#Relive
I absolutely love the beauty and simplicity of this new app! Hurrah to the app developers for making riding more fun! It doesn't have a lot of options for free users unless you time the upload of your ride so you can edit right then and there. However, that's a small price to pay for free. I am tempted to be a paid user. I likely will in time.
Finally, after several stressful training rides, I finally had a fun one! I call this the "pleasant ride" because I rode through several pleasant-sounding names; Sweet Home, Pleasant Valley, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Hope, Golden Valley, all the places that sound as lovely as the day. I truly started to have fun on this ride, real, live fun! The coolest thing about this ride is that I maintained a 16 mph average all the way until mile 65! I tried really had those last few miles to keep the pace up, but my body couldn't take those final hills at speed. This was a training ride in its purest form; I pushed myself and finished just as it got too tough!
A most pleasant view
I took a training ride in Corvallis that surprised me with traffic. I didn't end up going where I initially planned, but I did end up making a royal loop, as it were. I started on Queens avenue and rode through Kings Valley. Very royal, indeed!
Other than having a madly full bladder and nowhere to go but thorny brambles on a busy road, and loads of traffic, this ride proved to be uneventful.
On the last day in June, I had the grand opportunity to log some training rides in my old stomping grounds. I don't get to ride in Corvallis often, but when I do, I have a lot of fun reminiscing. I rode to Peavy Arboretum. I used to drive out to this place to run on the trails. Can you believe it? I used to run? What was I thinking. I biked here a few times too, in the summer when most of the students were away.
This short ride qualified as epic. Google sent me on a dead end. This wouldn't have been too bad, expect going there required me to cross a busy highway, and I had to cross it again to back track. Then I plowed down the Crescent Valley hill, happy that I wouldn't have to climb up it, only to find the road closed at the bottom. I had to climb up it anyway. Then, at the very end of the ride, I fell off my bike while stopped in the drive way!
I went up a hill, err, mountain, I didn't know existed in Corvallis. Maybe I rode it once and blocked the memory out, I am not sure. Vinyard Mountain is accessed via Concord Drive. There is a Strava segment called grape crush that I crushed! That felt awesome!
Cascade's RSVP ride has been on the bucket list since I found out the "P" stands for PARTY! I mean, a ride has to be a good time when it has party right there in the name, right? Well, I am pretty excited. It sounds like the Wooleaters are gearing up to do this ride in 2018, and I already have one foot clipped in!
A person named Maria recently sent me an email from my website. This like, never happens. Anyway, she asked me if I could promote The Harvest Century. No brainer! Did Maria even look at my website? Did she realize I rode the Harvest Century back in 2008 and it was one of the best rides I ever did? I wanted to reminisce, so pulled up my blog from that ride. Sadly, it somehow missed being a featured ride on my organized ride page. She probably never saw it! So I looked at the post, and I didn't even have anything written! How on earth is everyone supposed to know that I have been wanting to do this ride again for years? I know I saved the stats and summary from the ride somewhere, I just don't know where. I recorded things on mapmyride, on various blogs, and on paper. Who knows where all of that went. Maybe I just need to do the ride again so I can write about it again?
Here is what Maria asked me to post. Take it from me, though, this ride was pretty awesome. The smell of fall. The colorful leaves. Hot cider on cold fingers. Riding through the classic Oregon wine country. What could be better? Because it's cold and colorful, this ride has a very different feel from the other organized rides I've done. I feel the snuggly comfort of autumn just thinking about it.
“My name is Maria Duong with Community Vision, a non-profit that supports individuals with disabilities and their families. We are hosting our 15th annual Harvest Century Bike Ride on Sunday, September 24, 2017, in order to raise funds to support the individuals that we work with. We would appreciate if you are able to list this event on your website:
15th Annual Harvest Century Bike Ride
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Hillsboro Civic Center
The Harvest Century is more than a bike ride – it’s a ride with a mission! Every dollar raised goes directly to Community Vision for the support they provide for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Harvest Century has 5 route options:
- 3 mile family ride
- 25 mile ride
- 45 mile ride
- 75 mile ride
- 100 mile ride
On each of the routes, you will pass through Willamette Valley wineries, glimpse breathtaking views of Mt. Hood & The Coast Range, and find yourself in unexpected places right outside city centers. The 45, 75, and 100-mile routes enjoy a rest stop at Montinore Vineyards.
