Ok, sorry it's been so long since the last blog....August has just been a great month of cycling. Coaching has filled every day and it's been so much fun to see my clients grow and become more confident on the bike. I've had both men and women, as well as coached junior girls at the Redlands Women's Clinic!
I've also spent some time learning a few new things---yes you can teach an old dog new tricks:)
I've been exploring moutain biking, criterium racing and most recently cyclocross riding. All of these various forms of cycling are unique and I've found have great benefits.
Here are a few of the take-aways from each:
Mountain biking's biggest win for me was the scenery. It was so amazing to ride without traffic, to stop to take in the view, and to be challenged but without the pressure of the peloton. I was lucky to be coached by my friend Andy (who had the patience of a God)! Beyond that my bike handling skills improved. Having to ride over rocks, trees roots, and through ruts gives your confidence in your bike and forces you to push away your fears....at the same time managing to get over those things give you a huge sense of pride of accomplisment.
Criterium racing...this is a scary place for me as the pack travels at a fast pace and in tight quarters. We are lucky to have a local "training" crit where the guys and gals race around a D shaped course in an industrial part. Everyone is welcome here and it's a great group. I started off just trying to stay with the group for the first 10 neutral laps and have worked up to doing all 50 laps. The benefit is this race lasts only an hour, so you can go all out for an hour at max thus improving both your speed and endurance. My last time there I averaged 18.9mph..fast for me:)
Cyclocross...WOW I just finished my first clinic on this...I had never been on a cyclocross bike--this is a modified road bike with knobby tires. Cyclocross is a mix of running, cycling, jumping over barriers and after ward--beer drinking. It's such a great fitness sport as the races last an hour, some are relays. Cross racing requires a great deal of skill, some luck, and a great plan. Most of all it requires a desire to have fun. Sure you may fall down on this one, get a little dirty, you will definitely sweat and it's guaranteed to be enjoyable. Courses can be grass, dirt, flat, hilly, muddy or a combination of all of that. I plan to do more of this--why? Because I know I'll become a better bike handler and that's the key to safety on the bike:)
So, that's what's been keeping me busy....what have you been up to? Write me and let me know what you would like to try or learn...
Always ride safe,
and have fun,
RaeLynn
