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.

Doing the Diablo

(photo by Brenda and Ron Brunner)

Low Key Hillclimbs, Week 7, Mt. Diablo, North Gate.

You know that you've arrived too early when you spot the ride coordinator having a coffee at Peet's. No no no, I shan't whine about how The Boyfriend forced me to get up at some unheard of morning hour, thus, not allowing me to dream of men, I mean sheep. No, no, no, I won't whine about the lost beauty sleep, nor being so tired I had no desire to flirt or snap photos of fellow LKHCers during registration. Our drive from the South Bay began with a light rain, forcing us to cover our saddles with grocery bags. As we came into Walnut Creek, the sky turned blue, the sun appeared but the cold November day remained.



(photo by Carl Butler)

Today though was memorable because slower riders got to go first for the time trial up Mt. Diablo. Yes, for once, I was out in front, ahead of everyone else, Leader of the Pack, smelling the thrill of victory, for, wait, wait for it, all of 2 minutes before being overtaken by other cyclists. It was sweet while it lasted.

I had the rare opportunity to see everyone in action and that was truly enjoyable and something I will treasure. As people passed, they talked to me, some briefly, some for a few minutes. Then of course, there were the drivers who flirted with me. I swear, I do nothing to instigate these things. "The girl can't help it." In fact, with all these people vying for my attention, and the interference it causes, why, it's no wonder that I tend to finish last. :)

In 2006, my LKHC time was 116.44. Today's finish was 113.55. Perhaps a mass start vs. a time trial explains the difference. This year, I had to get off the bike to finish. Sigh. Note to The BF: I would like a boytoy, I mean, personal trainer for Christmas. A special thank you to my teammate for cheering me on to cross the finish line.

Ah, the piece de resistance: of the 137 riders who rode today, I placed 137th. Please, please, I don't think I'm up for autographs....

Bohlman Busters

Week 5, Low Key Hill Climbs, Bohlman

On the way up, in the car, we volunteers looked out the window to be greeted by sweeping views of the valley, so incredibly high above that it was like being in airplane taking off at SFO, and that prompted P to quip, "Duck for airplanes." Need I say more?

Borrowing from Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire, a tribute:

Climbing Is a Burning Thing

And It Makes A Fiery Ring

Bound by a crazy desire

LKHCers fell into the BNKQOOB Of Fire

LKHCers fell into a Burning Switchback Of Fire

They went up, up, up as the road went higher

And Bohlman Burns, Burns, Burns

Their lungs on fire

Their legs on fire

The Taste of Bohlman is Sweet
At 2110 feet, it’s very steep
The previous climbs now seem mild

As BNKQOOB becomes more and more wild

Oh, but The LKHCers went wild
They went up, up, up and higher
Despite their lungs on fire,
Their legs on fire

And Bohlman burns burns burns
Along with Norton, Kittridge, Quickert and on Orbit
One continuous climb of fire
That the LKHCers conquered

Through sheer determinism and desire

Amazing how fast they all came across the finish line! Wow is about all that I am able to say.