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.

LKHC Palomares The Kid and I

I dressed up for Hallowe'en (photo by Franz Kelsch) -- that's a spider on my jersey. I didn't get the memo to come as a French Maid; not only was she hot, she placed first in the women's category for this week's LKHC.

Once again, I found myself in the last group with the children. Good think I wasn't wearing a French Maid costume, eh....

I told The Kid that we were going to duke it out on Palomares. We shot off, me ahead of him. Then he passed me. I kept him in sight. I caught up to him. We talked strategy, yeah, the 12 year old (?) and the 47 year old just shooting the breeze. Like he needed pointers from me. Then he shot off. Fast learner ....

I caught up to him again. We talked a bit. Then off he went. He kept looking to see if I was still there. Yeah, Kid, I'm still here. I realized he was having fun while I was pushing myself. Without him, I might have slacked off.

Thanks to The Kid, I didn't place last. I was hoping to finish with a score of 30 minutes and came close at 31.24. I did it in 36 minutes at last week's trial run. And apparently, I now have the honor of 1st place as Most Consistent. Hmm....

Til we meet again, Kid. :)

LKHC Bohlman Boys and Babes

Bohlman Busters waving to LKHC cyclists at registration.

Chris and I directed cyclists to turn onto Bohlman after they flew down Orbit. The photo doesn't capture the steepness and blind turn. An ACTC club ride led by Donny and Joan happened to be in the area and they stopped to cheer the 125 male and female cyclists who did this climb. How nice is that.



It was a joy to watch each rider at this junction. I wish I had the lungs and legs to do what they did. Next week, a new climb in the LKHC series -- Palomares. See you there.

LKHC Page Mill Road

On our way, somewhere in Los Altos, to Arastradero, the starting point for the LKHC Page Mill Road event, Miss P. and I got a wee bit lost. [photo above by Josh; pretty low key, eh]

Define fortuitous: Lost in front of a fire station with buff firemen ready to serve ....

But Miss P. whipped out her handy dandy Android thingy to steer us back on track.
Because, after all, we are self sufficient, independent women.
And because, well, men really are only good for one thing. oh oh, I'm in trouble now.
Still, the thoughts I had about those firemen coming to our rescue.
Focus, damn it, focus on the biking, The Boyfriend says from our neighbors to the north.

Alas, we showed up on time. Dan the Man organized us by groups. First up to go, children and us. Sigh, don't even ask. But, it was a treat to be surrounded by cyclists as we biked up Page Mill Road. Got my engines fired up. All those delicious men. Yeah, they motivated me alrighty. Focus, damn it, focus, The Boyfriend, says again from the country to the our north. Oh but I was, Mister ....

What a lovely day to be out. I've been confined to my home due to a relentless kewtie that invaded my body. Guess who I saw coming down Page Mill! Mr. S. How swell. And then, later, at the top, I ran into Thomas, who I met on the Eastern Sierras trip. And I also met Laura Hipp, a sweet woman. Plus, Miss A and Miss L were on board. I also got to try out my new SmartWool arm warmers with their girly green colored flowers. Very feminine. Matched my jersey and looked good with my nicely painted nails. Because these things matter.... But the day was much to warm to keep them on for long.



Nearing the top, a cyclist on the way down said, "Great job." Of course that's code for "I'd like to get your number." Oh oh, The BF may get on the next flight out to have a talk with me ....

How'd I do? Well, the results are not posted but I may have shaved 10 minutes off my LKHC 2006 time. Not bad for someone not firing on all cylinders and distracted by firemen and cyclists full of testosterone. Oh oh, The BF is probably in the air somewhere ready to have a talk with me....

Thank you Miss P for riding with me today.

Let's Go for a Spin

LKHC Portola State Park / W. Alpine - Week 3 Report

After seeing Patrick Dempsey biking last weekend at Levi's GranFondo, I wondered how I might top that experience.

Well ... let me count the ways:

Friday --

First, the Earth moved ... oh alrighty, we had a teenie earthquake in San Jose.

Next, The GF contacted me:

GF: Want to go for a ride in The Car Sat? assuming you don't have plans with what's his name?
Me: The Boyfriend? What BF? You betcha!

Saturday --

A sea of male cyclists clad in tight fitting spandex milling about after the LKHC Portola State Park climb. Let me repeat. A sea of male cyclists clad in .... How I so enjoyed listening to the first batch of cyclists as they came across the finish line -- such heavy breathing. Made me wonder if it was any indication of .... by now The BF is making faces ... alas, their efforts/breathing reminded me of why I always finish last. I simply save my energy and breathing for other activities. Oh oh, The BF is undoubtedly making faces.






