Slacking hurts......

As I've indicated, I've been a slacker these past two weeks....and boy did I pay for it on Sunday! It's amazing what riotous living can do for your cycling. I was really hurting on Sunday, could barely do 30 miles. But hey, January 1st is coming, when the count down starts for real....the next thing you know it will be March 4th!

So, instead of biking, I've been hitting the movie theater, instead of commenting on my cylcing efforts, I'll comment on the movies....

It's Complicated......yes it is but Meryl Streep is just fabulous well worth the time in the seat....and of course Alec Baldwin, you just love to hate him.....

Up in the Air......what where they thinking, the title pretty much describes it, it does have a few moments....there were some laughs

Inglorious Bastards.....don't waste the time going to Blockbuster or clicking to download from netflix Schindler's List meets Springtime for Hitler, not funny.

I realize I'm not a movie critic and these opinions are just that my opinion....I should probably stick to biking, I'll get back at it after the first....

Hard work....

While I've been slacking a bit due to holidays...I did manage to get in 100 miles this past week. Friday morning I rode with The Ladies around Ahwatukee and did manage to get some hills in, including 5th Ave. and 17th Ave. I was pleased with my progress in spinning and am so grateful to Charlie for the tip....

Saturday brought another "Ladies Ride" this time we did the Tempe Ironman Course (not all 112 miles) but one of the loops. This was challenging, but the best part was riding with my sister, my riding buddy for the big trip. She was glad to be on the bike again since weather in Philadelphia hasn't been that cooperative....

The BIG RIDE was today (Sunday). I conquered "the towers" for readers familiar with the valley, you can see the South Mountain towers from every part of the valley. I rode from 48th and Warner to the top of South Mountain. The stepest part of the climb, from the base of the mountain in the park to the top was only 5 miles or so, but in that 5 miles we climbed 1800 ft. I'm sure this is great training, but I'm tired...so just chilling out, watched some great football (go Eagles!) and now watching my hero James Bond....

Continuing to Spin.........

On Sunday the spinning continued as I rode with Charlie and the MS150 training group here in Ahwatukee. We did a normal route, lots of hills, and lost of chance to spin. I am floored, I did the 17 Ave. hill, the 5th Ave. hill and the 40th St. hill, all upwards and at the end of the ride my aveage speed was 13.7.

Charlie is determined to get me to the towers in South Mountain Park next weekend, for those of you familiary with the valley, the South Mountain tv/communication towers can be seen valley wide, so it's a climb. He is determined to have me ready for San Diego....

Got several bike tips from Javelina Cycles, new end grips on my handle bars for a more relaxed and an optional grip for the long straights, and am also contimplating a new seat stem so I don't have so much trouble with the seat sliding down....

a great weekend of riding....again, taking it easy for a couple of days.....

Climbing, Climbing, Climbing

Saturday's ride was a good training workout for me. We started in North Scottsdale and rode up, up, and up to Carefree and Cave Creek. All in all we climbed 1800 feet in elevation. This was a great exercise.....as you might suspect, the best part for me was the downhill....after climbing for three hours (20) miles, the return trip of 20 miles took less than an hour.....wheeeeeeeeee!! My favorite part.

I again was awed by the various landscapes in our valley, biking has broadened by vistas of the valley of the sun, what a great place to live. I'm still in a bit of a holiday mood....slacking a little, but January 1st is coming.....so is March 4th...

Waning Signs!

Warning bells went off in my head on Thursday as I was preparing for my first ride since Sunday. First of all that's a bit disconcerting in an of itself. Then I put my helmet on and it felt weird, like it didn't fit. I amost panicked, three days without a ride and my helmet feel's weir? What's that about. How am I going to make 3,100 miles in 58 days, if after three days off, it feels like I haven't ridden before...

The ride ended up being relatively uneventful, and I realize that now I do 22 miles without even thinking, like I used to do 10, so I guess that's a good thing...

