Biking the Bershires!

Last week I went on a grand adventure! I have never been on a vacation by myself, but being the single gal that I am, I also don't want to miss out of fun and freedom- so I packed up my car and went on my first solo trip. For my birthday in February I signed up for the Mass Bike Pike Tour - which I affectionately refer to as Bike the Berkshires, because that's basically what it was. Thus on Wednesday afternoon, amidst pouring rain and a sore throat, I loaded my bike onto the back of the Mini and we took off on our grand adventure!
There were so many firsts for this trip. First time biking more than 70 miles in a day. First time doing a large group ride. First time setting up a tent. First time in my new tent. First real time in my sleeping bag. First time drinking Gatorade and actually needing to. First time feeling defeated by the road. First time using my light up frisbee.

Day One: Me and my new tent

It was originally meant to be a 5 day bicycle trip with 4 days of cycling, but due to an environmental disaster, it turned into 3 days of cycling and 1 day of running and swimming. The first day there was a chemical fire and we had to evacuate the area, so we moved up to New York. There was a pool there and I went swimming, set up my tent, took a nap, went running, and used my new frisbee. It was a relaxing start to a great trip.
The second day I woke up at 7am, thinking that was early. Man, was I wrong. I was probably the 5th to last person to leave. Ridiculous. Some people. 73 miles later I was probably the 10th to last person to finish. Woo! It was a tough 73 miles, especially since the longest I had done prior was most likely around 45-50. Did I mention we rode up a mountain in Vermont? Because we did. It was beautiful, and fantastic and there were about 4 times when I thought I was going to die - emotionally. That night I ate 2 dinners, and took the coldest shower of my life (on purpose).

Day Two: Another guy had this exact same outfit.

The third day, I wizened up and awoke at 6. Still not anywhere near getting out of there before 80% of the people. This was the day most people were going to climb Mt. Greylock - the tallest mountain in Massachusetts. After my measley VT mountain, Grelock was a big no in my mind, so I took the short 45 mile trail to our next camp in Lenox. This was a delightful ride, full of trees and shade and a rail trail. The only bummer was it got really hilly right at the end! I kept thinking I was done, and bam! there was a big ol' hill in front of me. When I finally crested the final hill, I was the very first person back at camp. Take that! (Sure most people did Greylock, but a girl can still be proud). A small group of us went into Lenox and had lunch, and dessert, then dinner. It was a wonderful evening full of happiness. Maybe we didn't go to bed until 2am.

Yes, I'm at lunch with a box of cookies in front of me...

Day four and I was up at 6, and on my saddle by 6:45. I meant business this time. I was not going to be the last person to leave. I was not going to be the latest arrival. I refused. And yet. AND YET! As I made my way up the freaking steepest hill I have ever ridden in my whole life (I've only been cycling 2 years) I noticed that there weren't too many people around. A few, of course, but not as many as I expected since I left so early. 65 miles later I straggle into camp only to realize that most people took the short route and once again, I am like the last person to finish. Well fine! Steal my victory. See if I care. I did care.

Scenic!

After the ride, I packed my bike and things back onto/into the Mini and we made our way back to Cambie. I just missed the rain on my ride, thank goodness, but it poured down rain the entire trip back. I was a little tired on my way home. So once I got home, I showered and said to myself, I deserve a little nap (as it was now only 5pm). So I crawled into bed for a 'short nap before dinner'. 6 hours later, I rouse myself barely enough to unpack and spread my tent and sleeping bag out to dry. Then I collapse onto my bed again for another 8 hours. By 8 am I am up and feel GREAT! I'm not sore, I'm not tired, I just feel wonderful. Which is fortunate, because I then proceeded to go to work.
So basically this was the best bike trip of my life. And I now feel entitled to call myself a cyclist.