2 Weeks to the Tour!!

Yikes! I didn't do a very good job keeping up the blog, did I? Oh well, I've been doing lots of riding, just not writing about it.

With working an 11 am - 8 pm shift at my new job, I've been able to do loads of riding in the mornings. The weather has really cooperated and the mornings have been beautiful.

We head out between 7:30-8, do about 20 miles and are back at Catsburg by 9:45-10. Then I zoom home, jump in the shower and head for work.

Then on the weekends, we try to do longer rides. Saturday of Labor day weekend - we were shooting for 50, but I didn't make it. Riders were Dad, Marie, Nancy and me. At about 25 miles I started feeling crummy, partly I think because I ate a turkey sandwich. It was a bit heavier than what I usually do for protein (canned tuna) but I thought it would be good. It was also pretty hot & humid. So I was very nauseated and light-headed. Thank goodness for Mom sagging for us - I pooped out at 27 miles and rode the rest of the way in the air conditioned truck. The rest continued on and had a great ride.

We left Sunday as a rest day, although Marie and I coulda/shoulda ridden.

Monday, dad and I met up and did 32 miles out from Catsburg. Hit a few new roads, as dad wanted to check out "Dude Ranch Road". We didn't find any ranches, although there was one house that had a doggie ranch sign with a basset hound on it out front. Visions of cowboys roping droopy-eared dogs....

Anyway, great ride - I could've done another 10 at least. I should be able to handle doing 50 each day at the Bike Tour!

Let's Ride!!!!

Well, now that I'm publicizing the blog, it's time to start keeping it up to date, isn't it?

I had rotator cuff surgery in January, lots of physical therapy for the next few months, and started riding in mid-May. I had hoped for Easter weekend, but the weather and travel didn't cooperate.

While I was stashing the bike in the car one day, I had to lower the seat to get it to fit. I guess it was a few days later when the bike came out to go riding and I didn't realize about the seat until I was saddled up and moving.

GUESS WHAT??

Hills are much easier!!!! Well, maybe not easy, but I'm certainly getting up some of the tough ones on our regular route a lot better than I was last year.

This has given me a great increase in confidence. I don't look at hills as insurmountable or with total dread - now I see them as "Hey I bet I can get up this one now!" And I usually do. Like I said, it's not easy, but definitely better than before.

Last week I was on 11-8 shift, which was great for riding in the early a.m. We hoped it would be less hot and windy. Went out on Wed. with Dad and did pretty well - about 12 miles. Could've done a bit more, but time was tight. Thurs., Marie joined us and so did the wind! I'm fighting enough battles dragging all this extra weight around, I don't need a headwind too. That was very discouraging, I was really pooped even before I turned around about 6-7 miles out. Tailwind back helped, but the headwind fight had taken a lot out of me, especially my arms. Need to work on strengthening. Going to take therabands or weights to work and use them often.

Should be able to get some riding in this weekend.

rides to try