I am relaxing a bit over the holidays, gearing up for the touch training schedule come January 1st. I have relinquished most of my extra ciricular activities, except training and fundraising....so here comes January 1st, the countdown to March 4th will begin!

Yet another Sunday Ride....

Today as usual I joined the training rides for the AZ MS 150 ride in March. We started in north Phoenix and headed up to Cave Creek. I was a bit tentative about the day, since I pushed so hard yesterday, I was concerned that I could not continue my sucess from yesterday. As we started out I felt great, and was holding a high cadence (tip from last week) and a good speed. However, as we continued on the ride, I began to struggle. Then got a bit spooked as I was struggling in the low teens on what appeared to be the flat. After 19 miles (bringing up the rear as usual) we regrouped, stopped with the SAG then headed back 19 miles. My struggle on the way out soon became apparent. We were climbing a grade the whole way out....needless to say, the return was much quicker at a faster pace, ended up with an average speed of 13.7....feeling good..... faith restored....looking forward to March...

Phoenix Metro Free Ride

What a great Saturday ride! The Ladies joined the Phoenix Metro Bike Club's annual free ride starting at Mesa's Pioneer Park. The club offered 25, 40, and 60 mile routes. We opted for the 40 mile segment. It was a beautiful ride, while the day was cold (by AZ standards) the scenery was beautiful! We headed north and east and wound up in Usury Pass in the McDowell Mountains, the red rocks, the cactus, and of course great biking made for a great day. The last 10 miles were slightly down hill, and I was able to pull a consisten 20MPH a new personal best for me....tired at the endof the day, but it felt great!

I've said it many time.....

Today was another one of those "this is why we live in Arizona" days. Blue sky, big sunshine and a perfect day for a ride.

I got a little tip on Sunday while I was riding in the presence of greatness....I was surprised to learn that our fearless leader, who placed in the el Tour de Tucson, doesn't shift to the big wheel until he's around 20 mph....so today I tried it, well, not 20, but 17-18, so cadance was high. I could not believe the result. I probably had the best ride yet! With all the stop signs, traffic lights and hills, I averaged almost 14mp, a huge gain for me 22 miles was almost like a walk in the park....you learn something new every day!

In the presence of greatness......

Sunday's riding experience was humbling to say the least. When I showed up at the Bagle Nosh for the regular Sunday ride, I discovered that my riding buddies for the day were two Tour de Tucson riders who completed the 109 miles in less than 5 hours and an IRON MAN, who had just completed a week ago. With much trepidation I started the ride. At least my meter was working! The guys were kind, and let me take short cuts so I could stay with them (at least at the meet points) If I though I had pushed myself on Saturday, well this was even worse! I did thoughoughly enjoy the ride, it was a pleaseure to be amount such greatness. I did have a new personal best of maximum speed, 35.8 MPH and an overall average speed of 13.4 which I believe is a personal best as well. The clock is ticking to March 2, 2010 the beginning of the big trip....will I be ready?

Back with "The Ladies"

After the euphoria of the el Tour de Tucson.....well riding just seemed less importatnt. Whoa! March 2nd 2010 is just around the corner. I will confess that I took a week off, after the Tour, Thanksgiving was coming, and well I just didn't ride. On Saturday it was a different story, back with the Ladies, riding the Ahwatukee Foothills. I felt great, and somehow stronger so did push myself a little and did end up a bit stiff. Meter still not working, so I really don't have any great stats to share, but I'm still here, and riding.

Tucson has hills!

Well, the Tour de Tucson is over....a bit of milestone, as I pedaled along with 9,000 other cyclists. It was quite an adventure, a bit thrilling to be close to the start of the 66 mile segment with 1,400 others. The day was beautiful, weather perfect and Tucson views specatular. However, the day had challenges. As we lined up early at the start line, I realized that this was where the pros were we lining up, so as the start occured there was a great whooosh as most of those in line behind us went flashing past. The first 4-6 miles were tough as I found it hard to get in rythym, then came the creek bed filled with sand where we pushed and carried our bikes for a 1/4 mile, then came the 15% grade. By this point I was convinced I would never finish! But after some orange slices served by the girl scouts and rolling hills, I found my pace and never looked back. The best part was the 8 miles down Tangarine Road, what a blast!

