the late ride.

Jacob and I went to bed at 5:30 {in the morning} on Saturday night/Sunday morning. It’s not what you think. We weren’t off gallivanting around Chicago, going to clubs, dancing the night away. We were the fools in bike helmets biking past those clubs. Yes, on Saturday night Jacob and I with my sister and her almost-hubby Brandyn rode 25 miles around the city. It’s known as the “late ride” and it is just that: it’s extremely late and it’s not a race…. It’s a ride.

Here’s a basic timeline of the whole shabang:

Saturday:

11:30 AM: Dismay sets in as Jacob and I realize we have to stay up all night.

3 PM: We set off on the adventure known as ikea. Because that’s how we train for bikes rides. We buy shelves.

6 PM: We carbo load with French bread. And salmon. It’s delicious.

9 PM: Curl up on the coach… watch three episodes of How I Met Your Mother. We’re deep in denial that we don’t get to go to sleep.

9: 17 PM: I drink a pot of coffee. Myself.

10:30 PM: Horror set in. And sleepiness. Emily and Brandyn show up from a wedding {typical} and take residence on our bed for a much needed nap.

11:30 PM: PANIC!!! Jacob and I can’t find anything we need for the race. Adrenaline sets in and we perk up while looking for a backpack to carry. Luckily Emily has two. Crisis averted.

11:45 PM: The four of us load our bikes into Brayndon’s truck and start the 20 minute trek to Millennium Park parking. We hit a ridiculous amount of traffic heading into the city. Evidently we are alone in our desire to be asleep at that very moment.

Sunday:

12:15 AM: We arrive at Buckingham Fountain. Pick up free water bottles. Brandyn sucks down a 5 hour energy.

12:45 AM: Time to line up! We make our way to the front of the line {since I’m amazing and got to packet pickup super early to ensure we’re in the first wave}.

1:00 AM: We’re off!! In a great mood despite going quit slow and stopping for red lights.

1:07 AM: My butt starts to hurt.

1:30 AM: This just in: drunks love yelling at people on bikes.

1:40 AM: We bike through Greek town. Also just in: drunks who happen to be Greek absolutely LOVE yelling at people on bikes.

2:40 AM: HALF WAY point!! We stop for luna bars and energy drinks. We pillage at least $45 worth of Luna bars.

3:10 AM: Back on the bike.

3:11 AM: I desperately wish we weren’t back on the bikes.

3:17 AM: The streets are emptying out. Normal people and most semi-normal people who enjoy clubbing are at home tucked into their bed.

3:31 AM: We make it to the lake. Now there are no red lights to give us a much needed break to rehydrate.

3:47 AM: Just keep biking. Just keep biking. Just keep biking.

3:51 AM: Just keep biking. Just keep biking. Just keep biking.

3:54 AM: Jacob and I realize that Jeremy ran the same distance {longer actually} in the same amount of time. I resolve to never run a marathon.

3:59 AM: Just keep biking. Just keep biking. Just keep biking.

4:12 AM: Sweet victory. We’ve survived.

4:13 AM: Stand in line for “breakfast.” {it did not include bacon as all breakfasts after a 25 mile bike ride should.}

4:17 AM: BACK ON OUR BIKES! The 4 minute bike ride back to the car is torture.

4:32 AM: Make it to our apt. Stumble around putting our bikes away, setting up beds {plural} for Em and Brandyn.

4:42 AM: Fall into bed still clothed and a sweaty mess.

KLJDFKLJS AM: The shower is available. Focus on not falling asleep while washing my hair.

Kalsdjfasdkljf AM: Sweet relief. SLEEP.

9 AM: Emily and Brandyn leave. I think. I have a vague memory of them telling us they were going.

12 PM: I get out of bed and make eggs and BACON for second breakfast.

1:30 PM: NAP.

3:30 PM: Jacob and I realize our front door has been unlocked since Emily and Brandyn left.

3:47 PM: We get up from the couch and lock the front door.

6:00 PM: Sushi. Naturally.

And that, ladies and gentleman, was The Late Ride.

We came. We biked. We conquered.