Plans For The Appalachian Trail

Some really exciting things have been happening and are going to be happening and I feel very strongly about wanting to document them. Since my chrome book died, and has looked like this for the last 4 months with the hopes of it being repaired, I took things into my own hands and replaced it.

RIP

In the next week I hope to do a few catch up blogs about the recent goals I've accomplished and the amazing places I've been, but right now I need to tell you all about what I'm preparing to do.

I found out a few months ago that I was going to have the opportunity to travel to Maine this summer. My family has a lake cabin near the small town of Rangeley. A cabin that my family literally built by hand, and this is the 100 year anniversary of that cabin. So most of the family are coming together to celebrate.

She's so pretty!

It wasn't long before I made the connection that the Appalachian Trail runs right through that small town of Rangeley. In case you'e not familiar, it's an approximately 2,200 mile long hiking trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine. It's one of the triple crown of long distance hiking trails, along with the Pacific Crest Trail and The Continental Divide Trail. Right away I knew I had to fit in some time on the AT. The plan has evolved quite a bit from my initial far fetched hopes.

I thought maybe we could drive across the country, stopping in national parks along the way to explore. Then have someone meet up with us to take our car the last stretch to the cabin so we could hike the AT practically right up to the cabin door. This was going to take waaaay too long so was quickly scrapped in favor of flying, hoping for more time on the AT and at the cabin and maybe a layover in Boston.

I became really attached to the idea of walking 100 miles for the 100 year anniversary. I was thinking I would do the 100 miles leading up to the cabin, or the last 100 miles of the AT, or 100 miles in Vermont that coincides with the Long Trail (the oldest long distance tail in the US), or 100 miles including the White Mountains. Every option had its pluses and minuses.

I was able to get approved for the long amount of time off of work, but husbands changing work situation wasn't going to allow him to be gone as long, so we had to shorten the distance and the overall trip and I had to give up my 100 mile goal, for this trip anyway.

I pouted for a while.

I had to pick a new smaller section. The one I want to do most, is arguably one of the harder sections according to many websites and guidebooks claiming to know about the subject. I looked to easier portions but kept coming back to the Whites. People kept telling me it was gonna be really really tough and I should consider if it was going to be too much of a challenge for our lack of experience.

I pouted some more and considered more options.

I want the view from Franconia Ridge. Nothing else was giving me the same feeling. It's  like it's calling to me.

Then during a overnight trip to the Cabinet Wilderness in Montana (I'll tell you all about this in one of those catching up blogs I'll get to later this week), we were struggling a bit and I had decided we weren't up to it. That the Whites and Franconia Ridge were out of our league. I was even mostly ok with having to surrender defeat. The next day, on Instagram, REI posted this picture of my ridge!

Is REI teasing me or unknowingly cheering me on? Call it a sign? I don't know. I feel like I have to at least try. So we are going for it!

The plan as it is now: Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch. I got my maps the other day. The feel of the waterproof maps gave me goosebumps. I'm simultaneously more excited and more nervous for this than anything else we've done so far.

My Mom, Katie, Bear dog and our backpacking gear are driving across the country, following the Oregon Trail, and meeting us in Boston next Saturday, they left yesterday in fact. We arrive late, so they will have already set up camp for us, and we will have a quick turn around, with some serious jet lag I imagine, as we get dropped off the next morning, IN FRANCONIA NOTCH, in New Hampshire. (EEEEEEEK!!!)Then my parents will take the kids up to Acadia NP while we are hiking. It will be a short first half day, followed by 3 full days, and another half day. Then my brother and his girlfriend will have just flown in and will pick us up, armed with clean clothes and deodorant, on their way to the cabin.

We will get to spend 8 wonderful days at the cabin. From there we will have easy access to many day hikes on and off the AT. I especially look forward to hiking Saddleback Mountain. It's kind of ironic, since my grandparents tried to get me to hike it on a previous visit as a teenager and I refused to go since I resisted anything that required any effort. How things have changed!

Every moment on the trail will be cherished. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and to get a chance to be a part of this community of hikers. Seriously, I would be THRILLED if I get to chat with a through hiker in action! So far, it's teaching me to me flexible and willing to adapt my plans, on and off the trail.

And when I'm not hiking I will most likely be relaxing right here. So, yeah, it's gonna be amazing.

