I Paid for It This Weekend
I rode 75 miles this weekend.
I was supposed to ride 67.
The plan was simple—ride out 33.6 miles, turn around at Chickahominy Park, and head back.
As I got close, I debated adding a little more to make it an even 70.
I told myself I’d decide later.
But just before the turn, I felt good.
So I made the decision right there.
Keep going.
I remembered a spot on the trail—Spoke & Art—and thought it was about a mile and a half further.
It wasn’t.
It was closer to four.
That turned into eight extra miles on the day.
The ride back started fine.
But around mile 50, I could feel it shifting.
Same effort—higher heart rate.
That’s usually the signal.
By mile 55, the wind picked up.
By mile 66, I felt the change.
Not a full bonk—but close enough to know I was on the edge.
The last 9 miles were a grind.
Heart rate wouldn’t come back.
Energy wasn’t there.
Just managing it.
And then there was the water.
I left my last stop with two full bottles for the final 20 miles.
Ten miles later, one was gone—and most of the second.
With nowhere to refill, I spent the last stretch rationing small sips just to get through it.
The mistake didn’t start on the bike.
It started a day before the ride.
I didn’t hydrate the way I normally do.
Didn’t pay attention.
Didn’t stick to the routine.
And on the bike, I paid for it.
I also went longer than I should have.
Jumped too far from last week.
Made the decision early instead of managing it later.
All small things.
But they add up.
Still—75 miles.
That’s a benchmark.
And I’ll take it.
I’ll do it again next week.
Better prepared.
A little smarter.
That’s how this builds.
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