Four

That appears to be the magic number for me at Death Ride. Yes, I rode 4 passes for the second year in a row. Which bring to a place of questioning and processing?

Have I been chasing an unattainable goal…for me? Slow doesn’t get you up the fifth pass. All my will and determination means nothing to a time cut off.

The natural response would be to go after it again. However, I knew going into this season it would be a bigger challenge with my new work schedule and exceeding limited time. I couldn’t train to the level I was accustomed to in my past DR season. And it was apparent…I didn’t feel as physically strong as I did last year. However, mentally this season I hit a new “don’t quit” attitude in spite of my body wanting to at times. All I saw was 5, from my first pedal stroke.

This was my most stressful TNT training season ever. I felt the entire time; I was failing in all areas of my life to attain this uncertain goal. Wanting redemption for a previous failed attempt based on a split second decision that I will never regret. I knew I had it last year the truly thought it was mine this year. I truly never doubted it until I hit the top of the 4th pass and realized the time.

What happened? Why didn’t I make it? Not completely sure since I rode alone (without teammates) 90% of the ride. So this is the basic overview.

I thought I was riding smart. Riding slow and steady, limiting my time at SAG and staying focused. I reached the top of the first pass with my teammate Vivek…feeling good and still at the head of my team. I left the back of Monitor with only a very brief water refill and photo op, still surprised to have not been passed up by teammates as I rolled up my second climb.

I stayed with the slow and consistent mind set. As I climbed up Monitor the heat began to set in a bit more. Near the top I began to see my teammates appear and zoom by me. I continued to stay within my own ride. I was also starting to feel my stomach churning and my water was getting low. The top became an unscheduled SAG stop for me.

By the time I was climbing Ebbett’s my legs were beginning to remind me that my training wasn’t as good as the pervious season. It was also now going from warm to hot. I had 2 more stops, 1 for more water and one at the lake for a photo and to check in with some teammates that were there.

In Hermit’s Valley (bottom of the fourth climb), I still wasn’t feeling great but wanted to keep moving and get to the top of the climb I most dread. I rode out with my Coach who had caught me by the SAG stop.

As I climbed in the heat of the day, my energy was quickly disappearing and with that my pace became a crawl. I encouraged my Coach to ride on. I stopped twice on the climb due to severe hot foot issues (I now wished I didn’t). I reached the top with my teammate Sam. We quickly discovered they were out of water and we had very little left.

This is when the reality of how much time I wasted on that climb set in…I needed to move and move quickly. I hit the Ebbett’s decent with as much speed as the turns and other riders would let me safely go. The lunch stop waived us off since they were almost out of water and a long line of people were waiting. I was secretly glad because I didn’t want to waste any precious time. My plan was to pedal alone as quickly as my legs could go until Turtle Rock and try to replenish as quick as possible to meet the time cut off.

Speedster Sam caught me on the flat before Markleeville and talked me down from my futile mission. He instilled the fact that if he couldn’t make it neither was I. He was also on a mission to get us water…he was low and I was out. He found some folks packing up that pulled some bottled water out of their motor home to fill our bottles. I can’t thank Sam enough for making me listen. That’s the beauty of being part of a team…we are there for each other.

As I continued to pedal past Markleeville and towards Turtle Rock it hit me…I really wasn’t going to finish the day with 5 stickers. I was feeling very low at this point, I had failed myself. No blame, no excuses, it just wasn’t my day. Just then another friendly voice appeared from behind…my teammate Brian. I was shocked he was behind me, but he wasn’t feeling well and it took him out of his normal pace.

We choose to ride together into Turtle Rock knowing our day was done. It was nice to have a friend to talk with and take me out of my head. There was no need for a pity party.

We rolled up to my truck a few minutes after 4:00. Since it was before the TNT tent, I let Brian roll on while I decompressed in my truck with the air conditioning on full. I was too tired to process much other than my day was done too soon.

