Lessons Learned.....

So, today I took this little lady on a ride.....

This is Flossie, the mountain bike that my cycling sister is letting me use to increase my fitness, and give me some variety in my exercise.  Secretly, I think she is trying to turn me into a crazy cycler like her!  I was going to ride to Greg and Karine's later tonight to dinner, but it looked like it was going to rain so I decided to ride earlier.  Well, on this first "real" ride (not just around my apartment complex) I learned some valuable lessons about riding a bike.

1.  Eat Before Riding Flossie

This morning I had some toast and 2 poached eggs for breakfast.  Well, that was not nearly enough to get me through the morning and my ride, so I crashed (not literally) on my way home.  So, I learned I MUST eat before I ride or my body will give out on me and my legs will turn to jello and refuse to pedal!  Just experienced what that feels like, I now have a greater respect for my sister riding more than 100 miles at LOTOJA without food or water, after her slacker feeders failed to meet her at the feeds zones TWICE!

2.  Take Water When Riding Flossie

Duh!  Right?  Well, I didn't.  I had fully intended to, but the bottle on Flossie was a little nasty, and slightly rusty, so I opted to leave without proper hydration.  I go to the gym all the time without water and survive...why not out riding my bike?  Bad idea.....another item that led to my burn out.

3.  Head Wind = Death

Why I chose to go for a ride when it was super windy, and to start riding while I had a tail wind, is beyond me.  I think I lost some brain cells in my sleep last night.  I went North on the Jordan River Parkway from my house to about 59th south, and decided to head back home.  The ride there was great, my butt didn't hurt (thanks to my squishy-butt pants), and I was feeling pretty good.  Then, I turned around and I knew I was in trouble.  For seasoned riders, the wind probably wouldn't have been an issue.  But, since I haven't been on a bike for  YEARS it was not.  I wanted to die.  I actually had to get off and walk for a few minutes until the wind died down.  

But, I finally made it home.  I am sure many of the other Parkway cyclers, and runners had a good laugh watching me make a fool of myself coming home.  

To recover from my ride from.....well, you know where.....I am currently eating this with a spoon.

And it is mighty delicious.  

I'm wishing I had an apple to dip in it.  

Then I would be in heaven.  

Seriously, if you like peanut butter (and mind you, I really don't) you have GOT to try some of this (and no, this is not a shameless plug for Tayler's team sponsor).  It's just delightful!  The White Chocolate Wonderful is my fav, but the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl is a close second.

On a completely unrelated note, I wish I had gone to see her last night.....

I would have loved to glitter myself out and dance my rear off to some Gaga.