Mustang Sally rides again!

Last week, Sally was finally reunited with Mustang (her bike) after weeks apart. Her accident at the beginning of December, left both of them badly damaged. Sally needed rest, repair and recovery...Mustang needs were in the repair and parts department, which was a longer and more frustrating process than expected.

Our first couple of rides, were paced and planned at her comfort level, since she hadn't ridden Mustang in weeks. All the things she told me she might not be ready for before the first couple rides, we worked through and she accomplished. It is great to see her confidence slowly coming back after each ride. We always have fun and are able to push and challenge each other, as we strive to become better cyclists. Of course, we are both talkers so there is always a lot of stories, sarcasm and laughter to make the time go by quickly.

Getting in training rides around the holidays and winter weather isn't always easy...but we were able to find the time and enough layers to make it happen. We knew that after the holiday's our training and team rides were going to be increased...so Sally wanted to feel prepared and ready for this Saturday (her first team ride since the accident) ride. We mapped out some additional loops and have been enjoying riding in some new areas. So far this week we have already logged over 65 miles (its only Wednesday) and with our Saturday ride we will have easily ridden over 100 miles in a week...its an exciting milestone to accomplish! One of many more to come in our training process.

Nicasio

Up until a few months ago, I had never even heard Nicasio or been to this area. When I did get the opportunity to drive through it, while volunteering for another ride, I knew I wanted to find my way back here and ride it. It didn't disappoint, it was even better than I remembered...especially from the saddle of a bike, on a beautiful morning.

Other than some light fog in areas, it was perfect bike riding weather. I carpooled in early with a friend of mine, who was there to work as the roving SAG...he had a busier day than expected, trying to keep track of all these ride groups on the team. Before heading out, I noticed we had a few new team members in our ride group and some faces I hadn't seen in awhile.

Today on the ride, our focus was to learn more about pace-lining properly, as well as, ascending and descending hills properly. This ride was not only packed with beautiful scenery but quite a few hills. We climbed a relentless 8% grade...I thought we would never find the top! Of course, this made for a long and steep decent...not my favorite thing. I had my mentor (Tracy) riding with me and that gave me more confidence descending the very long hill.

I was finding more comfort with my gearing ability and anticipating changes early...so to my surprise, I guess it was time to learn something else about shifting. As I was downshifting quickly, up a small hill, with no bike lane and a lot of traffic inches from me...I dropped my chain...holy crap! It was a "don't panic" moment, as I lost all momentum...and had to un-clip and get my foot down in a split second with little pavement available. It didn't take long to get the chain on and get me back on the road...BTW, uphill starts are not fun.

Around the corner, we came up on the rest of our ride group stopped for a flat tire...the second one of the day. It was an impressive blow out that was taking a lot of work to get fixed. In the process the remainder of the group was having some crapping issues due to all the stopping and waiting we were having to do in the cool weather.

After some additional electrolytes and hydration, the decision was made, to split the group and continue on with Tracy leading us back. The group of us rode the last 10 miles back without any stops. After a series of climbs, I found myself moving up to the front of the pack. I loved the freedom of riding at a comfortable cadence and nothing but road in front of me.

There were tons of other non-TNT teams and riders out on the road training. At one point, I looked around and saw no one familiar...I found I was briefly riding with a group that was not my team...haha! I didn't realize how much my hill climbing had improved until Tracy caught up to me and mentioned I had ridden away from my team...I was deep in the zone. We slowed our pace a little and as we turned towards home the rest of the team we were riding with had caught up. On the way back, I got my first experience of how much more difficult it is to ride when someone is drafting off of you...it is like having a small anchor attached to you while pedaling.

Coach Wayne cheered us into the finish and it felt great to be done...since I was starting to experience a little saddle soreness...sorry about the T.M.I., but it happens! It also felt good to be back early enough to cheer in the other people finishing. I look forward to getting an opportunity to ride in this area again, either with friends or as a team...it was a wonderful experience.

What team am I training for?

Last night was another strength and conditioning workout. Thankfully the weather was much warmer...and I wasn't working out with 3 layers of clothing. As usual, the cycle team was combined with the triathlon (tri) team. They had a lot more people at this workout than we did...probably 3 times more.

Since coach Wayne wasn't in attendance, we were at the mercy of the very well-motivated tri coaches. I quickly noticed that the pace and difficulty level was increased over previous workouts. We also had a lot more track time. In addition to our normal warm up workout on the track, we were asked to do 2 laps between each set of strength exercises. The coaches informed me that I needed to update my running shoes before the next workout for better support. Cha-ching...another expense that I didn't anticipate but they were right...my shoes were over 2 years old and were not purchased with the idea that I would actually run in them! Wow...has my life changed, buying running shoes for running...interesting concept...haha!

Between all my personal grumbling, I surprised myself by running around the track with the tri coach (who is also a personal trainer...and a tough one). I was so busy talking with her that I didn't realize that I had ran the entire way around! I found that I was able to do it not once, but twice...that is a HUGE accomplishment for me! My arthritic, pieced together body has not attempted that since I was in junior high.

The last part of the workout was a 20 minute run around the track to get a baseline for all of us...I was hoping it was just for the tri team. Really...cycle too? This is why I ride a bike...this body was not built to run for any distance...obviously, they didn't get the memo...haha! Since I had already hit my personal Olympic pace earlier (by actually running)...I knew that I needed to be more conservative to last 20 minutes. I took a run/walk pace...which was more walking than running. I have bad shoes and no technique but I made it through.

