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......