Nothing in the tank... 75km road ride.

Many people want the welcome home. The warm comforts of familiar surroundings and all that come with it. I am no exception. When we got home from Hawaii, I was so relieved to sleep in my own bed. Prep food in my own kitchen and drive my own car. Home. Anyone who has spent just a little too long away from home knows the feeling.

Regarding cycling, I knew 4+ weeks of rest was bad. Yes I did get one ride in while I was in Hawaii - however 30 miles in one day doesn't make up for a month of no riding. I got in two little single speed rides mid week this week, but nothing of note. Saturday rolled around and it was time for my weekly road ride on my "home" loop. I knew it was going to be warm, so I avoided alcohol and drank tons of water for the 48 hours prior. I laid out my kit and made sure my gps was charged... I did everything I could so I could sleep walk through getting prepared in the AM. I meet riders 30 minutes from my house at 0600, so I need to roll out by 0530.

0430 and my alarm goes off. I stumble downstairs and eat two blueberry waffles dry and drink a cup of coffee. I head back upstairs with a tall glass of water and take a shower. Before I put on my kit, I apply tons of sunscreen to my neck, face and arms. I get dressed and grab my water bottles... time to roll.

I hope on the bike and all seems well. at 0530 there is a slight breeze and overcast. I remind myself to "take it easy" so I do not blow up halfway into the ride. I meet up with two others and we head to Yokosuka. On the way there, what is normally a warm up is feeling like a workout. My quads are just not cooperating. My legs feel heavy, so I shift down and increase my cadence. I realize at this point, I just need to survive the ride.

We meet the at Yokosuka and a group of 7 roll out. It becomes fairly clear we are going to break into two groups. The lead group seems to be feeling it and rolls strong. My group seems happy with the 21mph pace and we just maintain. Roughly an hour or so later, the clouds give way to straight hot sun. Sweat seems to double and my legs get heavier. I also notice the lead group has lost its steam. At times they pull away, but they welcome the opportunity to cruise while the second group closes the gap. Today we stop more for water that I recall ever stopping in the past. It is officially hot. My abductors are getting twinges and I am fearing a cramp. It is just a matter of time if I don't take it easy. I just ride around the issue and eventually - we get to our destination - starbucks. Not that it is the more awesome stop, but it has plenty of room for us and we can keep an eye on our bikes. While sitting there chatting, I realize the others were suffering too. This helps my psyche a little.

When we break off and head our own ways home, I had a small cramp climbing the last hill to my house. 6% grade and 900m long. It was enough to kill any momentum, but I was able to suffer through it and get home... ah home. I go inside and shower then spend some time with my wife and daughter. I am tired and my eyes are burning, but not a biggie. Then I go to sit indian style to play with my daughter and it hit... both legs cramped simultaneously. I flopped over on my side and whimpered like a little baby. I have no idea how to handle an cramp in the abductors and I was just destroyed. The cramps came and went over the next hour or two... then came the headache and some ringing in my ears.

I thought cycling was supposed to be fun.