Blood, Sweat and Rain

It was a small turnout on Saturday, but Kate and I had a mostly enjoyable ride in the rain.

Things started off a little chilly and I donned my rain jacket for the first time of the year. (Kate had the exact same jacket as I did, so I felt like it was a bit of a fashion faux pas, when I had put it on, but I wanted to stay warm and dry. In retrospect, I should have called ahead to see what jacket she was going to be wearing)

None the less,invoking rules #5 & 9 of the Velomanatti :) we pedaled out through the rain in a generally north western direction in the wind and rain.

It seemed like no time and we arrived at the traditional gas station stop in Sheridan, only to discover that the restrooms were not available. So we went on down the street to this cool little breakfest and bistro, where Kate treated the whole team to coffee and Cafe Americanos. Plus they had nice clean restrooms.
Even Karnak the magnificent would have been impressed with the wonderful array of breakfast items presented on their menu. But we had miles to cover, so we got our coffee to go, shoved our extra water bottles in coat pockets and headed out with steaming coffees in our bottle cages! Reference rule 56

We somehow were following the exact route of the Holliday Park ride from a few weeks ago, but were not really making a conscious effort to go on a particular route as we figured that we were the only ones hearty enough to be out on such a day as this and anyone who could not get out of bed in time to at least catch us in Sheridan, would likely not be out at all.

Of all the rides that I have been on, I do not ever remember so many trios of dogs coming out to give chase. We had our first group just before we got to the place where Tony had tried to save us, by launching a sprint as a distraction, a few weeks ago, then the fence jumping dog that Tony had saved us from came out and ran along side barking and wagging his tail as if to say, "Where is the guy on the Specialized Rooby rooby roo Roubaix that tried to distract me?" Kate and I shouted a few words of encouragement to all the hounds we saw and pedaled on.

We were just finishing off our coffee, and commenting on what a delightful day it was turning out to be, and how we might just stay out for a full Century, when something happened so suddenly that both of us were suprised to find Kate having an upclose and personal meeting with Mother Earth.

Suffice it to say that Kate got the short end of the stick on that one. I thought I took a picture, but just realized today, that I had a technical difficulty and ended up with nothing. Kate was a real trooper and did what our parents always taught us to do when we take a hard knock and she walked it off. I had some stuff in my tool kit that I thought could make the wounds sting a bit more (in the form of a handy wipe) Kate made them sting and as if that was not enought poured sports drink in her wounds just to get a little salt in there.

Invoking rule #5 once again, Kate climbed on her freshly restraightend bike and we cycled on. The next we knew, we were pedaling happily along improving our handling skills on the gravel road from a few weeks ago. (you were right Alex, whatever does not kill us does indeed make us stronger) :)

After the gravel, we deviated from our path as I had discoverd earlier that I was having a wee bit of a problem with my rear wheel and took a short cut back to the Ian's Army bash.

Sure it was in to the wind all the way home, with blinding rain squalls, the dogs quit chasing me and started just going after Kate (I guess because they could smell all that blood) but that just added to the whole adventure, and didn't Kate look tough with all the scrapes (and when I say scrapes, I mean all the way up her leg from the knee up) and blood soaking through her rain jacket (which by now looked considerably different than mine) plus various and sundry bruises, not to mention being covered with road dirt. just a few tenths short of 70 but a good days ride all the same.

Amy fixed us some plates, heaped with Roast Beast, Potato Salad and Slaw from what was left over from the Cactus Grill and we felt warmer.

Hope to see you all next week at the Hope Ride!

Nebo Ridge, the B's have it!

Another perfect night for riding last night!

I was happy to see Tony, Gary, Kevin, Mark and Danny at the ride (if you were there and I did not see you,,,,, well I am not happy about that) :)

It was a spirited ride with the Killer Bs but I was able to hang on for a 21.9 mph avg over 30 miles, thanks to a little help from my friends Kevin Strawbride and Gary. Thanks for letting me use your wheels!

You can now call me El Chuppa llanta! (which translates as the chuppa llanta)

All the speed tips that Gary emailed me after last weeks ride were a tremendous success and all that jumping around and pill popping (sport legs) that he recommended really paid off in spades!

I also saw Mark out on the course as we came down the home stretch on Mule Barn road, he looked to be riding strong in the pack.

An we met Kevin Garner out on an independant excursion as we were crossing....32?? on the way out.

It was a fun ride, no wind and perfect temps!