Many thanks to the other riders from "The Ladies" who encouraged me, and where there at the end to cheer me in....I finished #1,088 in 5 hrs. 51 minutes and am feeling a bit more confident about riding....today, the day after, I can walk without pain, feeling pretty good!

I hope I'm ready for Tucson

It was a wonderful Pheonix fall day, clear blue skies, not to cold, not to hot, just a great day for a bike ride. I'd tell you how many miles I rode if I knew. The computer is gone again. I would guess between 20 -25, getting ready for the Tour de Tucson. So I've ridden my last ride, taken the bike to the Tribe for a tune-up, rotate the tires etc... and to have a new computer installed. So now I wait, try not to stress, perhaps do some cross training, and leave for Tucson on Friday morning. Here's to 66 miles.....

Tired.....50 miles around south mountain.....

Who needs a new freeway around south mountain? I rode 50 miles, around the mountain, so roads do already exist!

Was a great, but tiring ride, head winds very strong on Riggs road, but glad for the experience. Somehow I think there will be winds as well as rain between San Diego and St. Augustine. As we pulled back into the Nosh today, all I could think of was that next Saturday (Tour de Tucson) at 50 miles, I'll still have 16 to go! I am looking forward to the challenge, the opportunity to ride with The Ladies, and show our colors proud, but also facing it with some trepedation. I have never participated in a formal ride before. Will be a taking it a bit easy this week, resting for the big ride.

It does Rain in AZ

This morning as I was getting ready to leave the house for today's ride, it began to pour, I couldn't believe it was raining in AZ! Instead of riding the 3 miles to the Bagle Nosh, I put the bike on the rack and headed out to meet The Ladies. I know it will rain sometime between March 4th and April 30th, 2010, so I've got to practice. Much to my surprise, by the time I got to Elliot, the road was dry! That's the beauty of rain in AZ. The ride went on as scheduled, the sun peaked through ominus clouds, and there were roads that were wet. I was a bit of a site as I walked into Community Serve Day at Mountain View Lutheran where I was talking with Volunteers about the opportunities with Connecting to Serve. Everyone was gracious, and I was able to communicate my passion for what Connecting to Serve has done for me! Hopefully tomorrow's ride will be drier. 'til then......

No Turning Back!

It was glorius to get back on the bike again after the time away. Friday was a great ride with my ever supportive coach, LaVerne. It was also the day that the local community became aware of my endeavor. The Arizona Republic ran an a great article about the trip. So the secret is out, no turning back!

I'm back!

Everyone needs a little R&R every once in a while, and I just had a fabulous week visiting family and friends in the Carolina's. Thanks to the hospitality of my friend forever, W, in Charlotte and my brother Jim on Lake Keowee, my husband and I had 5 days of eating, driking, and soaking up sun and the changing of the seasons.....now, it's back to work and back on the bike. I'll be on the road today and the next day, and the next, getting ready for the big Tour de Tucson!

Tour de Tucson......

Well, I did it, I registered for the Tour de Tucson. This will be my first real organized ride! I've signed up for the 66 mile route.....oh my! The most I've ever done in one day/ride is 54....I hope I'll be ready. It also doesn't help that I'll be a week off from riding. Taking a little R&R to visit family and friends in the Carolinas. On November 21st, I'll be riding around Tucson or so Perimeter Cycling says....I can't believe it I'll get a number and a timing chip!! Pinch me.....

November 1st, 2009 four months to go.......