For information check out the harvest century website:
www.harvestcentury.org
Thank you so much for all of your help!
Sincerely,
Maria Duong”
The main image on my organized ride page is a Dan Henry from the Harvest Century. They had the best, they were all pumpkins!
Another amazing ride for MS. I arrived to Rider Village late Friday, tired and haggard from the long drive. I met up with various SlugFish at the team tent, ate some pizza and shared freeway horror stories. I crawled into bed early. I slept much better than I ever had before a MS ride. I slept in my very own camper van for the first time ever. I enjoyed the quiet along with the easy access to a toilet (gotta hydrate!).
The next morning I awoke feeling ready to go, inhaled a piece of toast and started riding. I began before the official start time, which the organizer encouraged due to the predicted heat. She even mentioned that the routes would close earlier than planned, but didn't say exactly when. I ride slow, so I had to get moving! The first stretch of road felt familiar, comfortable, calm and quiet. The bucolic livestock scenes made me argue with myself; stop for photos or pedal on?
The clear skies told me the Willamette Valley wasn't affected by the massive fires in British Columbia, but by the time I rolled into Marion a gray haze blocked out the blue. I didn't know the route changed from last year, and thus didn't know I'd be riding through my old hometown of Marion. I hoped I would pass a road I recognized. I didn't. I did get to scream down some speeding descents- 40 mph! Riding along a flat road that paralleled railroad tracks, a deer crossed my path. Rather than run away, the deer bounded along the road in front of me. The deer and I maintained a similar pace for a while. I watched it go from a walk, to a run, to a bounding gallop. I realized I never get to follow animals in the wild for more than a few seconds, so this deer gave me a real treat. She kept me company longer than I imagined, and then finally veered off into the brush.
Temperatures climbed and still I rode alone. A goal materialized in my head. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to get to the Century stop, the spot where Century riders get a special patch, before any other women. A few men passed me already, so I knew I had a fighting chance at being the first woman. I also had a fighting chance at being the first "top fundraiser". Top fundraisers have differently colored bib numbers, and none of the guys who passed me had them. It was just after this new goal gave my feet more fire that pealing suddenly seemed impossible. Breath left me. I kept moving, but so slowly. What was wrong with me? I didn't feel particularly good all morning. My knees stung with pain, and my thighs felt like they were encased in lead sheaths. But this new level of slowness was of great concern. Was I having a medical problem? Could I be going up a hill? Was I riding into a head wind? I saw no hill and felt no wind. I sweated. Nothing could pick my speed into the double digits. I knew a woman would pass me any moment and all my effort would have been wasted! I pushed. I panted out loud. I grunted out loud. I started yell-grunting. I grunted as loud as I could. I passed a sign that a rest stop was near. Thank god, I thought to myself. But it seemed to never appear. I started counting at the top of my lungs, trying to distract myself. Finally, after what felt like 100 years and 100 deaths, I made it. It was the Century Stop! I was the first woman! I was the first top fundraiser! I learned that whole stretch was a hill, one that I couldn't see based on the landscape. Since I hadn't studied the route, not knowing it would be different, I didn't know where the hills would be. Sometimes just knowing is half the battle!
I thought I was going to die, but I turned out being the 2nd fastest woman of all time!
The next couple of hours still felt painful, but the wheel kept turning. Women passed me. My route intersected with others taking shorter routes. Finally, I saw other people proving this was an organized ride! My legs hurt more, my head and neck began to quake. The heat started to clog my lungs, making my breath hot and slow. I began to feel like this was one of those days that are only worth while for the memory.
At mile 70, the lead peeled off my legs. The sweat rolled off my arms. The daggers lifted from my neck. Music filled my ears. I was back! I rode those last 30 miles like they were the first 30. I flew through the air. I approached the finish line before I was ready. I pumped my fist in the air as hands clapped and onlookers cheered. I crossed the orange arcs. Usually I want to cry at this moment. But, I had taken care of all the emotion hours ago. I didn't even want a rest. I actually hoped back on the bike to ride to the showers.
