This ride has grown so much bigger than we ever expected it to! We now have new friends following our adventure which they learned about through another website: www.femmebmx.com, where my daughter and I are featured as “femmes of the month” this month. I met the creator of the site at the National Bicycle League’s Competition Congress annual meeting this past February. Both she (Amanda) and I were building our websites and embarking on our passions, BMX being where our paths intersect. She told me how she was a lifelong gymnast who was looking for a good cross training sport and found BMX. She loved it so much and saw that the female element of our sport was not getting all the recognition it so deserved, nor did it have a solid resource for new girl riders to converge. Hence, we now have www.femmebmx.com! Thank you, Amanda! You make all of us BMX moms, riders and lovers of the sport proud. Thank you for sharing with the world the passionate stories of world class athletes and the roads they take to get there. Thank you for telling our story, too. (And your website is fantastic!)
Today was a fantastic day that started with my daily email from Sheena in Canada. Every morning she sends me a bicycling quote and it starts my day out just right! Frankenbutt, the Beast and I set about our morning routine: Frankenbutt pulled bikes from the garage, the Beast filled water bottles and pulled helmets from the bike garage, I pulled together snacks and pulled the GPS off charge. I wrapped my new headband around my head, put on my sunglasses and my new helmet and felt like a hundred bucks! (actually $59). We invited Coco out for a “bikeys” and she ran to her kennel on the trailer, waiting patiently for Frankenbutt to zip open her screen door.
We had pre-decided to make our final day of hard training at the north end of the Suncoast Trail, the hilly end. With all 6 pannier bags, tent, bedrolls and trailer mounted, we headed out. As soon as we turned onto Route 41, we felt a fabulous tail wind and we were all flying along at a pretty good clip. Although, everyone loves a good tail wind, I’ve been riding long enough to know that what pushes you from behind will be what pushes you back once you turn around. Rarely, we’ve had a head wind going out that itself turned around and gave us a head wind on the return. I was hopeful that today’s tail wind would do the same … but it didn’t.
Along the trail, we passed several riders and I personally heard, “you’re pretty loaded up” at least 3 times before I reached our first pit stop at the rest rooms near Cortez Boulevard. As usual, most assumed that we were on our EPIC bike ride already since we were fully loaded but we explained that we don’t leave until this Wednesday, April 20th.
Today was a fantastic day that started with my daily email from Sheena in Canada. Every morning she sends me a bicycling quote and it starts my day out just right! Frankenbutt, the Beast and I set about our morning routine: Frankenbutt pulled bikes from the garage, the Beast filled water bottles and pulled helmets from the bike garage, I pulled together snacks and pulled the GPS off charge. I wrapped my new headband around my head, put on my sunglasses and my new helmet and felt like a hundred bucks! (actually $59). We invited Coco out for a “bikeys” and she ran to her kennel on the trailer, waiting patiently for Frankenbutt to zip open her screen door.
We had pre-decided to make our final day of hard training at the north end of the Suncoast Trail, the hilly end. With all 6 pannier bags, tent, bedrolls and trailer mounted, we headed out. As soon as we turned onto Route 41, we felt a fabulous tail wind and we were all flying along at a pretty good clip. Although, everyone loves a good tail wind, I’ve been riding long enough to know that what pushes you from behind will be what pushes you back once you turn around. Rarely, we’ve had a head wind going out that itself turned around and gave us a head wind on the return. I was hopeful that today’s tail wind would do the same … but it didn’t.
Along the trail, we passed several riders and I personally heard, “you’re pretty loaded up” at least 3 times before I reached our first pit stop at the rest rooms near Cortez Boulevard. As usual, most assumed that we were on our EPIC bike ride already since we were fully loaded but we explained that we don’t leave until this Wednesday, April 20th.
When we pulled our bikes into the shade at the rest rooms, we immediately met a cool lady named Sandy who had just completed a solid 37 mile ride and was waiting on her friend to finish out a century ride. We gave her our “ridethenation” business card and invited her to check out our website. We told her about the ride and one of the things she asked was a new question we hadn’t heard before: “Are you taking a gun?” For the record, we are not taking a gun nor do we keep one in our home. Both Frankenbutt and I believe that a gun, even one kept for personal protection, can end up in the wrong hands and result in a child’s (or an adult’s) forever changed life. We also do have personal safety fears but plan to handle them the same way we always have when travelling: be smart, don’t take unnecessary risks and listen to your instincts about people you meet and places you visit.
We also met Dottie who was riding on a nice Cannondale bicycle and was glad to also take a business card about our ride. She took a few extra minutes, before heading back on the trail, to pose with her bike for our website. Dottie, we’ll look forward to seeing you on the Suncoast Trail when we return in September. Keep on Riding!
Before long, Kevin joined the conversation and told us how he’s bicycling from St. Augustine, FL to Baltimore, MD from April 25th -May 6th, for a total of 1250 miles in 11 days!! He and his wife had planned a family trip to Baltimore and bought airline tickets. Then, he decided he’d like to bike ride it instead. He cancelled his ticket and amped up his training. Kevin, we admire you and will be rooting for you. Send us an email: ridethenation@yahoo.com and let us know about your ride!
