Last Saturday, I rode my bike 204 miles from my house in Seattle to Portland, Oregon. I rode with 5 other friends in the official annual "STP." We started at 4:45 a.m. and crossed the finish line at 8:45pm - where we lifted our bikes over our heads for this picture.
My friend Julie picked us up at the finish line, and she asked if we every got bored during the 16 hours. What did you think about during all that time? She asked.
This is my response: (Things in italics are yelled out loud.)
I gotta stay close to that wheel. Stay on the wheel! Oh no, I'm losing them. Catch up! Catch up!
I should drink, but I don't want to take my hand off the handlebar right now.
Don't hit me, car.
Can I really go another 180 miles?!
Tracks!
Oh crap, I think I'm already getting sunburned.
Dang, we just hit 25 mph. The pull of this pack is thrilling.
Hungry. Hungry. Gotta fish those shot blocks out of my jersey without losing speed.
On your left!
That is some nasty roadkill.
Only 25 miles until the famed banana bread rest stop.
Pothole!
Let's get onto the end of that line. Oh, I really want to join them.
Umm, I can't feel my fingers.
Wow so many people with flats.
Do you have everything you need?
Dear butt: I apologize.
Crud, another hill.
Weird that I have the chills and am getting a little dizzy.
Water. Drink.
Turning!
Keep pedaling. Push it. Push it.
How many miles until the next rest stop again?
I hate hamburgers, but they sure sound good right now.
Car back!
Shake out the hands.
Oh hill, you got nothing on me. Don't down shift yet. Don't down shift. Ok, now!
Laying in this grass is the best sensation of my life.
Jen, if you can't handle this, how are you going to handle labor?!?!
Slowing! Turning!
Gross, a bug just ricochet-ed off my sunglasses.
Only 10 more miles til next rest stop. I got this. I GOT THIS!
Stay on that wheel. Stay on that wheel.
Passing!
Why do people do this?!
Oh crap, the light is turning yellow. I hope we all make it through.
This glorious: Mounts St. Helens, Adams and Hood all in one view.
Another hill?! Shut up.
I can't believe we have already gone 170 miles. This is ridiculous. And awesome.
Tracks!
That dude's calves are amazing.
It's the eye of the tiger it's the thrill of the fight. Rising up to the challenge of our rivals.
Portland city limits. Yahoo! Wait, there are still 10 more miles to go? Seriously?
I need more sport beans.
We made it! We made it. Oh my gosh, we made it.
