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.

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.

LKHC Bear Gulch

See the beams of sunlight in the photo above? When I was little, I would walk into the light believing it was God showing me Heaven on Earth. Bear Gulch is a beautiful ride and a slice of Heaven.

Well, I charged up the hill in the last wave, all gung ho, passing several cyclists, and prepared for the strain. (The Boyfriend gave me a debriefing earlier in the week about what to expect). And then the little engine that could (that would be me) overheated.

I had to clip out and walk a bit all the while thinking that you'd read about me in some magazine while waiting in line at the supermarket, you know, "Cyclist spontaneously combusts." If this is what I can expect when I get hot flashes some day in the not too distant future, then please, just shoot me now.

Once in the shade of the woods, the rest of the ride was a piece of cake. By then though, it was too late to catch up to anyone. Still, a lovely ride made even nicer by hanging out with the LKHC gang. See results and photos.

Montebello LKHC

Preface:

As some of you know, what I see during a cycling event bears little resemblance to what others experience.

Acknowledgements:

Thank you Dan, volunteers, and photographers. Also, great to see both regulars and new faces attend. Lastly, I'd like to thank myself for showing up.

Prologue:

Oh the drama -- would we be able to embark upon the first climb (results and photos) of the 2008 Low Key Hill Climb series? Would we "Get over It" if we didn't?

In the Beginning:

Woman: What's your name?

Me: Christine, aka the weenie woman who has the distinct honor of always finishing last.

Woman: Oh, I know who you are!

Me: Sigh.

Volunteer: Oh, a librarian! Will you be reading a book on the way up?

Me: Probably get through an entire 800 page Russian epic given the speeds of years past....

Joke of the Day:

Volunteer: You know, we can take your saddle bag to the top for you.

Me: Yes, that's sure to make all the difference. [nearby people laughing hysterically].

At the start:

Man: I like starting at the back of the pack.

Me: We get to look at everyone's tushies!

Man: Best seat in the house.

Middle:

Panting like a German shephard though not with my tongue hanging out, I climbed, mostly alone, until I came upon the cute AT&T guy repairing a line. Naturally, I had to stop for a moment to admire the view. The Boyfriend, also on this ride, is probably shaking his head as he reads this. Focus woman, focus to which I'd reply, "It's not about the bike, it's about me, me, and me flirting, I mean, socializing.

With about a mile or so to go, a steady rain began to fall covering the hairs on my arms in a glistening mist, much like fine droplets of dew settling on flowers. At the same time, I said to myself, "What is this -- a wet t-shirt contest? Cyclists began to descend saying nice things to me. Thank you.

End:

I was the last to start but not to finish, thanks to the boot camp (I mean biking holiday with The BF) from the previous week. OMG.

Epilogue:

"Get over it." That we surely did. Until next time....

Mt. Diablo and the Beastie Boys

Once again, I found myself in the back of the line as we assembled into small groups to take on Mt. Diablo (Week 4, Low Key Hillclimbs). I invited people to join our exclusive club (we're part of that slow movement -- check out the World Institute of Slowness). We had some takers. Never mind that I went 80 mph to get to the event on time....

This year we tackled the south side (3170 vertical feet in 11.7 miles) and it afforded spectacular shots of the valley as we climbed and snaked our way to the top. You know when you go slowly, you have a chance to see the world. I met some men working in a garden. I spoke with some man training for the Solvang Century. There were rock climbers out and about. Amy and I duked it out for awhile before she got the upperhand.

The weather was a bit chilly and a wind kicked in now and again making the ride a bit scary at times. I was going about 7 weenie average miles per hour. At about mile 6, I was quite alone. There was no one to play in the sandbox with me. La dee da. I thought about the first bike I ever owned, around age 5, a red tricycle that I rode while in Libya. La dee da I thought some more. Then at mile 8, my legs began to feel like cement (picture Lot's wife turning to stone). Hmm, I thought, this really isn't good, is it. I took a gel and started on my weenie way once more.

At around mile 10 (those last few miles are challenging), Low Key climbers passed me by on their way down. Some waved, no doubt recognizing Weenie Woman. One group said, "You go Girl." I'm trying, people! I ran into (well not literally) The Boyfriend who said something about it being too cold at the top to wait for me. Hmm, I don't recall seeing icycles growing out of his nostrils but I do know what it is like to become chilled during a bike ride. Next, I saw Adam the photographer leaving as well. Who was going to take my photo when I zipped across the finish line!

I came upon it, the last little nasty bit of challenge. The Beastie Boys began playing on my iPod Nano. Perfect timing. And yes, I got up that 150-yard stretch of straight 16% grade just as I did on last year's climb, thanks to inspiration from the Beastie Boys. Altering their lyrics a bit -- "You gotta fight for your right to come in last." I was so happy to see Amy, Pat, Marie, Dan and the volunteers waiting (and waiting) at the top as I crossed the finish line!

