My 25 Mile LD Ride in Beautiful PEI!

25 miles-my first LD ride

The plans had changed

And my nerves I tried to hide

I’d be going out alone

As Wind needed to rest

So my five months of learning

Was going to be put to the test

I’d never ridden alone

Without someone from the TT crew

I started to doubt myself

What would I do?

Remember to breath

You will be fine, they all said

Then one piece of advice

Seemed to stick in my head

When faced with the decision

To ride or sit out

Always ride I was told

There should not be any doubt

So I started going through the motions

Spirit and I

I started to breath

Then I looked in his eyes

I wouldn’t be alone

No not for a minute

He was calm, an old pro

And he and I-we were in it!

We saw the vet

And then finished our trot out

Got saddled up and gear on

And then waited for the shout

“Trail’s open”, I heard

And my stomach did a flip

But with a racing heart and a wave

We were off to start our 25 mile trip 

Everyone was so kind

They heard I was new

They said, “Don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye out for you”

As I started on that ride

It was myself I was surprising

You see I can’t even be convinced

To do city driving

I like things calm and laid back

I do not like unknowns

But on Spirit- in that saddle

I felt right at home

The trails were so beautiful

 Red dirt roads through the trees

The sun breaking through in patches

The fields blowing gently in the breeze

The birds were out singing

As if cheering us along

And a time or two I found myself

Singing my own song

At different spots along the way

Our pit crews we’d see

With water and encouragement

That meant so much to me

And Spirit was just incredible

He really was an old pro

He carefully took in our surroundings

And he knew which way to go

I felt something that day

That brought a tear to my eye

As he carefully took me along

And the miles kept passing by

 I looked down at my friend

So faithful and true

I realized I was riding with someone

From the TT crew

He took me all the way back

In the heat on that day

My gratitude to him

Was more than words could ever say

And we did cross the finish line

We even came in third place

And got honourable mention from the vet

In our first LD race!

I have many people to thank

Where to begin

Thanks to my husband, my daughter

Tammy,

Troy

and Lynn!

It was an experience to remember

One I’ll never forget

But I have a feeling

There are more great things

To come yet!