LKHC Hwy 9

We had a new coordinator for this week's LKHC Hwy 9 - Mr. Lane Parker, or should I say, General or Commander in Chief. He had the troops, I mean, groups, lined up in formation and ready to serve, I mean, roll, right on time. I was ready to drop and give him 20.

We had so many women this time that we formed our own group. Col. Parker, not to be confused with Col. Mustard, in the library, with the candlestick, told us that we shouldn't ride 3 a breast for safety reasons to which Miss. L replied, "Last time I checked, we only have 2...." Lane really was outstanding and we appreciate his service along with the other volunteers.

Yours truly was ever so excited to roll out in the 3rd group of 5 or 6 teams until of course at mile 2, the entire 4th group swarmed past me. And let's not forget the woman who stopped due to mechanical problems and also blew past me later. Sigh.

The rain held off, the skies cleared a bit, and we all stormed up Highway 9. Lookey, I'm surrounded by men (gosh what a surprise)....

Drum Roll 1: 2006 time - 61:33. Today -- 59:12

Drum Roll 2: I beat The Kid

Drum Roll 3: The French Maid joined our team.

Drum Roll 4: The real star of today's show -- Patt B. rode. We salute you.

Smiling on Shannon

Met up with P at the Almaden Roasting Co. to do an ACTC ride that included Hicks (the flat part, whew), Shannon, Los Gatos Blvd., Hwy 9 and much more. I stopped on Shannon to take this photo of a side street. Shannon is very pretty and biking on this stretch made me smile even though sections are somewhat challenging. A lot of cyclists in club jerseys were out. These early morning starts though are too much for me. I lagged behind and eventually was on my own. After climbing Hwy. 9, I turned around (the descent was cold; I was shocked to see cyclists out in sleeveless jerseys but they're not weenie like me) and returned to the start, doing 34 miles altogether. P & S planned to go much further. Sigh, no funny moments to share on this ride!

Are we there yet?

Once again The Boyfriend forgot the camera as he dragged me out for another ride involving climbs and undulating roads. The 34 mile route involved: Page Mill parking lot --> Arastradero --> Foothill Expressway --> Stevens Canyon --> Redwood Gulch --> Highway 9 --> Skyline Blvd --> Page Mill Road descent.

While attempting one of the steep inclines on Redwood Gulch (we're talking somewhere around 15-18% according to various sources), I toppled over (of which I have quite a lot of experience). Knowing that you are going to fall and can't stop it is a sickening feeling. I couldn't clip out. I found myself lying on the road with my shoe stuck in the pedal. I yanked my foot out. It was a funny sight to see the shoe in the pedal but scary while trapped in it on the road and freaking out that a car would run over me. Blood was streaming down my leg from my knee and I knew that later I would have various bruises and scrapes elsewhere.

I met up with The Boyfriend at Highway 9, showed him my bloody wound, and then we proceeded to ride the 3 or so miles together to the top where 9 meets Hwy 35 (Skyline). I kept asking him if we were there yet and he laughed and laughed. Biking on Skyline is what I imagine Heaven (if it exists) is like. The cotton candy fog cover hung in the mountains, tiny wildflowers dotted the edge of the road, a few vineyards hugged a hillside, with occasional glimpses of the sea and valley. Serene, pretty, magical, you know. At last I came upon Page Mill Road where The Boyfriend was waiting. The descent was more of the same, spectacular.

Should I Stay or Should I go?

Saturday, November 4, 2006

The saga continues with Week 4, Low Key Hillclimbs, Highway 9. For another view of the day's event, see the Low Key page or Adam Tow's report.

I awoke to overcast skies and the threat of rain. "Should I stay or Should I go? This indecision's bugging me" (The Clash). Off I went to bike Highway 9. I arrived to blue skies in Saratoga!

This time there were 62 men and 7 women. I was rather enjoying the view especially since The Boyfriend wasn't present. I looked at the men, sizing them up, noting their muscular legs. I looked at my 26 inch legs. I looked back at the guys' legs realizing that some of them had calves bigger than my thighs. I was beginning to feel small and intimidated until I realized that I have a bigger chest. Yeah, take that! I met a woman shorter than me. She was driving a custom built purple colored bike, smaller than my 44 cm. I felt big!

I was at the back of the group talking to a woman about something when 67 cyclists shot off. Yes, once again the group started without me. Hey, wait for me.... Yes once again, the unicyclists pedaled past me. Sigh.

There was some road work being done and the construction workers waved us along making sure that we were safe. As I passed the guy in charge, he asked if I was the last one. I believe I could hear snicker snicker. Sigh. I put on my Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson) Sunset Boulevard face and replied, "Listen Mister, I planned it that way." I believe he got small before my very eyes.

I did the 6.8 mile climb, 2090 ft, 5.8% grade in 61 minutes which is impressive for me. Would you believe that some woman had the audacity to usurp my position of being the last woman to finish. The nerve!

Once again the event organizers, the volunteers, photographers and participants were fantastic.

Oh, before I forget, I received the distinction of "most improved rider." Of course when you're pretty much at the bottom, where else is there to go?