Up and Over 35+ Miles

On Saturday, I rode from my house up and over Santa Susanna Pass (A mountainous road that connects the San Fernando Valley to Simi Valley) to my friend’s house in Simi (a little over 35 miles). She kindly filled my water bottles, visited with me for a bit, gave me a piece of gum and wished me luck on my venture home. I was feeling very strong. First time in a while, I’ve been under the weather lately. It was a really good feeling. However, Sunday I wasn’t feeling very well, so instead of riding the Griffith Park Loop I helped out with Training Ride by cheering them on and sign in and out participants. I even caught a nice workshop on bike fitting before the ride. It was fun to meet new cyclists and see familiar faces.

Riding/ Volunteering in Santa Monica

I continued riding this weekend. I rode with Santa Monica Bike Attack to the VA Center and back for about a 23 mile ride with lots of turns and a couple small hills. I couldn't believe that it was 8 am on a November morning and I had not even a sweater on. The high for the day I think was 86 degrees. Beautiful day! (above left to right: me, Vince, Heather & James)

Sunday I volunteered at the Cannondale/ Helen's Cycle workshop and training ride in Santa Monica. I wasn't feeling well that day so I didn't ride, but it was a blast to watch the riders go out and come in and I hung out at the ALC booth. I learned some new stretches at the stretching clinic. It was another warm, but warm day. I enjoyed chatting with Vince, James & Heather.

I have to mention another interesing product that was introduced to us by a fellow cyclist Stephanie was definately a conversation piece. She was introducing a product calle "P-Mate". It is used to assist women with using the restroom outdoors without discomfort and overexposure. Check it out Steph's web site at www.dontsquat.com. It definately caught some attention. Below is Stephanie modeling the product.

Photo Op

Here is a photo from the ride (ALC5 June 2006), and no those are not my unmentionables hanging from the clothing line. I had just come back from the showers and am being rushing off to dinner by my friends.

Back to Where it All Began

Well, I completed my first back to back ride since The Big Ride in June. After completing 25 miles on Saturday in Griffith Park, I completed another 22 on Sunday riding with Team Ventura. Team Ventura is such a great group of people. It was a beautiful morning. It got surprisingly warm, dry and windy on the way back. It had been a while since I had been in headwinds, so it was good practice for me. At our mid point we stopped off at the Santa Paula Airport restaurant that overlooked the airfield. They were also having an open house and had a couple Military jeeps and such out on display. I rode with Casey Keller most of the day. I learned a lot from him. He serenaded on the way back from Santa Paula singing old TV show theme songs. After the ride we all went to lunch to celebrate Mom & Dad’s 46th Wedding Anniversary. Casey’s wife Vicky was very sweet and brought a cake and balloons for Mom & Dad and all of us to enjoy! Yummy!! This ride is very sentimental to me. It was my first full fledge training ride with the ALC this past February. It was great riding it again.

Back in Gear

I’m back in gear riding more consistently now. Check out some rides I have recently done:

On Saturday, October 21, 2006, I rode with Santa Monica Bike Attack for their first ride of the ALC 6 season. It was a gorgeous day with perfect weather. The 25 mile ride gave me the opportunity to try out a pair of aero bars, which Beth Parks was so kind to let me borrow. It was an exciting ride filled with new faces.

On Saturday, October 28, 2006, I participated in the ALC official Training Ride Kick-Off at Griffith Park. It was an amazing day. Over 300 riders showed up for this event with all different levels of riding. There were three routes to choose from: The 12 mile, 24 mile and the 35/40 mile. I opted for the 24 mile and spent time with Jeff Rabin a Training Ride Leader. He was giving me lots of tips throughout the route.















On Saturday, November 04, 2006, it was back to Griffith Park for me to ride with the Chain Gang as they threw in a hill to their 24 mile ride. There were lots of new faces for me to see. I got to meet lots of great people including some first time riders. I got to spend some time with Tony Zamudio. I learned a lot from him. I loved watching him and seeing how he related to people. He was a blast to ride with. The hill was only a mile, but it was a reminder for me that I had been off from riding for some time, so I have noted that I need to start adding hills back into my training program.

Tomorrow I am planning on riding with Team Ventura from Fillmore to Santa Paula through the gorgeous orange groves. Yay!!