Oh lookey, it's The Boyfriend off to do another ride after the hillclimb. Earlier we had a conversation which of course I shall share with you:

Me: Are your legs fresh for the climb? [last weekend, he did the GranFondo]
BF: I hope so
Me: Because I like fresh men
BF: I bet you do
Me: And sophmores, and seniors, undergraduates, and ...
BF: Listen Missy, the only man you need is me, a real man.
Me: Ooooh, assertive. And you look good in tight fitting spandex.
BF: Damn right, Missy.



Ah, the piece de resistance. How to top all that had come before? The GF took me for a spin in The Car, a wee bit bigger than the one shown above. She put on her driving gloves, I wanted to wear a race car helmet. Oh my God, dare I say it, it may be on par with chocolates and sex. I thought we were in an airplane taking off on the runway. Loud, fast, two women, hot damn. Vrooom vrooom.

And finally, the last spin of my tale. Sunday, The BF and I went out on our Specialized hybrids before the rain came. It was my first outing since the surgery. We made our way to Shoreline on a flat course. 12 miles at 8.5 mph avg. Sad, I know, but I have to start somewhere.

Cheers to the men and women who did the LKHC Portola/Alpine ride.

A Model Patient

Ah, life post surgery ....

Unclear as to when I may resume biking, so, in the meantime, I look forward to being a volunteer for the 2010 Low Key Hillclimbs -- the series begins this Saturday with Montebello, the traditional opener.

The Return of the Mega Monster Enduro

I want to rock and roll all night and party every day (Kiss) but to do so and to remain a sex kitten (don't tell anyone but I'm now 46), I need to get on the bike now and then. So, this morning, I set off to meet my fellow cyclists in Paicines for the Mega Monster Enduro ride.





Dazzling green rolling hills but before we start --- the drive down Hwy 101 was blanketed in dense fog. I missed the exit for CA 25 Hollister and as I drove down the highway, I briefly contemplated going to Mexico or maybe Santa Barbara. I eventually landed in the vicinity and was thrilled to hug our Grand Marshall Kevin who flew all the way from the East Coast to spearhead this event. Off my little tushy went with little fanfare not knowing how I'd do on the 100k ride. It's a deceptive ride, full of climbs, rollers, flats, and sometimes a lot of wind.

I was assigned the number 21. Which reminds me.... Yesterday, a male student got in the elevator with me. He said, "I thought we were going up." Me with a wicked smile on my sticky lips replied, "We're going down, Mister." And the doors closed..... The Boyfriend is shaking his head. Focus focus on the biking he says.






Have no idea who he is but I asked if I could take him home with me. The Boyfriend is shaking his head and saying focus woman, focus on the frigging biking. Okey dokey, The BF got 2 flats in the first 25 miles and I witnessed other boys getting flats. Me, no way Jose, not with my tank tires. Hee hee.






On and on and on. More scenery to give you an idea of the ride. Sad thing is that the divine Ms. M and her troopers along with Mr. Bill passed me on the way going out and they passed me on the way going back. Sigh, because they did the 100 mile. Hey, despite being all over the place with my speed, I felt that I did a good job being that I have not done 64 miles since Levi's Grand Fondo back in October. And we've had a lot of rain to hamper our outings.

Lots of cows out in their pasture. I sang to them. I am amazed that a stampede did not ensue.





What's a bike ride without a helicopter scene? Poll out about Valentine's Day. Clearly, I'm not focusing on the biking.... Who would you rather spend VDay with -- your lover or your pet? Her name is Charlotte and she has the most adorable pink nose. Years ago, she and her sister (who has passed way) would bring me dead insects, you know, dump them at my feet. Ah, true love.

Just the stats, Ma'am. Less wind than 2008 but still quite the outing!

64 miles
29 mph fastest speed on a descent
12.2 mph avg
5 hr 13 min

Anyone for Alba?

Week 8, Low Key Hillclimbs, Alba

Apparently so, since 82 of you were gungho to climb Alba Road in Ben Lomond in 39 - 44 degree weather! Amazing. Me, I was gungho to stay in my bed, under the covers. Instead, I climbed, I mean, I drove up and down Bear Creek Road to the start with my ears popping and the car windows steaming up.

Before we could see the first batch of riders come across the finish line, we could hear them breathing and panting hard. It was an incredible sound.

