Where I am on my cycling goals

I set a goal for 2008 of 2600 miles. Since I had not set mile goals before I was in a position of not really knowing what to base it on. I thought 50 miles a week sounds doable and still maintain a real life (uh huh). I’ve had some weeks where I have more than toped that, others where I have slacked off completely. I may not be making my weekly miles but I am certainly more focused than I was last year.

Last year was a lesson in being on the bike – I mean it, it was that basic. Ride from the house to my son’s school (1 mile) with out passing out. Taking my hand off the handlebar to reach for the water bottle without wiggling all over the road. Let’s not forget looking over my shoulder to change lanes or just see who is passing me!

This year, I’ve worked on the mechanics as well as getting over my fears. Many times I do things simply because it felt like good sound advice, but more and more I am learning the whys of these things and even passing on simple advice to others. These are things I should have added to my goals for 2008. So right here, right now, mid year I am adding “become a more knowledgeable rider” to my cycling goals.

Events I have participated in this year:
• Solvang Century – March
• Crusin’ The Conejo – May
• Los Angeles River Ride – June
• The Ride to Conquer Cancer – June

Events I will participate in:
• Moonfest – July
• Marin Century – August
• Spooktacular – October
• Solvang Prelude – November
• Tour de Foothills – November

Day Two is almost done – Getting home from The Ride to Conquer Cancer

The train almost did me in. I had no idea I would get motion sickness, not having been on a train in 30 years (for those of you doing the math, I was 16. Trust me, it does too add up to 29). I thought it was extremely ironic that I made it over 200K on a bike only to be taken down by a train ride.

Fortunately, I had met some terrific people along the way, Kate and Sue pulled me to the end of the car where we had lots of room, lovely bottles of water waiting for us and time to regroup.

I hadn’t expected all that was done for us. I’m no stranger to corporate sponsors but in this case it was an amazing out pouring. Via Rail donated their trains to us for the trek from Niagara to Toronto. They provided the endless water bottles too.

We returned to the Exhibition Centre and I got my bike and gear. Just then Joe, who I had also met on the second day, promised to see me back to the B&B, making sure the American didn’t get lost along the way.

As soon as we took off, I got sicker and told Joe I would walk. He wouldn’t hear of it. He took my pack, tossed it on his handle bars set about his way, taking care of the US. I could not believe it, 2 days, his own gear and he was still willing to help me out. Just one more incredible story in this whole journey.

Day Two – The Ride to Conquer Cancer

Day two had me extremely excited that I was going to see Niagara Falls. I woke up, donned my Team US gear and got ready to pedal away.

I don’t know what happened, I felt awesome, but I was working harder than I have in a long time. Fortunately for me, the game is mental and I had a lot of help along the way. I was wearing my US cycling clothes and everyone was asking where I was from, they were all very impressed that I flew up just for the event and going back immediately. So many people asked me why. I was dumbfounded and never came up with an answer other than it must be the same reason as theirs.

After a while, people were calling me “LA” I have no idea how everyone found out but even the traffic volunteers would yell “Go LA” as I got there. It might have been the Toronto police officer I rode with for awhile (I was very impressed that I could keep up).

They were definitely right, day was an easier ride for us. I loved the area we were in and did a lot of rubber necking. But I’ll be honest, two days on a bike in and out of the rain, with less sleep then anyone should have, takes its toll on you.

Out in the middle of beautiful nowhere, I hit a hill around 60 Km, so I was pretty tired at this point. About 3/4s of the way up I saw bikers who were off to the side resting and onlookers, they starting cheering me on to the top and up I went. I could almost see the crest and thought I won’t make it, but three guys started yelling “USA, USA, USA” and it was all I needed.

Leaving the 64 km pit stop the Niagara Ice Dogs bus stopped and offered me a ride. I explained I was OK an had just stopped in the shade to stretch out my back. After they left, I thought I should have asked to go inside for a second so I could at least say I had been on the tour bus, but I knew if I accepted a ride, I could not live with my self after all this work. Just before the final pit stop I hit a pot hole, hard. The back tire blew and I was done. I wasn’t too worried, there had been support and sweep vehicles everywhere. So I walked, as I walked I realized that I was pretty alone and that maybe i was at the end of the stragglers – this got me very concerned. My angels Erica and Renee picked me up, took me to the next stop and we tried to get a bike tech. Seems they were all out. We finally got one and replaced my tire but I had lost so much time they were packing up the stop and I really would be alone. There was talk of taking me about 1 km before the finish line so I could still cycle in. It seemed appealing and cheating at the same time. Instead I got taken to a small group of riders and dropped off for safety but still able to ride a reasonable amount. WIth both days being over 100 km and my cycling too and from the event I was able to still feel pretty good about a 3 km loss and know that I was well on the way to the finish line.

Finally, I rounded the last curve and started heading downhill. I heard the Falls. I looked to my right and could see the mist coming up and started to cry. I realized my glasses were fogging up and I could wipe out pretty bad, so I pulled it together and made it in.

