Friends take the stress out of life

There's nothing better when you're totally stressed out than a phone call from a great friend your haven't seen in a while saying "I'm in town." That's what happened last night. I was getting my hair done--short summer fringe and lots of blonde highlights, when Robb called and said the Fezz was in town. We hadn't seen him since Valle, so I was so excited to hear of his adventures to the Grenadas and Brazil.
We met at a restaurant/bar in Simi called Limon--strange atmosphere, but the food and the drinks were good. As always the Fezz had his big beautiful smile on and we fell into a mix of stories, wishes, dreams, upcoming events and a dash of the current life stresses thrown into the conversation.
Fezz and Robb are going to the Rat Race paragliding competition...I wasn't going to go this year, but I'm reconsidering since Fezz has a friend that cycles and doesn't fly who might be attending. Someone to ride with would make it worth going; I would love to ride there, but a woman alone on strange roads--kind of scary. Also, Fezz said his friend (R?) loves to pull--my kinda of riding partner; just hope I can keep up.
At any rate it was really fun; especially checking out the urban assault vehicle--Fezz has that dialed in; xbox, dvd, big screen, wireless, rock band, micro, fridge, you name it. Totally pimped.
Two days til my niece and her friend arrive for spring break, seven days to novel deadline.
Yikes.

Mother Nature is a bitch

Robb and I decided to join the Sunday Social ride today. It was a good size group of riders so we headed out to Malibu lake via Cornell. The day was heating up fast as the sun made toast of our skin. Naturally I fell off the back, but the group waited--their recovery pace is my training pace....

I started to get a bit frustrated. It seems I never get faster, even with all of my training. Then to top off my frustration my GPS quits again! I'm going to call Garmin Monday; that thing is defective.

Robb seemed to be enjoying his new Orca as he rode at the front of the pack. We rode out Westlake to Carlisyle Canyon; a new spot for me and it wasn't until we were half way there that I realized Robb had taken a different route. Oh well, I was committed so he'd just have to wait for me to get back.

It was a beautiful 5 mile addition to the ride. It's one of those areas where you realize some people's pets live better than humans. The Chu had also caught up with our ride so she and I exchanged water for gu and caught up to the others.

Unfortunately, mother nature struck next and I had to stop and call Robb to pick me up on the last mile of the route. Too embarassed to return to the car like that; what a bitch.

I missed the "social" part of the ride and I was so looking forward to a bagel slathered in cream cheese:(

D-Day

D (in photo) had the day off today, so we made an early morning meet time at the shop and headed to Rock Store. I didn't get many miles in this week and was really looking forward to a good climb. Also, the weather was once again perfect for the Rock--no wind, lots of sun.

We met at the shop and after the usual girl gossip and catch up (long time, no see) we started the climb. I kept on climbing as D made a pit stop to fix her derailler. It was awesome and this was the first time I ever was able to talk on the way up:); usually I just suck wind.

28 minutes later, we were at the top enjoying the view. After a short breather, we rocketed (ok D rocketed-I was cautious, but faster than usual) down Decker. We were met by Ronny-a Cat 2 racer D knew and he rode along for a while--amazing he's a Cat 2 and only been riding a year--makes me think I really suck. Super nice fellow though.

Returned to the shop then back to work--ugghhh! All good things come to an end.

The Orca, The Diva, The Dama

Robb picked up the rocketship tonight and got fitted at the shop. The Chu met us and off we went for a sunset ride around Westlake. It was slightly windy and a bit chilly but we warmed up after a few. It was team Orbea with Robb in lead on the Orca, The Chu next on her sexy Diva and then me in the back (always) on the Dama. Red/White/Pink bikes; bright yellow jackets. At least we could be seen--here in CA traffic that's an important part of cycling.


My legs were sluggish for the first few miles; still recovering from the Time Trial, so I went at recovery pace and let the Diva and the Orca duke it out--they both love the competition; I'm happy with my own personal race.


Biggest bummer was forgetting my Garmin 305--no stats (it tells me cadence/speed/HR/elevation/etc.) Oh well, I got over it and just rode. The route is really easy and I didn't need to stop--good thing because the Chu doesn't like to wait.


I watched Robb motor up the hills with little effort and I was a little jealous--not of the bike --but his ability. Even the best bike wouldn't make me ride like him. His calves/legs are sooo strong. He was so happy::)) today; a nooner, a new bike, two hot chicks to ride with...it's a man's world--well, at least we ladies will let him think so.

Moonlighting

This past Saturday Robb pops by Agoura cycles (where I moonlight) to "demo" some bikes and next thing you know Joel has him hooked up with a new Orbea Orca--color; arrest me red, of course!