The next day, I hoped on the bike eager to ride more. I hadn't really even planned on riding a second day. Usually the first time my butt hits saddle on day two results in anguish that only goes away after 10 miles. This time I felt nothing but comfort. I rode another 30 miles quickly, easily. My body needs to ride. It needs the challenge! This is my comfort zone.
Each rest area had a decoration and a theme this year. I loved that! I also enjoyed the new route. Day 1 riders got to enjoy the Buena Vista ferry. It's a short but picturesque ferry ride. I think those on shorter routes got to ride it before, but I had only used it on non-MS rides.
Team Slugfish got to eat Yeasty Beasty pizza for being a top fundraiser, but I arrived too late for the good flavors. I didn't have much for breakfast the next day. However, iced mocha drink at the Wildlife Refuge tickled my fancy, and I drank 2 full cups. This new route had me reaching the lunch stop at noon (gasp!) instead of the usual 10am. I inhaled salads and chicken and tasty sauces. I drank iced tea. I snaked on fruit, nut mixes, and sno cones. I don't remember much about dinner, other than the server secretly snuck some tempeh on my plate (only vegetarians are supposed to eat it). It was worth the risk of getting scolded. Yum! I am not a fan of coleslaw, but we were served a cilantro slaw that had me going back for seconds.
Overall, another great ride that was worth training for. I raised a lot of money for the MS Society, and I am still raising more. One of the hardest things for me doing these rides is thinking about the people who sponsor me. I know so many amazing people. So many of the people I know donate to this cause for me every year. Yet, I don't get to see them very often. I'd say I see most of my sponsors about once a year, if that. There's only a few that I see more than that, and still it's only every once and while. I ride the long hours thinking, how can I make connecting with all my amazing friends and family more of a priority? I don't really know. Fellow sponsor, if you are reading this know that you are treasured. And, non-sponsor, if you are reading this, know that you are amazing too!
Screenshot of time-lapsed air quality close to the time I woke up from AIRnow.gov
Thick, hazy, smoky; that’s the air in Seattle these days. My eyes watered yesterday from the thick. Fires from BC, Canada are blowing down to Seattle and sitting in the valley. We are in the midst of hot, stagnant weather so nothing is really blowing the air out once it sits here.
I wondered about biking to and from work. Am I safe? Am I going to hurt my lungs? I didn’t really think so. I have no existing lung issues, and I don’t really exert myself commuting. Plus, I don’t have a better option to get to work. I could take the bus, but that opens up a whole other realm of unpleasant inhalants.
The internets say I am going to be just fine. Most research focuses on the pollution caused by the carbon monoxide in car exhaust. This is a special pollutant for cyclists because we are literally a few feet from exhaust pipes the entire time we ride in traffic. Plus, we can't really escape breathing fumes in a downtown setting. The best thing to do is ride fast and pick the best route. Pollution is the most deadly public health hazard second only to smoking. Still, riding a bike in pollution is better than no exercise at all. With smoke pollutants, fast is my only option. Getting out of the air quickly is more beneficial than exerting/breathing less intensely.
“...riding a bike is still healthier than not riding. Bike commuting is a healthier alternative to driving to work—which also happens to expose you to air pollution. In 2015, a study from the University of Copenhagen elaborated on this, suggesting that the positive impacts of exercise are more important for our health than the negative effects of air pollution. And in March of this year, the University of Cambridge published findings that the health benefits of walking and cycling outweigh the negative effects of air pollution on health, even in cities with high levels of air pollution. ”
So, yeah, I got a headache after commuting today. But it's not likely to cause any long-term issue. I am lucky that I live in a region that scores higher for air quality than most of the rest of the world. All sources agree that riding is still better than not riding. Even the EPA suggests riding a bike to combat poor air quality. Sure, riding a bike isn't going to put out any fires. Still, I am doing my tiny little part to combat climate change and air pollution every day ride. That's a good enough reason for me to push through the haze.
