Ride Ride Ride

I'm a big fan of Meetup.com. True, I don't often partake of the myriad opportunities it provides, but I've never regretted it on the rare occasions that I do.

Yesterday I went on a bike ride in Sedona. It was advertised as 3.5 miles of easy to moderate riding--beginners welcome. I'm far from being a beginner, but I am rather out of shape, so I figured it was right up my alley. Well, 11 miles later I was huffing and puffing and gasping for breath--and at one point I was seriously concerned about the possibility of heat exhaustion once again. There were far more climbs than anticipated, and I hadn't taken into account the relatively high altitude. I was at the back of the pack (and if you know me at all, you know that that is *NOT* my comfort zone) the entire time, and doing a great deal of hike-a-bike.

And I would do it again tomorrow if I could!

Although completely exhausted afterwards, I was also oddly energized. Perhaps it was the vortexes in and around Bell Rock. Perhaps it was just the adrenaline. Perhaps it's just that my heart is *still* beating a bit above the normally recognised limit (not true, not true...just a figure of speech!)... At any rate, although it was so difficult and painful at times, it was also just incredibly beautiful to be out there. I rode with a great bunch of people and pushed myself beyond anything I'd ever attempt on my own little jaunts around here.

Ultimately, I think that was the most enjoyable part--pushing myself to do something that would have been so easy to give up on. I tried--and succeeded--riding some technical bits that not everyone else could clear. I tried--and failed--on many more. But I was out there pushing myself and that was its own reward.

And on that note, it's 9:38pm and I'm going to sleep. I'm still exhausted! And 5:30am with the hounds will be here all too soon. I'll try to post some photos in the next couple days. <3