“We’re not actually riding 60 miles on a bike tomorrow, are we?”

Those were my mildly sarcastic words to Joel, Marco, Bill, Frankie and Robert in our hotel room in Beeville late Saturday evening.

Despite being totally exhausted, I did not sleep well overnight. I distinctly remember laying in bed trying to fall asleep, breathing slowly….but feeling my pulse racing. I guess my body was trying to make sense of what had just happened to it.

Morning came quickly…and with it…Day Two. Here are some highlights:

  • Stress. The morning was a little hectic. Need air in the tires. Need to hit the restroom. Need to get a decent position in the lineup. Where’s Bill? etc.
  • Downhill. Finally. As the miles passed by, it was great to spend most of them on flat terrain or downhills.
  • Boxed in. Really disliked a good portion of the ride at the start since about 25% of the shoulder was grooved (makes the loud noise when you’re driving to wake you up if you’ve drifted out of your lane) and it made passing more difficult.
  • Headwind. When we turned left heading into Sinton for lunch, the wind greeted us as expected. During the last 25 miles or so, it became a real factor making it a chore to maintain a 14-15mph pace.
  • Anticipation. A growing hunger to finish the ride started to consume me during the last 15-20 miles. I paired up with Marco who was also possessed by this anticipation. We drafted off of each other and at one point I was pulling a group of 7-8 riders. Quite an experience!

I checked in with my wife during our lunch in Sinton and again at the last rest stop. I could hear the excitement in their voices and it really provided a boost to my riding. Passing through Portland, with the big Corpus Christi bridge in site on the horizon…we lit the afterburners. At one point we reached nearly 32mph in the big chain.

As we approached the finish line we assumed a line formation and slowed down. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted my 11 year old nephew Tanner and my brother-in-law David. They were shooting photos. Tanner yelled into the cell phone in his hand, “They’re here…watch out!”

A few hundred feet down the road – at the finish line – I spotted my wife, sister and father cheering me on. The feeling was incredible…the ride was finished.

150 miles.

On a bike.

Wow…I’m still not quite believing it…