HOLY. WIND.

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 by Susanna Loewy

I had a blast last weekend. I didn't take any pictures because the first day I forgot my camera and the second day I just wasn't in the habit of using the damn thing.

But, you can check out Greyhound's blog for some nice pictures of the scenery and me with the Greyhound crew. He's talented with his little camera; they turned out really well.

I need a new traveling camera - any suggestions? I HATE the delay most small digital cameras have, so I want one like my digital SLR, but tiny so that I can bike with it this summer...is that possible?)

The ride was pretty and very well organized, but really freaking hilly. I swear the entire ride from Houston to Austin is uphill. Really.

And the wind? Yeah, it doesn't even require any description or curse words because I used so many of them this weekend. 30mph winds IN YOUR FACE for 160 miles...and if they weren't in your face for like half a second? They were crosswinds and you had to hold onto the bike for dear life so that you didn't get swept into the 20,000 other riders around you. We rode 114 miles in this self-inflicted hell, which was my longest ride ever by a whole 2 miles. By the time we got off the bikes, the wind had worn me down to the point of deliriousness - but somehow, it was still fun. I ate a lot (see Greyhound's pics for proof) and then fell asleep in like .3 seconds on Saturday night (in the nicest hotel I've ever been in, by the way).

Sunday we rode the last 50 or so miles (and the winds were a little better, but still not calm, by any means) - it was the first time I've ever crossed a finish line on a bike; I kind of liked it. And after we finished, we ate and drank even more with Little Miss Runner Pants, Miss Greyhound and SuperPounce, and my Lafayette friends who now live in Austin were nice enough to stop by. (Note to the wise: you get drunk very quickly after riding 160 miles over 2 days; 2 beers was more than enough to make me stumble.) Then, we headed back to Houston so I could catch my plane...

And now I'm back in NJ, sunburned lips and tanlines intact. I'm going to have to figure out a new dress for my recital because the farmer's tan on my arms just isn't going to cut it with the previously planned sleeveless variety.

 
 
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