NEU » y said. As the game went on he seemed more li

I gazed upon the hill ahead of me, which at first glance was a tad intimidating (as Id be tacking on a total elevation gain of 1,780 feet), and I immediately thought to myself, My spin classes didnt prepare me for this.But I lowered my head and pedaled on -- slowly and unsurely, wondering how Id make it up my own personal Mount Everest on the very first day of my trip.Just 18 hours before the ride, I arrived in Wales for a five-day bicycling group tour with Drover Holidays, a local outfitter that organizes bicycling and walking vacations for all ages and abilities, including this cyclist who typically rides a stationary bike at a Florida-based YMCA.When Im not traveling, my weekly workouts at the Y consist of two (what I consider to be hard-core) spin classes, a boot camp that combines weights and cardio, plus a few yoga sessions at my local studio for good measure. When Im on the road, well ... Ive learned, thats a different story.Back on the trail and riding my trusty Merida hybrid bike on an approximately 20-mile trek upward through Brecon Beacons National Park -- from the market town of Abergavenny in the Monmouthsire county, to Hay-on-Wye in the Brecknockshire district; the entrancing scenery distracted me from the burning sensation coursing through my legs.All around, awe-inspiring landscapes spread as far as the eye could see, void of any development and very few cars passing along the way. Instead, flocks of sheep quietly grazed in lush green fields, horses meandered over to see who was passing by. The experience was not only tranquil, but inspiring.At times, the terrain proved tough, but it didnt discourage me. Id dismount and walk my bike through a few more challenging areas. However, Id always be prepared to climb back on, and pedal along. After all, you cant quit. You are essentially forced to complete your ride to reach your intended destination. If my legs grew weary in spin class, Id simply turn the knob on the bike to the left to lessen the resistance. Cycling in the real world, there isnt a knob to turn down. And theres no turning back, only onward and upward.After hours and 17-or-so miles of cycling, our group made it through Gospel Pass, which at 1,801 feet, is the highest throughway in Wales. Completing that ride meant we had reached the summit of our climb. Back in Florida I could only imagine this visual. It was surreal to actual live in that very moment, and be met with a real-life reward.The spoils of our work included a delicious lunch -- which we enjoyed while soaking in sweeping views of the valley below. A thrilling three-or-so miles of fast downhill riding and, for me, a decadent chocolate dessert at dinner that evening. After all, I needed to refuel for the next days ride.When I awoke the next morning after an exceptionally sound sleep at a nearby hotel, my body wasnt sore at all. Perhaps even more surprisingly, I was excited for the journey ahead of me, I couldnt wait to get back on my bike. Day 2 took us to the Elan Valley, (also known as the Welsh Lake District) in Powys, Wales, for a much shorter ride, alongside lakes and wooded trails. The 70-mile reserve makes for terrific bicycling, though we rode just eight miles of it, happening upon a few walkers and even fewer cyclists, and the customary sheep along the way.During the ride, I noticed that my legs felt stronger and I didnt flinch when our group approached the small hills. Perhaps my spin classes or the experience thus far were paying off after all.However, on Day 3 -- while riding an 8.5-mile ride in Pembrokeshire -- starting on the coast, then inland and finally, the countryside -- something clicked. I figured out how to incorporate spin position two, which is when your hands are just inside the upward curve on the handle bars and you are more or less in run mode, and the third position (climb), where you hold your hands on to the top of the handles.As we rode the undulating hills, suddenly I used the momentum from the down hills to power up hills, changing gears to increase the resistance, just like I would turn the knob to the right on my spin bike, and I surged past my fellow riders. I made it to the top without stopping, and when we all gathered together again, some asked what had gotten into me and I couldnt help but smile.Our group of five women (plus two guides) had bonded from the first day, and we encouraged one another in every ride. All of us were close in age and of similar fitness levels, but two of the women in our group soldiered up each hill, not stopping to walk their bikes once. I was so impressed by their abilities, that I pushed myself to get increasingly better.The next morning, Day 4, we stayed off our bikes and instead went on a coasteering adventure (think canyoneering -- scrambling, bouldering, rock-climbing and cliff-jumping into water) before making our way to Tenby, a seaside town on the Carmarthen Bay.After we settled into our lovely accommodations, we were eager to get back onto our bikes and set out for a short, three-mile tour of the town and its beautiful beaches. I met the few hills along the route head-on and tackled all but one, which got the best of me. Reward: Bread, and lots of it, served with creamy Irish butter and delicious bites.?When I awoke on our last day of bicycling, Day 5, I was admittedly sad. Id come accustomed to our daily rides and relished