2015 - it a wrap!
A tentative start to my season and a finish that knocked my sox off!
After getting medical clearance to return to what I love (weird hear beat issues, fully resolved), I took my time thinking, praying, getting slowly into shape. Questions surfaced as retirement loomed ahead: is coaching and racing my bike in retirement just doing what's easy, a selfish time sucker? Or is following my passion something that I can share and use to connect with and inspire others? I sought advice from my friends and my pastor, as well as an objective Thrive conference pastor, and continued to think and pray about this. I trained, once again, joyful to feel the wind in my face as the road rolled beneath me. Spring, in all its color, flew by. On only a month of riding, district/state championships was upon me and I hadn't raced in nine months. But Turlock is a favorite course and I entered and thrived, exhilarated to be back. Three of us broke away, and in the end I took second in the 60-64. Happy day! I was in the mix and loving it. Mariposa Stage Race loomed ahead and I focused my training on climbing, grateful to be back on my favorite long training rides. Three days, four races, and a whole lotta fun! Another second, and a unique experience with old and new friends. And I felt good.
Meanwhile, a friend of a friend had asked me to race the Silver State 508 with her, and from the get go, it sounded intriguing. Could I ride a week's worth of mileage in 36 hours? What would it be like to race at 2 am in the black of night? Questions I had to answer, and an adventure to be had, and so I signed up. One of the best benefits was long training rides, where I could enjoy three counties in one day, and ride a hundred miles from my front door, self sufficient and empowered by the experience. So I rode and rode and rode. A new friendship was made as I got to know my teammate, PJ.
And retirement was suddenly here - 18 years as a seventh grade PE teacher came to a close. Mixed feelings, and so many great memories...5,000 students with smiles and jokes, and miles to run, and games to play. Had they absorbed the really important stuff, like Get Outside and Play, Find Your Passion, Be Nice to Each Other?
Retired on Friday, hired on Tuesday! I'd been volunteering as a cycling coach with Total Body Fitness for several months, and now it was official - head women's cycling coach! Happy things falling into place! It's a great feeling to be able to encourage and motivate women as they evolve into confident riders who suddenly call 40 miles an easy day! And so I coached and rode and painted paintings again. Life is sweet.
Nor Cal TT championships rolled around, and I won my eighth championship jersey, my first as an Old Racer. It was fun, because Sattley is always fun. But it was a 20k, and so I rode the 40k as well, because 40k is the gold standard in TTs. And 20k on its own is just not worth the travel. But renewed friendships...always worth the long drive! My teammate from the 1988 OreIda Stage Race, Louise, was there, and we talked like we'd seen one another just yesterday.
A month later we trained on the 508 course, PJ and I, and our crew joined us on this test ride, and it felt grand! Yes, saddle sores are No Fun, and riding at night is, well, a bizarre experience, but...it felt larger than life and I'd made three good friends. And I'd done it and was still happy. I knew what changes to make for The Real Thing six weeks later.
So I returned home and rode. And rode. And rode.
September 14 - the 508! Let's go race our bike across Nevada! And so we did. It is an experience I will carry in my heart forever: excitement, adventure, dark, cold, speed, climbs, pretended sleep, heat, more climbs, and a final descent into Reno just after sunset. Our goal had been to beat darkness (36 hours), but I'd faltered in the afternoon heat on my 113 mile stage, and so it was dark, but exhilarating! The final eighteen miles into Reno was the most serene of anything I'd ever ridden. PJ had taught me so much, and we'd done this thing that had seemed so big, and I'd proven to myself that anything is possible if I plan and train and pray. God provides the opportunity, I put in the necessary work, and leave the outcome in His hands. These thoughts have guided me lately and my life is calmer and more serene now, both on the bike and at home.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
With two months until my Next Grand Adventure, the 6-12-24.Hour Championship, I continued coaching and painting and riding. My longest ride ever, even longer and faster than training rides I'd done in my 40s, was a good indicator of my race fitness, and it felt great to be on track. But anything after 130 miles would be a leap into the unknown, and I had to find out. Questions loomed before me: How far can I ride? How fast can I ride? How fast can I ride far?! The 12-hour race would bring answers, and I was eager to find out.
