I am developing a deep and abiding loathing for headwinds
I’ve had a falling out with some of the people I usually ride with, and some of the others aren’t doing longer brevets this year, so I’ve been riding by myself more than usual. Sometimes it works, sometimes it’s homework, and sometimes it doesn’t work.
Today it didn’t work. I started out wanting to ride a 600, but after 95 miles of constant effing headwinds (I made it into a control 90 miles into my ride (68 miles into the official ride, because it started conveniently in Newberg, Oregon) with only about 1h10 spare time, which gives you some idea of just how helpful the winds were) I said to myself “This is no fun. Why am I doing it?” and when I couldn’t find an answer I just turned around and went home.
Lemme tell you, that last 35 miles with (mainly) tailwinds almost made up for the first 95 miles of increasing misery. Actually, no, the point where I said “DNF!” and turned around to go home almost made up for the first 95 miles; the following 35 miles was simply lagniappe.
I’ll probably get the stupid SR this year anyway – I’m volunteering on the summer 600, and one of the things the organizer wants is preriders – but it’s not worth being miserable for 32 hours while I’m doing it.