It's a rocketship compared to the 1980s steel Bianci he's currently huffing up the hills. He's already a great cyclist, but now, gosh there will be no stopping him--and no catching him for me. Just when I thought I was getting good...

So, after a rest day yesterday, I hope to join Robb and the Chu (also on her new Orbea Diva-damn) for an afternoon ride. It's gorgeous and sunny now so it should be a perfect day to ride; aren't they all?

RL::))

Piru Time Trial

So I've had a few firsts on my new bike: my first century ride in Palm Springs, Rock Store, and now a time trial. I set my mind on this just a few weeks ago and decided to use this as a measurement of my training. My goal was to complete the 20K course in one hour or less since last month's winner in my category (women's public) finished in 47 minutes.

In order to do this I read everything about time trail prep and a lot of blogs of folks who have done this course in the past. I spent the past 3 weeks doing lots of short (20-30 mile rides) with fast spurts (flat intervals) and hill intervals (ouch).

Apparently getting "the burn" helps the leg muscles grow provided you give them adequate recovery and nutrition.

I set out this past Tuesday to ride the course as a practice and aside from it being a remote location and feeling a bit alone, I finished in 53 minutes with a huge headwind. Not so bad. I reset my goal to beat that and decided I would be happy with any time 46-52 minutes.

This morning I woke up at 6am to get ready. Robb made me pancakes (my fuel favorite) with bananas and walnuts. He's the man...not to mention how awesome he is again, but he was my coach for the day. He filled my tires with air, put my bike together, kept me going during the warm up and rehydrated me after the ride. And he took these photos --lots of others too!

We arrived at 8am at the course and met Uncle Tren-race producer and all around nice guy:) I was scheduled to be on the line at 9 am which ended up being 9:19 but off I went. I've never been "pushed off" before so that took some trust, but it was great. I was happy to be out early as you could feel the wind really kicking up. I'd read not to go out to fast, too early, so I had to hold back a bit even though my mind was saying, "You're so slow, just bust your ass!" At mile 3 I was warmed up and hitting the grove in the big ring. I loved the feeling of speed and the open road. Sure guys passed me on time trial bikes, but it wasn't a race against them, only against the clock, so I motored on.

The turnaround came earlier than I had expected-yipee and I was off on the way back. I kicked everything I had in. Last hill was short but I was nearly spent. I took every hill up out of the saddle, but this one almost did me in. Like a horse to the barn I saw the end a half mile up the road, pushed into the biggest ring, checked my watch and know I knew I would make my goal.

Hit the line...well wasn't quite sure where the finish was, so I might have cheered a bit early! I had done it--I wasn't sure how well, but I new it would be better than 53...in fact it was 44:56, a fifth place with the winner in my category beating me by 5 minutes. Awesome feeling.

http://www.uncletren.com/results/04-08-20k.htm link to the results

Now I'm tired, but no major "bonk" or pain. All in all the training worked....what to shoot for next? Maybe I should finish that novel I've been working on:)

Rock Store Challenge

The weather today was a perfect 66 degrees, sunny and no wind. I decided today was the day to do Rock Store again--a challenging 2 mile climb on my bicycle. I've done it once before with Joel, but today I was going alone--not that I didn't try to convince my buds to call in sick, but no takers:(

So I set off from Westlake and began the mental challenge of convincing my inner self I could do this, while my outer self told me it looked cloudy and a bit windy in the mountains. My legs felt good, so I continued onward to Cornell Rd. I skipped the extra lap around Malibu lake, saving myself for the climb. A quick stop at the Rock Store building to "GU" up, drink and take off my jacket--oh yeah and call Robb to let him know I was starting the climb.

It's a beautiful climb and today there was just me and nature--no cars--no motorcycles! Awesome. I climbed okay; slow and steadily, but I was definitely breathing heavy. I stayed out of my max heart rate zone and managed to save myself to make it to the top. The last 1/8th of the hill is brutal. Luckily I was inspired by the yellow jersey #7 LANCE sign painted on the road.

At the top I took in the view--note the photos. My phone rang and it was Joel and Robb calling from the shop--boy were they shocked I was at the top--25 minutes up yahoo::)) The descent is an e-ticket down the winding Decker(23). I managed to not burn up my brakes and actually found myself enjoying the first part. The lower end however, is soooooo steep, but without cars I had the road and enjoyed the glide. I rocketed back to The Landing; my legs felt so strong after the climb-weird.

All in all just a FABU day on my bike.

RL

ps..and just when I'm feeling so strong the Chu calls and says she wants to do a Triathlon--ANIMAL:)