My good friend, a paralympian and former world class wheelchair sprinter, convinced me that we should go ride the Usury Pass loop bike ride(he rides a hand cycle). This loop is 18 miles long includes a 3 mile climb. The climb is not steep, but it is a straight climb with absolutely no rest anywhere along that climb. I told my friend I was probably not ready for it, but I would give it a try.
I went through a plethora of emotions during the climb. First, I swore at my friend, who dropped me, because i was too slow. I kept saying to myself, "I told you I wasn't ready for this." Second, I could have sworn buzzards were circling me, waiting for me to die. And third, I was supremely humbled when this sixty something year old man and his wife rode by me as I had stopped for the fourth time (I stopped at least three more times), showing no signs of fatigue, asking me if I was ok as they went by.
I did do it though. I probably stopped more times than I should have, but I had several issues going on. First, the lactic acid built up so fast in my legs that I would quickly have very little strength. When I ride on my normal flat rides, I can pedal for a while, and then when the lactic acid builds up in my legs I can rest and coast for a while until my legs feel better. On this climb, if I rested I slowed down almost to a complete stop, and since I was clipped into my pedals, I became fearful that I was going to fall over, because I would not be able to get my shoes out of the pedals.
But it was the first time in a while that I really felt huge. Carrying an extra 50 lbs on a ride like this is frustrating. I sure hope to be able to lose weight over the next year or so.
I do know, however, that I am getting in better shape.
Oh, and I am going to try that ride again in two weeks.
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