Painfully ridiculous single track race today. I'm not sure I'll be moving off this couch anytime soon. I think I'm officially over the idea of bike racing. There's a few more races in this series is like to do -- mostly to keep exploring trails other than the Worm or Grand Ridge. But I just don't like about 90% of the women in the cycling community. Or maybe it's that they all have their teams and their cliques and I feel like an unwelcome outsider and just not interested in putting in the effort to get "in" with any of them. I feel like I played that game with the rowing team, and I'm kinda over it.
Anyway, overcast and cool, but the rain held off. The trail was just built so it was a little soft in spots. One of the faster girls went down as soon as we turned off the fire road and I don't think she finished. I started mid to back of the pack, per usual. A lot of these women who have road racing experience just dominate me on the fire roads and straightaways, so I'm getting used to needing to pick them off one by one on the trail.
I was moving all right the first half, and then when the trail actually turned to twisty, climby, serious single track, I was able to pick up relative speed. Or I should have been able too, but spent the whole first lap buzzing the wheel of the woman in front of me who refused to let me pass. When I had given her the heads up that I was behind her and ready to go around she says "you can go around to the left" which was actually a statement false in the world of physics based on the amount of thick brush lining both sides of the trail. So that was enormously frustrating.
We hit the fire road again and I immediately went around her -- if nothing else, I was tired of her saying hi to every spectator; this is clearly a sign of not working hard enough. I got around a couple of other women before the soft section of single track again. I was pushing hard and on the edge of some full blown asthma, but it was race day. I crested the hIll and sped down, trying to maintain my small lead I gained in the open space.
And then I bit it.
I don't know what happened, but I went down pretty hard all along my right side. And I don't know how far back the next two girls were or if they saw my aerobatics, but they both stopped to help me up and make sure I was ok. I thought I was, so I got back on the bike and started riding again. A some point around that time, Trail Hog got by me, and that about ended my race. I was hurting all over and she was opening space between us. But somehow I got myself calmed down and convinced that I'd catch her pretty quick once we hit the technical single track again. Then all I had to do was sneak around her on the fire road before the finish line.
Sure enough, I made up the space of about fifty meters in about 30 seconds. Then Trail Hog asks if I'm the lead group lapping her. Considering we were the last group to start and on lap 2 of 2 I don't know who she thought was actually going to lap her. I probably should have just said yes and maybe she would have let me by, but apparently I still need to work on my ruthlessness. So I stayed on her wheel until the first steep switchback, and when she got off her bike and ran I did too. And I took two steps off the trail to cut inside of her line. And then she says, "woah, not cool -- you have to at least pretend to stay on the trail." But really, by the time she had finished talking I was already on my bike again and bombing down the backside. I quickly caught up to one of the women that stopped to help me after the crash and she yelled some words of encouragement as she let me by. The woman in front of her also pulled over when she heard me coming, although I'm not sure I clocked who it was. I had some work to do before I caught the other woman that stopped to help; I think I got her we as we hit the fire road. Then it was head down and push like hell until the timing chip beeped.
Second in my age group and eighth in the women's field. Not bad considering the crash nearly destroyed my juju and sent me to DFL. I was pretty happy with the way I rode the last bit of single track and DEFINITELY happy about getting around Trail Hog and kicking her ass.
I dumped hydrogen peroxide on my arm when I finally made it home and it bubbled up with great satisfaction. Then I ate a whole box of Mac and Cheese with a couple of chopped up sausages thrown in. I ibuprofenized my crash injuries, but sitting is still pretty painful and sleeping might be dodgy. Will post some photos if these cuts and bruises turn out to be impressive.
The race was a good distraction from the emotional train I'm still riding. I talked to Adam a few times and I think was able to get him to chuckle here and there. He's hurting and it's difficult to watch those you love suffer.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Ohio, Day 24
Today Adam wrote his first blog post in nearly eight months. And it was one that caught me by surprise and has sent me on an emotional roller-coaster ride all day. The title, "Holly" was nondescript, and before I was able to finish reading, and well before I was able to absorb, Adam called to talk. Holly had been a climbing friend from the east coast. And Holly had passed nearly a year ago, just after she and Adam had last checked in with each other.
