Tour de Houston

Woke up at 5a, it was so early even the dogs looked at me like "WHAT are you doing?! Go back to bed!"

There was no going back to bed, it was time to get ready for Tour de Houston!  Today was the first time I was riding the TdH and only my second organized ride.
Got to City Hall around 7:15a - 70 degrees, gray cloudy skies, and the threat of rain

The 60 milers left at 7:30a 

40 milers next, then 20 milers (that's me!) all got underway in waves.  

By 8:15a my wave was on the road.  I was so excited I almost cried (I get wound up about simple stuff).  This was a distance I knew I could accomplish - the weather was going to be the challenge.  As we took off I wondered just how different this ride was going to be from Tour de Cure since this time I was on a bike designed for these kind of rides.  

We rode up Smith to Lamar then onto Allen Parkway - it was all ours, blocked off to traffic. 

Get this, I. Was. Passing. People!  

What?! 

Me?! 

Passing people instead of being passed?! 

YES!

Before I knew it we were at Kirby and Westpark - I had traveled 6 miles in less than 30 minutes! New bike made it so easy!  As I traveled down Westpark it suddenly hit me - there was a HUGE hill between me and the next turn in the route.  Must admit I got a little stressy, didn't want to have to get off my bike and walk some of the hill.  The hill was now in sight *gulp*  Shifted gears and hit it with all I had, made it 3/4 of the way up then...really...slowed...dooooown, but never stopped.  I gutted out that last 1/4 of the hill, so proud of myself when I reached the top - my reward, the downhill side of course!  FLEW down the hill (even better than bein silly at the Skeeter's parking lot!). Right on Sage, right on W Alabama, left on Post Oak - rest stop in sight!

10.5 miles completed in under an hour! 

Found a spot with folding chairs and relaxed for a bit.  Why was I sitting when I just spent all that time sitting on my bike...it's a different kind of sitting, trust me!  

Relaxed, ate a snack, text my progress to family and a few friends, posted progress on FB, and about wet myself when there was suddenly a very large flash of lightning. Crap!  10 miles between me and the end of this ride and the rain was rollin in. Time to leave the rest stop!
The fact that I was staying with the pack AND passing people continued to tickle me (told ya I got wound up about simple stuff)  Down Post Oak to Loop 610.  I got to ride on the feeder road of 610 for about a mile!  Now you may not think that's cool but I sure did! (again, it's the little things)  Off 610 to Woodway for a few miles.  All was well til Westcott (about mile 15).  It started raining. It wasn't a hard rain so I didn't bother stopping to put on my rain poncho - this would turn out to be a bad choice.  I didn't bother with the poncho cuz it wouldn't keep my glasses clear or my feet and butt dry and those were the parts of me I wanted dry.  Temperature was dropping, I was on Studemont with two miles to go - no worries.  Then the real rain came, there was no avoiding the puddles, I could feel the water sloshing around in my shoes!  I was soaked to the bone, regretting not putting my rain poncho on.

1 hour and 45 minutes after starting, I was finished - 20.53 miles with all my splits between 4:30 and 5:30 min/per mile.  GO ME!

I didn't bother hanging around and checking out the different merchants tents in the rain, I was soggy, uncomfortable, and tired - time to get in the truck and go home.

Now, where the hell did I park?!  I knew it was Lot C problem was I had no idea how to get back to Lot C! Rode this way...no, not familiar.  Rode back that way...no, not right either.  I wanted to cry, I just wanted to get out of the rain!  Rode down to a police car - they will know...they didn't know! Really?!  "I think you go this way but after that I'm not sure" Thanks officer, heaps of help.  Rode down the way he said and stopped at the next police car, he was able to give me directions, I was two turns away WHEW!  I don't think I have ever been so happy to see a parking lot!  Got everything loaded and situated then just sat in the truck and had a Yea Me! moment. 

Cranked up the heat and thanks to my awesome Tour de Cure travel mug enjoyed a warm cup of coffee on my way home while wondering if there was a ride in April I could sign up for.

Wind

Wind at your back helps you ride faster
Wind in your face slows you down
Wind that comes in gusts is tolerable
Wind that blows constantly is not
Wind adds natural resistance to your workout
Wind can slow you to a crawl
Wind can aid in keeping you cool
Wind can make you cold cold cold
Wind blowing at low speeds is acceptable
Wind at any speed above 5mph is evil

High Five

First ride of the new year. It was in the upper 50's and kinda gloomy with a bit of wind but off I went on my new bike.  Have I mentioned before how awesome this bike is?  

I have? 

Fine, I won’t mention it again...in this post

I'd gone a bit over 2 miles and it started drizzling, I pushed on and by Jess Pirtle (3 mile mark) it had just about stopped. I went to the right into the Oyster Creek Estates and stopped in the cul de sac to take the above picture (been meaning to take it for months now) Just as I took off riding again the rain came back, this time with a bit more then a drizzle. Crap. I headed for home irritated with the weather for cutting my ride short.

