Take Me to the Limit

The North Carolina Bicycle Winery Tour ended a week ago and I'm finally rested enough to write about it. Don't laugh...it was two days before I was able to drive home. But the important thing is...I did it. I was able to ride 84 miles over two days and I swear it was all uphill.

In fact, I remember on Sunday being asked if we wanted to ride the van to the next vineyard which was only about three miles away. Of course I said, "No!" only to find out that the reason they were asking was because it was indeed a continual uphill grade. As we approached yet another little crest a woman rode up beside me and said, "This better be the last of it!" Of course it wasn't and of course we just kept pedaling until we made it to the top...several crests later.

But for me that was the purpose of the trip...really it wasn't about the wine. It was about proving to myself that I am capable of doing more than I do on a regular basis. That I'm stronger than I think I am. And that on some level I can ride with the big boys...of course they were riding the long versions of the route and still beat me to the destination...but it didn't matter. I did it...and I've never been more proud of an accomplishment.