The night before we left - I had a hard time sleeping. I fell asleep okay but then woke up at 3am and didn't go back to sleep. I actually got up at 4:45 - took a shower and finished packing everything I needed that morning. A (my roommate for the trip) road over to my house and we carpooled to the airport. The flights out were pretty uneventful, everyone was excited. When we landed in Reno we took a bus to the hotel. The hotel name was Harvey's and having never been to AMBBR before, I expected a motel looking place - but turns out Harvey's is a casino affiliated with Harrah's - ha. Needless to say, the hotel was pretty nice.
After checking in, it was time to pick up our bikes. My bike was undamaged but there were several teammates who had chunks out of their tires, or bikes were scratched up. One bike was badly damaged and the tires had to be replaced - yikes. All of the ride-preventing items were fixed before ride day.
The weather was crappy and the forecast called for rain Saturday and thunderstorms on ride day...boo. A and I must have checked the weather almost hourly just to see if anything had changed - we were kinda bummed about the weather.
Friday night we the team rented a yacht and we took it around Lake Tahoe - it was a lot of fun. It was also extremely cold, there was an upper deck of the yacht that provided a great view, but it was just too cold to sit outside - even with the provided blankets. I spent most of my time in the inside portion of the yacht, only popping out to take pictures. By the end of it we were all pretty tired.
Saturday morning we woke up and had breakfast at a local cafe, went to pick up our packets for the ride and then off to the bike shake out. We left a little late due to the fact that we all needed to pump up our tires and we were sharing 1 pump. When we headed out, it was raining a little bit but not too bad. It was overcast with dark grey clouds. My plan was to ride out with the group going to Emerald Bay and just ride to the base of the hill. I didn't want to push it before the big day. We rode out and then stopped at a great spot to take a group picture - looking out over the lake, it was beautiful - even though it was overcast. We then headed up to the base of Emerald Bay and somehow I was convinced to keep going. I looked up at the switchbacks and immediately thought - uh, no, there is no way this is going to happen. But, I was wrong because it really wasn't as hard as it looked. I had to stop twice and then once again at the top to catch my breath - the altitude affected me more than I anticipated. I got to the top and we rode to an area where you could take pictures and we did - it was great. Apparently on ride day this area is FULL of people and just in general a cluster so we took all our pictures Saturday so we wouldn't stop on Sunday. The ride down was a blast too. It was raining a little bit harder, and it was slick, but I dropped down on my handlebars and feathered my brakes - it was great.
The ride back to the hotel - not so great. The rain picked up, we were freezing, and there was a lot more traffic and a lot of cars did not seem to like us being on the road. We were really glad to get back to the hotel safely.
The rest of the day we ran errands, had our inspiration dinner to carb up, and went to bed early so we'd be prepared for the ride the next day.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Mountain Bike Ride
Where did I ride? here
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 29.35 km (18.2 mi)
Moving Time: 1:26:11
Average Moving Speed: 20.43 km/h (12.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 59.40 km/h (36.9 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 477 m (1566 ft)
Max Grade: 9 %
Min Grade: -13 %
The Ride:
Since my bike is on it's way to Tahoe, I borrowed a friend's mountain bike and biked around Berkley Lake with it. I'm pretty happy with the time and speed. Considering I was on a mountain bike and the hilly-ness of the ride, I think it was pretty good. My legs were pretty tired at the end - woohoo.
I've ridden this ride on my road bike a few years ago, before training for the century. It was terrible. I was terrible. I coudn't handle all the hills and it basically kicked my butt. But now, I did it on a mountain bike no problems. Yay for progress!
That will probably be my last ride until Tahoe...but I'll be able to fit in a spin class or two I hope!!
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 29.35 km (18.2 mi)
Moving Time: 1:26:11
Average Moving Speed: 20.43 km/h (12.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 59.40 km/h (36.9 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 477 m (1566 ft)
Max Grade: 9 %
Min Grade: -13 %
The Ride:
Since my bike is on it's way to Tahoe, I borrowed a friend's mountain bike and biked around Berkley Lake with it. I'm pretty happy with the time and speed. Considering I was on a mountain bike and the hilly-ness of the ride, I think it was pretty good. My legs were pretty tired at the end - woohoo.
I've ridden this ride on my road bike a few years ago, before training for the century. It was terrible. I was terrible. I coudn't handle all the hills and it basically kicked my butt. But now, I did it on a mountain bike no problems. Yay for progress!
That will probably be my last ride until Tahoe...but I'll be able to fit in a spin class or two I hope!!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Last Rides
I didn't post about the last couple rides because both had issues.
The group training ride on Saturday I ended up breaking a spoke on my back wheel. I made it 36 miles according to my computer. I had to be SAG'd in and I wasn't a happy camper. I took my bike directly to Roswell Bikes who had it fixed by Tuesday.