As our other photographer quipped to someone, "Wait, let me get a photo of you puking." It was a funny line at the time. Our humor is shameful!

We had an impressive turnout given the location and the temperature. You were fantastic! One more climb to go -- Thanksgiving Day -- Mt. Hamilton and once again, our swell series will come to an end.

Anyone for Alba? You betcha.

Doing the Diablo

(photo by Brenda and Ron Brunner)

Low Key Hillclimbs, Week 7, Mt. Diablo, North Gate.

You know that you've arrived too early when you spot the ride coordinator having a coffee at Peet's. No no no, I shan't whine about how The Boyfriend forced me to get up at some unheard of morning hour, thus, not allowing me to dream of men, I mean sheep. No, no, no, I won't whine about the lost beauty sleep, nor being so tired I had no desire to flirt or snap photos of fellow LKHCers during registration. Our drive from the South Bay began with a light rain, forcing us to cover our saddles with grocery bags. As we came into Walnut Creek, the sky turned blue, the sun appeared but the cold November day remained.



(photo by Carl Butler)

Today though was memorable because slower riders got to go first for the time trial up Mt. Diablo. Yes, for once, I was out in front, ahead of everyone else, Leader of the Pack, smelling the thrill of victory, for, wait, wait for it, all of 2 minutes before being overtaken by other cyclists. It was sweet while it lasted.

I had the rare opportunity to see everyone in action and that was truly enjoyable and something I will treasure. As people passed, they talked to me, some briefly, some for a few minutes. Then of course, there were the drivers who flirted with me. I swear, I do nothing to instigate these things. "The girl can't help it." In fact, with all these people vying for my attention, and the interference it causes, why, it's no wonder that I tend to finish last. :)

In 2006, my LKHC time was 116.44. Today's finish was 113.55. Perhaps a mass start vs. a time trial explains the difference. This year, I had to get off the bike to finish. Sigh. Note to The BF: I would like a boytoy, I mean, personal trainer for Christmas. A special thank you to my teammate for cheering me on to cross the finish line.

Ah, the piece de resistance: of the 137 riders who rode today, I placed 137th. Please, please, I don't think I'm up for autographs....

A Processor, a Winery, or a Climb?

I'd rather have spent today sipping a glass of wine at the Montevina Winery in Amador County or typing up a blog entry on an Intel Montevina processor but no, no, no, time for another climb, this being Week 5, Low Key Hill climb up, you guessed it, Montevina! 9% grade and more for 3.32 miles. Okey dokey, no problem for the slow pokey. Though singing up this climb was a wee bit dificult. Nevertheless, I came up with my own lyrics to Cole Porter's Night and Day.




Like the click click of my shoes
as they clip into my pedals
Like the drip drip drip of the fall fog layer
Yay the sun finally peeps through
So a voice within me keeps repeating you, you, you

Night and day, Day and night, why is it so
That this longing to climb you follows wherever I go
as I spin on my trainer (not really but go with it)
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you, night and day, day and night (not really but go with it)




(the last steep bit of Montevina)



Like the spin spin spin of my tires
on the surface of the road, I hope not to fall
while in my granny gear
Night and day, Montevina, you are the one
Only you beneath my 44cm frame or under my crank
Whether near to me, or far
Its no matter where you are
I think of you Montevina





(Lexington Reservoir)

Night and day
Under my derailleur
There’s an oh such a hungry yearning burning inside of me
And this torment won’t be through (not really but go with it)
Until you let me spend today climbing you
Montevina

Okay, so 2 or 3 guys after repairing their flats managed to pass me. But darn it if I'd let the kids on mtn. bikes get past me! And I had to run with the bike 50 feet or so up the last steep bit of the climb. But it was fun! And now I think I'll have that glass of wine ....

Putting some Spring in my Soda

A few hours after the Low Key Hill Climb series, week 4, Soda Springs:

(via email with The Boyfriend who is in another country)

Me: Guess What!
The BF: Do I dare?
Me: They picked me to be a volunteer!
The BF: They must be hard up.
Me: Listen Mister, I was the Hostess with the Mostess.
The BF: Sigh.
Me: I got to be the bank manager. I took their fees. I took their phone numbers.....
The BF: Sigh.
Me: I didn't flirt, truly.
The BF: You wore a tight jersey, didn't you.
Me: Maybe.
The BF: Sigh.