In hindsight I think there were a few obvious factors to my time failure. My speed…I have none. Having G.I. issues most of the ride added a couple unscheduled stops. My fear of cramping caused me to overfill myself with water and electrolytes. I realized I barely ate because I was so bloated…hence the loss of speed and momentum on the fourth climb. Such a rookie mistake!

I have a bit of disappointment but no regrets. I rode 4 passes and my will continued to be strong in spite of my body. I was able to be at the finish line and cheer in every one of my teammates as they finished. I was part of an amazing team and had a successful training season. And most of all…as a team we made a difference. As a team we raised $120,000 towards finding a cure…amazing!

I don’t feel the need for redemption this time. I knew I gave everything I had in the moment. I have also known I’m not a naturally talented cyclist. So just being able to train and ride with these exceptional groups of people, for not one but two years was an honor.

I don’t know what my future will be with Death Ride. I know my journey will continue in cycling. However, I did learn something important this season…that I need to find some balance in other areas of my life. It’s time for me to enjoy a little more and suffer a little less.

Thank you to everyone who supported me though this 2012 Death Ride season!

Pescadero Soak-Fest Ride

This photos shows how my morning began...dark and damp. Mentally, I keep telling myself that it would lessen once I got down to the peninsula. It did...temporarily. It lighten enough to coax me out of my warm vehicle and into my rain gear. Part of the draw was, this was a great ride that I enjoyed last year. I also knew that we were riding to promised artichoke bread in Pescadero!



Unfortunately, the conditions diminished as we rode...sprinkles to showers to rain and at times...a down pour! Descending La Honda West felt like tacks hitting my face...that's when I could still feel my face;-) When we rolled into Pescadero we dripped into a small store for momentary reprieve from the elements. No artichoke bread;-( Had only enough time to take off my 2 layers of rain soaked gloves (not easy), hit the bathroom and layer back up for the grueling climb back to our vehicles. For me, no time left to get anymore into me other than 2 chips offered by a teammate...everyone was rolling or already gone.



As I was rolling up Alpine, I realized I didn't have a chance to fill my water bottles! I decided to ride into McDonald Park to refill, as I caught the last of my group rolling out of sight. Oh well, I'm getting used to riding alone and I knew the way back. At this point it was more important to be prepared for the endless climbs ahead.



As the rain began to increase, I distracted myself with fond memories of my past teams (in much better weather) as we experienced these climbs. To my surprise my head coach and some teammates were waiting at the bottom of the Alpine junction to make sure no one missed the turn off. It was a nice feeling to not be forgotten.

My biggest fear for the day was still ahead...descending Page Mill in these worsening conditions. As I was watching the small rivers of water streaming across the road increasing...I knew this was going to be a careful and well calculated descent.

It actually became a frightening experience since I was so wet and cold at that point that my left hand completely lost feeling and function-ability! I was terrified and alone. I lucked out and found a slight incline to stop with just my rear brake (not recommended!) For safety reason I knew I needed to get off and walk until I could get my hand warmed up and working again. This is too much of a technical descent to chance it. My first walk ever on DR training...and its on a descent...really!?! At this moment I was asking myself "am I of my league to be riding with this team"? I was not in a good place mentally...but still moving forward.



After about a 3/4 of a mile I finally felt 2 fingers (so I could brake) and get back got on Willie, to coast down the remainder of the descent. Slowest descent ever!!! I felt like a dork but I wasn't giving up and giving in...it was up to me to get myself through this ride. Once I was riding back through flats and rollers I realized I couldn't shift my big rig (left hand issues again) to gain any speed..."and get this damn thing done"! SO FRUSTRATED! I was clearly the caboose of this ride with 4 miles to go, when I heard a voice call out to me? I thought "who the hell is still out here"?!? One of my teammate was waiting at the junction to ride back with me...I was thrilled to have the company! It was exactly what I needed to diminish the pity party playing in my head.