The next ride (and the last right before the big day on my bike) was supposed to be on this past Thursday but it POURED rain and thundered and there was lightning - boooo.
Now my bike is on a truck across the country and that makes me a sad Val because I didn't get to ride it since the spoke was fixed and it had to be shipped away.
Boo.
BUT - I'm so excited about the big day!! This time next week i'll be at Lake Tahoe!!
The group training ride on Saturday I ended up breaking a spoke on my back wheel. I made it 36 miles according to my computer. I had to be SAG'd in and I wasn't a happy camper. I took my bike directly to Roswell Bikes who had it fixed by Tuesday.
The next ride (and the last right before the big day on my bike) was supposed to be on this past Thursday but it POURED rain and thundered and there was lightning - boooo.
Now my bike is on a truck across the country and that makes me a sad Val because I didn't get to ride it since the spoke was fixed and it had to be shipped away.
Boo.
BUT - I'm so excited about the big day!! This time next week i'll be at Lake Tahoe!!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Thursday Brookhaven Ride
Where did I ride? here.
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 34.11 km (21.2 mi)
Moving Time: 1:27:39
Average Moving Speed: 23.35 km/h (14.5 mi/h)
Max Speed: 49.53 km/h (30.8 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 483 m (1584 ft)
The Ride:
I tried to fix my bike by tightening the cables to the front derailler That worked for almost the first loop of the ride. Then I started having issues shifting in the front again - big time and finally I just got my chain in the middle ring and stayed there the rest of the ride. Other than the shifting issues, the ride was okay. I rode with M for a little and L most of the ride. I like my riding buddies :-)
I explained my issues to one of the coaches and she suggested I talk to DP about taking a look at it - apparently this man can fix anything. So I did and my bike is now in his hands getting fixed. I'm really excited about my next ride with it - I can't wait to feel the difference.
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 34.11 km (21.2 mi)
Moving Time: 1:27:39
Average Moving Speed: 23.35 km/h (14.5 mi/h)
Max Speed: 49.53 km/h (30.8 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 483 m (1584 ft)
The Ride:
I tried to fix my bike by tightening the cables to the front derailler That worked for almost the first loop of the ride. Then I started having issues shifting in the front again - big time and finally I just got my chain in the middle ring and stayed there the rest of the ride. Other than the shifting issues, the ride was okay. I rode with M for a little and L most of the ride. I like my riding buddies :-)
I explained my issues to one of the coaches and she suggested I talk to DP about taking a look at it - apparently this man can fix anything. So I did and my bike is now in his hands getting fixed. I'm really excited about my next ride with it - I can't wait to feel the difference.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
70 miles....ouch
Where did I ride? here.
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 114.64 km (71.2 mi)
Moving Time: 4:50:28
Average Moving Speed: 23.68 km/h (14.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 50.40 km/h (31.3 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 1372 m (4501 ft)
The Ride:
This ride was a doozy!! It started out poorly with my back derailer shifting all over the place and without my direction! I spent the first 10 miles trying my darndest to catch up to my biking buddies but my bike was not helping me. I finally caught up and was able to ride with them to the SAG. I asked G to look at my bike and with a few turns here and there my back derailer was fine. The next section of the ride was also fine, the group rode well and we pacelined and all seemed hunky dory. We even passed an older woman on a rider mower with her curlers in - it was quite amusing!
After leaving one of the SAG stops there was a group of us and we had like 13 or 15 person paceline going but those pacelines never go to the right pace for me. Today it was really fast. By the time i broke away from the paceline my leggies were tired. I ended up riding to the 3rd SAG with 2 people I don' tusually ride with - but it was great to have them. I met up with C & L, C, and the other A at the SAG. We started off and my legs could not keep up. At some point I was not able to shift into my big gear on my front derailer, this was very frustrating. Silk Sheets is a lot of rolling hills so on those hills it's great to get in your big gear and gain some momentum for the next hill - unfortunately, I could not do this. Booo.
The ride was frustrating but I'm glad I was able to ride it with C. She assured me this was not a "pity ride" but i know at times she held back - and I was so glad to have her with me.
After the ride we had a celebration for D - one our teammates. He recently found out he's in remission. We were so excited for him. D is one of my favorite people on the team and I'm so happy for him to have received this wonderful news - i can't imagine the relief he and his family must have felt.
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 114.64 km (71.2 mi)
Moving Time: 4:50:28
Average Moving Speed: 23.68 km/h (14.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 50.40 km/h (31.3 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 1372 m (4501 ft)
The Ride:
This ride was a doozy!! It started out poorly with my back derailer shifting all over the place and without my direction! I spent the first 10 miles trying my darndest to catch up to my biking buddies but my bike was not helping me. I finally caught up and was able to ride with them to the SAG. I asked G to look at my bike and with a few turns here and there my back derailer was fine. The next section of the ride was also fine, the group rode well and we pacelined and all seemed hunky dory. We even passed an older woman on a rider mower with her curlers in - it was quite amusing!