Me: Guess what else!
The BF: Do I dare?
Me: I sang on the climb. Want to know what I sang?
The BF: Please tell me it wasn't The Lonely Goatherd from The Sound of Music.
Me: No, because I was doing so well that I didn't get to that song. I'll save it for Montevina!
The BF: Sigh. And you wonder why I'm in another country.....
Me: Here goes ---

I get no kick from champagne
Mere alcohol doesn't thrill me at all
but I'm getting a kick out of doing this climb!
and well ...
I get a kick out you, Mister.




We had a fabulous turn out. The weather was wonderful. I positioned myself a short distance before Soda Springs to take photos of everyone before the start. Unfortunately, when the horn honked, I was not prepared to go, so, I started late and then, my chain slipped. But these mishaps fired me up, putting some spring in my soda, and I climbed on, alone, but eventually, all the handsome male cyclists descended, and as they passed me, they sang out, "Good Job." That was sweet. But the sweetest yodel came from Ms. J. Martinez, our star female cyclist. Thank you.

The ride wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. Of course, when you bike as slowly as I do....

Just the stats, Ma'am

5.35 miles

8.4 grade

1 hr 4 min (I think my official time will actually be 1 hr. 6 min). I expected to do 1 hr. 15 min. so I'm pleased.

Thanksgiving Rides

Thanksgiving Day. Mt. Hamilton (photo shot by Stephen Fong), the last ride in the Low-Key Hillclimb series. Oh, I got up the mountain alright -- in a car. A lingering cold prevented me from participating as a rider but not as a volunteer. Next up is the LKHC series party. As I told the event organizer, "Yeah, so, you can climb, but eh, can you party!" For sure, I will take first place. What is always funny each year is whether we are able to recognize one another without our helmets and biking clothes.






Come Friday I was better so I joined friends for an ACTC ride in the Los Gatos hills. It was rather cold with a heavy fog layer. We rode 17 miles including: University --> Shannon -->Hicks West --> Reynolds --> Shannon --> Kennedy --> parking lot.

Above: A short stop on Shannon in Los Gatos vicinity.

Documenting the pain of riding up Reynolds (off Hicks West), a short but steep climb. A good ride to ease me back into cycling after 2 weeks of fighting a cold.

Metcalf Loop

The telephone rings. It's The Boyfriend skyping me from another continent.

BF: Whatcha doing?
Me: Reading.
BF: Proust? Hegel? Aristotle?
Me: Bad Girls: 26 Writers Misbehave. They forgot to include me.
BF: Sigh.
Me: I'm going to do a bike ride today and then it's "Men in tights, men in tights!"
BF: Try to behave at the ballet.
Me: Oh, I'll behave alright. I'll be on my best bad behavior.
BF: I'm hanging up now.




I did a 20 mile loop beginning at Metcalf but not up Metcalf. I biked on roads that were uphill or undulating for the most part, starting with Basking Ridge/Hellyer. Exact route: Hellyer -> Silver Creek -> Farnsworth -> San Felipe -> Metcalf and some other road as well.





Silver Creek above and below.




Quite a pretty ride. Below is Metcalf.




And Metcalf again.

Took me 1 hr 56 minutes with an average speed of 10 mph and max. speed of 28 mph. I know, not exactly going to break any records. I'm going to enjoy the Spanish bullfighter tonight but I do miss my knight in shining spandex and wish that he could have gone on this ride with me.

Up next, the last of the LKHC for this year-- Mt. Hamilton on Thanksgiving Day.

Quimby Road LKHC Week 3

Weenie Woman (that would be me) decided to be a volunteer for the 3rd LKHC ride. A good sized crowd of nonweenies of both sexes showed up for the Quimby Road climb. Of course there was some drama (the weather being the case for the last 2 rides), this time in the form of not having the roster of everyone’s numbers. So we improvised with letters and whatnot.

Scene 1: Show me the Money

Me: Forgot your number, eh?

Cyclist: Yeah.

Me: That’ll cost you an extra $10 payable to me. You’ll be contributing to my financial bailout!

Scene 2: The Bag

Volunteer: Here’s the large trash bag to take clothing to the top.

Me: Uh um, you sure it's not a body bag to collect those poor souls .... oh I know, I'm dreadful.

Scene 3: The photos

We positioned ourselves on Quimby to take photos, aka different angles of pain. Nah, everyone looked fantastic as they came up the last leg of the climb. Wow, the first several riders to finish were breathing heavily. What a sound.