See you soon!

Bike Swap 2015

I have a great appreciation for events, businesses, and individuals they allow people to have access to outdoor recreation equipment at a discount. It can be super expensive to get into a new activity and that can be discouraging and prohibitave for some to getting started. Making these things accessible  to those wanting to get started is important to me.

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer for the Spokane Bike Swap again. I absolutely love this event! It's a great opportunity to get a new or new to you bike at a reasonable price. This is where Josh and I got our bikes last year. Bikes we then used for our sprint tri and our 100 mile bike ride,  among other day to day adventures. I can't speak highly enough of this event and the wonderful people who organize it. In addition to being a great place to score a bike it is also a fundraiser for the Centennial Trail which is near and dear to my heart.

This year I showed up at volunteer orientation and was able to share my story and appreciation for the event with one of the organizers.  She responded with enthusiasm and had me retell my story multiple times and encouraged me to join the committee. I then sat at a table with a guy who must have overheard me and said, "Hey, I helped you pick out that bike!" Awesome. I had one of those I'm right where I'm supposed to be moments and I couldn't have been happier.

The bike swap appeared to be a great success and I was proud to be a part of it. I spoke with the lovely organizer woman from orientation night a few more times and grew especially fond of her. I hope our paths continue to cross and we have many more opportunities to work together.

The Slow Friend

At the end of February I set out for a an adventure with some of the REI ladies. I had drooled over the pictures from last year and was thrilled to get to be a part of Chicks with Sticks 2015. 2 days and 2 nights at the Izaak Walton Inn in Glacier, with a pit stop the night before in Missoula. It was everything I had hoped and more.

 We had joked about how the bears would be coming out of hibernation early and we should take a slow friend. Turns out this is the role I would be filling.

For our only full day in Glacier I was in pretty good shape, considering how much wine I consumed the two nights before, but I still didn't feel tip top and I was extra emotional. I knew a big snowshoe adventure was the plan for the day. The goal was to get to the lake that one of the inn workers said was about a 3 hour trip. Weather that was 3 hours round trip or each way was unclear.

I was a ball of nerves and insecurities. This would only be my second time snowshoeing. In my eyes, everyone was experienced and had far more appropriate gear than myself. I even had a couple minor breakdowns and cried for a minute privately in the bathroom. I didn't want to NOT go, really that was never an option for me, but I was afraid of not being able to keep up. And being really embarrassed about my lack of experience. 

We marched up the groomed trail and I foolishly thought how this wasn't as hard as I had built it up to be and right about that time we approached a small sign indicating the trail we needed to take to get to the lake.  The new trail split from the gentle groomed trail and jutted up the steep mountain in narrow daunting switchbacks. Shit. It was instantly much, much harder. My snowshoes were intended for easier trails and didn't have the gripping spikes I really needed.

A couple of the girls turned back in favor of some more leisurely cross country skiing and relaxing around the cabin. I had a moment where I had to decide if I wanted to continue up the difficult path or retreat with them back the way I had come. This would likely be my only chance to flee.

To continue or to go back?  That was the question. That is always the question it seems.

I was the new girl and I wanted to prove to them and to myself that I belonged here, that I was part of the group and I could do this.  So I took a deep breath and turned to continue up the mountain. A few warm tears ran down my cold face and I worried I was making a bad choice as I was clearly struggling, but it was too late, there was no turning back now.

Up and up we climbed on the slippery narrow trail. I was by far the slowest and had to stop often. I apologized multiple times for slowing them down, but they insisted it was no big deal and they were fine waiting for me. I still felt bad.

Snow started coming down in huge fluffy flakes and the trail became less obvious. We came across a clearing with a great view and stopped to take pictures and appreciate where we were. Snowshoeing in Glacier, that's pretty awesome. 

Then the trail was gone.  We decided to turn back so we wouldn't get lost with the snow coming down more and the possibility of it covering up our tracks leading the way back was real. We later found out that we shouldn't have even been on that trail due to avalanche danger. SO, that's exciting.

We made our way back down the mountain to the groomed trail and I let out a whoop! I did it! And more importantly I didn't give up on myself. 

We never made it to the lake. I'm sure they could have made it if they hadn't had to keep waiting for me. But they never once made me feel inadequate.  They encouraged and supported me and said they were glad I was there. I appreciate and value them and this experience more than they could ever know.

