Day Three - Bacon, bacon, everywhere
At each of our overnight locations, dinner and breakfast are provided by a local Habitat affiliate. All of it is home cooked, and deserts are usually plentiful. Today one of the riders was surprised he was gaining weight after all these long rides, but reasoned it was all the good food.
Most are good about accommodating different diets. Though everyone’s interest peaked last night when someone ordered “1 vegetarian burger please. You know what, give me a meat burger too.” His explanation? “I’m a partial vegetarian.” Another rider piled up the beans on his plate; “I’m making my own tail wind tomorrow” he said.
Sometimes it doesn’t work out as well. Last year one of our affiliates put bacon on everything save for the desert and fruit. Even the dinner salads and morning eggs were covered with bacon. It was a little frustrating. Today’s dinner was a little frustrating as well, so afterwards I stole out to a local diner and ordered 3 eggs over hard. I guess it all works out in the end if you’re determined.
Most days I have trouble eating breakfast, so I eat brunch on the bike. My aero bars become my “food bars” as I attempt to steer with my elbows (usually swerving). My free hands take care of the banana and power bar I packed.
Today was only 54 miles. It started off in thunderstorms, which cleared up my mid-day. The headwinds weren’t as bad. We passed by the Exotic Feline Rescue Center, and were warned of an escaped cougar on the loose. So in the morning, we all learned cougar survival strategies from the leaders.
Some of the riders decided they didn’t like the rain, and wanted to get the ride over with ASAP. They took off fast, determined to skip dinner and stop only when needed. I didn’t mind the rain, actually enjoyed it, so I took it easy as planned. Yesterday I spent most of the ride in the lead pack (until I got lost), so I don’t feel like I have anything to prove.