I finished reading the post and started to digest. I wanted the unpleasant feeling in my gut to only be the empathy that I felt for Adam. The news of the loss has hit him hard, and understandably so. There are people who touch our lives and it matters not how recently or for how long. He described her to me later in the day and it was undeniable that she had made an impression and they had formed a connection.
Unfortunately, the unpleasant feeling wasn't just empathy. It was an ugly bit of jealousy surfacing. Jealousy of the admiration he had for her; jealousy of the words he wrote about her. An uneasiness surrounding how he's described the last year of his life, and anger stemming from feeling like I'm putting in a lot of effort for nothing. They're feelings that I'm not proud were part of my first reaction to the situation and feelings I wish I could reverse. I would liked to have been nothing but supportive and empathetic, but I just wasn't.
Tonight I did some googling on Holly and instantly liked her. Adam said she was pain in the ass and far too upbeat and chipper for him. And that she was the only other person who encouraged him to bring Gaia along and could laugh at the non-stop-whining the in the car. Holly had given up her high-paying job in NYC banking and began living out of her car to embrace her passion for rock and ice climbing. She exemplified what Adam is striving for. And in his eyes the loss of someone so pure in the sport, so full of promise and "zest" as many internet mourners have described represents a loss of all hope that things will turn out right in this world.
From Holly's FB page on April 4, 2012:
Holly has left us and the world as we know it, in the beautiful park she loved – Yosemite.
She lived more in her 32 years than most could dream to do in multiple lifetimes.
Please celebrate her life by remembering her and choosing in your own lives to love and live your passion.
December 26, 1979 – March 27, 2012
She shares a passing day with Tom, albeit two years later, which is an odd coincidence, if it is one at all. There is little information on what (I have gathered) was a climbing accident on March 27, but it appears that she was hospitalized and possibly on some kind of life support until April 3. I can't imagine how difficult that was for those close to her. Indeed, collecting everything I read tonight about Holly, then one could easily argue that life is wholly unfair and that she never met her full potential. However, she touched many -- including Adam -- in such a positive way that makes the loss much harder to swallow. I find myself in tears tonight for a woman that I never knew, but who clearly made the world a brighter place.
I finished reading the post and started to digest. I wanted the unpleasant feeling in my gut to only be the empathy that I felt for Adam. The news of the loss has hit him hard, and understandably so. There are people who touch our lives and it matters not how recently or for how long. He described her to me later in the day and it was undeniable that she had made an impression and they had formed a connection.
Unfortunately, the unpleasant feeling wasn't just empathy. It was an ugly bit of jealousy surfacing. Jealousy of the admiration he had for her; jealousy of the words he wrote about her. An uneasiness surrounding how he's described the last year of his life, and anger stemming from feeling like I'm putting in a lot of effort for nothing. They're feelings that I'm not proud were part of my first reaction to the situation and feelings I wish I could reverse. I would liked to have been nothing but supportive and empathetic, but I just wasn't.
Tonight I did some googling on Holly and instantly liked her. Adam said she was pain in the ass and far too upbeat and chipper for him. And that she was the only other person who encouraged him to bring Gaia along and could laugh at the non-stop-whining the in the car. Holly had given up her high-paying job in NYC banking and began living out of her car to embrace her passion for rock and ice climbing. She exemplified what Adam is striving for. And in his eyes the loss of someone so pure in the sport, so full of promise and "zest" as many internet mourners have described represents a loss of all hope that things will turn out right in this world.
From Holly's FB page on April 4, 2012:
Holly has left us and the world as we know it, in the beautiful park she loved – Yosemite.
She lived more in her 32 years than most could dream to do in multiple lifetimes.
Please celebrate her life by remembering her and choosing in your own lives to love and live your passion.