The format of the 6-12-24 is unique in the USA: an 18 mile lap with your crewman ready to hand up bottles and food or take jackets as needed. I was thrilled to have Brian return as my crewman. Robo, a 70 year old racer who lives nearby, joined us as we drove ten hours to Boreggo Springs. After a quick and somewhat hilarious diner dinner, I slept. Soundly. Nice! Friday brought a quick ride on the course, pre race bike checks, riders' meeting, and a send off to the 24-hour racers, which included my friends Seana and Karin. Braver than I, they rode 12 hours through the cold night and we would join them at 6 am for 12 more. I ate my quiet motel room dinner and reflected on my goals. Ride a steady 18 mph and keep the pit stops under two minutes for seven hours, then a ten minute break and if necessary, drop to 17, or even 16 mph. That would be enough to hit 200 miles in 12 hours. And finally ~ Race Day! I love the energy of Race Day, and for this one we geared up in darkness. 6 am and BAM - we were off! The laps rolled by, the weather warmed, and in five and a half hours 100 miles was done, right on schedule. Two laps later, a moment of fuzziness resulted in a crash as I veered into deep sand at the edge of the road. I heard myself scream, then sat for a moment stunned, until I heard someone shout, "You're not hurt, ya Bozo! Get on your bike!" So I did. There was no one around as I checked out me and my bike and headed down the road. Once in the pit, I was uplifted to have a pro mechanic, my crewman Brian, fix my bike, while I recuperated from smacking my helmet on the pavement. With 33 minutes gone, my 200 mile goal was no longer attainable, but with a bit of a rush, I could make 180, so I jammed down the road for the final 3 1/2hours. It is really not hard to ride all day...the hours fly by. And at 6 pm we were done, finishing in darkness. Exhilaration. Fatigue. Stiffness. Gratefulness. A post race interview all garbled up with happiness and fatigue, a welcome hot shower, a jubilant awards banquet...all blurred into a memory on the long drive home. I wonder why the drive home always takes longer than the drive down, and why did all our equipment expand, filling every nook and cranny in the van?!
And the season is done! Ive done two Big Races, that a year seemed unfathomable. Conquering new horizons is exciting, satisfying, just plain fun, and in the strength it provides, I succeed in challenges at home as well. I am so grateful for the friendships, the lessons learned, the support of sponsors and friends.This has been an amazing year and I can't wait to see what 2016 brings!
To my sponsors:
Hammer Nutrition - simply put, there is no way I could train at this level in my 60s without Hammer Nutrition products to back me up. Thank you! *
Total Body Fitness - for your belief in me as your women's cycling coach, and your enthusiasm and support of the class, and of my racing! Spreading the word on fitness, everyday! Thank you!
Folsom Bike - for continued bike maintenance and advice to keep my equipment race ready! Thank you!
Rudy Project - my Noyz Fluo sunglasses are the best I've ever worn, with crisp definition and focus, and a much wider light range than anything else out there. Thank you!
Epic ID - I wear my Epic ID on every ride. Hopefully I will never need to access the info stored on its chip, but in case of emergency, my medical info is there for immediate access to EMTs. Thank you for peace of mind!
CycleWear - the most attractive rear view mirror on the market,which means I'm more likely to wear it, making me safer out on the road. I'm all for that - thank you!
Brian - I am so grateful to have you as crew! Your experience, level-headedness, and enthusiasm allowed me to just go ride my bike and let the results happen. Thank you!
Seana and PJ - I've learned so much from each of you, and your enthusiasm for cycling long distances is contagious - thank you - you are a blessing!
Amy and Lori - two of the best friends ever! I am so blessed to have you in my life!
Robo and Karin - thank you for your encouragement to expand on long rides next year. I'm looking forward to riding with you, and racing the 508 with you as my teammate, Karin S. Weller - we will knock em dead!
Will - who, in spite of being unable to ride, or join me on my adventures, is supporting my efforts anyway. Your physical challenges are beyond comprehension, but you have found it in you to let me fly. With hugs and a tear, thank you.
I love to race and try new challenges. I hope that I inspire you to do the same! Get outside and play ! All things are possible!
My secret? Dreaming, planning, believing, working out, and fueling for success:
Premium Insurance Caps, Mito Caps, Race Caps, Anti Fatigue Caps, Endurolytes, Recoverite, Whey Protein Powder, Boron, Rem Caps, Espresso, Raspbery, and Peanut Butter Gels, Grape Fizz Tabs, and incredibly comfortable long-wearing Hammer kit, including thermal wear for night stages.
Use my code for 15% off your first order: 12303. I am always happy to answer any questions regarding Hammer Nutrition or your training.