Happily we rolled into a small and very cold group of teammates waiting to cheer us in...success! I survived the soak-fest (aka sufferfest)! My prize for this accomplishment...sick-fest!I woke up with a cold the next morning:-( It was well earned:-0

This ride now surpasses last year's Palomares buddy ride, as most miserable! High on the humbling scale for me...Mother Nature was not my friend today.

Another Death Ride season begins...

My team has already given me special parking and they hadn't even seen me ride yet! Anyway...after all the formalities of kickoff and clinics...it was time for the first official team ride! The same location and 46 mile route as least year. This was my very eventful maiden voyage ride of my new bike "Willie" last year. Thankfully we were luckier this year and were able to avoid the bike path, little girls with pink bikes and dare-devil/suicidal squirrels...phew!


When we rolled in the morning, I was thrilled to see some familiar faces from last year's Death Ride (DR) team that came out to ride with us! It was a fun blending of old and new friends. Other than a select few from last year, this team seems much faster overall. Let's just say my ride average better improve quickly! My ride group is not only quicker but fast & fearless downhill. I'm already finding they are dropping me on all the descents...and I thought I was going to need a motor installed for the climbs!



The ride began with light rain and some wind but ended up sunny and nice by the Honoree Potluck/BBQ. As the picture shows...the bike was desperately in need of some cleaning by the end of this ride.


Miller Creek Park was the perfect location to unwind after the ride and socialize with the team. It also gave us the opportunity to "Know Why" we are doing this...to cycle for a cure. We all got the opportunity to meet and learn about our team Honorees. What they shared will inspire and motivate us through this season. They are the rock stars of this team. I'm honored to know them and support them through my fundraising this season.


Ready or not training has officially begun! I will be climbing every hill I see for the next 5 months...so things can only up from here;-)

My Journey through 2011

What a difference a year makes. I had no expectations for 2011, but I did have a lot of hopes. It was a year that surpassed everyone of them! There were many surprises and luckily most of them were positive ones. Surpassing my cycling goals, new bike, new job and a new residence.


The year began with a small campaign by my past coaches and the team manager to get me on onto the Death Ride Team (a week before kickoff!). My friends were no help...they supported it (I obviously need to re-evaluate my friends)! So much so, that my bike shop offered to build me a bike for the event, and in record time. No one was going to let me out of this opportunity, so they won that battle. In hindsight...I'm glad they did.

I had never experienced that level of pain, discomfort and suffering while training for an event! At the same time, I had the most wonderful experience bonding, laughing and commiserating with my team. It was a fun group to go through that 6 month journey to the gates of hell (aka The Death Ride).



The process allowed me to achieve a fit level in cycling to also ride events I would have never considered before...the Grizzly Peak Century and the Shasta Century. I also would finally get to ride in the Napa area, by participating in the Napa Century. It was spectacular ride that I actually enjoyed after my insane training season!

This was also the year that I would experience my first bike accident. I was fortunate it was a minor incident and my bike didn't sustain any permanent damage. BTW...I don't recommend getting your body exfoliated by asphalt...road rash sucks! However, the plus side was that it redirected my focus! Taking several weeks to heal and get my bike repaired was a blessing in disguise. It gave me the time to assess my life, and mine was out of balance.

September and October, gave me the chance to secure a new position with LLS, find a new home, spend more time with my horse and compete in my first dressage show. Basically, I organized, focused and reclaimed the direction of my life again! Good or bad, I truly believe everything happens for a reason.


Just as I was settling into my new routine, Death Ride came a callin' again! Now, I know I've lost my mind, because I agreed?!? I obviously drank too much of the "Kaufman Kool-Aid" to want to do this for a second time! This time I know what to expect but training will be much tougher for me this season. Not only will I be fundraising for Team in Training but my work schedule leaves me very little time to train. I will need to learn some new methods (bike trainer in my living room) and better time management skills. I foresee sleep becoming a luxury this year;-)



I'm thankful to what was a fulfilling, fun and life altering 2011! Now onto to whatever 2012 has in store for me...I hope its all good things!