Well I hope to see the lot of you on Saturday morning at 7:30 for the Ian's Army ride

Asta luega for now

Michael

Just another manic Tuesday

This week at the SWW hill ride, the weather was perfect!

I had a couple of helmet malfunctions this week, as Lisa and I wear the same brand helmet and had a mix up in transition at the Flying J on Saturday and the extra Giro helmet that I brought was sized for my lovely wife Melissa and the adjustment was frozen, so I had to wear Lisa's helmet...... good thing I just got rid of my head lice :)

It was just Sam, Tony and myself, but we got a really nice work out in! Sam rode in from her house, so she got the most mileage.

We regrouped after every hill interval and rode to the base of observatory hill, where Sam blew the doors off the boys in the big climb. Great Job Sam!!

It is starting to get dark earlier so we probably need to make sure to bring extra blinkies for the rest of the year, but we all got back to SWW just as the sun was dipping below the horizon, after a spirited extended lead out at the end.

I hope to see the lot of you at Nebo tonight!!

Peace

Michael

Observatory!

I was happy to make it to Southwestway park to join Michael and Tony for the Tuesday training ride this week. I have been able to make this ride a couple times but this was my first trip up observatory this year. It was certainly a challenge but I didn't hate it as much as the first and only other time I have climbed it!

I really appreciate Michael's tidbits on becoming a better rider. They have helped me tremendously! Thanks Michael.

Ride Happy!
Sam

I don't know why she swallowed a fly...

Got out on my bike today for a great ride with my friends Dawn & Kristen.  It had been a while since we had been out together and the weather made it a perfect day for a ride.  A few interesting things happened on this ride, here is the good, the bad & the ugly.  First the good, we were all on time, I was pleased that I made record time getting from downtown to Broadripple and 3/4 of the way through the ride we got to blow by three guys in their road racing kits - best "on your left" I've said in a while.  Now the bad, we had to ride back into a very strong wind, but I guess that is good practice; we did have two obnoxious drivers almost run us off the round about, but pretty good all things considered.  And now the ugly - I got stung on the lip by a bee.  You know how occasionally you end up swallowing a fly, well I guess this time I decided to swallow a bee, but it didn't approve.  Needless to say it hurt and was throbbing for the remaining 5 miles before we stopped for lunch, ice never felt so good.  It is still hurting, but no swelling - thank goodness.  I wish I could provide some pithe advice on how to prevent this in the future, but the only thing I can think of is to where a full face mask and there are obvious other issues with that.  Good riding and keep your mouth shut.

Just another Hilly Saturday

Lisa, Sam and I met at the Flying J early Saturday morning (5:30) and piled in the team bus (my Stealth Sport Van - which is neither stealthy or sporty) for our journey to do the 16 mile hill loop in Morgan Monroe State Forest.

It was very dark when we arrived so it took us a bit to get our lighting rigged on our bikes and get going so it was about 7:15 when we finally got underway.

Personally it was a hard day for me as apparently I was "blown up" from earlier rides this week and had cramping the whole time (I told Sam and Lisa that it was just that time of the month for my legs :) )

But the weather was awsum and perfect for putting in a hard effort!

I saw Tony going the other way towards the end of my second loop. I was wondering if he was going to show this weekend since it was so cold, but he made it for a few loops and to date has not missed a one of these rides.

We all did Bean Blossom Hill at least once and Sam did it an amazing 5 times! WOW!

Our training schedule called for 85 miles this weekend and I think that Sam did in the High 60 and Lisa did in the mid 70 range, but in those hills that was way over the effort for 85 miles of flat to rolling riding, I am sure. Our total ride time was 6 hours and 15 minutes a great amount of time in the saddle with Death Valley just around the corner.

I had a lot of fun, burned close to 6000 calories and slept great on Saturday night, with no more cramping that evening or the next day (woo hoo). Can't wait to do it again in a few weeks!

BTW Lisa took some great pictures of BB hill, but it was with my camera and I am having some technical difficulties, so be on the look out, I hopefully will get that figured out in a few days.

Peace

Michael

Who wants hills?

Mike and I are hitting Morgan Monroe again Saturday morning. It's a short loop, easily customizable to anyone's needs. You can ride anywhere from 14 miles on up. We'll be there starting early until mid-afternoon, so you could join us any time if you didn't want to be there all day, or meet on the south side to carpool if you do. SAG every loop at the car, bring your own snacks. Icy refills will keep us cool and happy. ;) Call, email, or text me or Michael if you want to join in the fun.