Sunday May 31st, 2009

"Oh shit", Oh F*ck", "I can do it", and "Nope, gotta stop" were all statements that went through my head or verbally came out of my mouth on today's ride! Nanci and I met up with the Team Evergreen riding group for a mountain ride today. Oh boy! The morning started out with what looked like a bikers convention. We met at the Bergen Park-n-ride... us and like 50-60 other bikers. They weren't all heading out with our group but apparently this is the place to meet if you are going to be riding in Evergreen. After figuring out which group was ours, we headed out on our way. After two mishaps on directions, Nanci and I started climbing. I pulled ahead from Nanci a bit as she is recovering from knee surgery (and doing quite well, I might add). The first climb up Blue Creek Rd was a long and steady one. After talking to some others at the top of the climb, we found out that the last part of it is about an 11% grade! Whew!

The next bit was some rolling hills with some fun downhills. Next were some really really fun downhills. Two things with this though: 1) managing your speed and placement on the road at 30+ mph isn't so easy on switchback mountain roads 2) it is a little unnerving riding down at that speed when there is absolutely no shoulder and there are plenty of cars!

Unfortunately, however, when you're biking... what goes down, usually must come up. And here is where the fun began...

High Drive is named so for a reason... it climbs... very quickly! OUCH! I had a little bit of an ego kill here... well, actually a lot of an ego kill! However, I still give myself a fair amount of credit for doing it and making it... slowly... and stopping a handful of times, but I made it! I was thoroughly spent after it though. But the downhills on the other side of this one were even better than the first downhills. I was cruising pretty damn quick and it was quite the rush (insert expletives now)!!

Unfortunately our ride ended in rain. But, it was the playing softball immediately after that really put my sore legs over the top!

Overall it was a great ride and a great training ride for our Aug 1st goal! I am impressed with myself that I did the whole ride, even though I had to stop a few times. For a first time mountain road ride, I can't complain!

Ride Stats:

Distance: 35 miles

Elevation gain: 3,400ft

Time: 4 hours

Challenge: High Drive, keeping a steady pace on the hills, breathing, and shifting smoothly to keep the cadence regular

Goal: Keep working on long distance climbs.

Next weekend we are doing Lookout Mountain. After today's ride, it is supposed to seem easy... I hope!

Map & Elevation chart (taken from the handout we were given - click to enlarge):

Thursday May 28th, 2009

No better way to kill stress than to head out for an evening ride after work. Tension has definitely been building up at work along with everyday life. Nanci and I finally were able to meet up for a ride and we had a great one! The evening was beautiful and the riding was perfect! I was thoroughly impressed with myself on the hills... of which we had a few good ones! All the hills that I struggled with last year I was able to make it up without stopping tonight! Wooo! Its all about pacing and breathing! I feel great now, hopefully I will sleep well tonight and be ready for another ride this weekend... maybe Lookout Mountain? Maybe an Evergreen ride? Hmmm...

Ride Stats:

Distance: 22.25 miles

Ride Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Challenge: Keeping a steady pace on the hills to avoid burnout half way up

Goal: A mountain ride this weekend that feels as good as today did!

I was too lazy to make a new map so this is one from last year. Take out the eastern branch of this one and you have tonight's ride... mostly :)

Saturday May 23rd, 2009

Today was a little on the cooler side, but still a ride worthy day. I decided to have an urban ride starting downtown and heading east towards Cherry Creek State park. The ride was a nice one. The Cherry Creek Trail is one of the more well used trails in the metro area. I got an early start (about 8:30) figuring that there may be a few less people. This was the case until my way back from the state park. Nonetheless, it was a good ride.

Ride Stats:

Distance: 34 miles

Time: 2.5 hours

Challenge: getting my but comfortable in the saddle again

Goal: To ride again tomorrow... shorter distance though! :)

Saturday May 15, 2009

Yay!!! First ride of the season. I could have been riding weeks ago, but I was an idiot and what I thought was an issue with my front tire ended up simply being user error... after figuring out my tire issue, I became instantly stoked and packed up and headed out for the road. I rode up to mom's house figuring it would be a easy ride, minimal hills, and if I did run in to any issues, she could come and get me.

I'm hoping that this season will be an eventful one. My goal for this year is a ride in the mountains called the Copper Triangle. Basically, it is a 78 mile ride through the mountains over a few very significant mountain passes along with a total elevation change of almost 6000ft (read more here). I haven't registered for it yet, but should do that soon so #1) the cost doesn't go up and #2) then I'm 100% committed!

So, here's the info on today's ride. Again, a pretty easy one, but a good one for the first of the year. It will be a good ride for after work during the week and I get to take a potty break at Mom's so what could be better?

Ride Stats:

Distance: Just under 16 miles round trip

Time: 80 minutes - 40 each way. I should be able to knock that down to 30 minutes.

Challenge: Just getting back in to it. Gotta get my breathing rhythm back.

Goal: To bike at least 2-3 times a week and to complete the Copper Triangle alive!

Map: