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"Patricia Rowe's Ride Report (Store 296) - September 9, 2007 NJ Hops to Hops" |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 20 September 2007 |
I have wanted to be part of an MS Ride for over a year now. In fact, I registered for the 2007 "Coast to Coast" ride but, due to circumstances beyond my control: the Bridgewater Vitamin Shoppe had to open,I was not able to make it.
When I went to the 2007 PEC Conference in Orlando-I was determined to become a part of this great effort one way or another so I boldly signed up as Team Captain for the "Hops to Hops" ride that would take place in September.
Upon returning to NJ-I began to train on my bike on a regular basis. I even took a car ride of the course as I live about 30 minutes from it.
"Well-ok-one nice hill at the start of the ride and after that-it didn't seem too challenging even for a smoker like me....."
I added a few hills to my training and, although I was well aware that I did not have the best lung capacity, felt I was ready-in fact I was psyched for this ride! I worked hard on my fundraising-God Bless all of those that contributed-and on the morning of September 9th I made my way to Lambertville to join the movement. The day was sunny and a bit humid but much better than the predicted rain as I had just thrown away my old rain gear and hadn't gotten new yet.
I was a bit nervous to begin with due to the above and upon seeing the level of athletic stamina around me-I was just plain scared. How could I possibly compete with this?
But, it truly had nothing to do with the competition-at least it didn't to me. I was there for a higher purpose.
"Due to contruction-the course has been reversed".....
WHAT????? I looked at my boyfriend in utter horror. Reversed? I hadn't trained for that! That meant the first 4 plus miles were---UP!!! And after those 4 were another 4,5,6....OH NO!!!!!
He assured me that I would be just fine and off I went with the other 180 or so riders-(!) Ok-this is ok-a hill for the first part like the OTHER course-ok-change gears-uh-oh-they're jammed-off my bike and who should show up but Mike and Jose-my team mates-(by the way, Mike was the team captain, not me!)-Jose hops off his bike-tells me how to ride up a hill-duh-and we are off again.Thanks to Jose, I made it up that hill-and I made it up the next and the next. Come the 4th-the lactic acid was so built up in my calves that I put The Hulk to shame...I had to walk. I was joined by a few so I didn't feel so bad. I only walked about a block and was back on my bike.
There didn't seem to be much flat riding going on-lots of hills! My smoker lungs were screaming and my heart was pounding but I was determined!
(Especially after one of the "professionals" commented on the amount of hills. Phew-it's not just me after all!-Thank goodness for unity and hope!) I stopped at the rest stops to get cold water to put on my back but didn't stay long-I was on a mission seemingly impossible-I would beat those hills!!!
And-at last-I did. "Head down-focus-remember the purpose-pray-scream-whatever it takes"-I made it! (And yes-I really was screaming!)
I hit 45 mph going down the hill before the last rest stop only to find that the markers weren't very well marked---I had to turn left-and quick! I put on my brakes and turned only to spin out in some small pebbles and glass...POP...my tire blew!
"Thank you to all of the volunteers as one was a bike mechanic that rigged my tire so that I was able to go down that hill I was to have gone up"-and I made it back to River Horse!
Many had made it there before me but, the sense of accomplishment and the purpose for what I had just down was just an incredible feeling!
After I parked my bike-I saw Mike and Jose---Mike's first question was-"Well-Trish-did you make it?????" Yes-I did-I got a flat but-I did.
I will never forget the riders that shared that they suffered with MS and were riding "while they could"-nor the gentleman who cheered me and pushed me up a hill with his support while I was cursing my years of smoking-I will never forget the young man that put a tandem cart onto his bike so that his 105 pund Rottwieler could ride with him.
And- thankyou to young man that took the time to thank all of us for riding "for him and people like him." He was at every rest stop and came to River Horse just to say thank you---and that is why I rode and why I will sign up for the 2008 "Coast to Coast" ride. In fact...I am signing up to do the 150.
I have bought the Nicotine Patch to aid in my effort to stop smiking, but, even if I should fail in tha effort-I will continue to do these rides.
Thank you.
Trish Rowe
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 September 2007 )
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