Velox Pride

Summer was busy. I rode 155miles and raised over $1700 to support a cure for Multiple Slerosis both numbers more than I set out to accomplish but both worth it. It went down without a hitch but for a minor upset on my first day where somewhere around mile 40 something a woman drove up behind me overtaking and turning right in front of me while I was going down hill then she stopped suddenly right on the corner in front of me and all I could mutter before realizing how fast I had to brake and how sure my collision with her car was going to be was "Please drive, pleeeeease drive!" To no avail she just sat there panicky looking and glancing into her rearview mirror until my bike hit her bumper head on and I jumped onto the trunk and rebounded onto the street. It was surprising that I did this without seriously injuring myself and I got up a bit bruised and annoyed that she abbreviated a perfectly good descent after a climb. She came out of the car pleadingly for forgiveness, her son in the passenger seat seemed to be inquiring of her, what was she thinking! because she kept going back and forth explaining herself to him as he murmured questions. I had a sneaky feeling she was extremely nervous for another reason that I couldn't be bothered with, although the cops came and brushed everything off probably because the whole ride seemed like a bit of a nuisance to the town officials and those who didn't seem to care for the hoards of riders upsetting their weekend routine. I was eager to get back on the road and see that my twelve hundred dollar women specific Trek was not damaged except that of my white handlebar taping which now had a tear. All in all, the days were enjoyable and the Bourne bridge not as hard as I thought to ascend at 5 in the morning. I swore up and down Route 6 on my last leg of the whole ride on the second day only simply because the stretch was just torture being a long boring highway of cars and riders so distant. Although I thought doing the ride with a partner would be so much more encouraging I would do the ride again for the sheer exhilaration and to help others in the process. I learned that although it's a charity ride many of the riders are extremely competitive - the men especially (testosterone levels were up there alright). However keeping focused and seeing how dedicated the supporters along the way were was enough to keep my spirits high. I finished both days and partied my way back home on a ferry. After that I haven't gotten many major rides and like an addict I crave long bike rides. Now that it's getting colder I'll be back to cycling with Michael at the gym but non one would have to convince me next year to do the MS ride. If you're interested in riding with a good team check out Team Velox Rota. Michael is the team captain and although you might end up with a super crush, once that's past, you'll find a group of really enthusiastic true blue friendly folks who believe in making a difference and just pedaling.