I am growing mildly concerned—nothing major at all—over my inability so far to complete a 50-mile ride. Today was my third time in recent weeks to fall short of it, and though my concern is by no means a major issue, it is also not something I feel I can just dismiss.
I am registered to ride the PALM (Palm Across Lower Michigan) bike tour, on June 24-30, when, along with several hundred other participants, I will ride roughly 250 miles during that week, from Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, camping in preplanned schoolyards along the way. PALM's website recommends building one's training for it up to the point where you can do a weekly 50-mile ride in the last few weeks before the event.
Today, even though I overslept (until 5:47) and got away (at 6:20) about a half-hour later than I had hoped to, riding was going nicely, and I am quite sure I could have made it. But then circumstances intervened.
My friend and cycling mentor, Doug, calls the apps that track one's riding "real battery suckers," and I found that out today firsthand. Though I began with a fully charged phone, by the time I was approaching the end of my fourth round trip to Marsh Park (I had intended to do six), my battery was down to 24%. I could see that it was never going to last for the long ride I had planned, so I settled for "only" 4 round trips—34.3 miles, in 4:39.
My thinking on this was that in my circumstances—especially being mute, but also the fact that I do not yet have the ability to change a tire should I need to—it was imprudent and unwise (and potentially hazardous) for me to push on to a condition where I would have no phone left available to me.
I have decided that next time I try a long ride—tomorrow?—I will take my charger with me and charge it in the men's room at the park, while I sit on the bench, take a break, and read for a while (note to self—don't forget your book!😇)
Anyway, it was still a good ride today, in rich sunshine that warmed things up from 51° at 6:20 to 69° when I finished at about noon. I do feel especially bad, however, for letting down my dear daughter, who sent me encouraging texts as I went along through the morning. But I'm not giving up—I'll get this done!
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