the back story.  Now- let me tell you about our trip!

 Our alarm was set so that we would leave the house at 5am on Friday.  It was 11 hours of drive time and the ride was on Saturday.  We both were awake much earlier and decided to leave the house instead by 3:30am.  Along with us, we brought our friend J. along for the ride.  J likes to travel from town to town and he appreciated having a guaranteed drive for the 11 hours to get to northern Michigan.  It was nice having someone else for the ride.

 With our super early start we arrived in Petoskey by 2pm.  We had time to take my bike to a bike shop in hopes of fixing its flat tire.  We checked into the hotel, and then bundled up to get right on our bikes.  After we had been biking along the trail for maybe 10 minutes Andy asked me of my status.  I was afraid to appear whiny and I said just that.  He replied, "Well Im completely miserable!"  We finished our ride (about 7 miles) and got into the car to buy more weather appropriate apparel.  Our first stop was buying gloves that covered our fingertips!  At a Goodwill store I even found an UnderArmour shirt for just 3.99 that I knew would keep me warmer.  I was so glad we already had hats to put under our helmets and that we both had tights to wear and long sleeve jerseys!

 Above is a picture of Andy along the awesome trail.  Yep- Im riding my bike and taking pics!

 Yep- this is a selfie as Im riding the trail- Im either brave or stupid!  :)

 We also went to dinner and went to the place to pick up our registration.  It was PACKED.

 We settled in for the night and had a good nights sleep... wondering what our day would bring...  :)

 So here we are in the morning before we left...  ready to brave the low 40s.

 Here we are at our first stop.  I thought we were going to keep going but Andy noticed the incredible view and saw the need to pause!

 You can see Lake Michigan just beyond those trees...

 This is what we look like after riding about 10 miles... all smiles so far!

 More incredible views (not taking while riding this time!)

 This is the hill at about mile 10.  Some people walked up hills but I just kept peddling.

 Still pictures at our first stop!

After about 25 miles we stopped at Legs Inn for lunch.  It was such an organized system- with multiple lunch stations (which was smart because they were expecting to serve 4000+).  They served us a turkey sandwich, chips, banana, and a granola bar.  The lunch was provided as part of our $55 registration.  We found some comfortable chairs, took a seat, and enjoyed the view.

 The view towards Lake Michigan during lunch.  Below is the view of people enjoying the lunch break.  You can see Andy in the red on the far left!

Okay-  Its time to talk about the actual ride besides just the beautiful views.  I am certain to write more on this blog than people will care to read- but hey- Im writing my blog for my memories as well as for your enjoyment!  At 830am as we drove to the ski resort where the ride was to start with the bikes on the back of our Equinox I had such an incredible mixture of feelings.  I felt a desire to cry- I was a little emotional that for the past 9 months I have pretty much made every exercise be a precursor for this bike ride.  The idea that all of that hard work was finally coming to reality made my eyes well up with tears.  I also had feelings of doubt and fear- I wondered how I expected to bike 51 miles in one day when the most I had ever biked in a day was 26 miles.  I wondered if my super fast racing husband would get frustrated with my pace.  I wondered if I would feel so much pain that my legs would no longer go.  I worried that the shoes clipped to my pedals would cause me to fall over and hurt myself.  At the same time, I had feelings of excitement and adventure.  I knew I was about to experience something like I had never done before.  I knew that just two years ago if someone had said I would take a 50 mile bike ride I would just laugh and say no way.  I knew that it was time to take on the challenge.  I had prepared. I had the support of my husband, and I had an awesome road bike that could take me places...

The ride was not a race so you could start when you wanted to.  We started at about 9am.  As we rounded the first curve and saw the first decent sized hill, my mind raced with concern.  I didn't want to be passing people if it was going to wear me out later, but I also didn't want to go the slower pace some were taking it.  On the first hill I noticed about 15 people WALKING their bikes up the hill. Granted- I noticed some of these bikes were 1 speed cruisers or heavy mountain bikes.  I said a little thank you to my road bike.  As we biked along and I listened to my iPod playing Hillsong United on shuffle, I found myself clipping along at a pretty constant speed- 14-18 mph.  We came to our first downhill where they advised us to slow down (which I did!)  It was crazy awesome to see my speedometer show 29mph for a long ride!  Andy had told me earlier that he would ride next to me or behind me the whole way.  It was a relief to me that we were going to do the ride together.  Only on the big hills did he get there faster.  Anyway, at one point on the first half- probably close to 20 miles into the ride, a 40-something lady came up next to me and said, "It was really great following you.  You have kept up quite a great cadence for so long- ..." To which I replied, "Thanks- this is my first real ride." She replied, "Ever?"  I didnt really know how to respond to that so I just said well- Ive never gone more than 30 miles.  She seemed impressed and then passed me.  Boy did all that training make me feel good that I had worked hard and was able to give others the impression that I knew what I was doing!  :)  So- recap- the first half of the ride before lunch was fairly hilly.  There was a constant stream of people- some that we were passing and some that were passing us.  It was incredible to ride with 4000 people!