Yesterday, November 1st, was a difficult challenging struggling day. Four month out from the big ride. I almost didn't get up for the training ride. Charlie and the gang were riding Usary pass, I had a 25 minute drive to get there. I didn't feel like riding. I rolled over and said to Paul, I'm not going. After 5 minutes, I knew I had to get up and ride. Next March, I'm not going to be able to say, "I'm not going to ride". I also knew that my supporters would ask me "how was the ride on Sunday?", I knew I could not let them down. So somewhere came the strength. The ride was beautiful, the AZ scenery never ceases to amaze me, the mountains, the cacti, the rolling hills and the FLAT valley.

I enjoyed the ride, however, I must admit that for the first time I really began to have doubts about this Journey I am embarking on. I know I can do it, I want to do it, but sometimes it does appear overwhelming....thanks to all the supporters who are making me accountable and giving me the strength to keep training....you are the heros........

Tempe Town Lake and the Zoo

Saturday morning rolled around, I was ready for the cold and hopped out of bed at 5:15. I was excited the training ride for Saturday was new, a ride around Tempe Town Lake and the Phoenix Zoo. What a treat to ride around a man made lake in the middle of the desert! It was beautiful! The challenge of course was riding around all the other people who thought that walking or running around the lake on halloween in full costume was a good idea. If nothing else it was entertaining! Again another training day down.

It was COLD!!!

Friday morning the 30th of October, I thought I'd take a little ride with Laverne...we weren't leaving until 7:00am, so I thought the sun would be up the sky would be blue and all would be right with the world. Well, write it in the history books, I was wrong! It was so cold, my fingers and earlobs almost cracked and fell off! For my friends in the northeastern part of the US, I suppose 56 isn't that cold, but trekking along on a bike, when you are used to 80 degrees...it's is very cold. Yet another day in the life of training for the big adventure......

The wind seems to blow two directions at once....

Last Wednesday the 28th of October I took a little ride (20 miles) out to the YMCA in the foothills, and wow, what a wind.....a little scary experience feeling the bike move in a direction I was not pedaling (sideways!) I assumed (I know that's dangerous) that on the return trip, the wind would be at my back and I would sail home. Well, I was WRONG. On they way home I struggled again agains the wind, which leads me to believe that in fact the wind does blow two directions at once! However, painful, I was very glad for the experience, I'm sure that on that trek from San Diego to St. Augustine, the winds will blow, and again the bike will go in a direction that I am not pedaling......

MILESTONE......I changed a tire....

The thing every biker dreads....flat tire! As you all know I did get a flat tire on Friday while riding with my sister, but I just called for back up and my fabulous husband came and got me. Well, I would like to ride tomorrow, so I needed to fix my tire. So, a very patient husband watched and gave advice. I know it must have been very hard for him to watch me struggle....taking off the wheel, taking off the tire, taking out the tube, putting in the tube....I'll admit, I did let him help a bit. But, the one thing I can do now, all by myself is pump up the tire, which I did. Flat tires are not fun, and not easy, and you never get used to them, and they never go fast....so I've heard from experienced bikers. Hopefully a while longer before I have to change another flat!

That Sister just might bring bad luck........

Not that I really believe in luck, but I had the awesome opportunity to ride with my sister again on friday morning at 5:00am still dark! It was to the beginning of a fabulous weekend, as afterwards we were leaving with our other sister to head to Monument Valley. I've never been to Utah, so a very special trip indeed....we had a great ride, watch the LaVerne and Jane, watched the sun rise out in the foothills. Then, almost home, at about the same spot as the Saturday incident with the exhaustion and the ants....wop, wop, wop, A FLAT TIRE!!

We had places to go, things to do, packing for the weekend...so I brought out the trusty Blackberry, called that fabulous guy Paul that I live with, and yes, he came abd picked me up. I am beginning to wonder if I will ever finish a ride with my sister.......

New Milestones........

