I'm starting a new blog series; the Ride Time Capsule. Ride Time Capsule captures images, thoughts, and notes about rides that happened some time ago that haven't been posted on SheRidesToday before. Here's to saving treasured memories!

Mary's Peak is my signpost of progress, change and growth. During college, friends and I drove up to Mary's Peak a few times. We hiked around and enjoyed the view. You can see many of the Cascades and even a glimpse of the ocean on a clear day. It's an amazing vista and so close to Corvallis. I remember seeing spandex-clad cyclists in their fancy bikes and thinking, "They are insane. Never in a million years could I do that" I couldn't imagine I'd ever be able to ride a bike like they did. And now I can. I slugged my way up Mary's Peak. I felt slow and distracted. My hands hurt terribly. Reynaud's made my hands white and numb. It was scary and difficult to grip the breaks- which you do a lot on the ride down! 

But it was all worth it. Just as I finished soaking in the view, carloads of college kids started arriving to the scene. I decided to hop in the porta-potty and be on my way. I overheard a college lady say, "Oh my god! Someone rode up here on a BIKE." I stepped out of the porta-potty and waved. They sort of gawked a little and I awkwardly clip-clopped on my cleats over to the rock my bike so gallantly leaned on. I wonder if I planted a seed in those younger ladies, creating a me for the next generation? I have to assume the last thing they expected was for that lone rider to be a woman, just like them. 

Comparing a previous climb up Mary's Peak back in 2010, I rode farther and travelled a while 1 mph faster this time around. The previous ride was a cold February day with snow on the shoulder, and I probably hadn't warmed up to doing very much distance in the weeks prior to the ride. Still, I'm going to take it as an improvement over the years because I felt so guarded this time around and knew in my heart I wasn't giving the ride everything I had. It still holds true, Mary's Peak is my signpost, my pedestal of progress. 

I rode past Cookie Monster pinata, complete with patches of various local breweries and wondered what it was. Did someone die at this water fall with Cookie Monster stationed in thier memory? No, it belonged to this friendly fellow hiking around nearby. He carried his pinata with him all around. We crossed paths again at the top of the mountain.