I was all psyched to put in some big mileage in my new shoes and pedals this weekend and what happens? I flat 25 miles into a planned 40 mile ride. I couldn’t find the leak so I used my CO2 cartridge to top off the tire, hoping that would get me home or close to it. I got another 5 miles til it was dangerously low again. I walked about a mile then decided to hail a cab. I was looking at another 2 hours of walking if I hadn’t. Cycling shoes are not meant to be walked very far in. I got blisters on my feet because I took my shoes off. Thankfully they don’t hurt as bad as I thought they would now.
On another note I have registered for the Solvang Half Century ride…50 miles of dropdead gorgeous scenery. Solvang is an old Dutch town with horse drawn carriages and all. I had to get a hotel room in Lompoc 20 miles away because the ride hotel was fully booked. I hear the day of the ride they get fully booked for the next year’s ride. It seems if you stay at the hotel for the ride one year, on checkout you fill out a form to reserve a room for the following year. With 5,000 people staying in a town with only 2-3 hotels I bet Super Bowl tickets are easier to come by than a room in this burg. This ride is pretty well known nationwide. I was familiar with it when I was still living in Atlanta. It’s a really pretty area where a lot of pro teams train so I’m looking forward to taking some pictures.
edit - setting my yearly mileage goal at 4,000 miles.