Wishing everyone a fun, safe and prosperous 2012!

Death Ride 2011

My day started at when the alarm went off at 2 in the morning. I had a roller-coaster of thoughts and emotions leading up to the event. Surprisingly none of them were fear or failure. I trusted the training and the program. I had no expectations other than I wouldn't quit and I would follow the instructions that my coaches gave me for the event day.

This was my biggest challenge in cycling to date. We rolled at 4 in the morning in pitch dark to tackle 5 passes that would encompass 129 miles and 15,000' of climbing. It was cooler than I expected as we headed out towards Monitor (our first pass). It was an eerie experience to ride unknown roads with only a dim bike light and shadows.

Riding in the dark is odd but climbing in it is *bizarre*. It messes with your mind. The flashing red tail lights from the cyclists ahead is the only gauge you have of what might be ahead. You know you are climbing because by now...you are already in your granny gear! You can't anticipate anything...you just keep pushing forward. At times it felt like I was riding on flat tires because of the percentage of grade I couldn't see.


Watching the sunrise come up while we rode Monitor was a spectacular sight...one of the highlights of the day! The first and second passes were tougher than I had been told or anticipated. However, the descents were amazing! Willie and I were in complete sycronicity...another memorable experience for me.



As we headed towards Ebbett's (our third pass), the weather began to warm up quickly. My legs were feeling worked but knowing I had ridden Ebbett's in the pass gave me the confidence to not second guess anything. With the heat increasing I was going through my water bottles quicker than I had planned...which caused me to make an additional water stop. On tired legs, the front side of Ebbett's was longer and steeper than I had remembered. My mental process was to be present and take one pass at a time.

I rolled up and over Ebbett's with my 3rd sticker earned! The SAG stop at the bottom was the first time I felt I needed a brief break to do more than fill my water bottles. I left out of there with my fourth sticker and part of my ride group. I was going the *speed of slow* up the 4th pass. This was the hottest part of the ride so far, with very little breeze or shade.



Everyone on our team was struggling with lows and illness...including myself. We were trained that this would be a possibility on event day. With determination and tenacity they impressed me as they pushed through it all and continued on with Carson in their sights. Quitting was not a choice any of us were going to make willingly. That's one of the benefits of being part of a team, is knowing we are all there to help and encourage...especially during the lows. I was thankful for everyone of the cheers and encouraging words that was shared throughout the day.

I reached the top of Ebbett's about 2:40...now way off my personal ride schedule. I knew it would be next to impossible to make the Woodford's time cut off. The descent off the front is technical and a bad cycling incident caused more of a delay in addition to traversing ambulances that were heading up the hill. Didn't get to the lunch stop at the bottom of the hill until 3:30...quitting still wasn't an option!


The cutoff time was 4:00 and in spite of pushing it through headwinds...that was the time that I hit downtown Markleeville. 6 miles short of making it...today was not my day to get that 5th sticker. I was disappointed but not upset for me. I knew I did everything I could and never gave up. It just wasn't my day for 5.


I had an amazing day and experience...no regrets! I made the decisions I needed to with the cards I was dealt for the day. Another highlight was being at the finish line to cheer in most of my team as they finish their amazing journey through 5 passes of the Death Ride. I'm so proud of them all...Go Team!

Next time...5 stickers!

Send-Off

We are at that time in the season where we celebrate our training and prepare for our event. Its a bittersweet process of coming to the end of the season. I've been on this journey with 34 other people for the past 5 months...I can't believe the time has went by SO QUICKLY! Now, we are at send-off...this is just the beginning to the end of a memorable season.

We were a melting pot of strangers, acquaintances and friends that has become one cohesive team. We all came to this challenge for different reasons, but with one goal in mind...The Death Ride.

I'm blessed to have gotten to know my teammates and myself better through our struggles and our successes this season. It has been a healing and learning place for many of us.


