Arkansas Freedom Fund Challenge Ride

October 15 was the day for this ride and it started at the Clinton Library and went over the new Clinton Park Bridge. I had yet to use this new bridge over the Arkansas River, so I was pretty excited about it. 

The Arkansas Challenge is an opportunity to provide an adaptive cycling event designed to restore the mental and physical wellness of Arkansan Wounded Warriors. It is an experience that honors our warriors as they now battle their injuries of war on the civilian battlefield as they recover and reintegrate with the society they fought courageously for. The Arkansas Challenge has always allowed for riders to ride with the warriors to understand and talk with them as they support a positive message of encouragement and thanks.

This was a pretty leisure ride of 20 miles and took a total of about 3 hours to complete. We had many stops to wait for everyone so we could all ride together as a group. The ride took us through downtown, around by the capital, across the Big Dam Bridge, and on the River Trail north of the river. My friend Ruth came and we rode together and at one of the stops I came across several ABC riders. My cousin Ken with MEMS was there working the ride on his bike so I got the chance to visit with him several times.

The ride ended where it had started and Whole Hog Cafe provided delicious BBQ with all the trimmings. It was yummy! I had never had any of their BBQ before but I think I'll have to stop by sometime and have some more!

Ruth and me waiting to cross the BDB

ARKY 100

What a ride!!! This was going to be my 3rd century ride of the year. It started at 8:00 and I had heard it was hilly, and it was....the whole time!! I must say that this was one of the hardest and longest rides I've ever been on!

It wasn't just the hills...the wind was pretty brutal too! I ended up riding this alone...my only distraction was my trusty little Ipod. I really don't like listening to music on my bike, but I had a feeling that I might need it this day. I'm so glad I had it. Without having someone to ride with, it becomes not just a physical thing to overcome, but a mental one. There were long stretches of road that I never saw a car let alone another rider!

I stopped at all the rest stops except two. The first one and the last one are the two that I skipped. I kind of wished I had stopped at the last one though because I had several friends there and it would have helped me to talk to all of them, but at the point I was just ready to get DONE!

It took me nearly 7 hours to do, and when I got back to my car, my bike computer only showed 97.8 miles! WTHeck?? I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a full 100 miles, but everyone told me not to let that bother me - that it was the Arky 100 and I had done it. I could have rode around in the parking lot and got the rest of the miles in, but I just didn't have it in me! I was exhausted!!

With that being done, I still feel the need to get in that last, official "100" mile ride. I'll either do another organized ride or just do one on my own. If I take the route I use for work and coming home through Holly Grove, and do it twice...I can get it done. I'll just have to plan it out, and leave coolers along the route for fresh drink and food. It's just something I feel I need to prove to myself.

It was a beautiful, sunny and warm day all in all though. I had many people tell me that in years past it was always pretty chilly, and/or cloudy. I had a safe ride and never had any mechanical issues so I can say I was pretty fortunate. Next year when I do the Arky, I think I'll opt for the shorter ride and then enjoy a hamburger with my fellow riders at the end :)

The things I've done!

I haven't been so diligent about keeping up with my blog, but I'm going to work on that! I've done so many rides since the last time I posted! I've ridden with the ABC group many times, do a lot of riding on my own, and have done several organized rides.

One of my favorite rides this past summer was the Bikes Blues & Bayous in Greenwood, MS. I done the long ride which was only about 58 miles. I stayed all weekend and had dinner with some people from ABC both nights. It was a hot ride and we had beer and BBQ afterwards. I met an author, Scott B. Williams, and we did the ride together.

The new Two Rivers Bridge opened in August and I've had a great time riding across it. Drake and I even took a ride around so he could see it for the first time.

September brought the Conway Fall Classic. It was a good ride even if it was a bit cool. I rode 47 miles and had some fanatastic pizza afterwards.

September was also the month for the Big Dam Bridge 100. I rode 71 miles and it had some pretty good hills! I will say that while others got off and pushed their bikes up the hills - I never did! That was a BIG deal for me...the flat, delta land girl! I always meet great people and had a great time riding with new friends John and Chuck. After the ride, there was a big "block party" in the Argenta district for all the participants.  My goal for next year will be to actually ride the 100 mile distance.

October brought the ARKY 100. It was my goal to ride the longest distance. This was going to be my 3rd century. Turned out it was only 97.8 miles and I didn't have it in me to ride a bit more to get in the full 100. It was sunny, warm but VERY WINDY and HILLY! This was one of the most challenging rides for me both mentally and physically. I rode alone the whole time which was a first for me. I'm so glad I had my Ipod with me for a distraction!  So now, I'm going to have to find another ride to get in the last century for this year!

There aren't too many more rides left for this year. If I don't get another century at one of these, I'll just have to do my own! This Saturday I'll be doing the Arkansas Challenge bike ride with wounded warriors. Then I have to decide if I'm going to do Tour de Pumpkin or Tour da Delta....hmmm...decisions, decisions! Time to start thinking about new goals for next year :)