5 hours after starting our journey,  we made it back to the cabin where there was a hot tub calling us. We ate, drank, played Cards Against Humanity and Just Dance all night. It. Was. Perfect.

Life Is Good

I have mixed feeling about how January and February have gone. On one hand I have wasted no time in getting right into things, and I've already checked off some of the things on my new goal list. However the training part, you know the workouts to get ready to do the activities I actually love to do, is feeling really forced. I would say I'm doing a good job at working through the "I don't want to today" and "I'll workout tomorrow" feelings and end up working out like I am supposed to but I'm not excited about it and I'm not seeing the results I'd like to see.

The bootcamp classes at Talache are going pretty good. Though I did have a small outburst after doing plank after plank after plank variation one night. I want to be stronger and able to do everything right NOW! Not some time in the future. The slow progress is reeeeeally frustrating. 

And the bike trainer is only just barely an acceptable back up to actually riding on the road. I mean it does what it's supposed to do, and I usually put on a video of someone bike touring across the country, which I love, but it's so boring being stationary.

That being said, the activities are what it's all about!

In January, my sister in law and her boyfriend were visiting, so we took the kids and rented cross country skis, boots and poles from REI and set off for Mt Spokane. 

I was the only one who had been cross country skiing before. And I can't say I was an exceptional teacher. For no particularly good reason we chose an "easy" trail, but not the one suggested for beginners. It was a hill right off the bat and we were kinda a mess. Let's just say there was LOTS of falling involved. But it was still a great time and we gave it a solid effort.

 Katie even insisted we go up again the next day just the two of us. So after convincing my sore muscles it was a good idea, we decided to play hookie and do exactly that. It was great!  We improved so much!  We didn't fall and made it much further than we had the day before. 

Then in the beginning of February I had an opportunity to volunteer with REI for the Souper Bowl Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski fundraiser event for the Women and Children's Free Restaurant and Community Kitchen. It was super fun and gave me the chance to try out snowshoeing for the first time. I was so pumped and happy to be there. And my co-workers are pretty rad so I really love the chances to spend time with them. It was even lightly snowing the whole time which was really beautiful. 

The last week or so there has been a heat wave of sorts and I've been eager to venture out for some hiking and biking. We made a trip out to Riverside State Park which was great as usual. 

It feels like it's been forever since the I last visited this special place.

And yes! I have been taking my ENO hammock along for some of my more recent outings.  It sets up so easy and has become my new favorite thing! I've used it in my yard, at the park, and out hiking, it's been really versatile. 

This weekend I took a ride on a section of the Centennial Trail that I hadn't been on before. I had read that it was pretty hilly and challenging. I can now confirm that is not an understatement. It was exactly that. My legs were DYING and it felt so good! I will be back to ride the rest of the way to the end in 9 mile this summer.

While I was out I found this guy! Another sign, literally, that I'm right were I need to be. :)

AND! Omg and and and!!! Today I'm leaving on a girls trip with some of the REI ladies! EEEEEEEK!! We are heading to Glacier for some skiing, snowshoeing, day drinking and dance "mix tapes"! I'm SOOOO stoked I can hardly stand it! What can I say? Life is good!

P.S.- 1 million thank you's to my husband for rearranging his schedule and covering for me so I can go on this trip. You are the best! I love and appreciate you so much!

Climbing, Hiking, and Biking, Oh My! Time To Set Some New GOALS!

It would seem that the universe is speaking to me and I feel like I have no choice but to listen.

I had a successful summer completing my first sprint tri,  backpacking test run, and 100 mile bike ride. And I was doing great at keeping up on my workout schedule in preparation of being a bridesmaid, in what was a beautiful wedding, at the end of the summer. Then the summer was over, the days a bit gloomier, and I made the mistake of not setting the next round of goals to work towards. I backed off my workout consistency and gave in to holiday season bad eating. I have gained back a few pounds and lost some of the muscle I had worked so hard for. To say I am disappointed in myself would be an understatement.

That's not to say that good things haven't been happening for me. The world around me has been pushing me to get back on track and experience some new amazing things. In addition to caring for a few young kids during the day, I needed to contribute more financially to my household, and I was sure I could benefit from some adult interaction, so I applied to a couple places thinking maybe someone could use some holiday help.  A few days later I managed to secure a job at REI, a recreation equipment co-op that started out of Seattle. A place I am honored to work at.  A place that helped me so much in preparing for my own adventures. A place where the mission statement is:

To inspire, educate, and outfit 
for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.

