Char-Heel Classic Bike Ride

Saturday I participated in the Char-Heel Classic Bike Ride.  There were a 5 mile, 22 mile, and 41 mile options.  I chose 22 miles.

I had not really participated in a bike race before this one.  I did have a duathlon in March - and I have another one next weekend.  However, this race was only biking.  The distance of 22 miles was perfect, because I have a duathlon next weekend with a run, bike, run - and the bike portion is 22 miles.  So, now I have a good idea of what's involved.

Today's race - ride? - was interesting.  I had learned from my duathlon in March that bike shorts, specifically, bike shorts with a chamois in the seat - are made for a reason.  I wore my pair this time.  Definitely more comfortable, although my girl bits still were sore by mile 9, it was not as bad as my last long ride.  Bike shorts with chammy will now be worn on all long bike rides. 

I was absolutely not pleased at the beginning of the ride.  Although this was a small race (under 200 participants), I felt less control in the initial crowd, being on a bicycle.  We are all clumped together at the start, and I was very worried about running into someone else, or getting run into.  Nothing happened, but it did stress me out.

Once we spread out a little bit, I was more comfortable.  I tried to locate people I thought were doing the 22 mile distance, so I could follow them along the route.  However, the roads were not closed for the ride, and groups kept getting split up by stoplights.  I found this quite annoying - as it's not something I usually deal with while running races.  Road running races are usually closed, or there are police officers at major intersections to guide us through uninterrupted.  I realized what a perk that is, while on the ride today I was stopped at several traffic lights, one for over a minute.

Enough grumbling.

The race was beautiful!  The weather was perfect.  With rain predicted earlier in the week, we could not have had more beautiful weather.  It was mid-60s, and sunny.  The ride itself wove through some beautiful neighborhoods in Charlotte, and at several points I found myself contending with house-envy.  I also love the click-clack sound of all the bike shoes clipping into the pedals at starting points.

Thanks to Spin Instructor Fitness Guru I was very prepared for this hilly ride. . .In fact, I killed it on the hills!  There were a lot of hills (thanks, Charlotte), and I always passed groups going up.  For some reason, I seem slower on the flat and straight?  Other than the sore girl bits, I felt great.

The finish was completely uneventful.  There was a large awning I rode under - there was no one there cheering or congratulating.  I was proud though.  It was a great ride.
To challenge myself, and prepare for next week, I managed to hop off my bike and go for a short run.  I remembered from my duathlon that it took me a while to adjust to being on my feet, especially after riding so long.  That held true again.  It took me about half a mile, before my legs felt normal, and I could run without consciously thinking, "left, right, left, right".

Overall, I would love to do another race-ride.  I liked that it was more of a ride, than a race, in the sense that like running, I felt that I was only competing against myself - how I perform, not anyone else.  I also got a very cool insulated Camelbak water bottle, instead of another race shirt.  Bonus to useful swag!

And remember:  Chammy shorts for long bike rides.  You'll thank me. . .