After leaving one of the SAG stops there was a group of us and we had like 13 or 15 person paceline going but those pacelines never go to the right pace for me. Today it was really fast. By the time i broke away from the paceline my leggies were tired. I ended up riding to the 3rd SAG with 2 people I don' tusually ride with - but it was great to have them. I met up with C & L, C, and the other A at the SAG. We started off and my legs could not keep up. At some point I was not able to shift into my big gear on my front derailer, this was very frustrating. Silk Sheets is a lot of rolling hills so on those hills it's great to get in your big gear and gain some momentum for the next hill - unfortunately, I could not do this. Booo.
The ride was frustrating but I'm glad I was able to ride it with C. She assured me this was not a "pity ride" but i know at times she held back - and I was so glad to have her with me.
After the ride we had a celebration for D - one our teammates. He recently found out he's in remission. We were so excited for him. D is one of my favorite people on the team and I'm so happy for him to have received this wonderful news - i can't imagine the relief he and his family must have felt.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Recovery Ride
Where did I ride? here
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 46.37 km (28.8 mi)
Moving Time: 2:15:59
Average Moving Speed: 20.46 km/h (12.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 52.23 km/h (32.5 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 546 m (1791 ft)
The Ride:
This was a really great recovery ride, the weather was perfect. I wasn't sure how my legs would feel from the tough ride the day before. The first half the ride my legs were not happy, the second half they felt fantastic! We avoided going around the mountain so this was a shorter ride of just out to the mountain and back.
Perfection.
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 46.37 km (28.8 mi)
Moving Time: 2:15:59
Average Moving Speed: 20.46 km/h (12.7 mi/h)
Max Speed: 52.23 km/h (32.5 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 546 m (1791 ft)
The Ride:
This was a really great recovery ride, the weather was perfect. I wasn't sure how my legs would feel from the tough ride the day before. The first half the ride my legs were not happy, the second half they felt fantastic! We avoided going around the mountain so this was a shorter ride of just out to the mountain and back.
Perfection.
Group Training Ride - Hardest Ride Ever
Where did I ride: here
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 103.28 km (64.2 mi)
Moving Time: 5:05:02
Average Moving Speed: 20.31 km/h (12.6 mi/h)
Max Speed: 60.30 km/h (37.5 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 1984 m (6508 ft)
The Ride:
Ouch! Wow, after the recent flat rides we've been having this was an extremely humbling experience. This ride was tough - my legs ached, the hills were sucky, and the worst part was that it was one loop done twice!! So after the first 31 mile hilly loop we had the SAG stop back at our cars (it would have been so easy to stop) and we had to go out there and do it again. During the first loop, traffic was terrible. We were stuck with a ton of cars, our group got broken up - but we met back up at the SAG. The second loop was just overall an extremely hard experience...both mentally and physically. I had a hard time with the mental aspect of this ride... each hill in the first loop I was trying to file away so i could prepare better for it on the 2nd loop but in the end there ended up being too many to keep track of.
At the end of the ride, I texted Aje and told him I was going to be useless for the rest of the day - which was completely accurate. Looking back now - I'm really proud of how hard I worked and the fact that I completed both. I'm also glad to have my riding buddies - C & L (even though at the end of the both loops she was far ahead)!, and L.
Ride Stats:
Total Distance: 103.28 km (64.2 mi)
Moving Time: 5:05:02
Average Moving Speed: 20.31 km/h (12.6 mi/h)
Max Speed: 60.30 km/h (37.5 mi/h)
Elevation Gain: 1984 m (6508 ft)
The Ride:
Ouch! Wow, after the recent flat rides we've been having this was an extremely humbling experience. This ride was tough - my legs ached, the hills were sucky, and the worst part was that it was one loop done twice!! So after the first 31 mile hilly loop we had the SAG stop back at our cars (it would have been so easy to stop) and we had to go out there and do it again. During the first loop, traffic was terrible. We were stuck with a ton of cars, our group got broken up - but we met back up at the SAG. The second loop was just overall an extremely hard experience...both mentally and physically. I had a hard time with the mental aspect of this ride... each hill in the first loop I was trying to file away so i could prepare better for it on the 2nd loop but in the end there ended up being too many to keep track of.
At the end of the ride, I texted Aje and told him I was going to be useless for the rest of the day - which was completely accurate. Looking back now - I'm really proud of how hard I worked and the fact that I completed both. I'm also glad to have my riding buddies - C & L (even though at the end of the both loops she was far ahead)!, and L.
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