So I did my first group ride. A beginner ride so that I could be assured a safe route with somebody watching out for things like cars, railroad tracks, dogs in the road, etc. The ride was amazing. Riding with a group is so much better than riding alone. We did about 20 miles. The pace was a little slower than I usually do but I learned a ton. At the end I went a little faster because I felt more comfortable. I don't think the ride leader realized how strong my legs were because he kept telling me I needed an easier gear. Towards the end I started kicking it up. At one point he told me to put the front derailleur to the lowest gear so I could pass everybody. I told him I couldn't pass everybody because I didn't know where I was going. He took off and I took off after him. I kept up pretty well. We didn't go far because of the rest of the group. The ride definitely made me more confidant about the Livestrong Challenge. Next week I may do the more advanced Saturday ride. It fits my schedule better and is more challenging. I'll do the beginner ride too because I really liked the people.
The one bad thing was I got a flat before I even rode. I was nervous about my tires not being inflated enough and when removing the pump I pulled to hard and tore the valve away from the tire. Pretty embarrassing but we got it all fixed up and luckly I'd brought my spare. Reminded me of the days of my Raleigh Apple that was so old the wheel would fall off and I would have to carry the bike and wheel back home from wherever I was. Little did I know at the time I could put a bag on my bike to carry the necessary tools in :)
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Leila Gets Legit
Thats right, I got a new helmet!My dad sent me a Louis Garneau helmet for my birthday. This is good for two reasons; 1) because I'm sure this helmet meets the requirements of the race 2) I know my head will be well protected. I believe I picked out my last helmet (for my trail bike) by uttering the ohh so frightening words "Whats the cheapest one you've got".
I've been sick so I've missed most of my training this week. I'm up early this morning, feeling much better, and ready for my first group ride. It's a ride through the west part of the city. Unfortunately it's not very hilly because its a beginners ride. I don't think I'm limited to the speed or distance of a beginner but I have no group ride experience so I still think beginner is the place for me. I'm hoping I do well enough to move to the intermediate ride next week.
On a final note, Hurrah for Sarah who is my only comment poster. For all I know she is my only blog ready as well. Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, rants, and raves. Click on the work "comments" at the bottom of each post if you would like to leave a thought.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Sept 8th and 15th
I have been horrible about updating. It's not because I haven't been riding but more because my life has been a crazy stream of constant activity.
I did ride on the 8th. Did Spin class then took on ~20 miles. I did "The Hill" twice! and I honestly believe I may have been close to death. The second time up the hill I needed to stop and breath so badly that I completely underestimated the grade of the hill towards the plateau and did not give myself enough time to get out of the clips. Translations is that I busted my butt on the asphalt. Ohh well, I think everybody is allowed two falls. I don't remember too much more about my ride that day. I guess it was pretty standard. I do remember thinking that I really need to eat better. I think I just felt a little sluggish. I can't stand the "goo" packs that give you a shot of sugar.
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of riding with a friend for the first time. Sarah came over from Houston for ACL fest and rode with me Saturday morning. As both of us were tired from the first day of the festival we took it pretty easy. I think we did about 17 miles in an hour and 25 minutes or so. I learned so much from Sarah's experience. She told me about speedometers you can have put on your tire for ~$30 and she taught me about how much air pressure your tires can loose in a very short amount of time. The ride ended a little earlier than planned when Sarah got a flat tire! Rather than change the tire for a mere 30 more minutes of riding we just packed it up. As we were putting our bikes back on the truck Sarah got stung by a bee. All in all not a good ride for Sarah. I do hope she comes back to ride in Austin again.
I did ride on the 8th. Did Spin class then took on ~20 miles. I did "The Hill" twice! and I honestly believe I may have been close to death. The second time up the hill I needed to stop and breath so badly that I completely underestimated the grade of the hill towards the plateau and did not give myself enough time to get out of the clips. Translations is that I busted my butt on the asphalt. Ohh well, I think everybody is allowed two falls. I don't remember too much more about my ride that day. I guess it was pretty standard. I do remember thinking that I really need to eat better. I think I just felt a little sluggish. I can't stand the "goo" packs that give you a shot of sugar.
