Why do it when you can over do it?

This past Sunday (unintentionally) I set out to see how long one can function on a fig cookie, pumpkin bread, and a few ounces of soda... but more on that later.

Before

After - the fine work of JB Collision

Friday morning, after picking up a repaired Bonnie, I set off for Virginia to attend the wedding of two friends I made while at VT for grad school. I got into Alexandria just in time to enjoy a Cajun Chipotle Panini from Nickels and Schefflers on King Street. I used to eat one of these a week when I was at VT and began fantasizing about this sandwich at 8am when I got on the road... I think the owners thought I was a little off but humored me when I told them my story. I spent some time reconnecting with a couple of my former professors before taking the Metro into DC to meet up with a friend for dinner at the Black Squirrel. I miss having my car be an option and not a necessity...

On the way, I briefly got to see the new bike shelter at Union Station (sorry, no pictures) which seemed to be being put to good use. En route to the restaurant, the bus we were riding cut the corner too close and clipped an SUV. The driver of the SUV must not have been too concerned because, after looking at the damage and giving the bus driver a few choice words, she drove off. We spent a good deal of time catching up on the events of the past two years and consumed a few more good beers so I got on the road to Westmoreland State Park later than anticipated...

The next day dawned cool and rainy, not what I'd hoped to hear as I had planned to get some riding in before the ceremony. Instead, I helped prepare decorations for the afternoon's festivities - let's just say it is a good thing I don't do that for a living because I'd probably starve... The rain cleared off and temps rose slightly for the outdoor ceremony. Ben's mother's family is from Ecuador and Rita's family is from Bolivia so it was a bi-lingual wedding. While I recognize a few words of Spanish here and there, much of what was said was not understood by me. What was understood, though, was the emotion. I'd never experienced being in a situation where I didn't speak the language but could feel the words through the emotion expressed. It was an amazing experience and there was a lot of love in that room. From my personal history, I've been very wedding averse but this one inspired me to reexamine my own life and renewed hope.

After park regulations forced a shutdown of the reception, we moved a copious amount of alcohol to the after party. By 2am we'd only kicked the pony keg of Blue Moon... there was still a keg of Yuengling to go. I decided to bow out at this point due to the 8 hour drive ahead of me the next day. The hardier kept going until 4:30.

I met up with folks briefly in the morning before heading out to meet up with some more friends in Alexandria. I first stopped by the George Washington Birthplace National Monument. I would have liked to stay longer but was able to walk around some of the property but I am glad to see what I did. I made it to Alexandria and met up with my friends and their family for a while. There was a lot of catching up to do and not enough time to do it all so I hope we get together again in a few weeks during Thanksgiving.

Now back to the limitations of a sleep deprived and poorly nourished body... It was mid 70s and sunny, conditions I am unlikely to see again for countless months. So despite the impact it would leave on my drive back to Syracuse and physical capacities of my body, I decided to ride at Schaeffer Farms. I really enjoyed riding here while at VT so it was great to have this opportunity again. As for my physical state, I really think that I should explore this scenario more often - I felt great! The major limiting factor was my stamina due to lack of riding this season, not my current state. I actually felt like I could ride for much longer than the one hour I did my best to keep it to. I didn't want to get on the road too late for what I thought was a 4.5 hour drive (it turned out to be six...). But it was worth the tired Monday for the way a great weekend was culminated. Why do it when you can over do it, right? I suppose someday I will attain better time management and balancing skills but for now, I'll just keep plugging away. Sitting in a car for six hours after biking is not the best plan, nor is eating the way I did, but I survived and had a great time. The ride put me within 5 miles of being able to surpass my all-time season low total. A weak goal, but one I hope to accomplish before the snow comes back for good this year.