My Blog

I admit that this year’s training log is not what the last three years had offered.  Time is short these days between training, fundraising, the blog and to the positive – helping our Death Ride team extraordinare this year.  Of all those options to cut back on, the blog is one that I have to let slip, but I’ll do what I can!

Last weekend’s temperatures (May 16th) were in the high 90s so my goal of an 80 mile ride was cut short.

Sunday was a morning at the pool and an evening of yoga.  Yeah for Willow Glen Yoga and Lynn’s ‘Stiff Guys Yoga Class’ – perfect end to one training week and beginning of another.

On Saturday, I got a late 9:30am start after a long week and rode my way from Saratoga to Boulder Creek via Hwy 9 -> top of Bear Creek Road and back again along the same route, plus one additional hike up Redwood Gulch Rd (where there are some 10% + grades).

In all, it was 62 miles with 6,400 feet of climbing in 5 hours.

Of note, the issue I had two years ago when my lower back was not in alignment (misaligned seated position on bike exasperated by hours of riding in the same position causing odd and painful knot) came back to haunt me.  I would have tried to have ridden longer, but that problem almost stole 6 weeks of bike training from me the last time, so I kept it short.

The week held two rides for me, one with team master Dave up Calaveras (2 hours, 25 miles, 2,000 feet of climbing) and one up the front of Sierra Road (18 miles, 2,000 feet of climbing).

Still pushing through some issues with my right arm, but nothing that is holding me back so far.  We shall see!

The best part of April riding is the scenery.  California is green, the wildflowers are everywhere and the sun is shining (well, for the most part).

I’ve been riding slightly longer and more hilly routes, with most occurring in San Jose (up Calaveras Road) and in Los Gatos.  A couple of longer rides on the weekends, but not really hitting the hills yet.

I noticed pretty quickly that my core was in need of major work.  Even before my legs fatigue, my lower back is well beyond its main point of strength, especially on the hills.  My right arm is also a few notches behind my left in terms of strength and coming down hills on anything less than a perfectly paved road has been more stressful on my arm than normal.

On April 18th I took off with some of my teammates to participate in the Tierra Bella organized ride out of Gilroy.  I had anticipated finishing somewhere between the 100K (~66 mile) course and the 100 mile course.  Last year I was only ready for the 100K and in terms of where I was in training, I figured I’d be somewhat close to that.

The ride went well with the exception of one rider crashing right in front of me while on a relatively flat surface.  All he did was take one hand off his bars to eat and when he hit a hidden bump in the road he couldn’t regain control of his front tire, which had jumped and turned almost 90 degrees after going over the bump.  When it came down, his bike shot right and he was down.  Scared the bejeezus out of me (I was already skiddish), but he was thankfully okay and ended up finishing his ride later in the day.  It sure doesn’t take much to crash in this sport…BUT I LOVE IT, so I will go on.

After about 65 miles I did an inventory of how I felt.  I wasn’t excited to finish the century, but estimated that the next rest stop wasn’t too far away from where I was.  My goal was to make it there, refuel and then cut the ride short at 80 miles.  Well, I underestimated how far away the last rest stop was and I needed more water to go in either direction by the time I reached it, which ended up leading me on the 100 mile route.  This was overdoing it for where I am (or am not) in training.  It was a long, windy road back to the car and I was exhausted afterward, spending the next week wishing I had pulled out of the longer distance when I should have.

Minor setback, but self-inflicted.  Hoping that next month is stronger.

Best part of the month of April: we have 24 riders with us raising money for TurningWheels for Kids while training for the Death Ride!!  Check out their bios if you have the chance – you’ll find them heartwarming, funny and sincere (and Sue has one of the coolest shots posted – where did she get that figurine?!)

March was a building month.  Back on the bike, trying to slowly gain back the time, confidence, and strength lost from the crash.

The biggest barrier has been elbow and triceps pain.  Maybe I’ll get around to posting a picture of it, but since the scar seems to frighten most, I may not.  The extensive wound has left a fairly large scar on my right elbow, but more integral to cycling it has left pain and discomfort in my right arm (oh, and Dave said I’d never be an elbow model – deeply saddening).

Unfortunately, there is no way not to engage my triceps when on the bike because my weight is always slightly forward – putting pressure on my arms as my hands rest on the bars – even in the most upright position I can muster on the seat.

Ah well – the doc says that I won’t do any damage to it, so I just have to wait for it to heal and for the pain to subside.

March’s riding included short, mostly flat or moderate hills.  Descents still make me nervous, but I know I’ll have to get over that fear or I’ll be in worse shape to handle the downhills of the Death Ride (and all those that will come with training).

Team TWFK is forming and that is the biggest thrill yet.  We were at close to 15 riders in March!  I can’t wait to see our team spread out over the 129 miles come July – how inspirational.

Santa Rosa Cycling Club – Wine Country Century