What I learned on this trip

Here's what I learned about myself on this trip



This was a real wake-up call on who I am and what my values are trip.

First of all, I realized I'm not competitive enough, nor do I want to
be, to ride these kinds of mileages or challenges. I still prefer to go
at my own speed, and carry my own gear. To me, that is freedom to
decide where and when I want to ride. If I feel like stopping, then I can.

2 - Bonita told me last year that I would be forever changed by the
thru hike. I didn't totally understand what she meant until I was on the
trip. Instead of focusing on the beauty as I was riding by, my mind
kept thinking about how I'd rather be hiking through here, than riding.
So maybe I should plan to hike in the summer and do biking in the spring
and fall.

3 - I don't think I lost any weight on this trip, and I'm pretty sure I
didn't eat enough every day to replace what I was expending. Instead
I think my body went into survival mode and hung on to all the fat, or
rearranged the locations. Clothes were actually tighter at the end of
the trip.

I think I burn more fat hiking because it's weight-bearing, and I use
poles, so my arms get a workout too.

In any event, the food at the water stops was generally not even close
to my food plan. There was either a choice of fresh fruit - usually
cherries and watermelon, or some type of sugar dessert - cookies, bar
desserts, etc. A big lack of quality protein.

4 - Although I would recommend this ride to others, I would be very
cautious about it. I would say that there are probably no more than 10
people in the bike club who could easily ride this event.

5 - It probably shouldn't bother me, but there were some riders who
were pretty two-faced about their riding. They dressed the part, had
high-end rides, but even when I knew they were behind me (I would leave
first), they never passed me. Yet they would show up at camp before me,
boasting about how fun it had been that day, etc. And, when they would
get a massage, complain about hurting all over. The only thing I can
figure out is that they had personal SAG drivers, who must have stayed in
the hotels. I never saw them get into the vans, but there weren't a
lot of route options either. They just couldn't take a side road and
get to camp.

6 - Overall,I feel very comfortable and accepting of myself. I gave it
my best effort. Had there not been time constraints, I could have
completed each day's ride on my own. The main regret I have is not buying
enough quality bike shorts. I ended up wearing one pair 6 days, one
pair just until the first water stop, and one pair one day. I didn't
think I would need them, but now know that I did. I also need a new pair
of bike sandals. My Lake's are literally falling apart after 13 years
of use. Think I got my money's worth!


Nikii who is somewhere in British Columbia