A tentative start to my season and a finish that knocked my sox off!
After getting medical clearance to return to what I love (weird hear beat issues, fully resolved), I took my time thinking, praying, getting slowly into shape. Questions surfaced as retirement loomed ahead: is coaching and racing my bike in retirement just doing what's easy, a selfish time sucker? Or is following my passion something that I can share and use to connect with and inspire others? I sought advice from my friends and my pastor, as well as an objective Thrive conference pastor, and continued to think and pray about this. I trained, once again, joyful to feel the wind in my face as the road rolled beneath me. Spring, in all its color, flew by. On only a month of riding, district/state championships was upon me and I hadn't raced in nine months. But Turlock is a favorite course and I entered and thrived, exhilarated to be back. Three of us broke away, and in the end I took second in the 60-64. Happy day! I was in the mix and loving it. Mariposa Stage Race loomed ahead and I focused my training on climbing, grateful to be back on my favorite long training rides. Three days, four races, and a whole lotta fun! Another second, and a unique experience with old and new friends. And I felt good.
Meanwhile, a friend of a friend had asked me to race the Silver State 508 with her, and from the get go, it sounded intriguing. Could I ride a week's worth of mileage in 36 hours? What would it be like to race at 2 am in the black of night? Questions I had to answer, and an adventure to be had, and so I signed up. One of the best benefits was long training rides, where I could enjoy three counties in one day, and ride a hundred miles from my front door, self sufficient and empowered by the experience. So I rode and rode and rode. A new friendship was made as I got to know my teammate, PJ.
And retirement was suddenly here - 18 years as a seventh grade PE teacher came to a close. Mixed feelings, and so many great memories...5,000 students with smiles and jokes, and miles to run, and games to play. Had they absorbed the really important stuff, like Get Outside and Play, Find Your Passion, Be Nice to Each Other?
Retired on Friday, hired on Tuesday! I'd been volunteering as a cycling coach with Total Body Fitness for several months, and now it was official - head women's cycling coach! Happy things falling into place! It's a great feeling to be able to encourage and motivate women as they evolve into confident riders who suddenly call 40 miles an easy day! And so I coached and rode and painted paintings again. Life is sweet.
Nor Cal TT championships rolled around, and I won my eighth championship jersey, my first as an Old Racer. It was fun, because Sattley is always fun. But it was a 20k, and so I rode the 40k as well, because 40k is the gold standard in TTs. And 20k on its own is just not worth the travel. But renewed friendships...always worth the long drive! My teammate from the 1988 OreIda Stage Race, Louise, was there, and we talked like we'd seen one another just yesterday.
A month later we trained on the 508 course, PJ and I, and our crew joined us on this test ride, and it felt grand! Yes, saddle sores are No Fun, and riding at night is, well, a bizarre experience, but...it felt larger than life and I'd made three good friends. And I'd done it and was still happy. I knew what changes to make for The Real Thing six weeks later.
So I returned home and rode. And rode. And rode.
September 14 - the 508! Let's go race our bike across Nevada! And so we did. It is an experience I will carry in my heart forever: excitement, adventure, dark, cold, speed, climbs, pretended sleep, heat, more climbs, and a final descent into Reno just after sunset. Our goal had been to beat darkness (36 hours), but I'd faltered in the afternoon heat on my 113 mile stage, and so it was dark, but exhilarating! The final eighteen miles into Reno was the most serene of anything I'd ever ridden. PJ had taught me so much, and we'd done this thing that had seemed so big, and I'd proven to myself that anything is possible if I plan and train and pray. God provides the opportunity, I put in the necessary work, and leave the outcome in His hands. These thoughts have guided me lately and my life is calmer and more serene now, both on the bike and at home.
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
With two months until my Next Grand Adventure, the 6-12-24.Hour Championship, I continued coaching and painting and riding. My longest ride ever, even longer and faster than training rides I'd done in my 40s, was a good indicator of my race fitness, and it felt great to be on track. But anything after 130 miles would be a leap into the unknown, and I had to find out. Questions loomed before me: How far can I ride? How fast can I ride? How fast can I ride far?! The 12-hour race would bring answers, and I was eager to find out.
