Seize the Lemonade

The third and final day of the event was that “moment we’ve all been waiting for.” Everything had been building up for this day. Riders were training, promoters were promoting, sponsors and vendors were planning, etc...and of course the entire time Peter was.., well, doing what Peter does 🤷🏻‍♀️ 🤪 

Ride Day was finally here. The first ever Sagan Fondo Gran Roadie-OH! And it started with an early morning meltdown—I mean wake-up 😳 Yes, our little star who just had the time of her life the night before did not get enough sleep and was a tad bit grumpy. And probably hungry too. While I dealt with the tantrum, my dear husband drowsily got ready to ride at “O’dark-thirty.”

Surprisingly we made it with about 5 minutes to spare, and we got to see them off. Not in the way he had hoped, but considering the late night we had and the meltdown we survived, we did pretty well making it to the Start Line. Surprisingly as about a thousand riders started pedaling, my eyes started leaking a little. I was so disappointed not to be riding my bike with Peter, my husband and everyone else.

Unfortunately we rushed out the door without a coat for BG or me, and it was quite chilly at 7am! The nice people at BarFly Bike gave us a blanket and we sat on the grass in the sun, where it was much warmer than the shade. We chatted while BG ate some breakfast snacks and then she rode her RipRock around for a bit before we went back to the hotel for a proper breakfast. 

After breakfast we went back to the Expo area, and by now everyone knew our little BORA darling so keeping an eye on her was not so difficult for this one-armed mama with my green cast 😉 We strolled around the Expo area taking fun pictures and chatting with various people while Daddy suffered on the road without us. BG even had a mini photo shoot with one of Peter’s sponsors 😎 

The first thing my husband said to me after he crossed the Finish Line: “You are so lucky you broke your wrist!” 🥴 Not exactly something I expected to hear...ever. LOL Apparently he ended up on the short 50km route, which had been dubbed “the flat ride,” and it was more difficult than anticipated. He even managed to get a bit of road rash. There was a bit of a nasty climb on the back half that I might have had to finish walking alongside my bike 🥴🤷🏻‍♀️

The after-party was fun, and I even met the guy who’d asked the “Why are women so attracted to you?” question the night before. The oldest rider was a women in her 70’s! And yes she rode the 150km ride and made sprint with Peter! How’s that for motivation for the rest of us?! I don’t know who impressed me the most—this woman or the challenged athletes who also completed the ride. Amazing people.

I managed to be in just the right place as Gabri and Peter exited, and I got the chance to chat with them briefly. They were both so gracious and grateful, and I even got a big hug from both of them. And of course I had to get a pic with Peter and my decorated green cast 🤪

As our family walked back to our hotel, I noticed a little bit of Peter had rubbed off on me with that hug, and I exclaimed, “Oh my gawd! I smell like Peter!!!” To which my husband kind of laughed and said “Good for you!” “I’m never showering AGAIN!!” And my husband quickly replied “Hey, wait a minute...” It was a fun exchange as BG strolled along on her newly stickered balance bike.

I already can’t wait for next year.