Trail of Tears

September 15, 2008

Once again I let myself get suckered by Mother Nature. Sunday I set out on the Santa Ana River Trail, 27 mile out and (unless something goes drastically wrong) 27 mile back route. I’ve only been on it once before but without my computer so I had no idea how far I went.

I started from Huntington Beach and headed inland, the same direction the wind is ALWAYS going in. After about 5 miles of warmup I’m feeling good, going a lil faster than I usually ride so the wind noise is louder. This lead me to believe I was heading INTO the wind, despite the fact that the wind always (keyword ALWAYS) goes the other way. A headwind now meant I could pretty much bury myself on the way out then have the wind with me to spin my merry way back home.

I reach the turnaround point feeling like I just pulled out of the driveway. I live in an apt and therefore don’t have a driveway but work with me. I down a couple of gels and start the return trip. Things are well until I’m about 20 miles from home then WHAMMO. The headwind hits me right in the face. The wind off the ocean is very loud when its coming at you, unmistakable. I now realize the error of my ways and I know I’m gonna be paying the price in another 10 miles. It’s in the 90′s probably and my one remaining water bottle, which I froze the night before, has completely thawed.

About three miles from home I pass a few BF’ers coming the other way. Mr. Beanz stops for a pic which he posts and wow, do I look like hell in it. Anyway, I did make it home alive. It was my first long ride in my new D2 shoes and they felt really good. I think I’ll go back next weekend with the Zipp tubs and see if the ride is any less painful.

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