Happy trails!

Everyday of May #inthesaddle is going strong. Friends are tagging me in posts sharing their daily rides, and it thrills me every time I seem them! I’m officially at the halfway mark, and I’m still happy to be doing this. I’m tired, but not exhausted. Some of my expectations have been different than reality though. I expected to log some serious miles doing this, but the longest route so far has been 32 miles. I haven’t had the opportunity or the time to ride longer. My planned fall rides include two centuries and a 72-miler with two slow climbs. I’ve got to get some serious distance and dare I say, some climbs in throughout the next few months. Here’s the latest updates from the past few days with an especially entertaining story for Day 16. I hope you’re enjoying riding as much as I am.

I still hate the trainer. I’ve said it before, and I’ll continue saying it. Some days though, it’s the only option.

While an unfortunate occasion meant a rush trip to Auburn last Tuesday, I planned ahead to take a spin around campus. I forgot how beautiful Auburn is, even though everything has changed since I was in school. It was lovely to pedal around a quiet campus and take in all the beautiful buildings and spaces to sit or study. I have such fond memories of Auburn; it simply feels like home. My beautiful Auburn bike has never looked better, has she? I sure wish I’d been a cyclist when I was in school; I feel like I missed so much by walking and driving. War Eagle, always.

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. #stillhatethetrainer

Look! The rain did come another day. I made it halfway to my lunch spot before the sky opened up. Good thing I wore a white linen shirt to work that day. #fail

Friday meant National Bike to Work Day. I was so excited about this; it’s all I talked about throughout the week. So of course it rained. I live about 15 miles by bicycle. By the time I arrived to meet the group at the trailhead, it was pouring. I didn’t expect anyone to be there, but there was one lone rider standing beneath the overhang. A group was leaving from Shelby Bottoms in an hour, so I loaded up my new friend’s bike, and we headed out. (Hey. Remember that time I picked up a stranger at the greenway? Fun times.) We met up with the third rider at Shelby Bottoms and set off to meet the group in East Nashville. The dude leading was like, “right over this hill here is the route.” Um yeah, I’m pretty sure “this hill here” was a mountain. I was, in no way, prepared for it. Honestly, I thought I might actually die there. In the road. In my cycling gear. And no one deserves to die wearing padded Spandex. Although it took me a while, I made it to the top and slowly slogged my way to East Nashville. Did I mention I need to add hills into my routine? Because that evil necessary must happen soon. Otherwise, Nashville is going to kill me with its hills. It turned out to be a sunshine-filled, glorious day and the rest of the ride was nearly perfect. I even made some new friends along the way.

On a diabetes note though, I’ve had stellar blood sugars for these rides. I’m working with Jenn to nail down what to eat pre-ride, and I’m planning in the days before a long ride to ensure I have great numbers. What I eat the day before matters. Thanks to charting, experimenting and logging numbers, I can see what’s happening and make changes. It’s been a lot of work, but the knowledge makes cycling less fearful and far more fun. When I feel well, I ride well. Friday presented a kink though. I ate my breakfast and bolused a percentage of my normal ratio expecting to be on my bike in half an hour. When I realized the rain had changed those plans, I bolused for the remaining amount. It was too late. When I made it to East Nashville, I was 289. I don’t ride above 240 because it’s not good for my body and can cause ketones. But when I’m in the middle of a route, I push through the best I can. I bolused a lower correction knowing I still had some insulin on board and knowing the rest of the ride was an easy one without much work. An hour post-ride, I was back to 131. Diabetes is always a learning process. My goal is to do the best I can with the knowledge I have. Friday, I think I succeeded. And my new friend from the greenway, well his brother has type 1 so there was a great educational conversation. (We are everywhere, and we’re always awesome.)

Saturday is the Tour de Nashville, and I’m stoked. I’m riding with two JDRF friends and one of my best friends from Huntsville, Matt. This is my first organized ride of the season, and these are always my favorite!

As part of National (and Nashville) Bicycle Month, I made a commitment to spend time #inthesaddle for 31 consecutive days during the month of May. While this isn’t a fundraiser, I am participating in two JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes rides in the fall. You can support me, and type 1 diabetes research, on my Lake Tahoe and Nashville ride pages.