I made it through my ride!

[Beastlover]

Hey!! You know that ride I have been so worried about? Well, me and DH signed up to do a 25 mile bike ride through the streets of Chicago! It started at 1:30 am and ended around 6 am. Wow was I concerned about stamina and my lack of, adjusting to the Atkins energy burn!! Well, the ride went GREAT!! It was actually 27.5 miles, and I was keeping up just fine!! It was a wonderful experience and felt great to say that I did it!! Thanks for the support!!

 

[MelanieC]

WOW- Congrats!

I can't even imagine doing that. I am in awe!

That is definately a major accomplishment! Good JOB!

Melanie

 

[Cheryl N. WI]

Congratulations! That is awesome!

Cheryl

 

[Minniespal]

Wow!!!

Congrats on your wonderful achievement!!!

 

[TigH]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

That is quite an accomplishment! HOW THE HECK DID YOU GET UP THAT EARLY TO BIKE???!!! WOW!!!!

Way to go! I bet you are just SOOOOOOO happy! Good for you! Now go get some rest!

 

[Beastlover]

We did not go to sleep!!!!!! Afterwards we all went for breakfast, and got home at 8 am--in bed by 8:02!! We slept until 11:00 am, kinda took it easy yesterday. Although we did take an EASY walk after dinner. Our legs were pretty tight, so the walk helped ease the pain! Still feel tired today, I feel a nap is in order!!

 

[TigH]

You must have been filled with adrenaline then! I bet it was a beautiful ride. Was it very dark most of the time? Was the sun coming up yet by the time you finished? Sorry for all the questions, it just seems like you did a really "once in a lifetime" kind of thing and I'm trying to get a good picture of how exciting it was! You will be able to talk about this one for years, what an experience!!!

 

[Beastlover]

There were over 9,000 riders, and the benefit was the Chicago Parks (Friends of the Parks) I guess it is the only fundraising they have that benefits the parks. Anyway, we started in "waves" We were the second wave, and took off at 1:45 am. It was pretty cool--We were near Buckingham Fountain and rode onto Lake Shore Drive, going North--They had the N.B. Lake Shore Drive closed from 1-4 am!! So, we had all 3 lanes to ourselves!! How cool to ride up the gold coast, in the middle of the night!! We went up 8 miles, and got off (an exit ramp!) and were at our first rest stop. We hung around there for 1/2 hour, and took off. We rode another 8 miles through some neighborhoods on the north side, where was kinda tough, because of red lights (Thank you to CPD for holding traffic) and the narrow streets with cars parked on both sides. It was dark there, but still pretty well-lit! We wound our way back going south, passed through the next rest stop, and headed for the final leg going through the bike path that follows the lake shore! The moon was full all night-absolutely beautiful weather!! The bike path was narrow, maybe 1 car width, but also well-lit! The sun was starting to come up over the water, the beaches were clean and very inviting!! We wrapped up the ride with the final 2 1/2 miles down and around the "Museum Campus" (Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum) and then done!! My butt was sore the final 5 miles, but WELL worth it!! At the rest stops they had water, oranges, bananas, and small power bars, but I packed my Atkins bars, and was on my way!! No cheating, no sneaking, no nothin'! I am excited to go next year!!!

 

[Debbie]

Sounds wonderful! Congratulations on completing the ride!

 

[TigH]

Thanks so much for the detailed description! That is exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate you taking the time to type it all out! What a ride!!!!! I have never been to Chicago but I could get a sense of what you were talking about, so you did a GREAT job sharing!! Woo-hoo! So you are gonna do it again next year, eh? That is awesome!!!