Monday, September 29, 2008

Yerba Buena

So after being deathly ill, I managed to pull off the biggest climb of the year: Yerba Buena. 10 miles of up and up and up. The road was brutally rough, with cracks that swallowed my skinny tires and bumps that made my bladder scream for help.

The view from the top was of course amazing, but there was no time to stop for a photo. The entourage was already at the top and I have no idea how long they had been waiting, but it must have been a while.

It took nearly 2 hours to complete the climb with the overall 45 mile ride time being 4 hrs 30 minutes. 4000 ft of climbing and I burned off 2200 calories.

The good news is that this ride completes my summer goals of coastal climbs;
Latigo
Decker
Fernwood
Topanga
Mulholland
Encinal
Yerba Buena
Stunt
Piuma
7 minute hill

My coach said no champagne--haha I'm definitely celebrating
rl

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Down for the count..

Yesterday I encountered some kind of germ and today I'm down for the count, flat on my back in bed with the nastiest sinus headache, pressure you can imagine.

It sucks. I've always heard that an athlete's immune system is like a delicate flower but wow--one would think; and wrongly, that being healthy and fit would make for a strong system!

Spent the night suffering but went to the Dr. this morning 1st thing; x-rays, antibiotic and painkillers.

The rest of today was/is a blur and I don't know why the floors won't stop spinning...

Hoping for a better tomorrow.
rl

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Rewards




I have a riding buddy that says it's all about pain and desire...I say it's about rewards---


Like not having cellulite on your thighs...


Being able to eat anything you want...


Feeling strong...


And this reward after a hard climb today...the view of the clouds and the Channel Islands as I crested the top of Stunt Rd...


Amazing!

35 miles 4156 ft climb to what looked like the top of the world


Ladies Ride Labor Day

So nobody knows labor better than women, so we scheduled a Labor Day Ladies Ride. Eight of us took off from Gelson's heading for 7-minute hill. Jan did a great job picking the route, leading us out and making stops at appropriate places.

For some of our riders it was a rest day/easy ride, others a chance for their longest ride, and for me a chance to test my hard training work against the real women of cycling. We all had one thing in common...PINK; we were definitely well dressed and I've never seen more happy male cyclists in all my rides:)

We had one person who showed up but didn't finish--I won't elaborate, but thanks to L's hubby she got in the car and got a ride home...probably saved all of our lives.

All in all it was really fun. I hope we can do it again.
RL
next time I'll take a photo:)