A funny thing happened..

Somewhere along the way, my idea of fun really changed. Big time.

In my mind, I had thought to do some sort of comparison.... what was fun to me then, and now. Sure, hanging out with friends, watching a movie, etc, those were/are all fun. But that was it. I really had no goals, no passion, nothing that I really worked towards! Looking back, life as the 'old' me was really boring!

Now, I'm not suggesting everyone go have brain surgery to start enjoying life. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME! While I'm thankful for everything it's done for me, there are easier ways... 

Suddenly, my idea of fun includes running around the track doing drills, swimming in a lake at which everyone else cringes their noses, or spending hours in shorts that make me look like I'm wearing a diaper, on a hard seat, pedalling distances that people often think is too far to drive! While none of these things define me, I love that they have become a part of me.

I was itching to do a long ride, and after the character building weather conditions for the 75k Ride for Heart in June, I had my fingers crossed. I couldn't possibly have luck so bad, that I'd have to do that twice, would I?

Sure, I could map out my own long ride, but running and riding have given me the opportunity to see so many things that I otherwise wouldn't. In one of my race kits, I had a brochure for "Le Tour de Norfolk", a supported, recreational type of ride. I did one last year, to celebrate 8 years since my brain surgery, and my last seizure... this time, I registered... for fun! 

Tried explaining this to a close friend of mine from high school... she knew the 'old me'... and isn't sure she'll understand the 'new me', and that's ok.  She just shakes her head, rolls her eyes, and laughs at me a lot, all in good fun.

The ride was about 2 hours away from home, so another early morning. I went down alone, which is also quite significant for me. I wasn't often the type to try new things... especially if going solo. Once there, I picked up my map, and my complimentary Tim Horton's coffee!! WHOOHOO!!! Chatted with a few friendly cyclists, was given my instructions, and pointed in the direction of the ride start.

So I headed in that direction...riding slowly up the hill at approximately 8:15a, even though the ride started at 8:30. I'd already seen some cyclists make their way up there, so I sort of anticipated seeing a cluster of people waiting to start... that never happened, so I just continued, seeing someone waaaaaaay out in the distance.

I had signed up for the 100k ride, so my instructions were to follow neon green arrows painted on the ground. There would be three, one ahead of a turn, one at the turn, and then a confirmation arrow afterwards.  Got it. Green. 

It became very apparent to me, early in the ride, how important seeing those little arrows would be! It wasn't until about the first rest stop, that I ended up seeing, and riding close to others, that had obviously started earlier than be, because I hadn't been passed by anyone! 

Truth be told, the alone time was kind of nice... with plenty on my mind recently, unfamiliar surroundings were perfect for me to get 'lost in my thoughts'.... fingers crossed that I would literally become lost throughout the day!

I can be a little cynical at times. For example, when the arrows steered me onto Spooky Hollow Road.  Really, how bad can it be. Not a cloud in the sky, wide open corn fields, cute country homes, with friendly farmers waving as you pass them, what's so 'spooky' about this?

As I sit here, and type out this post, I have goosebumps, the hair on my arms and the back of my next are standing on end. From the wide open fields, a slight turn right to a heavily wooded area, a sharp descent, and suddenly the air has a distinct chill. The sounds coming from the woods, eerie. I remember looking back and over my shoulder a few times, thinking that I was no longer alone, but I was, I think. A climb out, and finally some warmer air, and back to the sunshine...  For some reason, this part of the ride stuck with me, and I googled it when I got home... and found this story. Maybe I won't be so quick to judge street names anymore!!

The rest of the ride had a few more gently rolling hills compared to the beginning, and I completely missed the second rest stop, as I crossed and intersection and made a turn. Feeling good, and having plenty of fuel and water, with only about 25k until the third and final rest stop, I pedalled on.

Couldn't help but giggle as a much older lady stopped to admire my ride, as I filled up the Speedfil with more water and the final stop. "Oh my, bikes sure are  different from when I used to ride..."

In the last 20k, I learned that a chocolate-covered protein bar, tucked into one of the pouches on the back of a cycling jersey, on a hot July morning, with sunshine beating down on my back, and body heat radiating off of me... is a difficult thing to eat while riding! It's also nearly impossible to stay clean, during said process. I spent the few minutes following that, licking my fingers, so as not to get the white bar tape on my aerobars disgusting. Lesson learned.  

I also saw something cross the street in the distance, a fairly big something, and as I passed by an opening in the field, saw a deer, that stopped to watch me pass. Crowd support! Awesome!

Neon green arrows! Yes! I'm still on course... 

The last few kilometers clicked by, with more people around, as we met up with cyclists that were doing either the 40k or 75k routes. 

Rolling into the parking lot, I had covered 102k in about 3h45, and burnt more than 1800 calories!

Pasta lunch, followed by a guilt-free ice cream made for a perfect ending to an amazing day! Ahhhh, the things I do for fun! :)