I hit some new milestones today. So, they really weren't training milestone, but alas, important to me. When you've embarked on a journey like this (long and on a tiny seat) each new realization is important. Here are today's milestones.......I passed another biker, I read an email on my Blackberry while riding, I learned not to drink 2 cups of coffee and then go on a bike ride. The weather was great, got my 15 miles in and life is good.......

Ah....the cool morning ride returns

On Sunday, back to normal, meeting at the nosh and riding in the cool morning air. It was a great ride. It felt good to get right back on the tiny little seat after the Saturday episode.....albeit, only rode 30 miles again....so didn't quite make my goal of 100 miles a week. I'm slipping a little bit. I must admit that on Saturday as I was sitting on the ant hill, I did start to wonder if this is what the "big" ride is going to be like......hitting a wall day after day....I hope not.....the bad news is I'm back to a quirky cat-eye again, so still don't have good stats...this has got to stop! I do know that with or without I am very close to having 1,000 miles on the new bike! Yipee!

So, I waited for my sister......probably not a good idea.....

On Saturday, instead of the early morning ride out of the Tribe in Scottsdale, I decided to wait for my sister to be finished with grandkid duties so we could ride together. It's such a rare treat for us to both be in the same town.....well, summer has returned to the valley, so when we started out about noon, it was getting hot....by the time we were finished it was 105 on our patio, not a good thing. In fact, it was so bad, I hit the wall less than two miles from home. Just sat right down by the side of the road, in the shade, and on an ant hill. Even when they started crawling and biting....I just sat. After a bit, I decided to get up and try to make it home....I sarted swaying, and went down again, into the ants....pulled out my cell phone, called Paul, and the ride was over for me. Of course that fabulous older sister, just kept riding and made it home. I'm hoping that 30 miles in the heat is equal to 60 miles in the cool! I need the miles.....

Ooops! Made a wrong turn and there was the 40th St. Hill....

Yesterday and I was merrily pedaling along on my regular 15 mile training ride....always looking for new paths, so it doesnt' get boring....I thought, hmmm...I'll try this turn....

Well, I thought I knew where I was, but obviously I didn't...because after a few casual curves and easy riding, right there it was in front of me, the dreaded 40th Street hill....well, I hung in there, got to the top, made a mental note of the ride, will try not to get lost again...happy trails.....

Up Hill and Down.........

This past week and week-end was a struggle on the bike and off the bike. Saturday I rode with The Ladies, we did nine-mile hill. The name of the ride says it all. The 44 mile total ride included, you guessed it NINE MILE HILL. The ride was not only a struggle because of the grade, but saturday morning was the first time since I've started training, that I really didn't want to get up and get on the bike. Mind over matter forced me on the road, and I did love the feeling at the top of the hill and then wheeeeee!!! all the way down.

Sunday morning I struggled as well getting out to do the 30 mile ride with Charlie and friends....again I was glad that mind over matter persevered. But the doubt started...can I really complete this monumental task I have set myself to do? Will people donate to the cause, will I find the sponsors that I need....I don't know the answers, so today, I just hope that tomorrow, I want to get back on the bike.

Back on the road......

I took a break for three days, off the bike and off the road. I was so delighted to get back on today, and get those pedals moving. My cateye is up to speed again, so now I can track all the important measures! Today's ride was really about seat time, so no big triumphs, just sitting in the seat. I've got Jury Duty tomorrow, that's really inconvenient, so I may miss my 100 mile mark this week.......I'll let you know!

Hills and more hills.....

What a great weekend of riding, temps in the 70's early morning, which we haven't seen here for months in the valley of the sun....

I continue to be amazed that practice makes perfect. we learn that as children but as we grow, sometimes we forget the most basic of life's lessons. I was able to complete my goal of 100 miles this week, in spite of my meters (cadence and MPH) not functioning, but thankfully now there are fixed. A big thanks to Charlie, who continues to coach me on the hills. I did hills this weekend, I thought I'd never do...for those of you familiar with the rides, I did mini hill, Warpaint and 40th street, all within 30 minutes of eachother and this was well after the 2 mile hill on 5th Ave...I continue to be amazed at what one can do when one put their mind to it. Now I need to put my efforts towards a real training calendar and will continue to post riding updates as well as personal updates....