YESYESYES!!!! I can totally get behind that!

So I've been working  at REI since the beginning of November. It's something totally new to me and  it was a bit challenging at first but it's going pretty great now. I'm so excited, I get to be around people that love going on adventures and be exposed to their enthusiasm and wealth of knowledge. Buuuut, I'm working so much between my two jobs and daylight hours are so few, that I have no time to do much of anything.

Then as part of a contest I won a ENO double nest hammock. Awesome!! I've looked at these before but now it's all mine! So this sparks me to watch videos of how to set it up, and reviews and comparisons between other hammocks. Which in turn leads me to videos of portaledges and rock climbing and Alex Honnold free soloing places like Half Dome. (Crazy!) Which causes me to ask some of my coworkers at REI about their experiences with rock climbing and such. Of course they are super awesome people and I get invited by a couple people to go climb sometime. On one hand I'm thinking, cool this could be a fun new experience, and on the other hand I'm thinking about my backsliding and how out of shape I'm feeling again.

Let it also be known that I am positioned in the store across from the GoPro display so that the constant stream of GoPro videos is always in my field of vision. So I'm showing these crazy videos to Josh when we are home together and I'm feeling energized and adventuresome. Then at Josh's Christmas party he wins, of all things, a GoPro. Ok I get it! Time to get back on track and step up the adventures. Without knowing about any of the nudges life had been giving me towards rock climbing, one of my brothers gave me a gift certificate to Wild Walls, a climbing gym in town. So that's that. I am going to be trying my hand at rock climbing in the near future. Aaaaand I have visions of hanging my hammock high up in a tree.

Also because of REI, I became aware of Cheryl Strayed's book: Wild, which has recently been turned into a movie. (She mentions REI numerous times in the book.) It's her story of her 100 day journey on the Pacific Crest Trail and what lead to her being there. I really enjoyed the book and her TED talk as well. I already had the PCT in my sights and now I want it even more! I don't by any means think I'm ready for it or have that much time now, but I can see it as a  long term goal. In the mean time I can work on arranging time to go on lots of shorter trips and try for a 100 mile trip to see what that's like. Visions of thru hiking take over my dreams sometimes, it kinda ridiculous.

So biking is another thing. I LOVE biking!! And I'm missing it so much this winter. The wind rushing past me, the smells as I pass by, the strength and power in my legs. It's where I feel most accomplished. Then I  see some of my more hardcore coworkers biking to and from work at REI. I doesn't mater if its raining or snowing or freezing out, these people are true bad asses. And I want to be like that some day. In order for this to become a reality I need to get back to training. Since I'm working with the kids during the week days and at REI most nights and weekends, my available training time is limited to odd hours for the most part. Having as many resources at home as possible is the best plan for me. So I pooled my Christmas funds and, with assistance from my generous employee discount, invested in a bike trainer. It's a stand I can put my bike in to make it a stationary bike, allowing me to ride indoors through the cold weather. I've been doing this in the mornings before work. I'm starting with 30 minutes and will build back up to 60 minutes, 3-4 times per week.

As if that wasn't enough, I have an opportunity to join the workout community at Talache Wellness. Having this network of support is HUGE for me. It's going to push me to work harder than I might on my own and help keep me accountable. I went to my first class in a loooong time last night and it was both, not as bad as I imagined and exactly as challenging as I remembered. My plan is to go to at least 2-3 classes per week.

I think what it comes down to, is wanting to experience as much as possible and to try new things that brighten my soul.
To live a life I love!

So here it is. I'm going to get on track with this cliche New Years start again date. Because any start again date is better than not starting at all.