December 26, 1979 – March 27, 2012
She shares a passing day with Tom, albeit two years later, which is an odd coincidence, if it is one at all. There is little information on what (I have gathered) was a climbing accident on March 27, but it appears that she was hospitalized and possibly on some kind of life support until April 3. I can't imagine how difficult that was for those close to her. Indeed, collecting everything I read tonight about Holly, then one could easily argue that life is wholly unfair and that she never met her full potential. However, she touched many -- including Adam -- in such a positive way that makes the loss much harder to swallow. I find myself in tears tonight for a woman that I never knew, but who clearly made the world a brighter place.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Ohio, Day 19
Pretty productive evening, just waiting for laundry to finish before snooze time. What was not productive, nor helpful in any way is how signing in to Facebook on the iPad imported all my FB contacts (to keep them up to date for me), because now I have 400 totally random people on my iPad. Guess that's motivation to start defriending folks.
Anyway, I did get a cake baked for Fred's birthday tomorrow. I'm digging this make my own powdered sugar thing. Bernie can't have cane sugar, so I've been pulverizing beet sugar in the blender with some starch to use in the frosting. And I tell ya, I sampled tonight's chocolate cream cheese frosting until I had a belly ache. Also made some salmon cakes for dinner and lunch tomorrow, which just didn't turn out as well as when Adam makes them. Got some kale ready to go for breakfast, got a couple of care packages ready to send to Wisconsin (no kale), and took some kick ass sunset pictures... Which may or may not get included in this post, TBD what the iPad decides.
In sucky news, Frank Cunningham has died. The legend. The only coach who could tell you that you were wasting your time in this sport and have you coming back for more. The man who's face would light up when you asked him to explain something or demonstrate a technique. The rowing world has lost a great man, kick ass (albeit unconventional) coach, and kindred spirit, and it's a bit more dull and unforgiving than it was yesterday.
Anyway, I did get a cake baked for Fred's birthday tomorrow. I'm digging this make my own powdered sugar thing. Bernie can't have cane sugar, so I've been pulverizing beet sugar in the blender with some starch to use in the frosting. And I tell ya, I sampled tonight's chocolate cream cheese frosting until I had a belly ache. Also made some salmon cakes for dinner and lunch tomorrow, which just didn't turn out as well as when Adam makes them. Got some kale ready to go for breakfast, got a couple of care packages ready to send to Wisconsin (no kale), and took some kick ass sunset pictures... Which may or may not get included in this post, TBD what the iPad decides.
In sucky news, Frank Cunningham has died. The legend. The only coach who could tell you that you were wasting your time in this sport and have you coming back for more. The man who's face would light up when you asked him to explain something or demonstrate a technique. The rowing world has lost a great man, kick ass (albeit unconventional) coach, and kindred spirit, and it's a bit more dull and unforgiving than it was yesterday.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Ohio, Day 17
Today's post brought to you by my new iPad. Woot!!
Although I'm already convinced blogging or anything else that requires lots of typing will be saved for the laptop and its big keyboard.
Gaia is currently laying on my feet, which is a welcome weight after standing in the chilly rain at the Sounders game for the last two hours. I sorely underestimated the amount of warm clothes I would need. Especially given that the rest of today had been 60 and nearly sunny. I started the day with a lovely row with Lisa, just up to the Ballard bridge and back. The water wasn't great, but we both commented on how nice the headwind was on the way back, partially because we're a little sick and partially because a solid catch in a headwind feels pretty awesome. Then errands about Ballard and the U District, including coffee with the Harshman girls. Lana and Natalie have turned into strong, confident, brilliant young women and I'm always amazed and humbled to think that I had even the tiniest part in their development.
Spent a good amount of time just hanging out at home this afternoon, including a nap with dog snuggles. I had Gaia in at the doggie acupuncturist a few weeks ago and she recommended switching up the dog food to help with the non-stop itching. Adam also recommended fish oil, so Gaia's diet just went hippie. Salmon oil on the kibble for breakfast and a new grain-free kibble to see if the overall skin condition improves. So far, no complaints from the doggie department.
