Riding by myself
Last Sunday, I was riding by myself and was keeping pace about 100 yards behind a few riders, when a guy in a passing truck decided he needed to remind me that I am “big boned.” The riders in front of me, without saying a word slowed down and formed a pace line with me. I rode with them for about 25-30 minutes. Nothing more was really said. We talked about the day’s ride—their path and mine, good hills vs bad hills, and we talked about the weather—common topic these days.
 
I decided it was time for me to charge down the second to last hill on my way back home. I pulled out of the line and announced I was on the left and heading home—as I went by they stuck out their gloved hand and each gave me five as I passed. The guy who lead us most of the way—just said, “thanks for riding with us.” It was so cool—like I was one of them. Then I realized, while there is no badge or secret handshake—I am one of them…I am a cyclist. Pretty cool feeling.
 
Way too comfortable
Part of my Sunday ride was the challenge of keeping myself motivated to keep the pedals moving. When riding alone, after about 2 hours it is way to easy to say—OK am I done and turn around and head home. When I ride with friends or my team—the time goes by and the pains of riding seem to just spin themselves away. So as part of my pre-ride strategy—I wanted to ride a loop that would put me out far enough away that when the first wave of fatigue hit—if I turned I would have to fight the same hills I just conquered vs a flatter/easier return path. As a reward for completing the loop—I planned on stopping at my favorite deli for a turkey sandwich. For those who know the area, I started in Redwood City, rode up Woodside (big hill), to Portola then down Page Mill to Santa Cruz back to Sand Hill (big hill) up to Portola then back to Woodside Road. Woodside Deli is close to home—so I figured I would grab a lunch and fresh bottle of water there.
 
What I did not factor in my ride pre-plan—was that I would be in my lycra shorts in a public place—even worse—standing around waiting in line. I also had my cleats on, which is like walking on ice once the plastic hits the tile of the deli. I was a big salt lick—had helmet hair and was rockin’ the Punky Brewster Day-Glo colored jerseys. I became highly aware of what I was wearing—or the lack there of—once I was inside standing waiting in line. I remember not too long ago, vowing not to wear the lycra shorts, then breaking down and wearing them—when did I become so comfortable that I would wear them in public—away from my bike. I wrote an apology letter to the Woodside Deli—I hope it didn’t hurt their business.
 
Hardest 5.6 miles of my life
OK so I have only been seriously riding for a couple months—so it’s not exactly a lifetime of experiences to pull from to level set the challenge of the last 5.6 miles. Coming off the high of finishing my 30+ ride on my own and then devouring the turkey sandwich the size of Paris Hilton’s dog—I decided it was time I get back on the bike and head for home. After waiting in line for 20 minutes and then eating my sandwich—my legs had turned to cement. Cold and tight—not wanting to move they also had to contend with the brick of sandwich sitting in my belly. My stomach was so full, it felt like I was pedaling around my stomach. After a meal like that—I was much more suited for a beach cruiser style of ride and not a twitchy highly reactive road bike. Ray Charles could have steered the bike straighter then me as I was trying to stretch out my stomach while steering with just my fingertips. Then came the onion burps. Oh man—that was brutal. No matter how fast I pedaled—I could not outrun the onion death that surrounded me.

Back to Vegas
I am heading back to Vegas this weekend for the Virsa Customer Conference. But before I go—I am going on a 50 mile ride with my team. I was told by my coach, “this is where they separate the men from the boys.” I am very excited about this ride. 50 miles is a major milestone for me as it is half way to my goal. I have about 9 weeks left. I am going to start making day trips up to Tahoe to practice on the 25 mile loops to conquer the fear I have of the two mountain passes on the ride.

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