The good and the frustrating

I did a little "cross training" today.
It's supposed to be the last rest day in a rest week so I shouldn't be doing any training but I was late for the train so I started jogging.
I missed it so I went to the store for some water since the Saturday Caltrain schedule gave me a full hour until the next train and the only water in site at the ALC orientation had big "volunteers only" signs on it. I should have had my bottle, like I do every other day, but this is a new thing for me and I was off my game.
On my way back to the train station, I could see a white haired, boot wearing, rose tintedly bespeckled cyclist spinning very slowly up a small hill. I thought to give him some words of encouragement but didn't for fear of sounding patronizing. He stopped and asked me if I was going to the train station. When I gave the affirmative, the following conversation ensued.
"Please take my ticket. They wouldn't let me on the train with my bike. This will save you a couple of dollars."
"They wouldn't let you on? Why not?"
"They said there were already too many bikes so I'm just going to go home disappointed." pulls out the exact ticket I use, hands it to me and says "This'll getcha to zone two."
"Thank you so much! I'm sorry you couldn't get on the train!"
"Well, I'll just go home. Gosh, I like your glasses and you sure do wear them well."
"Likewise!"

I'm still upset that this weekend warrior trying to go somewhere special on his bike wasn't allowed because of Caltrain's ridiculous bike policy. But I'm grateful for his generous attitude and sweet demeanor. I hope someone gifts him with something extra super special today.

Cycling Buddies

These are my teammates.

My coach, riding buddy, partner and best friend, Shanny Bannanny Sis Boom Bammy aka Shannon Shalako. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't feel as prepared as I do for this crazy seven day ride from SF to LA!

realistic energy chew, no?


Justine Bateman Veber, Jetson, Juicy, or Justin Case, whatever you call him, he's my happy maker when I need it. He started out without a bike and is now a HAWD COAH cyclist, riding about 100 miles a week by riding home (SF Mission District) from work (Millbrae or Redwood City) a few times a week.

helmets are the best hair stylers



This is Emily.

She gets two pictures because she's
super fun/silly


AND
super hot



Also, she's got enough energy to be at least two, if not three teammates. We heart her for doing this ride for the 8th time and showing us the ropes.


This is our beloved roadie Greg. He's definitely the wind beneath our wings. He loves orange and cute illustrations of monsters and anthropomorphized animals and inanimate objects. He said "I'm not going to bike but I'll drive!" and thus the PIKLWGN is driving sweep so Greggie will be sweeping us off our wheels (and taking us to the hotel - KIDDING!)

sweet perfection in the tub

Here you'll find, on the left, Jimmy Kitty. He's our bestest cheerleader who's going to meet us in LA when we cannot walk anymore and take us to a fancy hotel and put us in the salt water pool. We heart Jimmy Kitty for being such a fluffernutter.
On the right is our animal loving, soon to be vet friend Eric. He's not going to be on the medical team (snicker) but will be roadie-ing at the ALC Store. He's the one who will avert his eyes when we five finger discount bandanas (KIDDING! we'll totally buy them! [if they're cute!])


close up and serious
[Eric's not usually that serious, but sometimes he can be a little judgemental]

Almost a century

On Monday, May 4th, Shannon and I had biking fittings with the awesome Lorri Lee Lown, of Velogirls - Northern California's largest women's cycling club. Shannon discovered her on the ALC8 discussion forum when she responded to his post regarding his saddle. He told me about her because he knew that I needed a proper fitting because of some of the challenges I was having with comfort on longer rides. She has a lot of experience and expertise fitting women, which is a very needed skill in the male dominated world of cycling. She did a GREAT job with both of us - we both feel stronger. I, however, am having some adjustment time - my saddle is brand new and it proved a bit tough for 85 miles...

Seven days later, Team Project Roadway had our first all team (minus roadie) training ride together.

We rode a 85 miles from San Francisco to Pt Reyes and back.

Here's our path (you can click and drag as well as zoom in and out right here!):

View Larger Map

That's as long as our first day to Santa Cruz - I did it - but barely.
If it weren't for my freaking awesome teammates' support, I would have taken the bus home from Fairfax on the way back. Emily gave me Advil to kill the pain in my back (new riding position) and my butt (new saddle - apparently they need to be "broken in") and after our pit stop, Justin told me that I'm "not allowed" to take the bus and that they'll ride whatever pace I need. Because of the sweetness in that sentiment, I didn't remind them that they'd essentially already been doing that every time they stopped to wait for me to catch up. By then the Advil had kicked in and I felt okay, if not actually excited, to go ahead and ride all the way home.

And I did! We all did!

I felt really slow the whole way; it seemed that I was always catching up to my teammates while they awaited my arrival. But they were all smiles.

PHEW! This stuff is hard! But so rewarding. :)

:Begin bike nerd details:

Now I'm focusing on working my core as that's the key to my new (and more athletically accurate) riding position: Curved back, all weight in the legs, hands & arms are only there for balance, not weight support.

I've got new handlebars coming in the mail to allow my hands to be aligned with my acromion so as to help with that "non weight supporting" ideal. Apparently, the bar is pretty rare because it's so narrow (like my shoulders, surprisingly) so we had to get a new stem that not only put me 2 inches farther out (Lorri thought I needed more reach, ironically, as that's what I've been bugging Shan to reduce, but her explanation along with her other adjustments make a lot of sense to me as far as what "comfort" should feel like on a road bike, compared to my 10 years on a mountain/hybrid) but also will accommodate the new oversize bar.

Shannon's already installed my new, "no float" cleats to help keep my legs focused in the same plane, rather than getting to move a few degrees here or there. I'd had a little problem with my left leg and Lorri thought this type of cleat would be a good way to train my legs to operate correctly. And I've not had a problem with using cleats and don't think that this change will be hard to get used to.

:End of bike nerd details:

Now I just need to finish up getting the necessary gear - jerseys and shorts mostly. Gosh, I hope I still like riding after ALC8 - I'd hate to have all of this gear and nothing to do with it!

Aiming to do another 60 mile ride as well as a couple of 25 mile rides this week and next to finish up with the training part of this wild ride.

OH - and, if you've got a few $$ to spare - I could really use another $1700 to get to my $5k goal http://tofighthiv.org/goto/adrienecrimson
Every bit helps!
Thanks so much for all of your support - however you offer it!