Friday was absolutely the second the worst day ever, I experienced on  the bike. Horrible in fact. The fucked up part about it, is that I have no solid explanation for my putrid performance. I do believe I was dehydrated, andonce over that line, it is very difficult to get your body back to a normal level. (electrolytes and all that)

This would explain my weariness, and my lack of concentration. Right out of the parking lot, I began to fall off the pace, which was in the neighborhood of 18, 19 mph. I thought this was a C pace!? I swept up the rear for about 3 miles, and slowly watched the group disappear into the horizon. I couldn’t believe it! Okay, I figured I would meet up with them at the 30-mile water stop. Well, that never happened. It was a lonely, and lousy 67-mile solo ride.

Although, I did travel on some roads never seen before. Really beautiful, and quiet country roads in and around Hopewell Township. At one point, I figured I was somewhere between West jabib, and East bumblefuck. It was that desolate, and kind of weird. Lots of shacks, then a mansion
or two, definitely strange.

I distinctly remember mile 19, I wanted to turn around. But, I didn’t because I figured I would snap out of it and be strong on the second half of the ride. Man, was I dead wrong about that. Around mile 34, I stopped for water, gatorade, and a banana. I was dizzy. I was tired. I rested for about 15 minutes, but in hindsight, I should have stopped for a longer period of time. I was dehydrated, and in survival mode.

I was dreading the next 33 miles home. I felt terrible from then on, my muscles were just mush, no power, no energy whatsoever. I couldn’t even muster 9 mph on the flats. No shit. At one point up the various hills I churned the cranks at a disgusting 4 mph. I felt nauseous, and I was mad at myself for becoming dehydrated. Calories weren’t a problem, with gels and bars, and sports drinks. But the lack of fluids prior to the ride and the night before did me in. Stupid fucking idiot!

By mile 54 I was in rough shape, shaky on the bike, and just having an awful time. I wanted nothing more than to be home, sleeping. I managed to make it back to the bank lot after 67.02 miles. I had to stop 3 times along the way. I replenished my water bottles and even at a popsicle at the Quick Check in Raritan. My total time on the bike was 5 hours and 11 minutes, while total out time was a tick over 6 hours. Hideous. By the way, 5:11 at 67.02 miles is a meager...and unworthy average of 12.93 mph.

What have I learned from all this you say? Hmm, well, in the most simple terms, I would say…. drink more water dumbass! Drink more before riding. I know that though, that is thing, I fucking know that. I Still fucked up though, didn’t I? Yup. Saturday I was completely shagged. I did not really did not do much of anything. I fell asleep Friday night at around 9:45. That is way early for me, but my body was shutting down.