Keep Calm and Carry On: My New Cycling Mantra

Keep Calm and Carry On
Originally uploaded by Ms.walking on sunshine.

I'm embarking on something that I've wanted to do for almost a year on Saturday. A 50 mile, half century ride. It will be Fizgig and my longest ride yet, and both of us are all tuned up and excited. Fizgig recently enjoyed an awesome tune-up from Beto, the owner of Pure Austin. He kindly gave her drive-train a nice cleaning and she shifts better than ever! I'm so excited for Saturday. My body feels ready.

This photo, "KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON" is going to be in my head for most of the ride. It's my new riding mantra. I've planned my fueling, my gear, and most importantly my sunscreen application and I know I'll be ready to go this Saturday for Bastrop's famous Pedal Thru the Pines . I will be embarking on this long awaited journey with a few of my ride radar buds and babes - Jim, Liz, and Rebecca. I might also be riding with a few friends from an Austin Cycling Association ride. My nerves are charged with excitement, I could not be more ready to take on this 50 mile benchmark goal on the road to bigger and better goals. I've been wanting to ride this far for over a year and finally I am doing it! I can almost taste victory, and victory certainly tastes sweet. Like goo. I will crack at it this weekend and update on how it all goes.

Reminder to self: When times get tough at mile 38 and 45 of this half century ride, I need to just breathe out and in deeply, take a swig of water or a drop of goo and KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.

"Life is such win!" ~Janet K