Thank goodness for Google Maps

Most people who know me know that I'm a bit directionally challenged. Okay probably more than a bit. I've been lost hundreds(??) of times. I even get lost when I revisit places I've been before. Its really sad actually because my instincts are generally good except when it comes to navigation.

At the kickoff of the team bike ride, Coach Mike announced he did not have any maps, but the route was simple. We were doing the Portola Loop. It sounded familiar. "Head towards Woodside, take Whiskey Hill, left on Sand Hill," something about a familiar intersection Junipera Serra and Foothill was the wrong direction, "right on Alpine, left on Portola, left on Whiskey Hill, back to the start. And if you get confused or separated, just stop and let others catch up to you at the intersections."

Well I headed off. The usual happened, the fast group takes off, but I'm able to keep them in my sights. There are some people between me and the fast group so I feel pretty comfortable. We come to a light and I see it change after the fast group pass it. Still okay I catch up with the fast stragglers.

We head off together. They get ahead of me but not too far. I look back and don't really see anyone close. They are pretty far back. Coming down Sand Hill I get another light and I'm separated from the second fast group, but I can still see them. I see them make the turn so I know where to go......

At the turn I notice it is the same intersection we've taken when we start the ride in Menlo Park. Its all extremely familiar because I think Joe and I rode this section. I take the turn and follow another biker who seemed to be with us, everyone has a bright jacket.

I ride along, I see Page Mill, 280, am I on Alpine? Uh, I'm on Foothill. That is exactly where Coach Mike said I should be. I stop. I'm so happy that I brought my phone, which I actually thought about leaving, not sure now why. I pull up Google Maps. Yep I'm not where I'm supposed to be. I find a route back to Arastadero. Looks like I can take it back to Alpine. So I do it.

This next part of the ride was all about thinking what the team will think when I finally get back. Am I going to get back in time to still do the run? Will the team still be there? Will they notice I'm not there? Afterall the "Hang with the Gang" is a BBQ honoring the honorees. Its a date to meet all of them together, including the young girl Jensen who has been in the hospital since we started training.

Wow, seems like a lot of climbing, but I'm really pushing it. Enjoying any downhill or flat section. I stopped a few more times to check the map. A couple of times I thought I should take a left not a right, but that would have been way worse. Gotta get back to the course.

Finally find Alpine. I'm pedalling hard when I pass a few people who look really familiar, but I don't stop I want to get back. I turn on Portola, now I think the next turn is Whiskey. Then Portola turns and the road I'm on turns into Sand Hill. Stop! Phone! Man the phone is slow here.

As I'm looking at my phone someone stops behind me. She says, "Are you with Team in Training?"

"Yes the tri-team, I'm trying to catch up to them. I got really lost."

"I'm on that team, the people behind me are too. Its Todd the mentor. A bunch of people got lost and everyone is out looking for them. We are supposed to turn on Whisky Hill from here."

I ask her if we continue on Sand Hill or turn. She has no idea. We wait for the group behind us. "Go straight!" says Todd.

I take off, thinking I just want to get back. I see Whiskey Hill but its not marked at all. I know its the right turn because I remember the horse ranch from my ride with Joe. I take the turn. I can't even see the group behind me.

I get back, change my shoes, load up the bike, and wobble to the check in. Everyone is still here but looks like they are done with the run. I see my mentor and Coach Mike. I tell them I got lost and Coach Mike looks sheepishly at me and apologizes for not having a map. They tell me there are several people they are looking for so I'm not the last after all.

Turns out the 21 mile loop was a 27 mile ride for me. I skipped the run, I was really tired. This is probably the first bike ride I've done where my legs ached. Its so stressful being lost, you'd think I'd be used to it by now.

I did the "Go Team!" cheer and just went home. I figured Jeff would get a kick out of hearing I got lost... again.