I've been working hard to train up for a century ride this August. It will be here before you know it! Support my ride by sponsoring me today! I've been planning on making it easy this year and just riding the 100 miles in one day and being done with it. It's been a long year. But...if I raise $1500 I WILL ride the full 150 miles in 2 days. I'll do it for people with MS! And I'll do it because of you!
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To the thief who stole the lighting off my bike this morning, I would have happily given you a light. I have several extra. Just ask. The world doesn’t need to be that harsh. But don’t leave me without a light when I have 8 miles to ride to work in the dark rain. I depend on my bike to get to work, and I depend on my lights to get there safely.
I know, I should remove these things when I locked the bike. It takes time to remove all that stuff. Stupidly, I didn’t want to take the time. I mistakenly thought this quiet, bright parking lot was safe. I park in a locked cage at work, I parked my bike inside at my old health club. I've going to this new health club for 2 weeks, and have been parking my bike outside. Today I just didn't feel like taking the time to remove all the lights like I have been. I mean, who am I to be so mistrusting of people?
Today is #bikeeverywhere day! The warm, spring air and sunshine blessed all cyclists this morning in Seattle. I got up early with grand plans to ride by 10 stations on the way to work. This is one of the greatest advantages of working downtown and commuting along a major (if not the most popular) bike corridor in a large and largely bike-friendly city.
The first 2 stations I planned to visit couldn’t be found. Either I read the map incorrectly, or they simply weren’t there. I began to wonder if getting up early was such a good idea. Then I stopped at the F5/Cascade Station. I danced around to some fun tunes from the DJ and filled my face with energy food. I passed the PEMCO station across the street, but made it to the Facebook Station. Facebook nonchalantly handed over a high quality bag full of high-quality goodies. I made a point to engage with other riders. This is community building, right? I’m usually rushing into work. The sooner I get to work, the better the day! The harder I ride, the better the work out! No time for chatting! Today, I had to concentrate on kicking bakc in pointless banter. Then I got some fun snacks at the next station. Kilroy made my day, though. They had a large banter that said something about “Bike to Work Day”! Sometime back, the name of this celebration changed to “Bike Everywhere Day”. But I’m biking to work! I’d I were simply biking everywhere, I wouldn’t need doughnuts to entice me, the ride in itself is reward enough. Biking to work everyday is a different kind of hard. I stopped at Oculus Eye Care and entered a raffle to win a pair of sunglasses. I could really use a pair of prescription glasses for biking, so I am secretly crossing my fingers for the win on that one. I veered one block off my route for the SubPop stop. They tried to give me a CD and I instantly didn’t feel cool enough to get a free CD from SubPop. But they gave me one anyway. All in all, it was a wonderful morning. I could have veered even more off course and gotten cans of cold brew coffee and other wonderful things, but I am happy that so many people and businesses are out there supporting cycling and cyclists. Thanks for the loot, Bike Everywhere Day!
In the search to find a quick, mindless (as in, I don't have to think about it) post-ride cool-down, I found this short yoga video. I like it. A lot of yoga videos didn't touch on the muscles that need stretching. We are all different, and find tension in different places, but I wanted to share this because it hits all my good spots.
I slowly pedaled up the Dexter hill as dawn opened up into morning. The usually bustling road lay empty at this hour. I looked around and saw nothing; no cars, no busses, no other bikes. A man walked toward me on the sidewalk. He started yelling just out of earshot, getting louder as I drew closer. "...she won't respect what I say, SO I KILLED THAT WOMAN! I KILLED HER! and no woman will...." His fists violently pumped as I lost earshot biking away.
People walk the streets, yelling obscenities and imagined arguments all day long downtown. After years of working in the city, the yelling has become a part of the soundscape, a thing no less expected than sirens, honking, and engine noise. It's a guarantee with every trip. Also guaranteed, is the safe feeling of being surrounded by a crowd. Downtown, I am never out of eyeshot of several other cars and pedestrians. It's an admittedly misguided sense of safety, but mental instability and other shapes of human suffering is diluted by the populations of the privileged and busy.
