Merry Metcalf

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it was to get out of the house
and go for a bike ride today

Despite an early morning frost, the weather turned out to be fabulous for our bike ride. We did a route that included climbing Metcalf. And let me tell you, I was mighty and merry as I jingled all the way up it. 10.4% plus grade, 1.8 miles. I watched A as she climbed ahead of me, quite a bit ahead of me, and I had Don as well to motivate me. My legs were so relaxed as though I was simply stepping on pillows.




We had wonderful views given that we did nearly 2,000 feet of climbing. Above, downtown San Jose in the distance.





Two members from our group sped past me on a downhill, going 50 mph. I practically toppled over from the wind they generated as they passed me.

Today's outing, spent with a swell bunch of cyclists, was the best Christmas Eve I've had in a long time.

Just the stats, Ma'am:

20.28 miles
10.9 avg mph
32 mph fastest speed
1 hr. 50 min.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ...

Yeah, so, like the East Coast and the Midwest had their share of snow storms this week, but were their snowflakes as big as ours here in Northern California, eh?





Look what the cat dragged in! Oh alrighty, it's the tree from Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose.




Me next to a life size gingerbread house and sugar cookie tree with gingerbread ornaments at the Fairmont Hotel. After all this elaborate confectionery concoction, they forgot the milk! We also attended a celtic harpists concert at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. Thanks to A and R for a great night out on the town.

Warm Me Baby

I love presents. I get really girly when I receive gifts. Shower me, Mister. And last night, they arrived! The leg warmers I won from the recent LKHC awards ceremony. Tiny, aren't they. But, a marvelous fit as I discovered today on my weenie woman training ride.

I wasn't sure if they'd stay put. I wondered if I should get one of my garter belts to keep them in place. In fact, as I contemplated this image on my ride, as I began to design dirty naughty cycling clothing for us real women, I had an accident. Oh shucks, clumsy me. Alas, I obviously lived to write yet another blog.

And of course I met a male cyclist on my ride ... at first I was all alone, surprised not to see others out because once the fog lifted, it was a rather nice day. But he magically appeared, giving me the boost I needed after the accident. I only managed to do 15 miles, some climbing and some descending and a little race with the stranger. But sometimes, that's all it takes.

Stats:

15 miles

32.5 mph racing with the stranger

4-10 mph for the climbing part

A day with Henry and Thomas

Joined the gang to do Thomas Grade and Henry Coe in 45 degree weather. What the heck I was thinking? Oh yeah, the plan, the plan -- Weenie Woman in Training. S acted as my chaperone getting me up. He and I kept waiting for some excitement, say, like extraterrestrials in a mod looking UFO (preferrably heated with hot cocoa and marshmellows) to swoop down and take us away. I stopped to take the photo above and then S was gone around a bend.




About a mile to the summit, they came from nowhere, about 25 of them. Sure, you think you're looking at turkeys. I'm telling you they were aliens who abducted me before I reached the top of Henry Coe. I ask you, if they're not going to look like little green men, why can't they look like Chippendale Men? As Frank says, "That's life, baby."





Well Frank, "I thought about quitting and cutting out but thanks to S, I picked myself up and got back in the race."

We did about 28 miles total from our start in Morgan Hill. I forgot to record my time for this ride. Oh darn.