Bike Riding with a Head Cold

Saturday, even though I was still fighting the end of my head cold, we went on a really nice bike ride from Alton, Illinois to Pere Marquette State Park. It was 40.88 miles round trip. I was exhausted when I was done but really proud of myself too for the following reasons:

1. I had a head cold, its hard to bike ride with a head cold.
2. 16 miles of the 40 were on a highway, there was a wide bike lane, but it was still nervewracking as motorist speed was 55 (I think)
3. 10 miles was up and down pretty steep hills and windy curvy paths through the woods. While absolutely gorgeous it was quite difficult physically.

We will do this ride again, but probably not until next year when my skills are higher as a biker and I'm more confident on roadway situations.

We packed snacks in our gear for the ride dried apricots, beef jerky, a power bar each, and a granola bar each. Powerade (zero calorie) and water were also staples. I don't have any pictures of the ride because I felt horrible and was really grouchy on the way back when we normally would have stopped for pictures.

Also learned to always wear clothing with stretch in it. I busted out the inner seams on both legs from the hilly section and my muscles bulking up, so if you passed a woman flashing her thighs on Highway 100 in Illinois Saturday, yep that was me.

Nick also entertained me by telling me how my calves were looking quite dimply and he figured that mean I was burning fat on them. Which I hope is right because I really want to wear tall boots some day.

I will be posting more pictures on here soon as I've decided to close my facebook account and share my shrinking pictures on this blog. It seems like a better idea. We haven't taken any new pictures in a couple of weeks though, so this weekend we definitely have to take one.

This weekend we are hoping to do at least a 45 mile ride, and quite possibly a 50. The weather is supposed to be nice, and hopefully I'll be over my cold for good. The following weekend will only be short rides as Nick's on call.

Getting healthy has been made easier by finding a sport I really like.

I'm at the very edge of being under 200 pounds. I am so close I can taste it. Who knows maybe tomorrow.