Being alone with someone like this, on a street with no cars or other visible people, takes on a whole new feeling. Sure, I had a speed advantage being on a bike, but I was going up a hill, and he had plenty of leverage and proximity to throw something into my spokes. His fist pumping made this option seem plausible. I felt fear, since his anger was directed at woman. But more I felt curious, as I usually hear the word "bitch" in place of "woman." Since he coupled that switch with the word "respect" it made me wonder about his story, and I felt sad that my fear, socialized culture of isolation and rush to work kept me from ever finding out.
I just learned that Strava sends aggregate commute data to urban planners. That means I'm sopposed to tag my commutes as commutes. That sounds so simple, right? Not so much in our tech-dependant era! See, my Wahoo devices are connected to my Garmin activity watch which sends the data to the Garmin Connect Mobile app, which automatically shares the data to Strava and MyFitnessPal. To tag my commutes as commutes, I'd have to log into Strava and click that option on each ride. It sounds so simple. But between all my lights and trackers, I'm already pushing a lot of buttons. Multiply that two times a day, nearly every day, and that's a lot of button pushing! I want my activities to be heard for a better urban future...But do I want that bad enough to go back and tag my commutes?
My household got selected to participate in the Puget Sound Regional Travel Study. I admit I felt excited to participate, because transportation is of key importance in our society. There are several studies connecting health and wellness with time of work commute. Being someone who loathes commuting with all my being, I have a particular investment in this sort of thing. Being able to bike to work has probably been the single biggest factor in my sticking with my current employer. I've been with my current employer longer than any other, so that says something. Needless to say, Seattle's roads and transit are, in my opinion, the biggest blemish keeping Seattle from being an epically beautiful place to live.
The above data says it all. Perhaps I am more sensitive to satisfaction than others, but most people look at me as though I am a bizarre alien when I admit that I've chosen jobs paying at poverty with no or next to no commute over more traditional choices for most of my adult life.
That being said, am thrilled that my choices will be counted in a study like this. However, I must admit that the study has been tedious and time consuming to say the least. I can't imagine anyone less passionate than myself actually completing it. The study is based on a phone app (rMove) that tracks your travel for a week. However, every walking and driving trip I take is mapped incorrectly, and false trips are recorded when I'm just walking around the home. The study requires that the whole household participates, and I convinced a begrudging boyfriend to participate. His app has tracked him taking out the trash, getting a shopping cart, and other short activities as "trips". Last night we took a walk around the neighborhood. The app captured our stop to pet a friendly cat as a "stop". How do we track that? Were we going to work? Home? Restaurant? Errand? The options are many, but the importance none. Luckily there are options for error correction at every turn. If you still think the study isn't consuming enough, you have to realize there are 5 PAGES OF QUESTIONS FOR EVERY SINGLE TRIP AND 5 PAGES OF QUESTIONS AT THE END OF EACH DAY. I expected the study to be similar to the app-based happiness survey I've participated in since 2009. Puget Sound Regional Council and rMove, if you have low compliance from your participants, you may want to take some notes from Matt Killingsworth. If everybody actually diligently answers all these questions, well, count me amazed. I can't wait to find out the results of the survey, and I hope the results are considered valid. Itwon't help is participants cherry-pick trips because the process is tedious. A lot has changed in Seattle since the last time the survey was completed. It's only been since 2014, but already I am seeing more cyclists every year and the urgency from King County Metro Transit's alerts to work from home every time there is a transit delay (which is nearly every day). If we all worked from home, there'd be no baristas, Seattle! C'mon, let's fix this!
A metro bus crowded me against a construction barricade the other day, brushing my arm with its side body. Bikes have to merge into one-lane traffic during a stretch of road where construction overlaps the bike lane. I take “merge with traffic” literally, assuming the center of the lane with my bike as though I were a car. Depending on the traffic load, sometimes cars have to wait behind me because I can’t get up to the 30 they like to go. Usually the traffic is heavy and we all go slowly through the construction. Some bikes speed by, weaving in and out of cars, but I stay safe and center. For some reason I hugged the side of the road the other day. I don’t know why I did that. Perhaps I was preoccupied with thoughts in my head. And that's when the bus brushed me. The rest of the day, the resultant rug burns on my elbow rubbed painfully against my clothing, a constant reminder of my idiocy. I felt completely at fault. Why didn’t I take the defensive center of the road position?
