GEEZE! Those are some HUGE sunglasses!

Status update: 26 days left until the BIG day and only a mere $75 dollars left to reach my fundraising goal. SWEET! On this week's 3/60/T ride I went big (mainly because I chickened out on the big ride the week prior because of a daunting steep hill - which in its own right is super scarey!). BUT I would not be deterred this week! Mind over matter and I opted for the riding option that accounted for the full 60 miles + some definite climbing.As soon as we hit mile 4 I was seriously questioning/doubting my sainity.Wow that hill was TOUGH (began at a 4, lessened to a 3, then finally some relief at a 2 incline)! What a way to start you Saturday @ 7:00 in the morning huffing and puffing at 4 miles an hour up a hill! Thankfully, I had Jim K. in my corner; he was the Micky to my Rocky and a big reason I made it up that hill! Thanks Jim! Thankfully that proved to be the most difficult portion of the day's ride. The rest of the ride was actually quite lovely, and long. Which brings me to this:What do you do for 4 hours without any other brain stimulation other than trying to focus on keeping your knees over your toes while you pedal. Well, you think. A lot. While I am curious what everyone else thinks about on these rides I can only tell you what goes on in my head. For me, 90% of my brain space (while continually pumping my legs) is thinking about what I'm going to eat as soon as we are done. Which is GREAT because i LOVE to eat!My favorite food to fixate on during these rides are big JUICY bacon cheeseburgers. I often switch between in-n-out, Outback, or a homemade burger. I'm still not sure is better, but all make for a great distraction while cranking up a hill.And for the remaining 10% of the time while I'm not thinking about lunch *at 7:30 in the morning* I like to think about my journey to becoming a "big girl" bicycle rider. So I have the spandex covered, terrible tan lines from my gloves and the shoes that make you walk like you're wearing ski boots, but the one thing I don't have are those fancy (and pretty rad) wrap-around sunglasses that all the bikers have. Nope. My sunglasses are HUGE. To my defense, they are the only pair I have, and they are prescription so - this is "how I do." Maybe this is my brain not willing to fully commit to the biker lifestyle of those who wake up at 5:00 in the morning to ride before work (man that's dedication!). But the honest truth is that I kinda like that these are rather obnoxioius for the sport. In my own defense due to thier shear size they are an excellent defense mechanism against any rogue bug that wants to fly in my eye on the decent down a nice hill. So, despite the odd facial accessories, I think I'm doing alright on my journey to becoming a "big girl cyclist." Though we'll see what happens with next weeks ride; it sounds scary with a lot of climbing. I still need to work on this mind over matter thing (or I need to get a bart pass for the bail out) :)

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

7 weeks and counting till the official ride. A few more group rides down and finally a bike that will shift into all its gears! It was more than a challenge trying to climb Patterson Pass in Livermore with only two of the three large gears! But Christoph was a rockstar and helped me get going through that mess. Thanks buddy!So two tune-ups later, two rear hub overhauls and finally heading 90 miles north to my trusted bike shop from college my bike is back to operational! Woo! Love you Bicycle Wheel in Chico - those guys made all the bike issues disappear in less than two hours and only $25. It was worth the three hour drive.Anyway, so I will fully admit, I lost a little motivation over the holiday of the 4th but now we are back on the wagon! Last Saturday was a training ride starting in Orinda, up McEwen (which was partially ridden, partially walked, and I was completely thrilled once it was completed) and up the three bears hills (known to normal people as small mountains - ha!). While trudging my way up the Bears I found myself thinking, "well, these actually seem reasonable." To which I immediately realized 2 things about myself. Number 1) I'm crazy. Number 2) Maybe, just maybe I am finally becoming "a real biker."So with my new realizations and a very sore saddle, I have decided - with the encouragement of a fabulous bike riding buddy - that I should do a few rides during the week. While reinforcing realization #1 from above, Lisa and I decided to meet at 5:30 in the morning for a quick ride up Las Trampas Rd. It's still a tough ride, but I'm encouraged that it WILL get easier! And a little extra work will help me get up Mt. Hamilton's 365 turns this Saturday. No use of the sag-wagon yet and I'm hoping to keep it that way!Until next time dear readers I'll just keep on pedaling!

Progress is sometimes slow...

Progress may be slow, but it's still moving forward.I've been through a few training rides (and am feeling more capable) but there is more work to be done! I'm trying to ride at least three times a week and definitely trying to put some time in on more hills. As it turns out my bike needs to head back to the shop. Who knew that third gear would be so critical while climbing (well, yes I knew before, but now I'm certain since I can't use mine)?!All the same, I have been introduced to a few new routes, so off I go! One more ride tonight before Saturday, then back to the shop.It's still progress!

Ride #1, San Ramon to Sunol

I have lived in the SR area for two years now and I can honestly say that this was the first time I had really gone "exploring" in my own back yard.This, being the first ride was exciting and scary. The MS 150 will be my first "big girl" ride and a big step up from lazily riding the Iron Horse Trail on a breezy Sunday afternoon. I was so excited though! I had even just procured some new pedals and shoes (in an attempt to prevent my right foot from falling asleep a mile 17) and ooh were they gorgeous accessories!But, the drama was to come! It took 3 trips to the bike store in Concord to get 1) a full set of pedals 2) the corrrect pedals - in that order 3) the pedals on the bike. Number one and two I was able to make happen 1 & 2 on Friday night just squeaking in before closing to get correction #2. But I was determined to be somewhat self sufficient and get the pedals on myself that evening. But the old pedals were insistant on staying on the bike for this first ride. So with my old pedals and broken down shoes I was ready to pedal my heart out that following Saturday morning. And boy did I work! Our group sped along at 15 mph (which is a new challenge for me); I spun my little legs and lugged my "ol' faithful" bike along the route. I relished every break, munched on my trail mix granola bar (it was, in that moment, better than any fine dining experience you could imagine), and I hobbled around for a few minutes to decrease the pins in needles settling into my right toes until we were off again. But, I was surviving! And then came that final hill. Sucking wind faster than any Hoover vaccume I trudged my way up. Just a little more I told myself; it was the small wins that got me the top (and the two super wonderful encouragers in the back who vowed to leave no rider behind). I quickly converted O2 into C02, and slowly cranked the pedals. Finally the top! But the sweetest piece of all... the journey down. Ol' Faithful is a bit heavier than some of the newer bikes, but that weight sent me FLYING down that hill! And just like that, I was nearly at the top of the group. Rad.With a simply fabulous group of people I pedaled and pushed myself the 27 or so miles to then end. But quickly I realized... I've got some more work to do. But, I now can do my work with fabulous new pedals and shoes :D