Friday, January 11, 2013

Wondering, worrying, moving on

Today is the kind of day that makes me concerned about the bike tour. 

Today, even though the weather is okay, I really don't want to ride my bike and I'm not quite sure why.

Could be that I need more sleep, could be that I should (but am not) doing other things that need to be done.  Could be a low energy level for any number of other reasons.  Could be that I need some "me" time that's not on the bike.  Could even be that because I SHOULD be riding as much as possible, I am resisting it - I never have done well with "should". 

The worrisome part is that I could, and probably will, have this kind of day while I am on the tour.  How will I deal with it then?  There will always be the SAG option, but I'm not sure that would be helpful, it might even add to the general funk.  So....I need to find ways to deal with it.

I know that not having the distractions of normal life will help.   At least at the beginning of the trip, adrenaline will do its thing.   I am counting on the energy and enthusiasm of my fellow riders to carry me through some rough patches.  Maybe even just being in the habit of riding will help. Maybe just getting on the bike will do it.  From reading past trip blogs, I know that everyone reaches a point where they just want the trip to be OVER.  I'm just hoping that it doesn't happen to me until we are at least in Louisiana. 


I am trying to be proactive about dealing with these feelings.  The other kind of spinning is part of my strategy.  I had some silk fiber custom dyed with colors evocative of America the Beautiful and I am hoping to be able to spin a little bit of it on each day of the tour.  When I get home and spin the rest, I will make yarn and knit a shawl in the Traveling Woman
pattern.


Pretty, yes? 





Credit:  Silk fiber dyed by WoolieBullie on Etsy
              Tibetan spindle by SpinDizzyChick onEtsy





4 comments:

Jennifer said...

I've been there. The times I know I "should" ride but don't really "want" to. My husband is my riding buddy and I find that I go ahead and go but tell him I just want to ride a short distance & slow. For some reason just those words are enough to get me out of the house. Most of the time I will ride longer because once we get going it's fun.

Anonymous said...

we all deserve a day off sometimes... :) you will soon be burning rubber down the highway again !
xx
Shani from Australia
(AKA Anonymous!)

Janice in GA said...

I haven't done anything as epic as what you're planning, but I did do a couple of BRAGs (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia.)

Being around other people who are doing what you're doing will help. When everyone around you is getting up and getting ready to go, you will too, mostly. I think the camaraderie helps, even if you don't ride exactly with another person. If y'all do any kind of paceline, that'll help too, because you share the workload.

I really wasn't prepared enough the first time I rode. Luckily for me, they had some massage folks at camp each night. Getting a leg massage made a big difference for me. Highly recommended if they're available. :)

Judi said...

Thanks for the encouragement,everyone. It really helps to know that folks are out there supporting and encouraging me.