Sunset Ride

Oh today was one of those days that started out sluggish and then just ended up gorgeous. I went to a couple of cycling Christmas parties and then ended up getting up around 10 this morning. See what happens when you ride for four hours and then have three beers? Yes, a hangover. Just say it--PARTY ANIMAL! Pathetic, I know. That was the first time I actually finished a beer in months. It tasted really good. For me, alcohol=slow. I'd much rather eat a chocolate bar than a pint of beer. But to each his/her own...

Anyway, I ended up sending out some texts for ride partners and was told to meet my friend Paul at University of Arizona as he was picking up a few of his friends and then we'd go on a ride. Paul is damn fast so before committing I was like--wait, what kind of ride is it? He assured me it was a 3-4 hour easy ride. And when he rolled up like this, I knew he wasn't lying.

Oh but I spoke too soon. Who knew Dan (his back attachment) and Paul could move so quickly on a tandem. Paul would say "Up! Up! Up!" and I would have to push some good wattages to keep up. On some of the downhills, I was huffing and puffing to try to stay up--because I did not want to get beat by a tandem--I mean, who gets dropped on a straight downhill? 

When I finally caught up towards the end of the downhill , I said, "Man, y'all have fat asses! I could barely hang on." They took that (the fat ass part) as a compliment, of course, and laughed at me pouring sweat while Paul stayed cozy in his arm warmers the whole ride.

Anyway, the ride turned into a longer ride than I had planned to ride when I finally managed to get out of bed this morning--and it was well worth it. When I was riding home, I was able to catch the Tucson sunset and again feel that reassurance that everything is well in my world.

Seriously, I love riding my bike.

(Excuse the static--it was a little windy)