Keeping Pace

Keeping Pace

the fruits of our labor

by 6 Comments

It was a glorious day for a bike ride: sunny with a high probability of FUN since I would be traveling with my dear friend, Cindy. She is training for the Solvang Century in early May so her quest for distance and hills is for a different purpose than mine. I simply want to see improvement that will translate into more fun on two wheels.

Cycling with Cindy is always good fun though. Together, we are like two kids out exploring the roads around home. She doesn’t mind stopping along the way, chasing down other cyclists to confirm our sense of direction is accurate, or taking a last minute detour up and over a big hill..just for fun.

And if, perhaps, there is an especially inviting sign that says the winery is open for tasting at 10 am (and it’s noon), she might even suggest that we stop to take a look around and perhaps get a taste of something besides water, GU, or cliff bars. After all, we deserve a little time to enjoy the fruits of our (or someone else’s) labor.

DSC00981

90 miles [check]

by 2 Comments

IMG_4184-400x298.jpgIt felt a bit like Frogger as I rode through the intersection and into my neighborhood at the end of 90 miles on bicycle. I was tired but certainly not in the wrong to roll into the intersection after the last two cars had crossed in front of me. Unfortunately, the two cars behind them were playing by different rules. They didn’t have time to wait for a bicycle. I escaped unharmed and, feeling pushed around, I rode the rest of the way with extra caution.

The ride itself was good. I managed to hold up fine on 2 hours worth of Perpetuem, a packet of almond butter, some salted almonds and raisins, and (on a quick stop at home) a bowl of loaded up quinoa served with a smoothie. The entire 92 mile ride took just under 8 hours.

[Read more…]

All Caught Up

by 7 Comments

On the return leg of a post-work ride, another cyclist rode up beside me at a light. I gave my customary “hey,” thereby acknowledging his existence and fishing for a read on how gun-ho he would be when the light changed to green. Much to my surprise, the response was “Hi Julie.” I immediately recognized his voice to be that of Mark, a dear friend and ex-boss. Mark commutes to work 4 times each week — 30 miles in each direction. As intimidating as that is, I really wanted to get caught up on the goings on in his life.

DSC09421

When the light shone green, he took off and I, seizing the moment. I kicked it into high gear and peddled madly so as to stay with him. Chatting as we went, we kept the quick pace as light after light signaled us to keep going. The streak of green lights was jaw-dropping long and my legs were starting to feel the confirmatory burn that signals a killer workout. It was awesome.

 

When we were all done catching up on life and business, we snapped the all-important photo, and went our separate ways. Still caught up in the moment, I rode off feeling all-inspired, and purposely passed my turn for a few more miles of steep hills — just because.

Just keep going, going, going…

by 4 Comments

It’s great to have company when you’re out on the road for extended periods of time. Today, I was fortunate to have Bill along for the ride.

Happy to be Out of the Saddle after 55 miles

You wouldn’t know it, but Bill is 77 years young. He rides 3-4 times a week with his bike club and my mom. I hope, when I am his age, that I am still going, and going, and going like Bill seems to be.

Bill and I had an awesome 55 mile ride rolling up and down through the hills and past reservoir after reservoir after reservoir.

 

Sunday ride

by Leave a Comment

When you’re riding with stronger cyclists, you have a tendency to fall behind from time to time. This was the case on this week’s long ride. Peddling as hard and fast as I could, I tapped my body for all it had. When I was in lead, I felt strong, but as soon as the stronger riders moved in front I my self-evaluation and cycling self-esteem dropped severely. “I suck” was the only message to be heard. Nine miles into a 50 mile ride, “I suck” is NOT the message that needs to be playing in one’s head.

I found a way of changed it up by telling myself that I was out for a ride by myself. Soon after, I was feeling okay again. For a while anyway.

[Read more…]

Content Protected Using Blog Protector By: PcDrome.