This week I made some progress on the home improvement list. Picked up a new salad spinner while I was torturing myself at U Village. Finally got another light connected in the bathroom after many failed attempts and Home Depot visits. Hung some super cute Japanese paper lanterns over what were bare light bulbs slung over the non-functional lighting wiring in the main space. Got the cave mostly cleaned up and usable. Laid down the diatomaceous earth to in part of February Fleamageddon... That was kind of a disaster; now it just looks like someone had a very messy cocaine party on all the carpets. So pretty good.
Tomorrow is single track race #2 in the series. It's down in Tacoma again, but I think further south than the last time. I upgraded to Cat 2 -- partially to get a longer ride (2 laps instead of 1), partially to race 3 hours later and not have to set an alarm, but mostly because I think I can hang with the Cat 2 women. And the main thing I need to remind myself of during this series is that I am riding because it is FUN. I've already caught myself a few times freaking out because I missed a training ride opportunity. That's only going to lead me down the path of crazy, so I need to proceed carefully. Sleeping in then having post race food and drink at the Walrus with Dana should help to keep me in check.
Although I'm already convinced blogging or anything else that requires lots of typing will be saved for the laptop and its big keyboard.
Gaia is currently laying on my feet, which is a welcome weight after standing in the chilly rain at the Sounders game for the last two hours. I sorely underestimated the amount of warm clothes I would need. Especially given that the rest of today had been 60 and nearly sunny. I started the day with a lovely row with Lisa, just up to the Ballard bridge and back. The water wasn't great, but we both commented on how nice the headwind was on the way back, partially because we're a little sick and partially because a solid catch in a headwind feels pretty awesome. Then errands about Ballard and the U District, including coffee with the Harshman girls. Lana and Natalie have turned into strong, confident, brilliant young women and I'm always amazed and humbled to think that I had even the tiniest part in their development.
Spent a good amount of time just hanging out at home this afternoon, including a nap with dog snuggles. I had Gaia in at the doggie acupuncturist a few weeks ago and she recommended switching up the dog food to help with the non-stop itching. Adam also recommended fish oil, so Gaia's diet just went hippie. Salmon oil on the kibble for breakfast and a new grain-free kibble to see if the overall skin condition improves. So far, no complaints from the doggie department.
This week I made some progress on the home improvement list. Picked up a new salad spinner while I was torturing myself at U Village. Finally got another light connected in the bathroom after many failed attempts and Home Depot visits. Hung some super cute Japanese paper lanterns over what were bare light bulbs slung over the non-functional lighting wiring in the main space. Got the cave mostly cleaned up and usable. Laid down the diatomaceous earth to in part of February Fleamageddon... That was kind of a disaster; now it just looks like someone had a very messy cocaine party on all the carpets. So pretty good.
Tomorrow is single track race #2 in the series. It's down in Tacoma again, but I think further south than the last time. I upgraded to Cat 2 -- partially to get a longer ride (2 laps instead of 1), partially to race 3 hours later and not have to set an alarm, but mostly because I think I can hang with the Cat 2 women. And the main thing I need to remind myself of during this series is that I am riding because it is FUN. I've already caught myself a few times freaking out because I missed a training ride opportunity. That's only going to lead me down the path of crazy, so I need to proceed carefully. Sleeping in then having post race food and drink at the Walrus with Dana should help to keep me in check.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ohio, Day 7
Adam continues to whoop it up in OH/PA. Now with fresh truck tires so he's only slightly less likely to get stuck in the snow.
I am on the third and final day of the juice cleanse. Long story short: I. Am. Starving. In the plus category: using the juicer is wicked fun (pulverizing unsuspecting vegetables is a bit of a high), I have lots of cashew meats to make cashew butter, and if I were to need an emergency colonoscopy, I'd be ready. Minus category: I'm hungry, I keep feeling like I might pass out, and I've been snapping at my coworkers all day. The website of the cleanse I followed insisted that I would have extraordinary amounts of energy since I wasn't using it on digestion. LIES. They also said I could exercise, but they must have been meaning those little girls on ellipticals, because running today was slow, and the aftermath (i.e. no substance) was painful. But like I said, shoving stuff through the juicer was awesome. Except lemons. They produce about an ounce of juice each, and must be peeled. I think I get more out of the squeezy contraption that does not require peeling, so that will be the way forward. And mixing said lemon juice with bourbon and maple syrup. But I digress. I'm actually a little nervous about adding foods back in tomorrow. Kale & a poached egg is on the menu for breakfast, since I'm suppose to start slow (which apparently means no bacon). Sushi tomorrow night for Dana's return from Down Under / birthday dinner. New Guy Pat (NGP) and I figure raw fish will be like defibrillation for my digestive system, which could be fun, but I might stick to miso soup and eggplant. I'm already planning dinner Saturday evening with Martina: pork tenderloin, cherry tomato pie, whatever veggie dish she thinks of, wine and coconut ice cream.
