Training Diary, Volume 3: 4/20/2003

Miles this week: 131; Miles to date: 334

At this point I'm over 2/3rds of the way towards my goal. I have to raise the total amount ($3,000) by May 21st so if you know of anyone who would be interested in donating to this fantastic cause, let me know.

Although this week start off really beautiful, it got cold toward the end of the week, then warmed up. Tuesday I commuted to work by bike. I took a longer route and put in about 20 miles. It was a great day to ride. Wednesday was Passover so I didn't ride, but Thursday I went out before work and rode a nice 16 miler.

Getting ready to ride

Saturday was supposed to be the big riding day. Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn't get the memo until around 2p. Paul and I went to the Catoctin Climber and when we got there, we found out it was cancelled. However, many brave souls had also already driven out to the starting point so we decided to go ahead with a different route in that area called Three Covered Bridges because, you guessed it, there are 3 covered bridges on the ride.

The ride started off nice and easy. It was pretty cold but by the time we started riding, we felt warm. It drizzled some, but not too bad. We took a picture at bridge 1, happy after about 15 miles to finally see one of the covered bridges.

At Bridge 1: Mark, Tria, Rachael, Craig, Michelle

We stopped at Bridge 2 for a much needed bathroom break and without a picture, we were off. When we got to the second pit stop, we decided that since we were in the area, we would go for lunch after the ride to our sponsor, Agrodolce in Germantown - more on that later. So we get to the third covered bridge and take one more photo. Bridge 3: Paul, Rachael, Michelle, Tria, Craig

We finished the 45 mile ride pretty strong and happily rolled into the Holiday Inn parking lot for another bathroom break before heading off to the restaurant. Agrodolce is amazing - the food is fantastic and if you live anywhere near the area, you should check it out. It truly is amazing. We were all pretty ravenous so chowed on bread and salad before the main course. I ate the seafood risotto - fabulous! Well, we had called the team captains to join us and there was some lame excuse about a party so you can imagine our surprise when one of them shows up. Not only does he show up, but he has the team jerseys! Don't we look great?!?! Well fed and well dressed at Agrodolce with our team jerseys: Paul, Michelle, Glenn (captain), Tria, Mark, Craig

On Sunday, there was a shorter ride that Michelle was leading. Paul and I picked up provisions for the Easter theme. I taped bunny ears onto my helmet and we bought plastic eggs and filled them with surprises - some of a biking nature and some not. I got so many compliments and happy smiles from people who I passed - it was really a nice feeling. And the carbohydrate suppliments (jelly beans and chocolate) really got the engines revving.

I'm hoping the weather is finally picking up and no more rain, but I think the weather forecasters are disagreeing with me on this one! I'll keep you posted. Hope you had a great weekend.

Rachael

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