I was challenged and schooled this season in many ways! Here are a few of my learning highlights; I've become a more confident descender; my body can pedal a bike uphill (over 10,000' in one ride) for a long time; my bike & me are NOT heavier than the wind;I'm not getting any faster; to not give up on myself; I can ride 30 miles without food or water (not recommended) before my body quits; "no stinkin' thinkin"; I still don't like riding in the wind; pain is temporary; and it doesn't matter if your fast or last...just finish!

So I take these lessons and prepare for next weekend. The Death Ride is the accumulation of all we've invested into ourselves and the season...our celebration! It will be a once in a lifetime experience that will be remembered and treasured by all of us on this team.

However, after the tears and cheers comes the bitter part of the journey. With bikes loaded, bodies tired, and minds fatigued we all crawl in our cars and drive off. Over the next few days the reality sets in...our Death Ride adventure with our TNT family has ended (sad face here).

Our hearts will be full with the experience, our minds will be filled with fond memories and now our Saturday's have become unscheduled. It always strange going through the post-season adjustment phase. As I've discovered with every season some friendships will remain and others will drift away as life takes us all in different directions. But we will always have the 2011 Death Ride season!


I'm thankful to everyone on my team for being part of this amazing chapter with me. I've learned things from them and because of them. Many of the experiences, moments, conversations and the laughter have left a positive imprint that will remain...thank you all & Go Team!

So now onto the packing, organizing, planning, traveling and riding! Ready or not Death Ride...here we come! Are you ready for us?

Last Big Training Ride

This week my Death Ride team journey was staged out of Kentfield. The plan was to ride anything that went up in Marin County. The route map was 120 miles and 12,500' of climbing. The majority of the big climbs were in the first half of the ride.
It was a beautiful day and I felt good on my first trip up Mt Tam.



We had a few obstacles riding down to Muir Beach and climbing up towards Mt. Tam. First our descent towards the beach got interrupted by road construction which turned Team in Training into Team in Waiting as the road became a parking lot. Then on our journey back up we were slaloming the Dipsea Marathon participants who were running on the street downhill in our lane. I guess they believed they had the right-away.

There were a couple other comical situations that made for good post ride shares;-) I was feeling strong as we rolled through SAG 2 & 3. However, by the 3rd SAG our ride group that began with 7 was now just 3 of us. And our lone very motivated participant taken off while we were putting together the strategy for the people heading back.

We were about 20 minutes behind her and she was having an extraordinarily strong day. I think she must have been drinking out of G4's water bottles;-) We did our best to chase through strong coastal winds...however, my chase abilities are weak at best, sorry Coach. We hit Marshall Wall with still no one in sight! The winds were persisting, we were cold and I was ready to be done with this ride!



We motored to Wilson Hill and in the distance we finally spotted our head coach who was riding with our wayward teammate! It took awhile but we got caught them. To my surprise she had continued to get stronger and as we rolled onto Petaluma/PT. Reyes Highway she dropped all 3 of us as she geared up and broke through the wind...holy crap! That was deflating!

We all re-grouped at SAG 5 in Nicasio. I was feeling very sluggish as I rolled in and knew I needed to re-fuel. As soon as I stepped off Willie and walked up to the snack table my legs started to buckle, I was nauseous and the ball fields were spinning...uh oh! Thankfully there was a chair right there or I would have been on the ground. As I was trying to get Nicasio to stop spinning I heard "let's go, I'm ready"! That's when I needed to make a game time decision. She was having a great day and I wasn't going to be the anchor of the group. I hit a wall and I needed more time and fuel to get right. I called it...game over at mile 100 for me:-( I wasn't feeling well enough to even be pissed at myself.

My first season coach was the SAG and pumped some chocolate milk into me to make me start feeling normal again. I was feeling better as Willie and I got our Mini ride back to my truck.