Ok, before this turns into a food blog...
I'm forcing myself to take a break from Grey's Anatomy. I've made good progress on the series since Adam has been gone, but I'm not sure I can do a marathon session every night. Wait, no. I'm not sure I *should* do a marathon session every night. Not without the coconut ice cream -- which, for the record, I am attempting to perfect in the next three weeks so that it's perfect when Adam comes home. Just for the record.
I am on the third and final day of the juice cleanse. Long story short: I. Am. Starving. In the plus category: using the juicer is wicked fun (pulverizing unsuspecting vegetables is a bit of a high), I have lots of cashew meats to make cashew butter, and if I were to need an emergency colonoscopy, I'd be ready. Minus category: I'm hungry, I keep feeling like I might pass out, and I've been snapping at my coworkers all day. The website of the cleanse I followed insisted that I would have extraordinary amounts of energy since I wasn't using it on digestion. LIES. They also said I could exercise, but they must have been meaning those little girls on ellipticals, because running today was slow, and the aftermath (i.e. no substance) was painful. But like I said, shoving stuff through the juicer was awesome. Except lemons. They produce about an ounce of juice each, and must be peeled. I think I get more out of the squeezy contraption that does not require peeling, so that will be the way forward. And mixing said lemon juice with bourbon and maple syrup. But I digress. I'm actually a little nervous about adding foods back in tomorrow. Kale & a poached egg is on the menu for breakfast, since I'm suppose to start slow (which apparently means no bacon). Sushi tomorrow night for Dana's return from Down Under / birthday dinner. New Guy Pat (NGP) and I figure raw fish will be like defibrillation for my digestive system, which could be fun, but I might stick to miso soup and eggplant. I'm already planning dinner Saturday evening with Martina: pork tenderloin, cherry tomato pie, whatever veggie dish she thinks of, wine and coconut ice cream.
Ok, before this turns into a food blog...
I'm forcing myself to take a break from Grey's Anatomy. I've made good progress on the series since Adam has been gone, but I'm not sure I can do a marathon session every night. Wait, no. I'm not sure I *should* do a marathon session every night. Not without the coconut ice cream -- which, for the record, I am attempting to perfect in the next three weeks so that it's perfect when Adam comes home. Just for the record.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Ohio, Day 4
I'm just going to jump into the singletrack race report.
This morning I went down to Tacoma for the first race in the singletrack spring series. I was nervous that I was completely out of my league when a saw a car full of dudes with cross bikes roll up. And then I got yelled at by a power hungry, rule obeying, rule ENFORCING, cookie selling, single digit aged girl scout for not wearing a helmet while rolling down the hill on my bike.
Anyway, semi-mass start (in that there were 14 women) in the beginner's category. I hit the trail in 4th position, and really felt pretty good about how I was riding. I was being bold and rolling over stuff that may have even surprised Adam. Lots of staying in the saddle while climbing. We lost one of the women about a third of the way in and for the rest of the race, the remaining three jockeyed for position. I think I was the strongest climber, and possibly the most comfortable bombing downhill, but the girl on the 29'er ultimately got around me on a climb and I couldn't get around the other woman with enough course left to catch up. We did pass a handful of dudes who had started in the group before us, which was unfortunate for them and their egos, but also because it always seemed that one of them was in my line on a hard climb. So, all in all, I came in 16th of 45 overall in the beginners, 2nd in the women beginners and 1st in my age category. I have never won anything on the bike, so even though damn near everyone who showed up got a medal, mine will be hanging on the rear view mirror of the Jetta for a while.
