A Fun Fourth

Independence day: on tap a 45 mile ride and post-ride festivities at Ironman Jeff's house. Fave was on time for our 7am meeting, and after 15 mins of waiting around for Lynn, we decide to head out. A quick check of our phones and I realize....oops, I was due to pick up Lynn at her house. Zip to Lynn's load up bikes, food, bathing suits, etc and we're off. About 20 of us rendezvous at Jeff's house, and gear up for the ride. Pumping up tires, loading water bottles, and spraying on the sunscreen.


Fave and Lynn, locked and loaded for the ride...

The country road we rode on was perfect, with some rolling hills, beautiful fields, and some crazy dog that runs out at you and threatens to bite your leg or rear tire. (I didn't get a picture of him...I was too busy pedalling like mad to get past him.) Most everyone turned around at the country store, while Lynn, Jeff, Coach Blake, Rick, Carlton and I rode another 3 miles out before turning around. The way back was tough, there was a headwind all the way back. I tried hard to keep in first Blake then Jeff's draft, but ended up getting dropped. I pedalled almost 15 miles back alone. Lynn, who also got dropped, graciously waited for me at the one light before our turn back onto a busy divided highway for the last 1/2 mile back to the ranch.






Back at Jeff's house, it was time to throw on the swim suits, jump in the pool, and crack open a beer. Husband Joe had driven out later that morning to drop the kids off before heading out with 5 other TriGirl s.o.'s (significant others) for 18 holes of golf. Maddy and Joey were happily frolicking in the pool, jumping off the diving board, and going down the slide. They didn't get out of the water until the thunder started at 6:30pm! Jeff and Denise outdid themselves with yummy burgers, dogs, and chicken--we feasted (and drank) the rest of the afternoon away.