I analyzed my ride on my drive home and this morning and all of the sudden it became clear. There were a few factors but my AHA moment suddenly hit me.I stopped all my normal ride habits when my focused changed! After SAG 3 I barely touched my water bottle. Climbing Marshall was the last swig I took (until chocolate milk) and I wasn't eating on the bike! I was so focused on fighting the wind, catching a rider and getting done that all my good habit disappeared!

Cycling 101 nutrition & fuel! I stopped taking care of me, so my body finally stopped...my dumb ass move #2 for the season! It should have been a ride I finished and now I know why I didn't:-( I made 100 miles and almost 10,000' but couldn't close the deal...another valuable lesson learned...the hard way.

Larkspur Loop on March 5th

This was my first visit to Alpine Dam and up Mt. Tamalpias in Marin County. What an adventure and a great way to spend my birthday. Shhh…yes, it was my actual birthday. It was a team buddy ride weekend. My gift from the team was pain, suffering and harassment but still a beautiful day and adventure.



The weather was perfection, in the 60’s with no wind or rain. I was having a good ride tackling the first climbs up to the dam. However, on the decent I discovered that I had a screw loose (insert joke here)…haha! My back water bottle & cage was coming loose, it was crooked and interfering. This caused me to slow, and ride down into Alpine Dam holding a water bottle in my hand…not fun!



Thank you to my teammates Jon& Jim for re-configuring the cage with the one screw I had left. This comprised the cage and it really couldn’t hold any weight without creating problems. So I was down to one fill-able water bottle for the remainder of the ride.



The rest of the ride up Mt. Tam was a tough one over the Seven Sisters and especially into the visitor center parking lot. There, I popped a small wheelie…not my intent! It was a very steep grade and my lighter bike and lack of proper position created the OMG moment…yikes! I don’t recommend this on a road bike:) Obviously, I still have A LOT to learn. But mission accomplished…I rode all the way to the top of Mt. Tam!!!



The view from the top of Mt. Tam was truly a breath-taking gift...so far, the best I've seen in the Bay Area. It was a spectacular day to spend with friends old & new as I tackled another great ride! Having it be on my birthday made it that much more memorable:)

Feels like winter!

After an entire week of being on weather-watch, we were blessed with good cycling weather for our Orinda team ride. Thankfully, all the sea-level snow warnings didn't come to fruition. It was still damn cold but we were prepared. Most of us were dressed like we were heading out to the slopes of the sierra's not cycling the east bay...haha!



The week before a hearty and foolish bunch of us braved almost monsoon conditions for a 60 mile buddy ride. Probably the worst combination of weather I have ridden in so far. Many on our team titled it "The Epic Ride". To me it felt more like an episode of survivor on bikes! So this week was a very welcome relief from battling multiple elements.

I continue to be amazed by what my new bike, "Willie" has carried me through in just a few short weeks. This week was similar mileage to the previous, but the climbing was pushed up to about 5000'. We were doing hill repeats on Pinehurst! I'm thrilled I've made it through 4 weeks of this training.



I'm surprised, that this many weeks in and I'm still meeting and getting to know new teammates. Obviously, I need to work on my social skills...haha! I know that seems shocking, considering how chatty I can be, but our ride groups have been somewhat speed segregated. The hurry up and go methodology of this team doesn't leave much time for socializing off of the bike. Especially for my group that has a slower pace, at times everyone is done & gone by the time we roll in. Nevertheless, we are still having fun.

Overall it was a very good ride. Discovered some new roads and areas to ride...didn't fall down or run over any wildlife and am getting to know my team. Oh, and it was a sunny day spent on my bike...so, not a bad day at all!

New Wheels & New Adventures

Last week a big change happened in my cycling...I got a new bike, "Willie"! My friends at Pegasus Bicycle Works built him for me in time to start my Death Ride training. Its a beautiful Wilier with Campy components designed to get me up those grueling climbs.

Saturday was his maiden voyage with the team. This was the bikes true test, since I had only ridden him a couple times before this ride. On the first hill climb the lower gearing and pushing 7 less pounds of bike weight was very apparent. It was amazing at the ease of which this bike glided up the hills!