Then the burns scabbed over, lessening my pain and subsequent guilt. For the next several days, the tender bruising on my elbow completely changed my conscience. I have several bright lights on my bike. I wear reflective, bright clothing. I signaled my merge and rode at a consistent speed. The bus came up from behind and passed. The driver had no reason not to see me. As it approached, I slowed my speed, but it slowed as well. I was so sure it would veer left and give me more space. Instead, it veered closer to the construction barricade and blocked me in. The bus driver had every opportunity to see me, and every opportunity to give me space. Even if I wasn’t being defensive, I should have been safe. As the bus wall banged into my left arm, my bike involuntarily short to the right, making my front tire touch the construction barricade. Here, as I tried with all my might to keep my bike steady, the bus driver still had opportunity to veer left. Instead, it continued to narrow my passage. For a moment, while my elbow kept banging again and again along the bus wall and my wheel swerved madly, I was sure I’d fall. I didn’t fall, and I take full credit for that. Had I not had the practice of commuting 60 miles a week for the past 5 years, I may not have maintained control. If I were a new rider, that could have been my last ride.
I’ll never know if the bus driver didn’t see me or was just being an ass. One thing I do know is that I will always take the center lane now when no shoulder is available. I also know that even if I am not riding perfectly defensively, others on the road share a responsibility to keep all of us safe.
I wish I could teleport all the drivers who honk at me and hate on me to that moment when I was sandwiched between bus and barricade, just for a moment. I am not trying to be “that” cyclist. I am not trying to hog the road and make life miserable for everyone else. I don’t have an agenda, I don’t have any snooty attitude. I am just trying to get to work. I think we all have a right to do that without having to wonder if we’ll ever make it in.
I eagerly reviewed my Garmin Connect Insights to compare my own tracking from other Garmin users like me. In all honesty, I felt a wave of disappointment when I saw the default cycling graph (above). This graph tabulates all Garmin connect users' recorded cycling data in my 4-year age range. Interestingly enough, looking at just women or just men didn't change my standing more than a couple of percent points. I mean, biking is my thing, man, how can I be below the curve?!
But then I noticed there are other stats to look at! When it comes to distance- I am above the curve! I ride farther than 80% of users! Oh yeah! Now I can gloat properly!
Next I checked out time, and lo and behold, I spend more time riding than 95% of other Garmin users in my age range! Now I can really gloat! Big gloaty smiles all around!
Last I looked at activities, which is the number of times I logged a cycling event, and here's where it really got crazy. I ride more cycling events than 99% of other Garmin users! That's the kind of percentile I can be truely proud of. This sort of data reflects the kind of riding I do, though. Most of my riding is commutes to work. That's 2-3 separate rides a day. They are slow paced and take a long time. There are not a lot of other riders, commuters or not, who deal with riding in the winter. Either the weather is prohibitive (hello east coast and most of the west coast considering this year's storms) or it's too dark, or simply not fun. I am lucky to live in a place where rain and dark is my only obstacle.
The following charts surprised me. Cycling is my thing. I also do yoga, I do Zumba, I lift weights. And that's all I care about when it comes to physical activity. I have the move bar turned off and my steps and floor goals set so low I meet them every day. I don't care about walking or how many floors I climb. I enjoy hiking, but I haven't done much of that lately. I know for a lot of people, walking and taking the stairs is their thing, so I was surprised to see I rated so high in that category.
I rode out to Seward Park on a miraculously non-rainy Sunday morning. My mom had just mailed me some whole-wheat chocolate chip walnut cookies, so I decided to eat them on my ride. I packed them in the adorable reusable popcorn bag Sara made me. Gifts are wonderful things. What a great treat to eat while enjoying the cherry blossoms. They are in full bloom this weekend!
I have a lot of people to thank, who all played a role in making this ride happen:
The boy's family, for hosting a delightful Maui vacation and keeping the eye rollers in place while I ran off on the bike for the morning.
