Newest adventure as a “reborn American”

Since I have been home my friends have been inviting me to play softball with them.  They all joined a league and have games every Thursday night. I had been busy and unmotivated until last night when finally I gave in.  I had played softball in my younger years but hated the slow-moving speed of the game (or my lack of skill?).  I ended up giving it up to play a faster spring sport–lacrosse.  So I wasn’t too sure what I could bring to the team last night but I quickly found out that that wasn’t the point. It was just a nice time to get out and spend time together!  We had a nice run for a double-header night, winning both games! Go us! I was able to hit the ball a few times–and strike out just as much–but my one run did make me feel like a part of the team 🙂

It’s funny that my friends and I are at the age where we (or “they” at the moment) work 9-5 in an office and look forward to a community sports league for weeknight fun.  I just feel so old sometimes.

VTT: very tough terrain!

I was invited by Juliette to go mountain biking (faire du VTT) today. I have to say that I was very excited to do a bit of physical activity–the overconsumption of baguette and cheese and wine is taking its toll on my figure ; )

We woke up early and got the bikes together. I borrowed David’s vélo (bike), casque (helmet), and des gants (gloves).  He also generously gave me padded biker shorts to wear over my own un-padded shorts.  At first I thought this wasn’t necessary.  First, I ride bikes a lot at home and never wear padded shorts–never been a problem.  Another reason for my  apprehension was the fact that this thing looked like a wrestling outfit–no joke!  Ultra-low scoop neck with shoulder straps and jammer shorts. BUT when in Rome (or France?!)…..

So I sported the oversized, VERY stylish biker onesie and packed the cars (there were about 8 of us).  We drove into Beaune (15 min south) and I’m thinking we will just park and find a route as a little group–nothing fancy.

Not the case.

There were seriously like 100 people waiting at this place where we paid 5€ to..well..I don’t really know what the money was about to be honest. They charted out a course for us and I guess some food was laid out for everyone….anyway:

Juliette, Mariné (Juliette’s friend), Oreille (cousin, not sure how to spell his name), and me chose the 35km course while the dad’s/uncles took the longer 50km trip.   Started out fine with some uphill roads past vineyards of the Côte d’Or.  The problem was that a thick fog covered the hills, so the scenery left much to be desired.  Little did I know the lack of visual appeal was the least of my worries:

I spent the next 3 1/2 hours on a bike (probably not properly set up for me due to the throbbing back I had throughout the whole ride) peddling UP hills. No, wait; up a mountain…a mountain with no downhills actually.  No downhills and very difficult, steep, many times slippery, muddy, tiny, winding (get the picture?) paths.  I fell more than 5 times, had to walk the bike 3 times, and thought I was going to fly over my handle bars the whole time!

But after finally reaching the end, and hobbling around (wrestling suit’s padding did NOT do it’s job) I was proud of my accomplishments.  Everyone who I have talked to this afternoon has told me, “c’est très dur” (that’s very hard). SO WAY TO GO ME!