Cup N’ Cone Tour Recap
Last Saturday I rode in the Cup N’ Cone Tour. This ride had 3 distance options: a 25, 50, and a 67 mile route. I did the 67 miler.
The ride started at 7:30am but at 7am it was already in the mid 80’s F for temperature. The route wasn’t very shady at all so I struggled to stay hydrated enough during the ride.
The ride started with a huge peloton (a large group of riders riding very close to one another) and I squeezed the back. I tried to keep up with the faster riders but they were pulling a fast pace. I only last about 5 minutes with the lead group and then fell of the back.
Luckily for me, a group of about 15 riders had formed a double paceline so I fell in with them and we easily held a 18-23 mph pace for several miles. I liked that group. I started talking to a guy who had a UNC jersey on and he told me that he and all of his kids had gone there and he hoped his grandkid would too. Everyone took turns pulling the group as we went along.
As some other riders caught up to us they would join our group so that we had about 30 people in our group at one point. The group kindof fell apart as the first rest stop came up. Lots of us stopped to get snacks and fill up on cold water before going again.
I was excited about the chance to try out my new bento box. It’s a small strap-on case that holds food and you fasten it to the top tube of your bike. It was so convenient for holding peanut butter crackers for snacking on.
At 2 of the rest stops there was Maple View Farms Banana Ice cream and Strawberry sorbet. I opted for the sorbet because I don’t know how well I would handle dairy while riding. The sorbet was excellent! It was a perfect mid-ride snack. Fresh fruit, carbs for energy, and nice and cold!
As the ride went on the temperature soared into the mid 90’s and I struggled. I don’t think I was hydrated enough. I had lost a group to ride with and was not having fun riding by myself. I kindof zoned out and was like a robot on my bike. I actually remember thinking at one point: “If I pass out, I should try and fall toward the right because that’s where the grass is.” lol
At the halfway point, I tagged along with this group of 3 people. We took turns pulling and managed to make it most of the way. They wanted to stop at the last rest stop but I wanted to get the ride over with so I just pushed on for the last 8 miles. Those were the hardest 8 miles of the ride. I was by myself so I had no one to draft off of and share the wind with.
When I finally finished I hobbled over to the tent where they had something that made the whole 67 miles totally worth it: Goodberry’s Custard. I had never had custard but that stuff is better than regular ice cream. I got 2 bowls. SO good!
I finished in about 4 hours and my heart rate monitor said I burned about 2600 calories from that ride.
I was really proud of myself for doing this ride. In the first charity bike ride I did, I had friends to ride with and talk to and that made it easier. This time, I knew no one else doing the ride so I had to depend on myself. I think I increased my mental toughness :)