Me: Say Mr. Cyclist, do you suppose if I practiced some heavy breathing exercises, I might improve?

Cyclist: Is it a feeling of oxygen deprivation or am I speaking with a nut case?

Me: Hmm, let me think about that and get back to you.

Scene 4: The Tarantula

Volunteer: Look, a tarantula.

Me: The bugger keeps crossing the road back and forth, again and again. Too much EPO?

[Cyclists coming]

Me: Brake brake, don’t run over the spider!

[The cyclists who encountered the little fella deftly maneuvered around it. Amazing.]

Me: Do you think he or she is in search of its lover or perhaps it wants to join in on the fun?

Cyclist: Is it a feeling of oxygen deprivation or am I speaking with a nut case?

Me: Show stopper! Scene stealer! We should make it an honorary LKHC member!

Scene 5: My Car

Me: Those extra bike wheels in the passenger seat are getting in the way of the gear shift. Guess I’ll have to put it in neutral on the drive down Quimby.

Volunteer: Um, is that safe?

Me: Got me a backseat driver, eh? Wait, you are in the backseat. Buckle up Mister, you’re in for a ride. [as I hit the gas pedal]. Oh by the way, I only brake for tarantulas ....

I bow to all that rode today. It was a joy to watch and to take photos. Fantastic job.

West Alpine LKHC Week 2

Last week we were caught in rain for the Montebello ride. This week, an icy wind greeted us for the West Alpine ride. I, along with 75 men and 19 women, decided to grin and bear it but more importantly “get over it.”

I made my way down Alpine from the Russian Ridge parking lot to the starting point at Sam MacDonald Park. Naturally, I missed the entrance.

The BF: How could you miss the big brown wooded sign?
Me: Socializing is such a distraction.

Truth is, I was zipping up the hill, going 6 mph (that’s racing for me) when a blur of white and black soared past me - Tim C. out for a stroll. Sigh.

I started in the back of the pack. Would I continue my streak of not finishing last? Having never done this ride, I had no idea how I would perform. Oh the pressure. But, I had a goal for this ride: to do it under 60 minutes. Within minutes, more like seconds, I wondered, “Hey, where did everyone go?”

Ah, the joy of cold air in one’s lungs for 6.5 miles. With less than a half mile to the finish line, I wondered, “Where are those frigging orange cones that James P. said to look for?” (a thought I imagine others had as well). Like the week before, I was the last to start but not to finish. And, I met my goal coming in at 59.25. Get results and photos.

Motivating factor during the ride: Bath time afterwards with my bath toys.

Thanks to the volunteers and for another LKHC adventure.

"Just Can't Get Enough"

(no photo for the time being).

"Just Can't Get Enough, 2007." Let me count the ways. Don't even get me started. Last night at the Low Key Hill Climbs Awards Ceremony, we were informed of the 2008 slogan and the "menu of pain." Come out next October and be part of the "pain" -- I mean fun.

Pete Heller, Master of Ceremonies, kept us entertained, especially with the use of "modern" technology in which a cell phone speaking to a microphone allowed us to listen to Kevin Winterfield on the East Coast give us his Top 10 Excuses for not doing a climb -- the best being, "I lost my yellow dot." Those climbers who made the 100% Club (all 9 rides) received signed certificates from Kevin. Wow, what an honor! :)

Oh, how I hoped that I might win the Endurance Award or the Most Improved Award (though neither really is an honor but hey, I'll take any award) but now, it might be a goal to achieve for next year! Sad, I know. I still have dreams that I'll motor faster than a speeding snail but it'll take effort and training and well, my favorite exercise after .... well my favorite exercise after reading is splish splashing in a bath. Still, there is always hope. Meanwhile, I received the Best Blog Award. Oh the pressure to be witty. But heh, the road to fame is paved and I might just eclipse The Boyfriend.

Awards were also presented to Adam Tow, Kwan, Ron, Tim, Pat and others. We watched videos and a slideshow. Marie mentioned something about how the guys are able to stand and stand on their pedals when doing climbs. Yeah, well, I said, "But can they stand in high heels!" Dan informed us that the website is undergoing cosmetic surgery (thanks to Luke). Say it isn't so. I think we've grown fond of its "look."

Thanks to Pete, Dan, Kevin and anyone else (oh yeah, the cookie woman) for putting on an entertaining evening. 317 cyclists did the 2007 climbs and a lot of money was raised and donated to 3 organizations. Hope you come out again in October.

But meanwhile, there's the Mega Monster Enduro next month.