Late March I was able to ride around Woodward Reservoir (starting at Knights Ferry). One photo is by the reservoir although you can’t see water. I liked the combination of trees and clouds. The other pic is looking east from Sonora Road toward the Sierra Nevada. Again, the clouds were part of my focus for this shot.
One of my solo rides was from home to the north gate of Yosemite National Park (back in March). Along the way I saw two Cats playing in the forest.
I kept looking for the slide as I wanted to play but all I saw was a bunch of dirt on the road.
Had to take a picture by the Yosemite sign (and look, there’s the new bike).
It was a bit cooler at the entrance to the Park so after I took this picture, I headed back home…downhill, wheeeee
My last post was March 9. On the 10th, I did a solo ride starting from Knights Ferry with the intention of going into Oakdale and making a loop around Woodward Reservoir. Since I was alone, I decided to stop at the bike shop to see if they had a saddle cover. I ended up listening to one of their employees talking about carbon fiber vs steel vs titanium vs aluminum frames. I also learned more about wheels and disk brakes. The decision was made to get a new bike for this summer’s adventure. But then I had to hurry back to Knights Ferry before dusk so just shot straight back – no loop that day.
My steel frame Colnago is a beauty and has served me well for many years but she’s getting old. It’s getting harder to find parts and that will only become more difficult. The guys at the bike shop were actually drooling over her and suggested I put the frame and fork in a clear box and hang it in my living room. I really did consider that but Dan had other thoughts.
So, a week later, I picked up my new Trek Domane SL with disk brakes. (So is that Domane like domain or Domane like do-mah-neh’?) Two days after that I did Ride4Art, a fund raiser for the Calaveras Arts community. It was a simple out and back, 25 miles, with plenty of climbing and descending. Since the bike was new and I felt out of shape, I let a few of the climbs intimidate me.
Since then, I’ve ridden from home up to the north entrance of Yosemite, did Big Hill Road, did the Knights Ferry loop that I intended to do back on March 10, did Moccasin-Priest Station-Coulterville-Moccasin ride, et al. No more problems worrying about the bike and I trust my own legs more too.
The bike has been back to the shop for a different handle bar and stem. The bar is good but my reach is still too extended. Another stem is on the way. If we can get that dialed, I will be soooo happy.
About half of my rides have been solo but I do manage to meet up with one or two (and once, three) friends once in awhile. While Bill and I were riding in the country around Jamestown, I stopped to get photos of a peacock. Later I stopped to watch Bill change his flat. I also took some photos of the nearby bovine.
For a day with nothing on the calendar (nothing “to do”), it was busy.
First thing, woke up to SUNSHINE AND BLUE SKY! The outside temperature, while not as warm as the “look” of the day, was warmer than it has been (and the roads were dry).
So, second thing, time to go out for a bicycle ride. I went as far as the county border between Tuolumne and Mariposa on Hwy 120 east of town. Only 15 miles but it felt good to be out and moving. I only stopped when my heart and lungs couldn’t keep up with my pace on one of the climbs and then when I took this picture of the SNOW on the Sierra Nevada. It’s been a long time since there was this much snow at this time of year.
Third thing, a motorcycle ride to Columbia to meet Dan’s sister for lunch. Buddy, Bob, came along on his motorcycle too. After lunch, we took the long way home.
Here are some photos of Columbia State Park (California):
Lunchtime music provided by Roger:
Big Hill Road on our way home.
I’d say it was a very nice day for nothing to do.
The day was for playing at Yosemite Nat’l Park in the snow. I met with friends for a snowshoe trek from the Crane Flat area to the heliport. The snow had not been disturbed until we came along. This made for more work as we had to “break trail.” To me, this means lifting the foot higher than normal wearing a big footprint. Basically one of the walks that could be from The Ministry of Funny Walks.
The area is beautiful and looks different in winter which makes a good reason to go. I’ve not hiked the trail previously but may try it when the snow it gone just to see how it is then. As I trudged along, going up and up some more, I had to stop several times to get my heart rate and breathing back to normal. I finally started thinking, “Are we there yet? I’m not going to give up. Just keep going…one step at a time.” Turns out my thoughts occurred pretty close to the destination which changed my attitude. Maybe having something to eat helped with the attitude too.
