On June 11Th Brighton and I did the Tour de Cure for Diabetes. It was our first biking experience and what an experience it was. I did however enjoy it enough to do it again next year. I was not quite sure was I was planning on because I had never done a bike ride before but it went pretty much like all firsts go... Nothing like you plan.
We got up that morning and it was freezing. There were dark clouds every where and we were just hoping that it wasn't going to rain. On the drive down to Brigham city somewhere around the Lagoon area it was raining so hard we could not see the cars next to us. We both decided that if it was raining like that is Brigham city, we were going to pick up our shirts and go home. However, when we got there it was freezing but not raining so we stayed.
We got all of our gear together put on our raining jackets and went to get our numbers. We had left our water in our car so after we got our numbers, went to the bathroom, ate some breakfast, we went back to the car. While we were at the car the race started. Oops. Good thing we didn't have timing chips. The bikers were riding right by our car so we waited until all of the fast bikers pasted us and joined the group. We were only a block from the start so we didn't feel to sad that we missed the start and nobody really cared. It was just another first to add to my list. Jumping in a 'race' once it had started.
The bike ride was really pretty. We saw lots of fields, cow, horses, and my favorite, the mountains. It was away from the city. I actually thought it would be a great place to run. It was very windy though. Once riding we did warm up and took off our jackets but when biking (note for next time) wind is a killer!
We got to the half way point, ate some good food, and went back to the beginning. If I had thought the wind was bad on the way to the half way point it was AWFUL on the way back. I am pretty sure I could have run faster then I was biking. And that is saying a lot considering I run like a snail. At one point the wind was blowing so bad on the side of us that we were riding parallel to the ground. Okay not that bad but it sure did feel like it. It probably did not help that we were biking in mountain bikes. Some guy who was riding next to us and letting us draft off him was telling us that he did his first bike race on a mountain bike and they are like 3 times heavier then a rode bike. He said they are like night and day difference. So next time we do a ride will be on rode bikes. Oh wait... those are like thousands of dollars. So next time we will be on the same mountain bikes. :)
It took us twice as long to get back to the start as it did to get to the half way point. But once we got back we got our free lunch, jerseys, and made it back to our car right as it started raining. Perfect timing. We got a lot of wind but no rain.
Now that I think back at it, I am glad that I did my first bike race for the Tour de Cure. It made me feel kind of proud being out there and biking with Type I diabetes. All of the diabetics there got to ride with Red Jerseys and so when ever I would see a red jersey it made me tear up. Okay not literally the wind was drying my eyes out but I do like seeing other diabetics. I have never let diabetes stop me nor has it ever bothered me to have it but sometimes it is nice to know I am not alone. Just knowing that other people deal with what I deal with everyday is kind of relieving. So THANK YOU to all who donated to help Brighton and I ride to find a cure for diabetes! If they don't find a cure this year hopefully they will be one step closer!! It is something I will always remember and for sure be doing it next year!!
Brighton and I in our matching jerseys! We joined the SelectHealth Group and these were our group jerseys. We kind of look like serious riders.
Me in my red jersey! I ride with diabetes!! 
1 comments:
What a great cause, you guys are awesome!
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