Australian Open 2008 - Day 15

I haven't quite figured it out, but play didn't start today until 4.  That meant I had a ton of time this morning.  I was somewhat lazing around in bed and my mobile phone rang.  It was Brian.  He wanted to know if I'd be up for a second ride today.  Of course, as it is really a good ride and adds some variety to my workout.  I quickly hopped up and got dressed for the ride

We walked down to the shop and this time the woman suggested we stop off at a boat house that was 16.4 km out from the rental shop.  BJ had thought we'd do the Capital City trail, but I was interested in something different so this seemed a good option.  It meant all total it would be just over 20 miles we'd bike for the day.  I did a better job preparing this time and had slathered on some sunscreen to try to avoid cooking myself any more than I already had.

It turns out I set a torrid pace apparently.  There was more than once that I had to stop to let BJ catch up.  I heard after the ride from a couple of people that he'd told them I had to be in incredible shape to set the pace I had.  I didn't really think much of it, though I will say that on the ride back I only took 55 minutes, while we did take an hour and 15 minutes to get out there.  I find the riding pain is quite transient, as my sore thighs recover much more quickly than the sore calves and hamstrings from jogging.  I should get back into riding my bike more back home.  I discovered I can ride alone, and since I am setting my own pace, I don't have to feel guilty about leaving someone behind.

I realized as I was walking back I'd made one fatal error in judgement.  At one point, the trail requires we negotiate three flights of stairs.  I chose to carry the bike on my shoulder.  Now, I have done this before.  I used to ride with Matt all the time and there would be bits where we'd hoist the bike up on our shoulder and carry it because we ran out of trail.  This time, however, I wasn't thinking and just threw the bike onto my left shoulder.  Now, that by itself doesn't sound too bad until you start thinking about the design of a bike.  With the handlebars facing forward, the gears of the bike are on the right.  That means I just laid the gears against my left hip.  That means I have now got gear grease onto my Dockers cargo shorts.  That likely means I have now wasted a pair of Dockers cargo shorts.  Maybe Colleen will be able to get it out.  We have some oil treatment remover, but I suspect they'll just become shorts not meant for more than bumming around the house.

I called Colleen.  It is nice when we get to talk and I am sure that she's as ready if not more for me to get home.

Work ended around midnight.  I let BJ and Mike leave early so they could catch a good dinner out.  In return, I'll get to leave early tomorrow.  That means I'll have time to shower and prep for the Australian Open ball!  Drifted to sleep knowing that I'd be just about done with this whole trip and ready to get home.

Cheers!