Two pieces of whole-wheat toast with peanut butter; two hard-boiled eggs; one banana; three glasses of water; and, one glass of milk. Not a terribly unusual or different breakfast, but one that precedes something that is a bit extraordinary. Today I am participating in my first RTF, a distance bicycle tour.
The Badische Eröffnungsfahrt offers two tours: one 52 km, and one 76 km. The tour starts from Rheinstetten-Forchheim and goes in a loop. I haven’t seen the course but my guess is that it isn’t flat.
To make things more challenging, I will be bicycling to the start from my flat in Waldbronn. The distance is about 15-20 kilometres each way, which will bring my daily total to over 100 km. But perhaps an even greater challenge will be finding my way there and back.
The weather is working both for us and against us today. We are starting the day with cool temperatures–currently only +1 or +2 degrees Celsius at my position. But it is sunny, clear, and otherwise beautiful out. By the time we roll into the finish line, which must happen by 2 p.m., the temperature will be a more agreeable +11°C, but that’s still chilly on a bicycle.
I have packed a water bottle (with straight water), two protein bars, and some light clothes changes incase it warms up considerably. Additional energy boosts and water will be available at a control point that we will see at the 30 km and 53 km marks; I expect something set-up at the finish line as well.
This will be only the second time I have been on a bicycle this year, and the first extended time. Three weeks ago was the first ride but it resulted in injury and required repairs to get the bike operational for today’s course. Some new pieces are on the bike but nothing that should affect the way she rides from last year, except the tires. We’ve installed slicks to make her run a little better on the road. I haven’t really had a chance to try them out, yet.
Mentally and physically, I am prepared. Last week was a 53 km week running; while I haven’t run since Thursday now I did so deliberately, to save the burst I would require for this run. And I know I can do it–confidence is key.
It’s now time for a quick shower, dressing, some last-minute hydration, then hitting the road.
Update: The bad news is: we didn’t do the 76 km tour, but rather only the 53 km tour. The good news is, we completed it. And I rode home as well.
The event started with a 2 hour window; we took off around 10 a.m. and did so in a group of about 10 cyclists. It was neat to be a part of the big cycling group. I think we stuck with them for about 30 minutes but they were too good and we fell back.
I was the only one who rode home. I got a bit lost so I ended up adding a few kilometres to my travel–seemed fair since I dropped so many in taking the “easy” course. I would estimate that I rode about 85 km, possibly a little more.
I was going to ride to work tomorrow but I think I might drive. Maybe I can ride on Tuesday. I wonder what my bum will feel like.