A small group was at the heliport site when I arrived. After looking around and being amazed at the scenery around us, I found the edge of a picnic table to sit on, ate some of my food, drank some water. The rest of the group finally arrived. By then, I was getting cold. I had been sweating on the hike up the trail and the moisture was starting to cool. I told the leader I’d be meandering back to the start (after all, the trail was pretty easy to follow now). He asked me to get someone to go with me. Turns out about five of us were ready to head back. So, I didn’t meander but did get to visit with some of the others on the return trip. The return was easy since we’d already tamped down the snow and we were going down hill.
My leg muscles were feeling a bit sore when I first woke up today but are doing ok after some walking around the house. I think it was a good workout and count it as cross training. Apparently we did over five miles total.
I’ve been busy the past few weeks:
Feb 15 and 16 I went out for two short rides of 12 miles each. Getting into the climbs again on east Ferretti Rd.
Feb 18 I went to Ripon and rode the Almond Blossom Century. Definitely would do this one again. There was rain as I drove through Big Oak Flat but dry all day for the ride. Weather in northern California has been crazy lately. The rivers were overflowing along the route.
This ride was almost totally flat but did have headwinds. The day before the winds had been very strong so we lucked out on that. It helped that I met others willing to paceline or pull to get through that. The ‘pull’ was from a couple on a tandem. They’d stopped to help me as I was trying to figure out why my brake was rubbing and what to do about it. The male worked on the brake issue and the female invited me to follow – worked our Very Well for me.
Best part of the ride was meeting four lovely ladies who’d come from Fresno for the ride. I rode with two or all four of them during various sections of the ride. Ended the ride with Maria and Michelle. Iris and Laraine were waiting for us and we all went out for lunch. Lots of laughter. Found out they call themselves the ‘Possums. What a great bunch of women!
Oh, 60 miles and there were plenty of almond blossoms.
Feb 25 was Pedaling Paths for Independence starting in Linden. I do enjoy this ride. The first part is flat but then goes into some rollers – nothing real tough just enough to get my attention. Bonus on this ride was seeing Therese and Anna at the first rest stop. They were doing the shorter route so we didn’t get to ride together but it was nice to see them.
Again lucked out with the weather. Cool all day but I was dressed correctly so it was ok. I’ve started bringing a simple bag that I can put extra stuff into and wear on my back. As the day warms up, I take off the glove liners, ear warmers, etc. and throw them into the bag.
I did this ride with no assistance from others. Felt good to feel good when it was all done.
66 miles in same general area of the Central Valley so still saw plenty of Almond blossoms and over-full rivers.
Feb 28 was another local ride with plenty of hills – 13 miles.
Mar 4, a new friend, Lisa, joined me for the Kings River Blossom Bike Ride in Fresno. One of my motivators for this was the new friends I’d met on Feb 18. Another was a desire to finally do this. I’d seen an article in VIA magazine years ago about the Blossom Trail (which was meant for automobiles but sounded to me like a great bike ride).
Lisa chose to do the 40 mile ride while I planned on the 60 miler with the ‘Possums. Unfortunately for Lisa, the organizers didn’t seem to have their act together for the 40 mile route. She ended up riding around by herself in unfamiliar territory without a map.
Meanwhile, I had a GREAT ride. Again, the ride started out flat then had some rollers but after the first rest stop, that changed. I was with Iris and several other ‘Possums that I’d just met. (Turns out Laraine is having serious knee problems, Maria’s back was bothering her and Michelle opted to create her own route so I didn’t get to ride with any of them). The ladies made a great pace line and we quickly made it to the first rest stop. The rivers in this area were also swollen. All the grasses are green making the areas we rode through b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l.
Then came the climbs. I geared down to my lowest gear, put my head down and started climbing. When I made it to the top of the climb, I thought “that wasn’t so bad.” Ha! That was just a teaser for what was to come.
However before the ‘REAL’ climb, we went through Wonder Valley and it was a wonder especially with all the green and the running water. Then came the climb on Elwood Road. I don’t know how long it was but it took me a long time to get to the top. I was very glad I had the bag into which I put the leg and arm warmers. Each of us climbed at her own pace and then met up at the second rest stop.