West Maui Cycles, for renting me a light and snappy Ruby for the ride.
mcmahobn (who I don't know) who published their open-sourced code for a 3D printed backpack strap for a GoPro so I could capture the below video.
The Maui Cycling Group (on Facebook and Strava) for being an awesome and helpful bunch when I was pretty sure the loop would be too long for my current condition and I was looking to alternate options (it's amazing how many ride options these guys can come up with on a small island with limited roads!).
I wanted to capture some video of this ride because I knew I'd want to share the beauty. I've tried a few different mounts on the handlebars, but the view was obscured by cables and vibration made the video nearly unwatchable. I can't handle the look of a helmet mounted GoPro. That's where I draw the line when it comes to dorky cycling fashion. I made a few videos where I held the GoPro in my hands, and these were the best so far. But one can't one-arm a 60-mile ride. So the boy 3D printed me a backpack mount for the GoPro. I'm intrigued by a front fork mount, but since I rented a bike for this trip I couldn't confirm the shape of the folk for printing. I didn't really want to wear a hot backpack for the ride, but that turned out to be a good idea as I used all 3 liters of water from the Camelback in the first 40 miles.
I'm disappointed with the camera angle. I wish I could have tested it out before the ride. I had to discard lots of beautiful footage because the view was too low to the ground. As I watched the footage for the first time, I kept lifting my head up. The instinctual need to look above the view couldn't be stopped. Some turned out OK and that's what I have below. I will definately use this mount again, and with better angling, home to improve my footage even more.
I started the ride anxious. A lot of people worried me about the wind (narrow road with a cliff dropping off to the crashing ocean waves below!), the blind corners, the unknown terrain, the potentially spotty cell service, the traffic, the heat, the humidity, you name it. I focused on riding as far over to the curb as possible more than I focused on enjoying myself. I felt hot. It was 7 in the morning for crying out loud! I took refuge in knowing that the temperature would got up another 10 degrees at most by noon. Then. Cars melted away into nothingness. I saw birds lollygaging on the street. I inhaled the thick, floral air. I saw spots I remembered from the time I rode this loop in a car years ago. In a car, you see all the amazing sights. But on a bike, you fully experience what you see. Every view is coupled with a smell, a sound, a taste, and a feeling. It is such a rich and complex way to enjoy a beautiful place. I ran into several other cyclists on the road. I chatted with a few others who were visiting like me, as well as a local. I should add that the local kindly escorted me through the only section of the ride with turns, rendering my taped-on cue sheet totally unnecessary.
While the first part of the ride was the most scenic, the last part was the most invigorating. The southwest corner of the island was flat, hot, and sunny. But it also came with a tail wind to beat all tail winds. I pedaled at half the effort and went twice as fast. What a rush! Literally!
I got to ride a Specialized Ruby, the girl version of my own bike, the Roubaix. The frame felt small, too small. I felt numbness and soreness in strange areas I don't normally feel; clearly a result of the strange fit. I definitely noticed the light and nimble feel of the upgraded, newer components. I shifted inefficiently, not familiar with the gearing of compact bikes. I loved the bike though, and I loved the seamless experience of the rental.
Who wants to ride with me next time?
Bikes do a pretty good job of telling us what they need. Often times I hear chains crying that they are thirsty for oil. Sometimes brake pads like to squeal that they aren’t quite toed in right. Bikes, just like cars, send signals telling us something is wrong. It’s just up to us to listen. A couple of weeks ago my shifting cable was arguing with me; being tight and resisting me. I took note, and thought I should go to the bike shop about that. But I was about to go on vacation and my mind (and my lunch breaks) were elsewhere. I’ll deal with the cable after I get back, I said. Well, here I am back from vacation and the cable didn’t make it one trip. Just as I started peeling down 5th avenue, she snapped. That was it, my bike told me, no more. While I wasn’t in the best gear for climbing up the hills of 5th avenue (there are hills out there, people! Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t there!) I managed okay. Still gotta get to work. My brakes were not affected, and except for riding slower, I felt safe to finish my ride into work and to ride to the bike shop. Whew!
Fremont Bridge Bike Count: 149
