Saturday, May 24, 2008

Golden State Criterium


It's been a long week. I jumped right back into my normal bike/teach/drive cycle without pause after the Davis Double. I did suprisingly well recovering considering everything I do. About Tuesday I decided to sign up for today's local crit.

Rolling out of bed this morning, I got a shocker looking out the window. RAIN!!! You've got to be kidding after last week's scorcher. I thought about riding over but felt like the trainer might be a warmer and more consistent warm-up.

I was happy to see my teammate April looking fly in her Bella kit. I missed having Dino with me. We were both a little more nervous with the rain and the 180 put into the course. We had a nice field of mostly experienced 3s in our 3/4 field of about 25 so it turned out to be pretty safe in the rain. We had a couple of crashes, but no one was taken out too badly.

The four Metromint girls were active as usual and there were some good attacks that made it more interesting. They are fun to watch. I spent most of the time up front guarding and chasing attacks. I focused on staying up front, especially through the 180.

There were three girls who attacked through the final corner and I couldn't quite get on a wheel. I ended up getting 4th place. April was behind me at 8th place. One of the Metromints who won the blueberry prime generously shared them while we waited for the results. After a mediocre start to the season, it was nice to have my form back. I think the rest of the season is going to be great.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Davis Double Century 2008

Double Century #14 (Davis Double #6)




Spiritual Observance
After doing these many, I had to think to myself, "Why?" I don't exactly have to prove that I can finish. I guess they are kind of the equivalent of religious holidays (church of the rotating mass). Not doing them is like not celebrating Christmas. Sure, it would be a lot less hassle, but something would be missing. I both look forward to and dread them. I get to see people I only spend time with once or twice a year. They are markers in my life. They make me take stock of myself and come face to face with my limitations. They make me grateful for my ability to finish. Each one has its own character and story.

This Year's Highlights:

  • Tandem train freebie averaging 22 for the first 45 miles
  • Seeing 1000s of butterflies swirl around the riders up Cardiac Hill
  • Dino singing Oscar the Grouch's "I Love Trash"
  • Tube Socks filled with ice around my neck
  • Seeing the same tube socks littering the back roads from Clear Lake to Davis (someone probably wonders about their origin)
  • Knowing the route by heart
  • Being mistaken for Sabine at one of the last rest stops
  • A bike that ran as smooth as butter
  • A beautiful TAILwind for the last flat miles (riding 20-25mph)
  • Having Logan finish his first double incident free
  • Watching Dino's calves
  • Awesome support of the Davis Bike club. The best ever.
  • Having two strong, devoted ride mates (D-train and the newly dubbed L-train) looking out for me (keeping me cool and pulling me along) SPOILED!
Low-Lights:
  • 109 degrees on the climb after lunch (up Resurrection). I have never gotten along with that hill!
  • 3 hours lost to getting cooled and hydrated at rest stops
  • blisters from the heat
  • seeing people abandoning the ride, looking dejected in the shade
Scroll through the pictures to see me impersonating a T-Rex.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Whut's Crackin'?

Buy now... Pay Later!
Wednesday brought me some great sprint #s (in the 800s). Then on the Thursday south river ride I died a slow painful death, sucking wheel as if it were my last breath.

Coolest 24 hour/Lake Loop Virgin
Friday I stocked up on Groceries to feed the cycling calorie consuming machines. Saturday I rode up to Cool via Salmon Falls Climb to witness my first ultra mountain bike race-- The Coolest 24 hours! It was a party! I heard soo many people say "Hey Bella!" and "Go Velo Bella!". I saw Yvette C. who I haven't seen forever in a team relay for 24 hours. I saw Marion J. line up with the 8 hour group. We saw each other grinned and I said "I didn't know you were going to be here!". She said "I didn't either!" I was happy to cheer my lungs out at her start. There were lots more friends to see including the awesome Brad C. and Dezi! It was a great way to get 101 miles in. It was my first time doing the Folsom Lake Loop (hard to believe considering all the times I have ridden the different parts).

Back to Back Benjamins
Today was another 101 miles off to Davis and then up to the lake. I felt okayish. We saw some people riding up to Folsom on Penny Farthings and one unicycle. There are some interesting people on the parkway. I was toast by the end but had Bandera Cluck and Moo for dinner which made it all worth it.

Why all the miles? It's May!

http://www.mayisbikemonth.com/

Dino is going to take it all!! Yeah baby!