Metcalf Low-Key Hillclimbs Week 7

Metcalf Mission (otherwise known as Week 7 of the Low Key Hillclimbs series)

Opening Scene: Covert Ops

Tuesday was spent doing recon about the climb. While only 1.8 miles, I stopped 3 times to do: 1) intelligence gathering (would I or would I not get up Metcalf?) and 2) to contemplate life (whine, cry, rant, rave, sweat). Having accomplished #2, I would say the mission was successful.

Saturday morning: The Boyfriend skypes me from another continent.

He: Bear Gulch was the last time for me to score for this year's series.

Me: But not for me!

He: You're not talking about biking, are you.

Me: I refuse to answer on the grounds that it might incriminate me.

He: Sigh. Listen Missy, your mission should you accept it, is to get up the hill without stopping.

Me: Yes Sir!

Showtime: Mission (Im)possible

Volunteer: Name?

Me: Agent 99.

Volunteer: Let's try it again.

Me: Holmes, Christine Holmes.

Volunteer: Number?

Me: Double 0 27 and remember Mister, I like my gatorade stirred not shaken.

Volunteer: I bet your boyfriend sighs a lot, doesn't he.

Me at the top. Mission accomplished. Yes, I got up Metcalf without stopping by staring at the asphalt almost the entire time and let me tell you what a picnic that was.... Several of us continued on Metcalf, descending into beautiful countryside. I think I may do this ride again tomorrow but in reverse making it even tougher because you know, I just can't get enough.

I wish The Boyfriend had been with me on the ride.

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.

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.