Connections

Today as I was pedaling my way around Ahwatukee, my thoughts turned to connections. Thinking about simple connections, like my foot resting on the pedal, then more complex connections - like my connection to my community. My mind suddenly wandered off in many directions about connections (and again almost missed my turn). One that came first to my mind was the connection between my parents. They've been connected more than 60 years, and as I watch the demon dementia taking the mind of the mother I've known for almost 50 years, I wonder about her loss of connection to my father and her world. I then began to think about old connections and new connections; intentional connections and haphazard connections.......then I realized it felt good to be connected and I determined to grow and continue down this path, on the road (literally) to more centered in my community and yes to be MORE connected.

Murphy came along on the ride today.......

My friend Murphy came along on the ride today, not Murphy Brown (I'm showing my age) but my friend Murphy that wrote Murphy's Law. I was so excited, I was getting out early before the heat, but just one snafu after another, I was busy day dreaming about the ride, and all the things that need to be worked out before next March. Will I rasie the funds I've commited to, how to best get the word out, how to reach out to more people so I can share about Connecting to Serve and it's mission, how can I find more sponsors for the Jersey's? So much dreaming that I missed a turn, caught in traffic snafus, discovered that my mileage meter wasn't working, so not chance of a true personal best, almost got run over by a teenage boy running to school, more trafic and turn snafus, however, I did arrive safely home, for which I am thankful. And, when I arrived it was still 72 Degrees!!! That was the best part.......

I Made It!!

I was really worried about Sunday's training ride......from home to 48th & Warner, to South Mountain Park at Central and Baseline, into San Juan and Back all the way to 48th and Warner.....it's not that far, 35 miles, but HILLS....

I didn't break any personal records, but I completed. Saturday night, I was tense, had shoulder pain and I know that was from stress, contemplating Sunday's ride, but Charlie and Laverne and the rest of the group kept me going....

Thanks to all my riding buddies....

The hills didn't seem so bad today

Just completed a regular Saturday training ride. I hit a new personal best, 36.9mph maximum speed. Obviously this helped my average speed brought it up to a 13.3. My goal before the big trip is to hit 14 as an average speed. I also did better on some hills today than before. There is one hill I've been avoiding....did it today and felt great.

Thanks to my freind Jason for riding with us today, he's been a great supporter of my endeavor and getting on the bike (first time after knee surgery) shows huge support, thanks J!

Tomorrow planning to ride from Warner and 48th to the South Mountain park at Central and Baseline.....then the road to San Juan...I'm a bit nervous, I've never done this before, it will be wild ride....as always I'll keep you posted....

I thought Fall had arrived ........

Yesterday I was telling my friends in the northeast how fall has arrived in the southwest, the mornings are cool and great for coffee drinking outside.....so I decided I could take a bike ride in the afternoon.......well, fall has not arrived. Five miles out, I realized that it was indeed still summer, it was HOT (103 when I arrived home) while the 20 MPH winds did feel like a breeze at times, when they gusted to 35 MPH it was hard to ride against.....but alas, I did complete my intended goal of 15 miles....it felt so good......

3,100 miles on a tiny seat.........

It's not every year one turns 50! That's what I'm doing in 2010, so in preparation for becoming a year older and a big celebration, I decided to ride across the country on a bike.



I made the decision, I have a cause, and now the journey begins......this decision has fostered many changes. I'm on FaceBook, I'm not ashamed to ride to the Dr.'s office on a bike in 100 degree temps, and I've no shame about being seen in those little bike shorts (ok, so mine are pretty big)



This blog is the beginning of a journey a journey of miles, but also a journey of discipline and growth. Stay posted.....you'll get the full story and the history of why on earth I'm riding 3,100 in 59 days on a really tiny seat.....