Bike Ride to Alexandria

Opelousas to Alexandria: 96.4

Total mileage: 1171.2

 

The morning got off to a rough start in more ways than one. Within the first five miles of the ride we learned that the cue sheet could not be more wrong. After almost an hour we learned that we would not be able to get out of town without hitting up several dirt and gravel roads. No joke we went an extra fifteen miles trying to find a way out and only became more and more frustrated. Here you can see the mud which had built up andour basic, on the road cleaning.

Once we were on the right path, the roads were miserable. None of us worried about how much our butts were going to hurt after going over the poorly paved roads (imagine that someone stuck gum over and over and over again on the road) because our arms and forearms were in so much pain. After that rough patch was over we were back on of way again and were making up some time until Marcus got a flat. Stephanie and I waited patiently and a little nervously as we saw a huge storm rolling in.

 

It was then a quick ride into the next town where we would find our turn onto route 13 which would take us all the way to Alexandria; keep in mind that said storm had hit hard. On the way in we had seen a sign for McDonalds and decided that this would be a good place to hang out while the storm passed.

As soon as we walked through the door we were creating puddles. One table had asked commented about us riding in the rain and while Stephanie and I were trying to not make such a mess, Marcus had started talking with the ladies. It turns out that they belong to a ministry that does a lot of work with motorcyclists and she asked if they could say a quick prayer with us. At this point I had a puddle at my feet and dripping wet socks in my hand, but the woman said that it didn't matter because she worked with pre-school kids and was used to gross things. So we all took each others hands and said a prayer in the middle of McDonalds. Afterwords she asked if she could buy us some coffee to warm up which we were super grateful for. Also keep in mind that someone had come out with a caution wet floor sign to up around our table ... Oops

Cold and Warming Up

Unfortunately the storm picked up and so did the thunder and lightening so we were grounded for quite some time. After three rounds of free coffee and hot chocolates Marcus decided to pass out at the table while Stephanie and I chatted and she gave me the blow by blow of her 30 before 30 list (apparently I have created quite the trend on the bike trip).

After nearly three hours the storm had passed and we headed off to lunch. The ride was fairly relaxed, but quick until Marcus got another flat. The same production went on and we were starting to become mildly concerned about the time left to get to the host. One of the sweep riders, Kristina, was getting after him about being so slow because while our group would be able to make up the time on the road, the two of them probably would not. Of course all tongue and cheek, but she did have a point. We also may or may no gave told the leaders that we were closer than we actually were because we did not want to get vanned. As a result we invited them to hop in the pain train, but after a few miles they decided to drop off.

 

We KIlLED the last thirty miles and with speeds averaging in the low 20s the was no doubt that we would not make it to the host in time. At one point we did see some bikers way way way off in the distance and thanks to some perseverance and a mean competitive edge not only did we catch up, but also passed them.

 

Our 75 mile ride quickly turned into an almost century ride so we were glad to have made it into the host just as the sun was setting. It was pretty poetic to be coming down the highway with he sun setting in front of us. Once at dinner we learned that it had been a bit rough for everyone else. Throughout the course of the day we had accumulated 26 flat tires and some had been holed up in a furniture shop while the storms passed. Neve a dull Darin th elite of a Bike and Builder!!!

 

So to recap in 20 seconds or less: pain train, in pain train, struggle bus, express pain train