Goals and things I am working towards:

Cross country ski and/or snowshoe at least once this year (completed January/February 2015)

Go climbing for the first time

Climb a real rock wall

Work up to climbing Big Rock on Iller Creek Trail- maybe :)

Bloomsday with the family

Do at least one 5/10K fun run

Go on a weekend back packing trip

Backpack 100 miles

Complete another 100 mile bike ride

Improve sprint tri time

First 100+ Mile Bike and Camp Trip

Originally, Josh and I took a couple days off work so we could take three days, plus one recovery day, to ride the 120 or so miles from the Hiawatha to Spokane. There was some gravel roads and highways as a part of that as well as paved bike paths. Since we still needed tires that would work for both, another set of panniers to hold all our stuff aaaaand I was unsure about how comfortable I was riding on the highway, we decided it was better to make it a two day trip and just stick to the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a paved Rails to Trails bike path, that is 72 miles from Plummer to Mullan.

Neither one of us had ever ridden more than 30 miles in a day, but figured if that was all we had to do for the day, and we stopped and took breaks to rest or eat than 50 or even a 100 in one day shouldn't be too hard. We reserved a camp site at about 50 miles in thinking we could stop then at 50 if we were tired or keep going and come back if we were up for it.

Goal 1 was riding the entire Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes

Goal 2 was riding 100 miles over the weekend.
Goal 3 was riding 100 miles in one day.

The always supportive Ms. Daisy, dropped us off at the trail head in Plummer pretty early. But for how hot the temperature was going to get we should have been there much earlier. We were feeling great and really pumped for the possibilities of this adventure. Since not everything would fit in the set of bike bags we have, we also had to take the trailer to carry our tent, sleeping pads, and a few other over flow items.

We chatted with other people in the parking lot as we loaded up our gear. Sharing our plans of camping along the way, and plans of 100 miles. Everyone was excited and supportive, and the consistently given advice was " stay hydrated". Armed with the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes Unofficial Guidebook and tons of enthusiasm we set off!!

Most of the first 7 miles are down hill. So we got to start our ride just crusin' along in the still coolish morning air. It was the perfect way to start the trip.

Whee! Winding down from the prairie was exactly as I imagined it would be. We kept saying, "This is awesome! I'm so glad we are doing this."

Then the thick trees withdrew to reveal the south end of Lake Coeur d'Alene and oh she was beautiful!

Next we went up over the Chatcolet bridge.....

Where Josh's seat post randomly broke! Awesome. He rode with an extra short seat the rest of the way to Harrison, where there's a bike shop. We were able to buy a new post and get it switched over with the tools we have.

At this point we are also 15 miles in so we snack a bit then head out. The energy is still high and I'm still stopping frequently to take pictures of all the purdy things. 

As we advance, the lake fades away and it turns into incredibly beautiful meadows and marshes back dropped by evergreen covered mountains, and flowers and tall grasses usher us along the trail. There are a few trees right along the path offering shade but not a lot. 

But it wasn't too hot yet so I fully enjoyed the feel of the warming air on my body.

I mean seriously, this is good riding! And I am HAPPY!

We passed the first 25 miles pretty quickly, but it was starting to heat up. Like a LOT! And even though I'm used to pulling kids in the trailer, it was definitely taking a lot of extra energy to tow and slowing me down quite a bit.

The trees became even fewer and it was up to 97 degrees. I was sweating my ass off and getting tiny water blisters all over my arms and legs. We coated ourselves in sunscreen over and over and I sucked down my water much faster than I had anticipated. The heat was amplified by the marsh that was on both sides of the trail for some long sun saturated stretches. I was feeling weak and exhausted so we stopped to eat on a shady bench. I was desperate to dunk myself in the river that kept coming and going from the side of the trail.

Right when I thought I couldn't take the heat anymore we found a shady cedar alcove which just happened to be next to a stretch of the river that was begging me to get in. It was shockingly cold which was totally acceptable. This quick dip was enough to keep me going.

The heat was oppressive though, so the energy didn't last long. Our water was almost depleted when we pulled into Cataldo where we were able to fill up our water supplies and I insisted we break for a beer to boost my morale.

At this point we are about 10 miles from camp and I know there is no freaking way I'm going any further than that today. I just wanted to find an accessible part of the river to submerge myself in again. That was all I could think about!

 We made it to camp, and Josh set up while I practically passed out on a picnic table bench. Stocking our ice, water, and alcoholic beverage supply at the combo gas station/ liquor store in Pinehurst was our first priority followed by finding a place to cool off. We then found a tiny piece of heaven on the river near by to do just that. This place was great! There was bit of a current on the far side of the river so we walked up a little bit and floated back down. We stacked rocks and I drank a beer to unwind. It was fabulous!!

