If you joined the Ultimate Coffee Date this weekend, you know my husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary this week. How did we mark the day? By riding our bikes 60+ miles—how else?
This anniversary cycling tradition started 5 years ago, when we marked our 25th anniversary by riding out to Leesburg for lunch. Last year, we did a full century on our anniverary, but I’m not sure either of us has a burning desire to ride that distance again.
Riding 60+ Miles
We started our ride mid-morning without any specific plans. We vaguely thought it would be nice to have lunch at that same place in Leesburg, but we hadn’t checked to make sure it was still there—and open on Mondays. As the miles ticked by, I realized that riding all the way to Leesburg and back would be a 70+ mile ride since we had started at a different point. After doing the math on how long that would take—and wanting to be back home before rush hour—I decided stopping at Ashburn would be a better idea.
I was getting hot, tired, and hungry,
and glad to see the red umbrellas of our lunch spot.
My Garmin beeped 30 miles just as we reached the barbecue place that’s right on the W & OD trail at Ashburn—perfect! We each got BBQ sandwiches and ice cold cokes, and enjoyed our lunch on the picnic tables outside. We washed up, got some other cyclists to take our picture, and headed back. When we were about 10 miles from home, my energy was flagging again. I really wanted another icy Coke, but only knew of a Whole Foods close to the trail. No Cokes there, but I got a Naked Juice Green Machine and that really hit the spot.
Our ride took about 5 1/4 hours–about 4 1/4 hours of riding time–and was a great way to spend the day together.
Weekly Wrap
My legs complained about riding 62.75 miles the day after running a 10 mile race so I tried to take it easy for a few days after that.
Monday: 62.75 mile anniversary ride
Tuesday: 1 mile walk with Scooby + 20 min strength training
No way I could make it to spinning, so I took Scooby for a walk and did a core-focused strength workout.
Wednesday: Orange Theory Fitness
Ready or not, my legs rose to the challenge of a tough OTF workout. I think I got the most splat points ever, thanks to a row/run/row switch in the first block that got my heart rate up and a tough floor workout that kept my heart rate higher than usual.
Thursday: 2.6 Scooby Miles + strength workout
I opted for some Scooby Miles instead of yoga again, mostly because I needed to be at work earlier than I can be if I go to yoga from 6-7.
Scooby ran so nicely during this run (no pulling)–it was amazing!
Friday: Rest/Travel Day to visit my son at Clemson
I got my steps in trudging around the airport and walking around town.
Saturday: 3.3 miles hiking
My son took us hiking at Table Top State Park. We did two short hikes, which was plenty in the hot, humid weather.
We stopped for lunch at an authentic country restaurant–the kind Cracker Barrel might be modeled after! What could be more southern than sweet tea served in a Bell jar?
It sure hit the spot and helped wash down the fried pickle slices.
Sunday: 4.5 mile run
My son helped me map out a loop from our hotel, but the sidewalk ended at the end of this bridge, so I did an out and back in the other direction instead.
This view made the adventure worthwhile.
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Happy anniversary! Great way to spend it, on bikes!
Thanks! I can’t believe how much I’ve come to love it!
What a fun anniversary tradition you have! Sounds like a great day. I am hoping to ride out to Leesburg for lunch when it cools off a bit
It’s the only way to keep us off our screens. 😉
What a great way to spend your anniversary!
Perfect way to spend your anniversary. Congratulations on 30 years! You rode a METRIC century this year!
We really did! It was a good day.
We just celebrated our 30th by drinking beer at taprooms in Chicago. You biked. Isn’t it fun doing something you love together? We’re still talking about our day.
Neither of us have the tolerance that would require — or maybe that’s because I prefer hoppy IPAs which have a high ABV. 🙂
I didn’t realize your son was at Clemson. It’s still hot there, well if it’s like here! Oh, we frequently drink out of mason jars, especially in BBQ restaurants. 😉 Your anniversary ride sounds great! We celebrated 30 by eating oysters and sharing a few beers on the lake — which was just perfect. Tell me, why does a Coke tastes so good on a long bike ride? Thanks for linking!
It sure was hot and humid in Clemson! Coke is magic after a hot ride!
Although I usually prefer Pepsi, Coke would do the trick as well (especially after all that cycling!). I totally love the pic of you and Scooby’s feet from Thursday 😉
Happy Anniversary!! Wow, 30 years is really a great accomplishment and I love that you both celebrated by doing something active!
Glad that you were able to visit your son last week too!
Happy anniversary! You had a fun, action-packed week!
Happy anniversary! The ride sounds like a fun way to celebrate 🙂
What a great idea for spending your anniversary together! You sure had another busy week but nice to visit with your son & what views!
Happy anniversary! It looks like you’ve got some great trails to use in the area.
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful way to celebrate together! I can’t imagine riding that long (I usually ride an hour or so) but maybe someday I will!
We definitely built up to the distance over the years. 😉
What a wonderful way to spend such a great day! Happy anniversary and congratulations on a great ride and week!
Happy anniversary! How nice that the lunch spot was bike ride friendly. I always worry about stopping between gym and home (outside run I rarely have $ on me) and feeling gym icky.
Fried pickles!
What a gorgeous sunrise
I can’t believe how many years it took us to check it out. There are a number of coffee shops and even a few brewerys along the bike path that try to lure cyclists in with promises of water and rest rooms. 😉
Happy anniversary to you guys! That bike ride sounds AMAZING (60 miles!)!! Sounds like you had a great week of training as well. Now I’m craving fried pickles.
I ate so much fried food this weekend! It’s hard to stop once you start giving in to that craving.
Happy Anniversary! I love that you guys rode together to celebrate. Major Hubs and I always try to do something active for our anniversary as well.
That pic of yours and Scooby’s feet crack me up! Glad you had a good visit with your soon and enjoyed some good old fashioned southern sweet tea …it’s the BEST!
It’s the best way to make sure I can’t be bothered by work. 😉
Sounds like a great way to celebrate your day! Happy Anniversary!
Thanks! We had a great day together.
Happy anniversary – what a super tradition! And I love the human and dog paws picture!