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of riding with a friend for the first time. Sarah came over from Houston for ACL fest and rode with me Saturday morning. As both of us were tired from the first day of the festival we took it pretty easy. I think we did about 17 miles in an hour and 25 minutes or so. I learned so much from Sarah's experience. She told me about speedometers you can have put on your tire for ~$30 and she taught me about how much air pressure your tires can loose in a very short amount of time. The ride ended a little earlier than planned when Sarah got a flat tire! Rather than change the tire for a mere 30 more minutes of riding we just packed it up. As we were putting our bikes back on the truck Sarah got stung by a bee. All in all not a good ride for Sarah. I do hope she comes back to ride in Austin again.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Leila gets clipped in
It was a very eventful week and I'm sorry I haven't been able to update until now. Thursday I got clipless pedals for my bike. I'm still very confused why they call them
"clipless" since they actually clip to the shoes. At any rate, I picked up shoes and pedals and got a stationary tutorial. Then I made my way to the 6:00 bike maintenance class where I learned all about all of the other stuff I have to buy to care for my already expensive hobby. I'm thinking amazon wishlist.
Friday, I rode around the neighborhood a little, getting used to clipping and unclipping. The unclipping is easy but I have trouble lining my foot up with the clip to clip in quickly. Saturday morning I headed out for my usual ride. My plan was to get used to the pedals and then head up the same hill I struggled so hard with last week. I was extremely humid and after about 30 minutes, I was not feeling up to trying that hill again. I rode for about 1 hour taking note how the hills I did do felt compared to before. There was definitely a difference.
I spent most of my ride being very concerned about removing my foot from the pedals before coming to a stop. I was worries that if I jerked my foot too hard I would loose my balance and fall so it sometimes took me while to apply enough pressure to get my foot out. What didn't realize is that I can still fall even when I'm stopped with one foot out of the pedal and on planted firmly on the gound... and that is exactly what I did. After putting my left foot on the ground I moved my right foot backwards to get the pedal in a position to push me forward when I needed to go. I accidentally moved it too far and found myself quite off balance. The next thing I new I was verifying the quick release feature as I reached to cushion my fall.
That afternoon, Brian and I headed out to drive the course. I think this was the first time I really realized what I was in for. The course it absolutely gorgeous in most areas, save for a few trailer parks. The problems were that the hills went forever and were often sharp curves. So many times we would be headed up a steep hill and I'd say "at least it's not very long", only to come around a bend on the straightaway and see it clime again. The down hill parts were quite steep at times and almost always ended in a sharp curve heading into another hill so keeping momentum around the curve is going to be very tricky. It's going to be an interesting month of training. I think the moral from my drive is that I don't have the option of not feeling up to riding that hill. In fact, I think I need to do it twice.
"clipless" since they actually clip to the shoes. At any rate, I picked up shoes and pedals and got a stationary tutorial. Then I made my way to the 6:00 bike maintenance class where I learned all about all of the other stuff I have to buy to care for my already expensive hobby. I'm thinking amazon wishlist.
Friday, I rode around the neighborhood a little, getting used to clipping and unclipping. The unclipping is easy but I have trouble lining my foot up with the clip to clip in quickly. Saturday morning I headed out for my usual ride. My plan was to get used to the pedals and then head up the same hill I struggled so hard with last week. I was extremely humid and after about 30 minutes, I was not feeling up to trying that hill again. I rode for about 1 hour taking note how the hills I did do felt compared to before. There was definitely a difference.
I spent most of my ride being very concerned about removing my foot from the pedals before coming to a stop. I was worries that if I jerked my foot too hard I would loose my balance and fall so it sometimes took me while to apply enough pressure to get my foot out. What didn't realize is that I can still fall even when I'm stopped with one foot out of the pedal and on planted firmly on the gound... and that is exactly what I did. After putting my left foot on the ground I moved my right foot backwards to get the pedal in a position to push me forward when I needed to go. I accidentally moved it too far and found myself quite off balance. The next thing I new I was verifying the quick release feature as I reached to cushion my fall.
That afternoon, Brian and I headed out to drive the course. I think this was the first time I really realized what I was in for. The course it absolutely gorgeous in most areas, save for a few trailer parks. The problems were that the hills went forever and were often sharp curves. So many times we would be headed up a steep hill and I'd say "at least it's not very long", only to come around a bend on the straightaway and see it clime again. The down hill parts were quite steep at times and almost always ended in a sharp curve heading into another hill so keeping momentum around the curve is going to be very tricky. It's going to be an interesting month of training. I think the moral from my drive is that I don't have the option of not feeling up to riding that hill. In fact, I think I need to do it twice.
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