Attack of the Butterflies

There I was in the countryside on a little bike ride because I had the day off when out of nowhere came The Butterflies. These were no ordinary flutterers. I tell you they wore fighter pilot helmets and bomber jackets. No doubt Pixar rejects seeking revenge having lost out on parts for Top Insect and deciding to take it out on me. Easily six at a time flying into me. I kept expecting them to splat on my arms but thankfully this did not happen. So distracted was I by them that I don't recall the ride I did other than enjoying being sprayed by sprinklers on Silver Creek. Next up, the bike tour Saturday.

Social Sunday

I took up P's suggestion to go on a gentle 20 mile ACTC ride. Besides, Mighty Me decided to save herself for the upcoming Ball (Cinderella Tour next Saturday). The day was not as warm as yesterday and we had a bit of chilly breeze but everywhere, there were signs of spring, including the flowering tree above next to my home.

There were 5 of us on this ride and I quite enjoyed the leisurely pace (Gosh what a surprise you say). Our route began at the Sunnyvale Community Center, over to Los Altos and up Moody Road, pictured above. The last bit of Moody before intersecting Page Mill Road was certainly a challenge, reminding me that my lower back wouldn't ache if I would do sit ups. It dawned on me that I might be persuaded to do more climbing if I knew that a male masseuse would be waiting at the top to take care of me. Is that too much too ask?

It is my understanding that there will be Prince Charmings to wait on us at the rest stops on the Cinderella tour. Oh goody.

Beautiful Day

Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day,
I've got a wonderful feeling,
Everything's going my way.
(Oklahoma)

Finally lovely weekend weather -- lots of cyclists out. I was able to wear summer clothing. I decided to do the same route I did last weekend and tack on more miles. I wanted to ride forever, at least in the beginning.





My time going up Old La Honda last Saturday was 40 minutes; this time, I did it in 38 minutes. [note to The BF: I lugged 2 full water bottles and a half empty camelbak up OLH].

On the ascent and descent, I became Trixie who repeatedly said aloud, "Oh Speed, Oh Speed, go Speed Racer!" I'd like to think I provided some entertainment for the other cyclists....




On the way down OLH, I had to come to a stop because Jane Doe was standing in the road. I took a photo of her in the woods.

While biking on Portola, I started daydreaming that I might be able to say goodbye to Weenie Woman and become Mighty Me but then, my blood sugar took a dip and I had to cut the ride short (32 miles not 50) -- you kinda get a clue when you're going 7 mph while everyone else is going at least 15 mph ... still tomorrow is another day for Mighty Me to reappear!

Laughing At Clouds

Laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart....
(Singing in the Rain)

This morning under threat of rain, I decided to join the ACTC Goat Busters 50 mile ride being led by S and P. We began at Shoup Park in Los Altos. The route included Burke, Purissima, Arastradero, Page Mill, Arastradero, Alpine, Portola, Old La Honda East & West, Skyline, Kings Mtn., Woodside, Whiskey Hill, Sand Hill, and more.

You did all that, you say in a disbelieving tone. Of course not, Silly.

I once took horseback riding lessons at the stable on Purissima. On Portola, we were practically assaulted by a swarm of cyclists (30 or more) and it was rather frightening. C and I completely missed the regroup point. P probably thought we were lost as we have a tendancy towards wandering off.




Atop Old La Honda. This was my second time in 4 years to climb OLH. The Montagues and Capulets along with Mr. Chopin got me up in, wait, drum roll please, 40 minutes. My speed ranged from 4.5 to 7 mph. Okay, you can stop laughing now.





Descending Old La Honda (west). P reminded me that we did this route in the opposite direction for a LKHC ride. It was here that I became chilled and decided that when we returned to Skyline, I would have to say goodbye. I did not warm up until Arastradero but still I had fun on account of being high off a gel.





Back at my car, raindrops began to fall. I wondered about the gang. While I only did 32 miles, I would like to believe that I am a Goat Buster.

Doing Henry Coe

A chilly overcast day with the sun eventually breaking through the cloud cover. Still, time to train since next month I'll be doing 3 day long bike tours and a cycling trip in Solvang with you know, what's his name.




Along Coyote Creek Trail, flowers were in bloom and there was an assortment of wildlife -- a butterfly, sheep, goats, squirrels, birds, ducks, dead flattened lizards, The Boyfriend, and a Lynx rufus (bobcat) that walked casually across a bridge while we nervously wondered about forging ahead.

So what do I take photos of -- yes cows just 3 miles short of the top of Henry Coe State Park. Okay, drum roll, please. While I didn't quite make it to the very top, I did 41 miles (Coyote Creek Trail, Thomas Grade, Henry Coe and a bit of a headwind) in 3 hrs. 45 min. Why I do declare that there may just be hope for me....

Good to Know

A day without rain! As I approached "The Wall," I ran into Team in Training members. So I told them that I was in training, too -- training to be lazy.

Please, please I said to them, no photos.

One man needed encouragement as he climbed so I told him to watch my tushy wiggle as I sang to him, "Cause I'm TNT, I'm dynamite...." (AC/DC). The Boyfriend, who is on a business trip, is, no doubt, shaking his head ....

A sign on Calaveras. Good to know.

Lookey what came in the mail today! It's official. I'm going to the ball! I've never done this tour and I'm looking forward to it, hoping to ride with P, perhaps. Of course I need to practice more of my lazy training if I'm going to attempt the 95 mile route.

Viva Las Vegas

Ah, Vegas, a playground in the desert from the M and M candymen to the wonderfully contrived Venice and Paris hotels to the Bellagio Fountains and so much more.




Ode to The Boyfriend: You are sexy no matter where you are.






Excalibur Hotel glowing in the twilight. I could not capture on film the enormity of Vegas -- its lights, its sounds, its smells, its skyscrapers, its crowds.








An unexpected pleasure - to see a bridge being built near Hoover Dam to ease traffic.








Hoover Dam. The highlight of our trip.




A parting shot before saying goodbye to Las Vegas. And a reminder of the beauty of this country and its people.