I flew down the mountain at around 27-30 mph. Okay, the slow movement does not apply on descents. I ran into those guys working in the garden. One of them said, "Hey, we remember you!" I said, "Of course you do, Mister."

Results and photos available here.

Next week, another climb, another challenge, another chance to perfect my slowness.

Welch Creek Road

Weekend plans with The Boyfriend to Lake Tahoe for the Tahoe Sierra century were cancelled due to inclement weather. Spent Sunday biking along Calavaras Road to investigate Welsh Creek Road which is one of the planned Low Key Hillclimbs. Guess what, I don't plan to do it.



Saw cows, skinny brown tarantulas, a few
wild turkeys and a few cyclists. A cow wandered
away from its pasture and decided to hang out in
the middle of the road and stare at cyclists
passing by. Weird, huh.

Then again, I thought about hanging out on the
side of the road to stare at the male cyclists
speeding by ....

It's the Blog Lady

Saturday, November 18, 2006

As some of you are aware, I deleted my blog and started anew. Going forward, in the words of the opening narration to Dragnet, "The story (blog) you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." To my surprise when I arrived at the parking lot for Week 6 of the Low Key Hillclimbs, people asked about my blog. One of the top female cyclists said, “It’s the blog lady!” Yes, well, what can I say. Oh, I know, I like my gatorade shaken not stirred. The attention caused my ego to grow. Now if only my leg muscles would as well.

Today’s ride up Page Mill Road (8.7 miles, 2130 feet, 7 % avg. grade with some killer sections) starting from Arastradero in Los Altos Hills was an individual time trial, with riders beginning at 20 second intervals. I wouldn’t be able to pull the old “Hey, wait for me” routine. As we stood in line, 43 men and 10 women, I began talking with a fella who told me his strategy was to start out slow. My strategy? Hmm, let's see. I think you know what’s coming. Start out slowly and continue going slowly. A woman standing near us was wearing a WordPerfect jersey. Wow. I mentioned that I used to use ClarisWorks. The unicyclist was a few people behind me. He said he had his work cut out this time since he’d be starting after me but somehow I suspected he’d pass me again along with most of the people behind him. Sigh.

As we approached the starting point, we could hear a volunteer counting down for each rider to head off. It struck me as ever so serious, kinda of like when you’re about to go under for surgery, you know, and the anesthesiologist makes you count backwards. “Okay, Ms. Giggles,” the volunteer said, “It’s your turn. 10, 9, 8, … Oh dear, I better stop laughing and get going.

Off I shot and sure enough, cyclists who started after me, passed me and eventually the unicyclist did as well. Sigh. I was alone with no one to play with unlike the time when I rode up Page Mill Road for the Tour de Max. At mile 5, there was a sign for Happy Elves. Okay, I made it this far, so where, I ask you, were they? I got off the bike and looked around. I began to question the existence of Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Snow Queen, the Sugar Plum Fairy and of course, the elves. Lest you think I’m missing a few marbles, I do acknowledge and accept that there is no tooth fairy. Let me also remind you that you can visit Santa Claus in his village at the Artic Circle in Finnish Lapland. I even have a postcard from there with a Santa Claus postmark.

It took me 1 hour 15 minutes to finish. Yes, once again, I managed to finish last among the women and of course, the unicyclist got to the top of Page Mill before me. There’s an art, you know, to being slow. It takes real talent and skill. Anyway, I truly enjoy reading the results of the other cyclists; it's darn impressive but more importantly, everyone appears to be having a good time. This is a fun series. Thanks again to the volunteers responsible for these rides and photos.

Oh yeah, The Boyfriend, pictured above, also attended. I accepted his offer to escort me down since the elves weren't available.

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?

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

Saturday, October 28, 2006

So, all 54 of us were at the start line for the Mt. Diablo Low Key Hillclimb when I, fiddling with my computer clock, toppled over, unable to clip out in time, resulting in a very red, bloody and bruised scrape on my knee. Brilliant, eh. While I was still trying to get my computer clock to work, the timed ride to the summit started. Hey, wait for me.....

There were 10 women on the ride, including the women who had responded to an email I sent earlier to the Velo Girls list. Take a look at the results to see how hot these women were! But so were the 2 unicyclists -- they stole the show. This was one fit and fabulous group. The event organizers and volunteers were encouraging, funny and just downright super; I look forward to attempting more of the rides.

The weather was clear, sunny and quite warm as we climbed a total of 3,849 feet and 10.9 miles, affording us scenic views of the Bay Area. The final 250 meters tested all of us with its 15% grade. See more photos of the event and commentary of a past ride by a few Chain Reaction cyclists.

I finished just under 2 hours with an average of 6 mph, a good time for me, though I was the last of the women to finish. There were cyclists, female and male, who had to walk that final stretch. What about me, you ask? Well, there was my knight in shining spandex (aka The Boyfriend) waving to me as I stayed on the bike all the way to the top.

Naturally I smiled for the camera.