That's All Folks

Knowing that LKHC volunteers would miss their Thanksgiving dinner if I participated officially in the Mt. Hamilton climb (the last event in the Low Key Hillclimb series), I ventured out on my own, starting 20 minutes earlier than the other cyclists and made it to mile 4.7 before the herd overtook me. A blink of the eye and the first wave zoomed past me. I cheered and waved and then resumed biking. A little while later, Adam, Marie and Pat sailed past me. As usual, I was distracted by the men I met, the cows I saw and the lovely scenery (the hills are just beginning to turn green). The day was clear and the view of Lick Observatory looming in the distance was stunning. Of course, it only loomed and remained in the distance for me....

I made it to mile 15.5 before I met The Boyfriend coming back down along with most of the other participants. In my mind, I finished ... in fact, I have so once before. Back at the parking lot, rumor had it that James P. was on his way to doing Mt. Ham again. "Out of shape dad?" I don't think so, Mister. Results and Ron's photos are posted.

Later, The Boyfriend joked that when we come back from our 2 week biking holiday next summer in the French Alps, I'll be buffed and no doubt will move up in the ranks to place next to last in the LKHC series. That'll be the day. Shed my weenie wings? No more weenie miles per hour? Turn into a speeding snail? We'll see.

Meanwhile:

Goodbye Stranger

It's been nice

Thank you Dan, Kevin and all for the LKHC

I'll be seeing you

Mysteries of Life

There are many mysteries in life. The sudden extinction of dinosaurs being one. Figuring out who will finish last in a Low Key Hillclimb event is not one of them. Sigh. Week 8 featured Sierra Road for the next to last Low Key Hillclimb. Results and photos are posted. When I arrived at the top, the nice volunteer said, "Are you the last? Is there anyone behind you?" Oh, he must be new ... sigh. What can I say. I fell behind, way behind. The photo below of me is classic -- a behind shot. Still, the event was wonderful with 104 cyclists participating and yes, that means I was the 104th person to finish. The Boyfriend (who looked mighty fine) was waiting for me at the top. Sweet, eh. The pain, the agony of defeat and all that other blah are worth it for the descent down the other side.

Gearing Up

Did the Earth move for you, honey? If you were in San Jose on October 30, it sure did! After the 5.6 Earthquake, doing Week 6 Low-Key Hillclimb Welch Creek Road seemed almost anti-climatic. :)

Lots of banter on the LKHC listserv about gears and schmears, compacts, triples, cranksets, aftershocks, ratios, cadence, cows, and road surface. Speaking of bikes and gears, The Boyfriend informed me that my 2005 Bianchi Eros Donna was designed with me in mind. Somehow I don't think that's a compliment.



The weather today was absolutely delightful. My assignment as volunteer was to stand at the intersection of Welch Creek Road and Calaveras. I know, tough going but someone's gotta do it. As I waited on the side of the road, I met lots of male cyclists wondering what I was doing. I often wonder what I'm doing, too. There were numerous offers of assistance. Ah, chivalry. Keep it up. In the nearby field, I watched two cows get on their hind legs and lock heads and shove each other. All this entertainment and the event hadn't even begun.

Eventually, the gang sauntered over from the school in Sunol to the start. What a brave lot! When Adam honked his horn, some of them shot off at a furious pace (Hello Tim Clark). Made me feel small. Wait, I am small. I was impressed that the tandem couple was doing the ride today.



I wasn't able to watch the gang do the climb nor arrive at the top due to logistics. I hope a good time was had by all. Thanks to the photographers Kwan and Pat.