Although we lost elevation on the rest of ride, there were still plenty of rollers. Somehow I caught up with Iris and Vanessa and we pace lined together until Vanessa decided to wait for those who were behind us. I almost want to say “mistake!” because Iris is one tough cookie. She set a fast pace and there were times I had to work hard to catch back up or stay up with her. We did end up riding with two other women we met along the route for a good part of the last section. I don’t say “mistake!” because I really was pleased to have someone to push me. It was a good feeling to know I could make it having to do that extra work to stay “on.”
Although the ride was advertised as 60 miles, I only showed 57 on my bike computer. Still, a good number for the day.
By the way, I was so tired, I fell asleep in the car going home. So glad Lisa was driving. If I’d gone down by myself, I probably would have needed to get a room for the night ‘cause I could not keep my eyes open.
I am very pleased with my progress this past month. No soreness in the legs today. However, I wouldn’t want to get back on the bike saddle yet…
Storms are brewing for the next several days so I HAD to get out to ride today. Apparently “two in a row” was a good number.
When I started, I had no real plan on where to go so thought I’d try some roads I haven’t been on in awhile. Many were inside the Pine Mountain Lake development which is very hilly. I don’t think they worried about keeping the roads on a 6% or less grade when they put them in. Some of the climbs are painful.
After wandering around for a bit, I headed for Boitano Road because I remember it being a pleasant ride with no traffic. There was no traffic but I had to turn around just after turning onto the road because I wasn’t in the correct gear (that would be my absolute lowest gear). After slogging up the climb, it was a pleasant ride but it was very short.
I kept checking my distance and I didn’t seem to be moving.
Frustrated with my lack of.progress, I was going end the ride but then decided to go down Clinton. It’s one of the roads the county has forgotten (no maintenance, potholes, and degrading asphalt) but there is only one house and it’s at the end so I enjoy going into the ‘wilderness.’ The pond had water-much better than the dry hole I saw last time I went through there-and there was waterfowl. At least until I got near and they decided to fly away.
I still had less than 15 miles on the odometer so gave up and headed home. When I got to the house, I decided to cycle to the mailbox to pick up today’s mail. Went in the house to get the mailbox key and headed out. Got there and discovered I’d grabbed the wrong key. Back home, back to the mailbox and when all is said and done, I put in 16 miles.
Maybe “three in a row” wasn’t such a good idea this early in my training. Rather than my usual ‘high,’ I’m just tired.
Today was the second day in a row I made it out to ride. Yesterday the weather was too nice to not ride, so I got in 22 miles and felt good.
Today was supposed to be a ride with a new acquaintance. She had to cancel this morning so I went out alone again. The route was more difficult because the hills were steeper and there were more of them. So my average went down but I still had a great day with 20 miles.
I did notice it was harder to climb the hills and I took more breaks than I had to when I was in shape last year. This just means I have more work to do.
Well, back to the beginning. My focus has NOT been on cycling for the past several months. Instead we were working on selling two houses and buying one. This also involved moving from one side of town to the other. Fortunately, the seller of the house we moved to was also a friend and realtor. He was able to give us the time to sell the two places so we could afford the one.
We’ve been in the new house since Nov 30 and I’m finally feeling like I can take some time to cycle again. The weather has been great for refilling our depleted reservoirs but not so great for riding a bike. I was able to get out one day last week and today. The legs are doing OK but where the old body rests on the saddle-not so much.
Looking ahead, I have four months to toughen up. The forecast is for dry days into next week. It appears I’ll be doing short rides for awhile to get saddle ready then working on distance.
Just recently found two more folks in the neighborhood who cycle. Now we just need to get our schedules to jive.
My friend, Bonnie, has loaned me a brand new Fire tablet to play with. This is so I can see how it might work for me next summer when I try, once again, to cycle across the country and keep friends apprised of my adventures.
I’m amazed at how light and thin it is. I’m not sure I like the size – 8.5″ x 5″ – too small? The keyboard is not as easy to use as the iPad I had for use last summer. Although, one can get used to anything with enough time.
The past couple months have been crazy as we are selling two houses and buying one. Three escrows to deal with at the same time and we really aren’t that savvy on real estate stuff. I feel like we’ve done some things poorly and so have spent more money or not made as much money as we could have if we’d known what we were doing. Dan says this is our last move, really.
November 30 we must be out of our current house. We’ve already moved a lot of our things to the new property (we know the sellers so they’ve given us permission do so).
So my first post using the Fire is done. I think I could get used to it…
thecyclingdiva 