 Then there is the after lunch.  We ate lunch without stopping too long and we were back on the road.  This time I noticed that there were very few people in front or behind us.  It was just open road- and mostly inside a state park- not as much lake view.  I suddenly found myself riding 8mph and unable to push my legs to go any faster.  My legs hurt a little but mostly I was just mentally tired and the excitement of passing people was gone.  Andy was super patient and kind with me as I trekked along for a few miles at the slower speed.  He encouraged me to drink more water and I ate an energy cube.  Next thing I knew I was back to my 14-18mph!  At this point I realized that maybe I didnt want to go so fast- if I ride too fast I realized the trip would soon be over and I would be sad.  Andy assured me that when we reached Mackinac Island that we could go around the 8 mile trail as many times as I wanted!  That sounded like a great idea to me!

 Here we were with just about 8 miles to go.  We stopped and I noticed a large pile of snow.  There was actually quite a bit of snow along our route and on the island!  Clearly they had not had the 80 degree days like we had experienced so far in Iowa.

Seconds after getting back on my bike after this picture we came to our final crazy hill.  It was at a steepness factor I had not ever attempted.  Over and over I just told myself, "pedal, pedal, pedal."  I knew if I stopped pedalling that my bike would stop, I would be unable to unclip my shoes and I would actually fall over.  While this idea is going through my head as I keep telling myself to pedal, I watch as some guy next to me did just that...  he just fell over and onto a convenient pile of leaves on the side of the road.  I couldnt stop to help- I mean, really, I couldnt stop or I would fall over- so I said to the gentleman, "Sir, are you okay?"  He just laughed and told me to have a good ride.  Whew!

 Soon we just had 5 miles to go and then we reached the finish line. I realize now we should have turned around so the FINISH could have been behind our pic.  Oops!

 We rode around Mackinaw City for awhile because our ferry didnt leave til 2.  Included in our registration was round trip ferry to Mackinac Island (which should cost $25pp)

 At this point Im feeling very good.  My legs dont hurt.  I completed the big ride.  I am starting to feel warmer.  (I had 3 long sleeve shirts and one short sleeved shirt.  I also had tights and bike shorts on!)

 There are all of our bikes going across the ferry

 A view of Mackinac Bridge

While on the island we stayed at the Cottage Inn B&B.  We stayed in the lilac room.  Below is the view from our window which is a lake view!!  The location was great- just 1 block off the main street.  The food was delicious, the people were so kind.  I would certainly stay there again!

 After checking in at our B&B and discovering that our suitcase had not yet reached the island, we decided to explore the trail around the island.  Because there are NO autos on the island its pretty bike-friendly!

 Here are some action shots of Andy- yep- Im riding AND snapping pics!

 Here is a Selfie of me as I ride (with my feet clipped in- Im that awesome!)  Look at the view behind me!

 Here is Arch Rock.

 For dinner we went to Millie's on Main.  We were really hoping that our suitcase would have arrived since we reached the island at 230 and it was now 7 but it got misplaced temporarily. Instead my husband and I celebrated our 10 year a little early wearing our biking attire and our loud-clicking cycle shoes.  The food was incredible!  He had fish and I had Neptune pasta (crab, shrimp, and scallops in a Parmesan cream sauce!)  I would certainly order that again!

Here I am outside of our Inn.

 The following morning after another ride around the island we watched as this man put 2 couples' luggage onto the bike to take to the ferry.  I thought it would be IMPOSSIBLE for him to transport but I was wrong.  With a little help from the Innkeeper he strapped the luggage down and away he went!  Im not sure how much you tip or pay for that sort of service but I hope the people were generous!

 pictures I found online of our Bed and Breakfast.  I was thankful the ride was early May- it allowed us to be able to take advantage of what would have been pricier accommodations on the island.

 I think these last two pics are sort of my fave pics of the trip.  Both were taken the evening before.  I like that we celebrated our 10 year anniversary by taking this adventure together.  We had fun exploring and encouraging each other.  The pic below is fun because the water is beautiful and I like the simplicity of two bicycles parked together.  Happy early 10 year anniversary, Andy.  Im glad you convinced me to take this ride and I appreciate your support for me while we rode together.  It was fun!!  I love you!

So- Andy calculated that probably with the 51 miles + 7 miles + on the island that we reached 100K!  I think that's pretty cool that we rode 100K in 3 days.