Yes, my lovely bicycle is named Berta. And she is very aptly named. She's tough, powerful, fun, and she kicked my ass all over the place today. Early in the morning I watched the high tide and crazy waves destroy the seawall, then, as I was heading toward the showers to get ready for the day, I saw Berta there. All forlorn and lonely looking, and I just knew I had to take her for a ride. I mean, sure, while I was watching the waves destroy things I heard guys talking about how some bikers were knocked off their bikes when some giant waves made it all the way onto the bike path, but the tide had gone down about a foot or so by then, so I figured I'd risk it.
It was a beautiful morning to be sure, and Berta and I fell into a nice rythm. Until OH NO! The waves washed out some of the bike path at Manhattan Beach! Berta's stuck! Don't worry Berta! I'll come rescue you!
After about fourteen or fifteen miles we took a quick stop at Marina Del Rey to panhandle under the lighthouse.
At mile 17 Berta thought she'd like to stop in Venice and watch a choreographed roller-show that was going on. I must say, while Venice is interesting, it's not quite as romantic as I imagine the one in Italy is. I hope to take Berta there some day.
What's that in the distance? Roller coasters? Wanna go Berta! You bet!
We made it to the Santa Monica Pier! Now we can go on rides! WOO!
What do you mean Berta's not allowed to ride?!? She meets the minimum height requirement! Is this because she's black?
Wow! Mile 20! I wonder how much further this Marvin Braude Bike Path goes!
Oh, I guess not much. Looks like about we went about 22 miles and are now at Will Rogers Beach
Berta is sad, they don't like her kind here.
Enough of this crazy architecture! This path wasn't nearly long enough! Let's get on the Pacific Coast Highway and continue North!
Wow, what a view! Berta certainly loves it!
I'm here too! I love the view too! I think we're almost in Malibu!
Oh yeah, we're definitely in Malibu. I think it's about time to turn around. 30 miles is a good distance!
Mmmm, my reward for a 30 mile trek!
Stephen Colbert would have recommended these over the Blazin' Buffalo Ranch Doritos I chose instead, but too bad! Well, now it's time to head back home, hope we make it before the sun sets!
We made it! Berta loves a good sunset--almost as much as I do!
It's amazing to me how quickly my muscles remember things. I haven't been bicycling regularly in years. In fact, I can count back for you the last times I've cycled: last time was just yesterday when I did about 3 miles on that same trail. The time before was about a week ago with Kate when we went to Venice--about 34 miles, but let me tell you, it was hard as hell just keeping up with Kate. And I have a sneaking suspicion she was going slow for my benefit. Aside from those two bike rides, the only other bicycling I've done were those three spin classes I took before I left Hawaii several months ago. Then, the last time I biked was in 2005 when I was living in Houston and hadn't yet bought a car--I had to bike to work and back.
What amazes me is that even after that 34 mile ride with Kate, while it was tough and I was pooped by the end of it, my muscles didn't need much time to heal. By the next day I felt fine. And then just a week later I'm bicycling a more than 60 mile trip! Granted, I don't know that I've ever been in as much pain as I am right now. My entire lower torso feels like my bones have been replaced with rubber and my back and neck still hurt from that crick I woke up with this morning.
But you wouldn't have figured any of that by the way I felt when I started this adventure! Or even by the time I got the 30 miles to Malibu wherein I turned around! I was going almost exclusively up-hill, but I felt like I could go on forever! It was weird, though, when I stopped at that subway and tried to stand, both of my quads seized up into double charlie-horses and I fell crashing to the ground in agony. I was eventually able to walk on them, but it was the craziest pain I've ever felt.
But I'll bet anything that besides maybe a little soreness, I'll be fine in the morning and by the next day I'll be up for yet another ride! I'll probably have more neck pain tomorrow morning than leg pain.
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