We hung around for a while longer and then we three decided we’d better get back on the trail. I felt so good after sharing our story with fellow riders that I tackled the very challenging uphill bridge that crosses above Cortez Boulevard in my highest gear yet. I glided across the bridge above the cars below and delighted as my bike started down the opposite side, hitting speeds of 30 mph. Because that bridge crossing has plateau style and declines, my front pannier bags bounced around a bit and I realized that the front bags came unhooked from the rack frame. The bags are hooked on and secured via top hooks, a velcro tab and a pair of bottom wrap around elastic closure with clasp. So, if one aspect of the mounting system fails, the bags will usually stay on until the rider can re-attach them correctly.
I moved out to the front of our trio and was getting lost in the smell of the honeysuckle and the birds chatting when Doug pulled up alongside me on a nice road bike and asked me about our ride. He had passed the Beast who gave him the basics and he wanted to know more. Doug was obviously a faster rider than me and I found myself pedaling faster to keep up with him as we conversed. He had just finished a 12 hour midnight shift and I told him how I did a short stint as a forklift driver at a glass factory, working midnight til morn. We talked more about our upcoming EPIC bicycle ride and then he told me how he’s planning to move to Madison, Wisconsin where he said the bike trails are fabulous. We talked about structuring work so that it pays the bills while pursuing our passions. I felt I’d met a real kindred spirit in him. Good luck with the move, Doug! And maybe we’ll see you in Wisconsin some day!
We completed the north end of the trail and continued 4-5 miles onto Route 98, stopping at Subway for lunch. The Beast re-filled water bottles and Coco enjoyed a cool drink and run around before we all got back to the business of riding. As we turned to go back towards the Suncoast Trail, we felt the head wind. Unfortunately, the tail wind that pushed us north did not turn around and head south.
We pedaled hard up and down several hills and eventually made our way back to the rest rooms near Cortez Blvd. We noticed the same quiet gentleman sitting at the picnic tables who had been there this morning. Now, I noticed a backpack and walking stick and asked where he was headed. He said his name is Chip and he’s hiking from Sebring, FL to San Clemente, CA, where he was born. He’s had a rough few years and decided to take on this EPIC hike. Chip, I totally get it! Good luck in your journey and I hope life shows you the kindness you obviously deserve and want. We’ll be thinking of you.
We completed 60.4 miles today and 2 out of 3 of us felt good at the end of the ride. The Beast was a bit sore but she honestly rode really strong today and was often out in front of us, leading the way. Although we have a set formation during road riding (me leading, the Beast tucked behind me and Frankenbutt bringing up the rear), we are more flexible on the “no motor vehicles allowed” trail.
At the end of the day, I realized that I whole heartedly love my new helmet and sweat band. Thanks, Dave @ Black Bear Bike for helping me with my Lazer helmet purchase. Tomorrow we will do a shorter morning ride and then head to Tampa BMX for a double race. The Beast has plans to spend a little more time with her friend, Jacob, following the race, too. More about all of this tomorrow!
Remember, we have a Twitter account: “ridethenation” that you can follow if you’d like. Go to www.twitter.com and search “ridethenation” and follow the easy steps to set up a free twitter account. It’s easy and it’s not even annoying.
I moved out to the front of our trio and was getting lost in the smell of the honeysuckle and the birds chatting when Doug pulled up alongside me on a nice road bike and asked me about our ride. He had passed the Beast who gave him the basics and he wanted to know more. Doug was obviously a faster rider than me and I found myself pedaling faster to keep up with him as we conversed. He had just finished a 12 hour midnight shift and I told him how I did a short stint as a forklift driver at a glass factory, working midnight til morn. We talked more about our upcoming EPIC bicycle ride and then he told me how he’s planning to move to Madison, Wisconsin where he said the bike trails are fabulous. We talked about structuring work so that it pays the bills while pursuing our passions. I felt I’d met a real kindred spirit in him. Good luck with the move, Doug! And maybe we’ll see you in Wisconsin some day!
We completed the north end of the trail and continued 4-5 miles onto Route 98, stopping at Subway for lunch. The Beast re-filled water bottles and Coco enjoyed a cool drink and run around before we all got back to the business of riding. As we turned to go back towards the Suncoast Trail, we felt the head wind. Unfortunately, the tail wind that pushed us north did not turn around and head south.
We pedaled hard up and down several hills and eventually made our way back to the rest rooms near Cortez Blvd. We noticed the same quiet gentleman sitting at the picnic tables who had been there this morning. Now, I noticed a backpack and walking stick and asked where he was headed. He said his name is Chip and he’s hiking from Sebring, FL to San Clemente, CA, where he was born. He’s had a rough few years and decided to take on this EPIC hike. Chip, I totally get it! Good luck in your journey and I hope life shows you the kindness you obviously deserve and want. We’ll be thinking of you.
We completed 60.4 miles today and 2 out of 3 of us felt good at the end of the ride. The Beast was a bit sore but she honestly rode really strong today and was often out in front of us, leading the way. Although we have a set formation during road riding (me leading, the Beast tucked behind me and Frankenbutt bringing up the rear), we are more flexible on the “no motor vehicles allowed” trail.
At the end of the day, I realized that I whole heartedly love my new helmet and sweat band. Thanks, Dave @ Black Bear Bike for helping me with my Lazer helmet purchase. Tomorrow we will do a shorter morning ride and then head to Tampa BMX for a double race. The Beast has plans to spend a little more time with her friend, Jacob, following the race, too. More about all of this tomorrow!
Remember, we have a Twitter account: “ridethenation” that you can follow if you’d like. Go to www.twitter.com and search “ridethenation” and follow the easy steps to set up a free twitter account. It’s easy and it’s not even annoying.
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