The format of the 6-12-24 is unique in the USA: an 18 mile lap with your crewman ready to hand up bottles and food or take jackets as needed. I was thrilled to have Brian return as my crewman. Robo, a 70 year old racer who lives nearby, joined us as we drove ten hours to Boreggo Springs. After a quick and somewhat hilarious diner dinner, I slept. Soundly. Nice! Friday brought a quick ride on the course, pre race bike checks, riders' meeting, and a send off to the 24-hour racers, which included my friends Seana and Karin. Braver than I, they rode 12 hours through the cold night and we would join them at 6 am for 12 more. I ate my quiet motel room dinner and reflected on my goals. Ride a steady 18 mph and keep the pit stops under two minutes for seven hours, then a ten minute break and if necessary, drop to 17, or even 16 mph. That would be enough to hit 200 miles in 12 hours. And finally ~ Race Day! I love the energy of Race Day, and for this one we geared up in darkness. 6 am and BAM - we were off! The laps rolled by, the weather warmed, and in five and a half hours 100 miles was done, right on schedule. Two laps later, a moment of fuzziness resulted in a crash as I veered into deep sand at the edge of the road. I heard myself scream, then sat for a moment stunned, until I heard someone shout, "You're not hurt, ya Bozo! Get on your bike!" So I did. There was no one around as I checked out me and my bike and headed down the road. Once in the pit, I was uplifted to have a pro mechanic, my crewman Brian, fix my bike, while I recuperated from smacking my helmet on the pavement. With 33 minutes gone, my 200 mile goal was no longer attainable, but with a bit of a rush, I could make 180, so I jammed down the road for the final 3 1/2hours. It is really not hard to ride all day...the hours fly by. And at 6 pm we were done, finishing in darkness. Exhilaration. Fatigue. Stiffness. Gratefulness. A post race interview all garbled up with happiness and fatigue, a welcome hot shower, a jubilant awards banquet...all blurred into a memory on the long drive home. I wonder why the drive home always takes longer than the drive down, and why did all our equipment expand, filling every nook and cranny in the van?!
And the season is done! Ive done two Big Races, that a year seemed unfathomable. Conquering new horizons is exciting, satisfying, just plain fun, and in the strength it provides, I succeed in challenges at home as well. I am so grateful for the friendships, the lessons learned, the support of sponsors and friends.This has been an amazing year and I can't wait to see what 2016 brings!
To my sponsors:
Hammer Nutrition - simply put, there is no way I could train at this level in my 60s without Hammer Nutrition products to back me up. Thank you! *
Total Body Fitness - for your belief in me as your women's cycling coach, and your enthusiasm and support of the class, and of my racing! Spreading the word on fitness, everyday! Thank you!
Folsom Bike - for continued bike maintenance and advice to keep my equipment race ready! Thank you!
Rudy Project - my Noyz Fluo sunglasses are the best I've ever worn, with crisp definition and focus, and a much wider light range than anything else out there. Thank you!
Epic ID - I wear my Epic ID on every ride. Hopefully I will never need to access the info stored on its chip, but in case of emergency, my medical info is there for immediate access to EMTs. Thank you for peace of mind!
CycleWear - the most attractive rear view mirror on the market,which means I'm more likely to wear it, making me safer out on the road. I'm all for that - thank you!
Brian - I am so grateful to have you as crew! Your experience, level-headedness, and enthusiasm allowed me to just go ride my bike and let the results happen. Thank you!
Seana and PJ - I've learned so much from each of you, and your enthusiasm for cycling long distances is contagious - thank you - you are a blessing!
Amy and Lori - two of the best friends ever! I am so blessed to have you in my life!
Robo and Karin - thank you for your encouragement to expand on long rides next year. I'm looking forward to riding with you, and racing the 508 with you as my teammate, Karin S. Weller - we will knock em dead!
Will - who, in spite of being unable to ride, or join me on my adventures, is supporting my efforts anyway. Your physical challenges are beyond comprehension, but you have found it in you to let me fly. With hugs and a tear, thank you.
I love to race and try new challenges. I hope that I inspire you to do the same! Get outside and play ! All things are possible!
My secret? Dreaming, planning, believing, working out, and fueling for success:
Premium Insurance Caps, Mito Caps, Race Caps, Anti Fatigue Caps, Endurolytes, Recoverite, Whey Protein Powder, Boron, Rem Caps, Espresso, Raspbery, and Peanut Butter Gels, Grape Fizz Tabs, and incredibly comfortable long-wearing Hammer kit, including thermal wear for night stages.
Use my code for 15% off your first order: 12303. I am always happy to answer any questions regarding Hammer Nutrition or your training.