During stretching (my favorite part) and cool down...my body was feeling it had been pushed. I was pleased that my cardio was good and there was no joint pain involved (which I really expected) in spite of the impact of running on this rickety body. Just for the record...I have re-discovered, I still do not enjoy running:) Another workout survived...hallelujah!

Winter is Here!

With my riding partner on hiatus, while she is recovery from her accident...it was up to me to keep myself on a training schedule. Unfortunately, I don't have a cycling trainer (an apparatus to hook your bike into, so you can be indoors to get in a cycle workout) which means I needed to get out on the roads.

I layered myself in every article of cycle clothing that I had...I looked like the kid from the movie, A Christmas Story. This was my first ride in my full gloves and rain jacket...but I needed to be prepared and warm. I headed out slowly to start warming up my body but the icy breeze hitting my face and penetrating my full leggings made me anything but warm. I mapped out a short ride with hills to get in a strong workout and hopefully get home before any foul weather hit.

I got the opportunity to test out my bike and myself on the wet roads. I have to say...I didn't like it! As I rode, I cherished any bit of sun that would break through the clouds and lessen the chill. When I was riding the downhill portions, I was wondering how the wet roads would effect my braking ability...so I left the brakes alone as much as possible. I did take the opportunity to practice my hand positions... and I am still not feeling comfortable in my drops.

The extremely cold weather was incentive to keep the pace quick. I noticed a few bewildered looks of passing motorist, that must have been thinking, "she is either very committed or should be committed for riding in this weather"...haha! I must add that riding today wasn't my first choice, but my schedule wasn't going to allow me to get on the bike again until Friday.

I was happy to have survived the wet roads on my cold weather adventure. As I arrived back home, I welcomed the warmth of my garage. However, I soon found that in spite of the full gloves, wool socks and full coverage booties...I could not feel my fingers or toes and they were bright red...not good! I quickly went inside to warm up and found the warm shower to be a painful experience, as the feeling very slowly began to come back...yikes! For those that don't know me...its a big deal for me to choose to ride in today's conditions......since I do not like cold weather! It has been an hour and a half and I still haven't completely warmed up....burr! After this ride, I am definitely putting a cycling trainer on my list for Santa.

The Ups & Downs of Pleasant Hill

Leading up to our Saturday team ride, I put in a lot of extra effort, since I was disappointed in how my last team ride played out. I went out this week and rode two confidence building, hilly rides, one was 10 miles and the other was 25 miles. Without the pressure of riding with a group I could push and pace myself while I found the rhythm with my B (aka the bike). I also upped my workout time at the gym.

I began to see some results at our Thursday night strength and conditioning workout. I discovered I have good core strength and felt my cardio improving a little. So I was feeling stronger in general and was curious to assess my cycling amongst the group on our team ride. I needed to prove something to myself and to a coach that I felt assessed me inaccurately early on in the program.

Saturday morning was clear and cold but a good cycling day. As we were waiting for our coaching assignments, I found out that I was being
juggled between coaches. My mentor finally pulled me into a group with him...he knew I was doing much better than perceived and has been a big part of my growth as a cyclist. The day was not only focused on the 26 mile loop but on a tire changing clinic and riding as a cohesive group.

As we started out on the road I immediately felt a comfort and confidence with B. I could tell as we went along that I was a stronger rider and many times I was riding near the front of the pack. At one point, I was up in front riding and talking with Christian (a strong and quick cyclist in our group). It was a hilly ride and I encountered my first very steep, curvy and long downhill grade...I found myself riding it instead of worrying about it! My added difficulty level to descending the hill at high speed, was my head band was falling down over my eyes...I do not recommend this!

Once we hit the SAG stop and refueled, we began our tire changing clinic. While we were there, the SAG sped off to attend to a rider who went down on the hill...our hearts sank with concern. My mind raced knowing my friend (in another ride group) was timid with hills and I hoping it wasn't her. We all focused on our task at hand and had to continue on with our ride.

On the second half of the ride we encountered some interesting road conditions as we rode a section of closed road. Our road bike tackled a lot of gravel, weeds, fischers wider than our tires and dirt road sections.

After the group got turned around in Martinez...they found out my usefulness, as I led them back on route to Pleasant Hill. Today I finally got the opportunity to ride the way I knew I could and have ridden when I have been on my own. As my cardio and strength are building, I am enjoying the freedom to move around and through the group as needed. It was the first ride where I felt like I was part of a team.

We had a great ride (my redemption), but reality hit after our post ride meeting when I was told my riding buddy was indeed the person that fell and was transported to the hospital. I was overwhelmed with worry and concern about her physical and emotional well-being. Coach Wayne gave me an immediate update as he was getting it from the hospital. It was quickly determined that Mustang (her bike) would come home with me. I saw the damage and road rash on the bike...I could only imagine how terrifying it must have been.

Concern for her was the talk of the honoree potluck...the coach shared his updates with the team. I also began to get text messages from her, to share with her mentor and coach. We all know the risks and dangers of cycling...but this was a big reality check. She was incredibly lucky that her accident and injuries weren't worse...or God forbid, fatal. Coach Jim stated that she had angels looking out for her to land where she did...in a soft pile of leaves. Hopefully those angels stay with our team, and keep us safe as we roll on to the Solvang Century.