I honestly thought I would hit the finish and be a part of the hugging and the crying and all the hoopla. Instead I got some food, found out where to go next, talked to a few people and got on the train back in sort of a quiet way. Oh, and we learned that trains make me seasick.

Bedtime for Beano – Camping with The Ride to Conquer Cancer

I really didn’t want to tell this story and I really didn’t want to pass on sharing it, so if you have a problem with guys and potty humour you may want to pass on what it is like to sleep with 2,500 other people around you.

First off, I dragged my gear and myself to the tent at the end of a very long row. I saw that my tent mate had already been there, stuff strewn everywhere, with trash left in the open areas. I thought, “oh, this is not going to be good”. Pushing my OCD aside, I arranged everything as neatly as possible on my side, took out what I needed plus laying out tomorrow’s gear in tiny stacks. Off to the showers I went. When I returned, she had taken her gear, left her trash, and I had a whole tent to myself. If you know me, it should not surprise you that I wouldn’t move the take up the whole tent but kept everything just as it was. I know, I’m a whack job.

The guys in the tent next to me were amazing. I am sure they have known each other forever because what followed could only keep the best of friends in a single tent together. Or they were just that tired, and slap happy.

We had GasMan and his companion. It started just as I was about to close my eyes, they arrive and I hear “Look out!” and GasMan just rips one off! His friend starts on him about how rude that was, its rank etc. In return another one is expelled. I hear shouts of “Don’t you waft that over here”, not on my pillow!” This goes on for hours, I swear I have no idea how anyone have that much gas and so loud too.

It doesn’t get better, they start arguing with one telling the other to go take a shit, refusal of course, they settle down, it starts up again. Just as I am texting my husband to let him know I am offering my extra tent space to non-gasboy so I can get some sleep, they get quiet and all is well.

It should go without saying (but it won’t) that I woke up to the loudest longest fart in all of cancer riding history. He slept through it, his companion did not.

Day One – The Ride to Conquer Cancer

Bleary eyed, I arrived at the exhibition centre, dropped off my gear, and got some breakfast. I learned right away that vegetarian means you get breads and grains. I can’t have that so I shrugged it off and ate what would keep me strong for the next two days, bacon and bananas – breakfast of the champions. I know that coffee dehydrates but I was worried about those migraines I get when I don’t have coffee so I had a cup and two extra cups of water to be safe.

They gave us all event cycling jerseys to wear on day one. To see over 2,500 people all in a sea of yellow was overwhelming for me. All those people working towards the same goal. I could not stop crying. The speeches got to me, as they were meant to, but when They brought out 6 people escorting the riderless bike, it hit home hard.

There were 3 ladies holding a hand lettered sign that said “Go Treehuggers”, I thanked them for looking out for us Californians and asked them to snap my very first photo where I was brave enough to let you all see me in full spandex. Oy. They weren’t cheering on the Californians, they had a team named Tree Huggers, go figure.

Day Zero – The Ride to Conquer Cancer

OMG, I mean OMG. I’ve never seen anything like this. In fact, I think I’ll just post photos of the lines and exhibition hall.

I arrived about an hour early, waited in a long line then rounded the corner to this:

The process took about 2 hours, was very smooth and pleasant, going from one station to another, picking up what I would need along the way and getting all my questions answered. WIth me, there is no safety in answering a question, it just means that one more will follow. Packet in hand, it was time to leave.

Richard and I went to dinner where I would ask more questions about the area. Will there be any hills, I repeatedly wanted to know. Silly question, its 200K, of course there will be hills.

How Peer Pressure Made Me Get Over Myself

About a month ago I rode with one of my BNI buddies. He had not been on the bike in over two years, and I am not the most experienced rider in the world – it seemed like the perfect match. We would ride, do lunch and discuss how we can help each other in terms of our businesses (This is called a One to One or Dance Card in BNI).

I learned more than just about his business that day. I learned that peer pressure is a powerful tool. As we rode I asked many questions to really understand not what he does, but the type of connection I could make for him. We tried to stay at a pace that matched each other so we could carry a conversation that involved just the right amount of yelling and hearing. I’ve got a fear of hills — not the uphill part but out of control speed you get going downhill without your breaks. Every time I would feather my breaks he would yell “No breaks, no breaks!” much to my chagrin. Eventually, I was so embarrassed that I just gave in.

In one day, he accomplished what my coaches, hypnotherapists and cycling partners have been unable to do. When I rode the Solvang Century ride a few weeks ago I could hear the voice of  “No Breaks Man” yelling at me to take the descent for everything it was worth. I found myself zipping down hill at 58 mph (OK, I will admit I threw up a little later). I would not recommend this to anyone else as a training method, I prefer a different kind of motivation, but I did have to ask myself “what’s working?”.

I like to ride my bicycle, bicycle! Goals for 2008

Like everyone else this month, I’m reviewing my goals for the coming year. For the most part they are realizations of what  could have done better in terms of cycling.

I’m a firm believer that results go with goals and goals are accomplished by being able to track your progress and results. So far, my goals have been specific events, they still are, and for 2008 I’ve added more events then the two I did in 2007. What I did not do is track my miles.