In other news, Adam was adorable today when he a) got excited for my win and b) when he told me he went to a brewery for dinner and had a burger on a GF bun. He also got to see a movie in an old theater with dollar popcorn, and didn't get the bald-tire truck stuck anywhere in the snow. What a guy.
I finally opened up the juicer Jo sent, and am nearly prepared to start Juice Cleanse Day 1 tomorrow. I'm trying to copy the Blue Print Cleanse model, so I've picked up lots of stuff that's listed on their labels. The cashews are still soaking, but I may not need them before after work anyway. I'm just going to go pick up the spicy lemonade juice at PCC tomorrow at lunch because peeling and de-seeding enough lemons to make 16oz of juice is so not worth it. But the juicer is really cool. And totally fun. So it was kind of easy to put enough greens through there to make over two liters of goodness. That also was the end of my veggie stockpile in the fridge, so a TJ's run for more inexpensive veggies is on the list for tomorrow too.
Ohio, Day 3 was jam packed with fun too. I actually got up to row with Katie & Lisa, and as I was driving up to the boathouse, I was cursing the early hour and claiming it just wasn't worth the alarm wake up call. But then I got to see the girls, and be in the boathouse, and get out on the water, and just feel the motion of each stroke and it was completely worth it. Them's my roots and they're just not gonna go away. Then Gaia and I went back up to Fremont after some coffee back home for a walk in a non-industrial area. She hung out in the car while I got my hair cut, then we saw the doggie acupuncturist. And while Gaia was completely not pleased about the experience, she did enjoy all the treats the vet sent home (i.e. glucosamine) AND the sweet potato fries I shared on the way home from Uneeda Burger. Good day.
This morning I went down to Tacoma for the first race in the singletrack spring series. I was nervous that I was completely out of my league when a saw a car full of dudes with cross bikes roll up. And then I got yelled at by a power hungry, rule obeying, rule ENFORCING, cookie selling, single digit aged girl scout for not wearing a helmet while rolling down the hill on my bike.
Anyway, semi-mass start (in that there were 14 women) in the beginner's category. I hit the trail in 4th position, and really felt pretty good about how I was riding. I was being bold and rolling over stuff that may have even surprised Adam. Lots of staying in the saddle while climbing. We lost one of the women about a third of the way in and for the rest of the race, the remaining three jockeyed for position. I think I was the strongest climber, and possibly the most comfortable bombing downhill, but the girl on the 29'er ultimately got around me on a climb and I couldn't get around the other woman with enough course left to catch up. We did pass a handful of dudes who had started in the group before us, which was unfortunate for them and their egos, but also because it always seemed that one of them was in my line on a hard climb. So, all in all, I came in 16th of 45 overall in the beginners, 2nd in the women beginners and 1st in my age category. I have never won anything on the bike, so even though damn near everyone who showed up got a medal, mine will be hanging on the rear view mirror of the Jetta for a while.
In other news, Adam was adorable today when he a) got excited for my win and b) when he told me he went to a brewery for dinner and had a burger on a GF bun. He also got to see a movie in an old theater with dollar popcorn, and didn't get the bald-tire truck stuck anywhere in the snow. What a guy.
I finally opened up the juicer Jo sent, and am nearly prepared to start Juice Cleanse Day 1 tomorrow. I'm trying to copy the Blue Print Cleanse model, so I've picked up lots of stuff that's listed on their labels. The cashews are still soaking, but I may not need them before after work anyway. I'm just going to go pick up the spicy lemonade juice at PCC tomorrow at lunch because peeling and de-seeding enough lemons to make 16oz of juice is so not worth it. But the juicer is really cool. And totally fun. So it was kind of easy to put enough greens through there to make over two liters of goodness. That also was the end of my veggie stockpile in the fridge, so a TJ's run for more inexpensive veggies is on the list for tomorrow too.