However, my new toy does take some getting use to...throughout the day I found myself struggling with new clips and cleats set-up. The rhythm of my stops & starts are not as smooth as they used to be...it frustrates me a little. The lighter weight bike going downhill also feels strange.

Overall I was having a great ride with the bike until our route briefly popped us onto a bike path. This is where my day got interesting. As I was coasting along, another little pink cyclist with training wheels on took an abrupt left turn into my front wheel...yikes! My options were, abrupt left off the road and down into a rushing creek or emergency break and lay my bike down...oh, shit! Fortunately I was only at a coasting speed and took option # 2. I did everything I could to protect the bike in the process. It appeared other than a bruised ego everything was fine with me and the bike. Oh...and I didn't run over the little girl.

45 minutes later I began to feel the effects of the fall. My neck & shoulders were tightening up and my bike wouldn't shift into the lower gears. After identifying my need for Advil and SAG to adjust my bent derailleur...we headed onto the last part of our ride.

After the unscheduled stop, I was riding with only two people (a friend and a coach) to catch up with the rest of our group. As we were heading up the last climb of the day, I encounter another unexpected visitor...a squirrel! Without warning he jumped off a rock at my front tire! I braced for impact...we all did! Somehow, his massive squirrel body made it pass my front tire (barely) and I ran over his tail...we were all screaming including the squirrel! Holy crap...I ran over a live squirrel!



Somehow, we all survived the encounter without hitting the pavement. OMG...my heart was pounding out of my chest as we didn't break stride in our cadence. I was not about to hit the pavement twice in one day! Since there was no bike lane we had to continue riding to the top of the hill before we could take a second to catch our breath and check our shorts...seriously!

Having this be my first team ride with "Willie", I thought nature and children had it out for me and/or my bike...haha! It was quite the story to tell when we reached the rest of the team. Two first's...going down with my bike and running over a live animal. Trust me...I don't want seconds on either of those activities!

It was an eventful day and one I will not soon forget.

Ride safely and beware of training wheels and squirrels!

Here we go...ride #1

The first ride of the season always goes through Pinole. Its a fast-paced day of clinics and a timed sorting ride to determine the ride groups for the season.

For newbie participants it is an overwhelming deluge of information. It becomes home-coming week for the staff and alumni. The spring season has two cycle teams, Death Ride and Tahoe/STP and they are combined for the clinics, so the socializing was times two.

After 2 hours of clinics...ugh, we were split up into ride group based on our self-professed abilities. I quickly stepped up to be in the turtle group. It was obvious I was in the minority of the team...we were only 4 people.



This was unlike my previous team sorting rides of a rolling 12 mile out & back...we had the challenge of a 30 mile climbing loop! We headed out in groups and everyone quickly spread out. It was very apparent with this team that I was riding out of my league.

I would best describe the bulk of my teammates as gazelle/mountain goat hybrids. Its amazing to watch them effortlessly ascend the hills and speed away from me on the flats. I aspire to be half that good by the end of this season.

In spite of riding at the end of the pack all day, I had a great ride. Well, the flat tire wasn't too fun...haha! However, the weather was gorgeous, my ride company was entertaining and my ride average (with all that hill climbing) was a personal best of 12 mph.

I'm just taking one week at a time and my goal isn't speed but finishing each time. My hope is I will improve each week, as will the rest of the team. Therefore, I will likely retain my turtle status throughout this season...hopefully, smiling all the way there.

A HUGE change in my plans...

Well...its official, I think I finally lost my damn mind!

As of last week I'm now a member of the 2011 Death Ride team. Did I just say that out loud...yikes!?! They say, admitting to it is the first step...haha! This truly came out of left field for me since I didn't sign up for it.

