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I made it to Evanston!
I notably underestimated the time the ride would take, but that's ok. My total time was 3 hours and 44 minutes. I was slowed down by having rather more weight than usual, the fact that a third or so of my route was crushed limestone rather than pavement, and a couple instances of losing track of the trail, most notably around Highland Park.
But the ride was hugely enjoyable, and I think I'd like to do it again sometime. Or really, just do more longer rides in general. It makes me think of all the riding around Kenosha I used to do when I was in high school. I'm not seeking solitary space away from people nearly so often these days as I was then, but the span of time to myself is still enjoyable. it's a little meditative; for most of the ride, I felt very much in the present moment. I started feeling pretty tired around Winetka, but a short break and water helped. Slightly later, I stopped into a Walgreens to buy a bottle of Gatorade. I loved the look on the cashier's face when I told her I'd just biked down from Kenosha. She had to ask for clarification that I meant by bike the whole way.
I started getting a bit nervous in Evanston too when it started getting pretty dark, but I was almost there by then and made it without incident. I don't feel too worn out either, though I think I might be a bit sore tomorrow. I tracked my cadence closely and tried to pedal efficiently, around 90 RPM, and I think that's really the way to do it. This was certainly the longest single ride I've ever done, and I feel kind of proud of myself for managing it. I also have even more respect for people who go out and ride 100 or 200 miles a day, or do multi-week bicycle touring. That's some serious endurance.
I have a picture for today from field school that my professor took of my digging partner and I with our excavation unit, but I don't have a copy yet. I'll post it when I do.
Now, I'm going to rest and enjoy the company of my kitty Danae! Tomorrow will be board gaming, dinner with Lisa, and, well, I dunno. Things. It'll be good.
I notably underestimated the time the ride would take, but that's ok. My total time was 3 hours and 44 minutes. I was slowed down by having rather more weight than usual, the fact that a third or so of my route was crushed limestone rather than pavement, and a couple instances of losing track of the trail, most notably around Highland Park.
But the ride was hugely enjoyable, and I think I'd like to do it again sometime. Or really, just do more longer rides in general. It makes me think of all the riding around Kenosha I used to do when I was in high school. I'm not seeking solitary space away from people nearly so often these days as I was then, but the span of time to myself is still enjoyable. it's a little meditative; for most of the ride, I felt very much in the present moment. I started feeling pretty tired around Winetka, but a short break and water helped. Slightly later, I stopped into a Walgreens to buy a bottle of Gatorade. I loved the look on the cashier's face when I told her I'd just biked down from Kenosha. She had to ask for clarification that I meant by bike the whole way.
I started getting a bit nervous in Evanston too when it started getting pretty dark, but I was almost there by then and made it without incident. I don't feel too worn out either, though I think I might be a bit sore tomorrow. I tracked my cadence closely and tried to pedal efficiently, around 90 RPM, and I think that's really the way to do it. This was certainly the longest single ride I've ever done, and I feel kind of proud of myself for managing it. I also have even more respect for people who go out and ride 100 or 200 miles a day, or do multi-week bicycle touring. That's some serious endurance.
I have a picture for today from field school that my professor took of my digging partner and I with our excavation unit, but I don't have a copy yet. I'll post it when I do.
Now, I'm going to rest and enjoy the company of my kitty Danae! Tomorrow will be board gaming, dinner with Lisa, and, well, I dunno. Things. It'll be good.