Ohio, Day 3 was jam packed with fun too. I actually got up to row with Katie & Lisa, and as I was driving up to the boathouse, I was cursing the early hour and claiming it just wasn't worth the alarm wake up call. But then I got to see the girls, and be in the boathouse, and get out on the water, and just feel the motion of each stroke and it was completely worth it. Them's my roots and they're just not gonna go away. Then Gaia and I went back up to Fremont after some coffee back home for a walk in a non-industrial area. She hung out in the car while I got my hair cut, then we saw the doggie acupuncturist. And while Gaia was completely not pleased about the experience, she did enjoy all the treats the vet sent home (i.e. glucosamine) AND the sweet potato fries I shared on the way home from Uneeda Burger. Good day.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Ohio, Day 2
Adam is off playing EMT somewhere between Ohio & Pennsylvania. He must be feeling adventurous out there because he's eaten sushi twice already. Bold. But that's one of the things that makes him so lovable. So Gaia and I are having a month of girl time here in Seattle. And cleaning. Anyway, let's get to the things that require Constant Supervision, shall we?
Alternate post title: Lexi, will you be my Valentine?
Between the nice weather and the 27 hours of OT I put in last week, I blew out of work early to ride Grand Ridge. My focus was threefold:
a) Stay in the saddle while climbing.
b) Enjoy the sun and the fact that I didn't even need knee warmers or tall socks.
c) Avoid getting run down by the weekday trail hogs.
How did I do?
a) Not bad. I still instinctively stand up when the hills get hard, but maybe that's the road rider in me that refuses to be stifled. The big breakthrough here was to throw Lexi into the granny gear so I could actually spin. The difference was amazing. So much so that the third and final climb over the ridge on the way out was not only doable, but I dare say bearable. I kept waiting for it to get really hard, but then I was bombing back downhill again. Now this makes the second climb out the really tough one. Better get un-lazy.
b) This was the easiest of my three goals. I nearly failed when the tuna salad I had for lunch threatened to revisit on the first climb. And after the second trail I rode out at Duthie, my toes started to get cold.... and continued to get more cold until I put them under the blasting heater back at the car over an hour later.
c) Even with all the things that made (b) a point on this list and the fact that it was already Friday afternoon, there were still a handful of riders that I crossed paths with during my first climb in who were CLEARLY not interested in yielding to us weekend trail riding working stiffs. I nearly got run off the side of the mountain only once, so I think we can call this a success.
So a pretty good ride overall. Maybe next time I'll make my focus be to not ride the brakes down all the hills. Or at least not both of them. Baby steps. This was the longest solo ride I think I've ever done. Granted, this may only be the second or third solo ride I've ever done, so the bar was not too high.
Alternate post title: Lexi, will you be my Valentine?
 |
| I was hoping this would look like a flower, but it doesn't really at all. |
Between the nice weather and the 27 hours of OT I put in last week, I blew out of work early to ride Grand Ridge. My focus was threefold:
a) Stay in the saddle while climbing.
b) Enjoy the sun and the fact that I didn't even need knee warmers or tall socks.
c) Avoid getting run down by the weekday trail hogs.
How did I do?
a) Not bad. I still instinctively stand up when the hills get hard, but maybe that's the road rider in me that refuses to be stifled. The big breakthrough here was to throw Lexi into the granny gear so I could actually spin. The difference was amazing. So much so that the third and final climb over the ridge on the way out was not only doable, but I dare say bearable. I kept waiting for it to get really hard, but then I was bombing back downhill again. Now this makes the second climb out the really tough one. Better get un-lazy.
b) This was the easiest of my three goals. I nearly failed when the tuna salad I had for lunch threatened to revisit on the first climb. And after the second trail I rode out at Duthie, my toes started to get cold.... and continued to get more cold until I put them under the blasting heater back at the car over an hour later.
c) Even with all the things that made (b) a point on this list and the fact that it was already Friday afternoon, there were still a handful of riders that I crossed paths with during my first climb in who were CLEARLY not interested in yielding to us weekend trail riding working stiffs. I nearly got run off the side of the mountain only once, so I think we can call this a success.
 |
| I don't understand why the climb & downhill stats don't match, considering I started and stopped the app in the same place. |
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