Things I learned about my bike yesterday LONG

Yesterday, in lieu of doing my 10 mile run due to a slight hangover, I decided to do a 50 mile bike ride. I'm not sure why I thought that would be easier -- probably because I'm still spooked from bonking on my 5 mile run on Saturday.

Anyway, Hubby was going to band practice, so I had the whole afternoon to do it.

Of course, it started raining as he left. "Okay," I thought, "Time to figure out how to use that bike pump." Yup, I make Hubby inflate my tires.

I couldn't remember how that tab is supposed to be to lock it in. Up? Down? I unscrewed some things on the pump. Pieces fell off. I tried to put it back together but somehow, I managed to make it not work anymore. Darnit. Okay, I'll use the air compressor (we've already determined that it can't inflate past 80 psi). Hmm, why won't it inflate my tire? What am I doing wrong? Okay, I've inflated every other tire in the garage and I still can get it to work. Did I break the stem? So, I decided to change the tube. After working for about 30-45 minutes, I changed the tube. I used the air compressor and it inflated! Yeah! I saved the tube by the destroyed bike pump for Hubby to look at when he got home.

It wasn't raining anymore, so I got my stuff together and went out. I stopped at the LBS for a new spare tube and to borrow their good pumps. I had to ask the guy how the tab is supposed to be to lock it in. Up. Okay, thumbs up and you're ready to pump. I got my tires properly inflated and took off.

At mile 11, I filled up my water bottle again. At mile 13 it dumped rain and I got soaked. Since I was already soaked and filthy and would have to clean the bike anyway, I kept going. I got cold, but then outrode the rain and warmed up.

I rode and rode and rode, and didn't find anymore water stations. Darnit! At least I had some water left. Ate my granola bars, hit mile 25 and turned around and started towards home. It was starting to mist again. Then, as I'm passing two other riders, BOOM! The sound of the lightning that literally exploded right over our heads was nearly matched by the loudest girliest scream I've ever screamed. I was surprised I wasn't dead. I wondered, "Do rubber bike tires keep you from being struck since you're not grounded?" I turned to the other bikers and asked if they wanted to form a draft line so we could haul butt back to wherever. One couldn't (waiting for another friend) and the other soon smoked me so I told him to go on.

Then there was another downpour. This one wasn't so fun and liberating as the first. I was getting tired of squishy feet. I finally had reached the mile 11 water station again and got some more water. Finally, less than 10 miles to go. Saw a swamp rabbit and two cotton tails, which was nice. I kept wishing my helmet was filled with helium so my neck wouldn't be so tired.

And then, finally, I got home. At 8 o'clock. After 3 hrs of riding 50 miles, which was 20 miles further than I've ever gone.

I was filthy. Lucille was filthy. I cleaned her off (air compressors are a great help) and when Hubby came home, he reassembled the bike pump properly and tested the tube. Both were fine.

I had quite an adventure yesterday. Here's what I learned:
1. I can change a bike tube.
2. I cannot reassemble bike pumps.
3. Riding in the rain is not fun in the long run.
4. Lightning really can strike up to 20 miles away from the actual storm.
5. The time it takes to clean a bike after this kind of ride is ridiculous.
6. I can ride 50 miles!