James pushing Tom who is pushing me...

After the third of four "Matt Doyle Category" climbs, roughly 2 hours in, I started to feel pretty shaky. Following the climb I was unable to climb back into the group. I spent the next few miles dangling at the back. As we turned on to Hillendale road, I was done. I had eaten but it was not enough I started to bonk in a bad way. James was talking to me at one point and I couldn't comprehend what he was saying. My ears hurt trying to listen to him. Once on route 82, I realized I was totally on my own, and I started to see colors. Flashes of white popped in front of my eyes. My range of vision decreased, it was tunneling. I was really starting to freak out a little. I was just trying to remember how to get home. James and Single Speed Dan, came back for me. They quickly started to feed me anything they had. Gu's and power gels that tasted better than the best ice cream or pudding I ever had. James had half a cliff bar, it was like filet mignon. Still I was fried. Tom, our den mother, came back and began to help push me up the hill into Hockessin. Just when Tom was starting to fade, Superman showed up. It was as if I was Jimmy Olsen and I hit my Superman "shit, I need help" watch and there was Dan the Man to save the day. Dan the man was sporting his new Beans/Reinhardt super suit, and was kind enough to push me in the rest of the way. Up the hill into Mendenhall Village, Dan was pushing me so fast, I wasn't even pedaling, and we gapped James, Dan and Tom, who were not exhausted from pushing my fat ass.

About that fellas, I apologize for the extra 12 pounds you had to push around, I promise to get back to fighting weight before the next time I die on the road.

In 12 years of riding, I have bonked a number of times, but today, was by far the worst ever. Lessons learned.
1. When taking that first training ride of the year, I do not recommend the Tour de Chester County.
2. Bring more food.
3. I am glad that I have such great friends who were able to get my fat ass home.

One thing is for sure, when you're down, it's along way up. Coming out of the ride, I was really, happy, and motivated to get back into my grove, to get strong again. Years ago there was a "pecking order" that wasn't talked about much, but was clearly something everyone in our riding group was aware of. Everyone fought tooth and nail, in a fun way, to move up that pecking order. Clearly today, I realized I am at the bottom of any pecking order. No worries, I was on my bike today for 3:30, even if I couldn't pedal the last 45 minutes :)

Respect
Fatmarc