We headed back to camp where Josh whipped us up some dinner and drinks and I shoveled it quickly into my mouth.

It was a loooong day and we both burnt a ton of calories!

My butt was sore but otherwise I was ready to do it all again the next day.

Trying to pack as lightweight as possible, I only brought the one sports bra, that was also doubling as part of my swimsuit. After our river swims and a days worth of extremely sweaty bike riding I decided it was a good idea to rinse some of my stuff out, including my bra, and let it hang to dry overnight. Heck, it was so hot, it should be dry in no time at all....right? WRONG! It was so moist and dewey overnight they were literally dripping in the morning. Unwilling to struggle getting into a soaking wet sports bra, I went without one for the first part of the day, and just hid in my looser fitting bike jacket. I had no choice but to hang my wet clothes from the trailer in hopes the wind would assist in the drying process. It didn't. And it heated up quickly enough, I ended up changing into it anyway. Lesson learned, I will never go without a second bra again.

There was only about 30 miles from where we were to the end of the trial, but we still wanted to get to at least 100 miles, so we went back about 10 miles, before turning around and finally heading to the end. The trailer continued to completely suck the towers energy so we traded back and forth to give each other a break. And we agreed to never bring the trailer again!

At one point Josh lost his balance while attempting to open a granola bar and crashed. He is so lucky he wasn't injured! His bike was a little battered though, so we stopped at the bike shop in Kellogg where they helped us out. 

Though we tried to get an early start to beat the heat, again it wasn't early enough. It was soooo hot. And the last 24 miles are all uphill! I was melting. And pretty sure I was going to go crazy or get heat stroke or something. In a rare patch of shade I literally got off my bike and laid in the path. I was SPENT! Somehow I got up and mustered enough energy to go the next 1/4 mile to Wallace. We hit a gas station on the edge of town and filled up every container we had with ice.

It's at this gas station that I turn to Josh as tell him I don't think I can tow the trailer any more. I'm too tired and it's too hard. He looks as worn out as I imagine I do and says he is sorry but he isn't sure he can go any further at all. We agree to find a shady spot to rest and think about what we wanted to do. 

I add up our combined miles from both days and we are at 92 miles. As much as I want to be done there is no way I can give up this close to my goals. We are 7.2 miles from the end of the trail and it's uphill the whooooole way. But if it's up hill the whole way to Mullan than it will be down hill the whole way back to Wallace for our celebration dinner! I said I would go alone or he could come with me. Annnnd he decided to finish too! Gaaah!! I love him so much! I'm so proud of us in this moment. It would have been so easy to say it was too hot, and too hard, and just stop. But we kept going!

We agreed to split towing the trailer. I took the first half and he took the second half. We just took it slow, because that's all we had left. Stopping in the shade frequently, like every half mile or mile to rest. It was the most challenging thing I've ever done. In my head I channel my inner Dory and start silently chanting, just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling, just keep pedaling......and setting mini goals like, just to that patch of shade, or just around that corner. It felt like an eternity. Then, like the light at the end of the tunnel, the trail opened up to the Mullan trailhead and victory was ours! We made it!!!!!!! OH MY GOD WE MADE IT!!!

Since there was zero shade there, we pretty quickly turned around for the 7.2 miles back down the mountain to Wallace, where our awesome friends Madelynn and Andrew would be picking us up and joining us for what would turn out to be an incredible victory feast. This was by FAR the best part of any ride I've ever been on. THIS is why I do this. The freeing feeling of flying down a hill, the exhileration of the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair, the beauty of your surroundings, oooh and that feeling of accomplishment. I AM ALIVE!!!

.......And starving after two full days of activity, so we ate and ate and ate.

106.71 miles total. I think we could have gone further and faster if it hadn't been so hot or if we hadn't had the trailer. Either way, I feel great about what we accomplished. The whole drive home from Wallace I kept thinking, wow! This is a long way!

Something I could have never fully appreciated before is what sitting on a bike for 50 miles a day does to your body. It hurts. A lot.  The hands, shoulders, feet and especially the butt really take a beating, blisters, chafing, pressure sores, sunburns, pinched nerves and numbness. We stayed in bed the whole next day, just relaxing and enjoying each others company. Yes it was hard, and yes it was worth it. This was our first long ride but it will not be our last.