Epic DoubleDay Report
July 29, 2008 | FUN!
Oh my god, you guys, I did it. I. DID. IT.
(Okay. Let me first pause to say that I do in fact realize that serious biker types ride much further than this all the time. That said, this was a long freaking way for me. )
Anyway! I DID IT! I rode all 85 miles, and I wasn’t last, and I had a great time!
It felt so great to do something for a good cause. I know that sounds funny, but I realized that all of the volunteer-type stuff I’ve done has always been for political things, which doesn’t feel the same. The experience was made all the more love-filled by the crew of awesome people that did it. There were at least 30 fun friends around at all times, most from PLU, or friends of friends, so there was always another positive, smiley face when you needed one.
Team Ouch This Hurts and Team Rhino
Another thing that makes this ride so fun is that it is really a RIDE, not a RACE. While there are a few serious biker types around, most everyone is just in it for the fun and the good cause. So it’s really relaxed! You just ride along, chit-chatting with different folks, and stopping at cheerfully staffed rest stops.
Of course I took tons of pictures, so here we go:
Firstly, here is the awesome bike camera mount that I found online and SB made for me. People were complimenting it all weekend. It rules! Make your own here.
I was able to take all kinds of sweet road shots. Day one of the ride goes through the beautiful Skagit Valley, and we passed the most perfect looking farms, fields of wheat and potatoes, and just unbelievable prettiness everywhere you looked.
About 20 miles into the first day, we stopped for lunch at the La Conner Brewery. See what I mean about it being fun? I wanted a beer SO BAD, but of course, I abstained. The food was REALLY good though. I’m sure part of it was all the exertion, but I wanted to roll around in my panini and soup, they were so perfect.
More beauty in the afternoon…
The last few miles on the first day got a little tough. My ass HURT. I felt like I MUST be doing some kind of permanent damage. It was throbbing, and every now and then, there were shooting pains, like I was pinching a nerve or something. Sparkling conversation from friend Rachel helped get me through, though, and finally, the Shell Station of Destiny, the marker for our last turn was in sight.
Then there was a nice dinner and presentation of prizes and the big check. Also, people spoke about how ALS has effected their lives and I was a blubbering mess. Hormones, you know. But guess what! They had all these donated prizes that were mostly bike related, but there was ONE prize I would have picked for myself and I won it! I got a $50 gift certificate to this cool jewelry company! I know everyone says this, right after they win something oddly enough, but I never win anything! It was so great! Then Friend Tina presented the big check at the end, and DUDE, we raised $109,433.00!
As is the tradition, after dinner, all the fun kids went to the The Conway Pub, a tiny little dive in the middle of nowhere with a great vibe and a kickin karaoke book. A good time was had by all.
I awoke on day two in a soaking wet sleeping bag. Good thing there was a yummy breakfast.
So, day two was hilly. The landscape changed from flat farmlands to gorgeous forests and lakes and mountains.
Unfortunately, however, it rained. A lot. At times you couldn’t enjoy the scenery because it was raining so hard you had to look down all the time so as not to be abused by the fat, angry, rain drops. During the first leg I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. I started considering exit strategies. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, so I kept going. I’m proud that I never really lost my good humor, which in retrospect is shocking. I like to think I’m tough, but I can be a bit of a whiner.
For the next 30 miles, I made sure to surround myself with fun, positive people, with interesting things to say. Tina rode with me for the whole third leg and it was nice to have the busy-and-in-charge person all to myself. The last painful bits of the last leg were passed with Rachel. We sang Disney songs, I’m sure to the annoyance of those around us, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
And then, finally, the Shell Station of Destiny was once again in view, and oh my god, it was over! We did it!
I am so stinking proud of myself. The longest I had ever ridden before was 30 miles of flatness on a warm sunny day. I can’t believe I did it! You never know what you can do until you try, I guess. It’s such a great thing to know that you can push yourself and beat your inner whiner into submission. It also didn’t hurt that people kept telling me over and over again all weekend how awesome I was to be doing this. There were women younger than me who said things like, “Man! I hope that someday when I’m pregnant I can ride my bike 85 miles.” It’s crazy to think that *I* was inspiring. Me! That’s so nuts. I always graciously said thank you, but inside, my inner smartass was snickering.
WE ARE SO BADASS.
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July 29th, 2008 at 12:11 pm, Tacoma Friend Says:
Jenny, you are awesome!! I know the feeling of finishing that first big ride, it’s so great! And you did it with little tomato, too – awesome. Great blog, too.
July 29th, 2008 at 12:40 pm, Beth Says:
Oh my gosh – RAH for you! Or Rawr for you — whichever. So many congratulations and you’re awesomes.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:26 pm, aunt debbie Says:
Jenny – you ROCK! congratulations on the ride! I so wish you were going to be here with the gardner girls next month, but i understand. I’m very proud of you and your photos are great.
Love, D-
July 29th, 2008 at 6:33 pm, tacomachickadee Says:
Big BIG time congrats!
July 29th, 2008 at 6:39 pm, Kelly T Says:
Yowzer…you’re awesome. What a fete…I’m truly inspired and a little post-pregnant jealous that I accomplished no such fete! Major props from Lamont, yo!
July 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm, Josh Reiman Says:
Jenny,
You were (and “are”) awesome and I am so happy that you and Aaron both came, conquered the 85 miles and had a great time along the way. I also heard people say when you were not around, “Did you meet that one girl who is pregnant and riding? Amazing!”. You are an inspiration and don’t forget it!
Josh
July 30th, 2008 at 8:14 am, Tacoma Friend Says:
Update from the office: we just hit $121,000!
July 30th, 2008 at 9:55 am, Sarah Says:
Jenny, you really did do an *AWESOME* job, and it was such a blast to be able to see you and SB. I look forward to seeing you next year with the little one!
July 30th, 2008 at 10:40 am, sizzle Says:
Congratulations! That’s fantastic!
July 30th, 2008 at 10:57 am, fee Says:
I am so freakin’ impressed, Jenny!! I couldn’t have done that when I was pregnant!
July 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pm, Wade Rockett Says:
Congratulations! Clearly you are made of equal parts awesome and rock.
July 30th, 2008 at 4:06 pm, Camille Says:
You are awesome!! Way to go!
July 30th, 2008 at 11:37 pm, Julie Says:
Jenny… I am so glad you and Aaron were there to participate. You did such a great job and are truly amazing to do the entire ride even after a rain soaked sleeping bag! I am so impressed. Thank you so much for your fund raising and committment to this devastating disease. Hope to see you next year!
Julie (Josh and Sarah’s Mom)
July 31st, 2008 at 1:48 pm, Jenny Says:
Thanks, everyone, for all the congrats! You are all so wonderful and supportive. You’ll make a hormotional woman cry, you know.
March 24th, 2010 at 1:17 pm, Zesty Enterprise » My Happy List Says:
[...] The Summer is coming. Ahhh! I love summer! There’s a bikeride to look forward to, there are some camping trips in the works, and just more general fun and [...]
July 21st, 2010 at 9:26 am, Zesty Enterprise » Hooray for fun times this weekend! Says:
[...] may recall, summer before last when SB and participated in the ALS DoubleDay, an 85 mile bike ride to benefit the Evergreen Chapter [...]