my time on the road. After a visit to the Laugharne Castle in southern Carmarthenshire, we hopped back onto our bikes for the last time.The 6.5-mile ride took us along the salt marshes of the Gower Peninsula and to our final destination, the Britannia Inn, a local pub in Llanmadoc -- it was time for a celebratory lunch of fish and chips. And after five days in the seat of a real bicycle, I felt strong, confident and ready to tackle whatever lied ahead. Including my culinary indulgence.Though I much prefer the gorgeous Welsh scenery to a darkened room in the basement of a high-rise building, back in my spin class I pushed myself harder and didnt hesitate when turning the knob on the stationary bike to the right to increase resistance. Because real bicycling uses the core much more than a spin class ever would, I was more apt to riding through the rough patches, like I did on the countryside.And now theres no looking back, as I know now that Im capable of tackling any terrain.Susan B. Barnes (travlin girl) is a freelance travel journalist whose bags are always packed and ready for her next adventure.Diontae Johnson Youth Jersey . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Jerome Bettis Jersey .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Mel-Blount-Jersey/ . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Heath Miller Womens Jersey . Pirlo limped out of Sundays 1-0 win over Udinese after just 13 minutes. Juventus says Pirlo underwent tests on Monday which revealed he has "a second-degree lesion to the collateral medial ligament in his right knee. Joe Greene Youth Jersey . A knee to the thigh might have stung him the most, but his sixth straight double-double made up for the brief burst of pain.MIAMI -- Dee Gordon walked into the Miami Marlins clubhouse four hours before game time and was greeted at his locker by a three-foot-high stack of boxes -- bats, gloves, shoes and more, all new.Three months of stuff, he said.Thats how long he had been gone. Gordon returned Thursday from an 80-game suspension for a positive drug test and went 0 for 4 batting leadoff as the Marlins lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4.In conjunction with his reinstatement, Gordon issued an apology on social media addressed primarily to his young fans.I know I let you down, and Im sorry, the Marlins second baseman said in a video. Complacency led me to this, and Im hurt. I urge you guys to be more responsible than I am about what goes into your body. I wouldnt wish this on anyone.Gordon, who won the NL batting and stolen base titles last year, was suspended in late April after testing positive for two performance-enhancing drugs.At the time, Marlins president David Samson said Gordon had betrayed the team and fans. Now, Samson and the Marlins say theyre glad to have Gordon back.Were a pretty forgiving society, Samson said. Its important Dee ask for that forgiveness, and he has, and hell receive that. Hes got to continue to work to get himself back in with his teammates and the fans, and my son.Teammates -- even Derek Dietrich, who filled in capably at second base -- have said theyre glad to have Gordon return. Manager Don Mattingly said Gordon has the backing of the clubhouse and organization.Obviously there was disappointment early on, and then you really want to support him from that point forward, Mattingly said. He has been remorseful. He has paid his price.Gordons father, former major league pitcher Tom Gordon, attended Thursdays game. The elder Gordon said he both scolded and embraced his son when the suspension occurred.He has learned a lot, Tom Gordon said. He willl bounce back and be an even better person.ddddddddddddIn his video, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Gordon said he learned from his mistake.I thought being the smallest guy, I would never fail a drug test, he said. I didnt pay attention at all and I didnt meet the standards. Thats my fault and no one elses. But dont give up on me.When Gordon was suspended, he said he unknowingly took the banned substances. Speaking to a cluster of media in the dugout before batting practice Thursday, he declined to elaborate.What lesson did he learn?Dont be complacent just because youre small, he said. I got complacent and made a mistake.Gordons hitless effort Thursday dropped his season average to .255.I thought he seemed a little quiet and probably a little nervous, Mattingly said. As the game went on he seemed more like himself.To make room on the roster for Gordon, the Marlins designated for assignment infielder Don Kelly, who had two triples in Wednesdays victory over the Phillies.Even without Gordon, the Marlins have remained in contention for their first playoff berth since 2003.I kept in touch with my teammates pretty much on a daily basis, Gordon said. I told them thank you for keeping their end of the bargain. I asked them to keep it close until I got back, and thats exactly what they did. Now Ive got to keep my end of the bargain. Ive got to help us get to the playoffs.As part of his punishment, Gordon will be ineligible for the postseason.Last year he led the majors with 205 hits and 58 stolen bases, batted .333, became an All-Star for the second time and won a Gold Glove.The breakout season earned him a $50 million, five-year contract in January. Is he optimistic hell play the way he did last year?I know I can, he said. Wait and watch. ' ' '