DAHLC Ride to Eyota: 24.56 miles
Comments: Ride Time was 2 hours 2 minutes, average speed: 12.0
It’s been too long since biking on the Bacchetta—almost 4 weeks. This May weather has been undesirable—rainy, cold and our schedule a bit busy even if the weather would have allowed for more biking. I had been looking forward to biking with the Mayo Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center bike group for 2 weeks when finally a Wednesday with gorgeous weather arrived leaving me with no chance to refuse. A group of 25 DAHLC members gathered outside the center at 5:30 p.m. I was quite nervous as we biked through the rush hour traffic but our group stayed together creating a mighty force down the streets of Rochester. We were led by 2 DAHLC staff members, Amy and Kim, both strong cycle instructors. Their plan was to get us to Eyota and then back to Rochester before the lights went out—I knew this would be a challenge for me. Both instructors had encouraged me to join this Wednesday group but I had reservations as my average speed was not quite up to the advertised speed of the group but tonight I was up for the challenge. My comfort level improved as I reached the outskirts of Rochester. I now was in familiar territory as Dennis and I had biked this route together a few times in the past. As we got closer to Eyota, I began to lag behind, hills are always more of a challenge on a recumbent, but I never felt forgotten. Ride members were watching out for me which prompted me to continue to pedal missing out on breaks that I should have taken. I was in need of water and a stretch break when I finally saw the wonderful Kwik Trip sign in Eyota. I had been pedaling continuously for 20 miles by this time and my legs were beginning to cramp up. The group was already resting at the station when I arrived. I announced that I would like to part from the group and continue riding towards St. Charles rather than back with the group to Rochester. It was getting late and I didn’t want the group to feel they needed to slow down for me. They agreed to my plans only after I guaranteed them that I knew my way home and that relief was on the way. I called Dennis to let him know that I was in Eyota and planned to bike down Hwy 14 towards Dover. He was waiting at the DAHLC for me to return and quite surprised that I was in Eyota. I got within a mile of Dover when my rescue vehicle arrived. This may sound like the ride from hell but it really was wonderful biking the countryside in 70° temps and slight winds. I met many great riders and always appreciate a push every now and then. Stressful—a bit, but I stayed with it and that’s how improvement happens. I will not be up for this kind of challenge again tomorrow but will continue to seek it to increase my riding strength and abilities.