When it was found out that I was passed over for a staff position on the TNT AMBR/STP team, I suddenly became fresh meat...and the vultures of the TNT Death Ride (DR) team came a callin':-o I was unaware at the time, but there was some amazingly sweet and supportive calls and emails made on my behalf from former teammates, that prompted the cycle manager (with the support of the head coach) to contact me. I expressed my known concerns and they were fully willing to work with me.

I weighed my options for several days with input from friends, pro/con lists and a talk with my horse (yes, she needed to know & yes, I talk to my horse). In the end, the support and encouragement from my personal cycling network of friends, my Sports Injury (SI)Doc and bike shop brought me to the conclusion to agree to join the team. This was an opportunity that may never come along again...so, "why not"

My initial concerns was first, my body's ability...and my cycling SI doc gave me the green light & committed to keep my body healthy through the season & has already set me up on a nutritional plan. The one change she prescribed, as a "must"...better bike and gearing.


That brings me to my second concern...proper equipment. I love my bike but "B" has taken me as far as he can go and this task is bigger than he was built for. I started researching newer bikes online. During a conversation, while I was processing my decision whether or not to join the DR team, the owner of the bike shop offered me an amazing opportunity...to build me a custom bike for this event! A new bike was not on my radar or in my budget. He purposed a P/T work trade (to administer/manage his bike team) in exchange for me getting much more bike than I could have ever afforded. Its very exciting but I think I sold my soul on this one...haha!

As you can see, its definitely going to take a village to get me through this training and the event! And having everyone stepping up, has been amazing. Some of my dearest villagers have also been offering up their time (to ride together) & emotional support...which may be called upon as I move further into the training season.

I was lucky to also not have to fund-raise this season but the irony is they appointed me to be the "Fundraising Captain" for the team! A cruel joke indeed, since now my worry will go way beyond myself and onto my entire team's success with their fundraising goals...cue the Pepcid!


At this moment I haven't convinced myself I will complete the final event. All I can do now is trust the system and the coaches. I'm committed (or I should be) to put my best effort into this and see how it plays out. I definitely have more will and tenacity than I have athletic ability.

My life in general has been about pushing through challenges, fears and naysayers to reach goals. This event will be an extreme version of pushing my limits and cutting through the doubts...its another unexpected step in my journey.

Riding through 2010

This was the year that I went from riding a bike to becoming a cyclist. My little idea of trying something new, quickly became a challenge to train & participate in endurance events and now has become my sanity and new passion. I'm so thankful for my little partner in this adventure, my bike "B". This old retired bike that I was able to dust off and give a second chance to (had been stored in many pieces in a shed for years) has been an amazing gift to help me on my journey. This bike had seen better days and took a lot of work to become my constant and reliable (most of the time) companion this last year.


With the limited abilities of this bike (est. 1998 Bianchi) and my body, I was amazed of what we have been able to accomplish together! I believe tenacity is our main ingredient for success. I have ridden well over 2000 miles this last year between events and training. Having had the opportunity to ride all around the bay area and see the most amazing places has been wonderful! This year I traveled to Solvang, Moab Utah, and Lakeport California to ride in their endurance events as part of Team in Training (TNT). Each event was amazing and special to me for different reasons.

Outside of TNT I entered and rode The Cinderella Classic, Diablo Century and The Tour de Asti with friends. All beautiful and fun rides that I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing with my cycling buddies. It was a great year and I felt very accomplished with my cycling goals. I definitively exceeded my personal expectations for year one of riding.




So now what...tomorrow is 2011 and the start of a new year and cycling season? Well, I continue to ride at least once a week and more if weather and my schedule allows. I've also begun to formulate my goals and rides for 2011. Part of my criteria involves riding with friends. So far, I have not actually entered any rides but plan on riding The Cinderella Classic, Tahoe/AMBR, The Konocti Challenge and The Tour de Asti. I'm positive that the list will grow as the weather and my motivation improves. I want to ride in some different events and expand on my current ride list...I'm sure new opportunities will present themselves.


Happy New Year and ride safe in 2011~