As I'm riding home and little needles of rain were pelting my face I spotted two kids out riding and one was comin down the bike path I was goin up,  I eased out into the main traffic lane so we could pass one another with ease.  He had spotted me too, stuck his arm out and yelled "HIGH FIVE! HIGH FIVE!" shaking his hand in the air. I figured what the hell, wouldn't hurt to be silly, so I stuck my arm out and opened my hand and made sure I was close enough *SMACK* we high five'd and all I heard behind me was "Oh yeah! High Five!" followed by laughter.  

The rest of the ride while cold, damp, and shorter than I wanted wasn't that bad - pedaled on home with a smile thinking "Oh yeah! High Five!"

Sunday Spin

Absolutely gorgeous day for a ride - sun was shining, air was crisp, and I had a new bike to ride!

Yesterday by the end of the ride I was pretty proficient gettin my feet in and out of the pedal cages, today was no different - well cept for the fact that I didn't have to look down to get my foot back in place - Go me!

I started out on my usual route but instead of going all the way down to 90 I turned left at Jess Pirtle Blvd and headed toward Sugar Mill Park - saw my park, made the loop at the cul de sac rode back out of the subdivision and headed over to Stadium Dr.  I'd ridden up that road before but never all the way to the stadium, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters. 

Let me say if you ever want to feel like a little kid on your bike go to Skeeter Stadium's parking lot when it's empty and ride your heart out!  The parking lot has an incline that's just steep enough that you won't have to struggle gettin to the top and can have a blast flyin to the bottom!  I did it twice! First time I did big swerves comin down then raced back to the top and just flew straight down the lot out onto the street and headed toward home - what a rush! And yes, yes I was hootin, hollerin, and being childish the entire time - it was fantastic!!

The rest of the ride I behaved as a good cyclist should and arrived home safe n sound.

My average speed and pace as well as my total time were almost identical to yesterday - my new bike really is faster! *wink*

Maiden Voyage

What an amazing ride!!!
I could feel the 15 pound difference. I knew there would be a difference, I mean with 15 pounds less weight there would have to be. I guess I just didn't expect it to be so blatantly obvious!
I didn’t pedal with any more effort on my new Trek then I did on my Specialized - the ride was easier and the difference in speed was very noticeable.
I did 10.3 miles in 51.5 minutes! The times on my splits were faster then I have ever gone, a lot of them were under five minutes and those that were over were only over by a few seconds – I was haulin butt!
Speaking of butts mine didn't hurt any more or less than it did on my other seat - most noticeable and welcomed difference on my body was no tingling in my toes or hands around mile 8.  Will still have to adjust to the lean forward posture but I don't think that will be too difficult

By way of comparison
The same route, almost the same time of day

	Specialized	Trek
Average speed	9.07 mph	12 mph
Average pace	6.37 min/mi	5 min/mi

I was so busy marveling at the awesomeness of my new bike I neglected to make any "bike ride observations" - maybe tomorrow

My New Baby

Today was the day!  I picked up my new bike!
I ended up getting the same brand, Trek, but a different model then the one Santa's Elves had looked at.  Not a lot of differences – right shifter only goes to 7 instead of 8, the pedals are plastic instead of metal – neither of those things make a difference in my riding right now.  The model I got only came in black, a non issue for me even though the tidal green color of the other model would have been fun to have. They weigh the same, have the same basic frame design – the model I got allows me to sit up a bit more, not upright like my Specialized but not so far forward that my wrist/arms will hurt.
This bike is 15 pounds lighter then my Specialized! 15!

I knew the seat needed to be replaced before I left the store, my butt was getting sore just sittin on it while the Bike Barn guy adjusted this n that to my levels

I picked out a nice cushy seat

Seat changed out, more adjustments made – my new baby was ready to ride
Well cept I wanted to get pedal cages…I’m not at the “clip to your pedal” level of riding yet.  Pedal cages are like the training wheels of the pedal clip world, therefore appropriate for me!

Oh and I needed a water bottle cage…lots of cages in the bike world huh? LOL

Everything changed out, attached, adjusted, bill paid – time to put my new ride in the truck and head home.
Only bummer - I have to wait til tomorrow to ride due to previous obligations *sigh*

Thank you Burt - you were a great help and very patient

7.2FX-WSD

Holy Guacamole Batman!
Santa brought me a new bike!
Totally caught me off guard, wasn’t even entertaining the possibility
But there it was, the last gift I opened – the tag had some mysterious code on it – inside there was a poem, a picture, and a gift card – I was silent, not sure what to say – I think I smiled, pretty sure I was smiling.  I was smiling inside I know that!  Inside I was all freakin smiles!
The last mention of a new bike was November 10th  after my Tour de Cure 30 mile ride. That day while we ate celebratory burgers and I basked in my 30 mile victory the discussion topic had gone to how inappropriate my Specialized baby was for such rides.  As challenging as it was I was hooked, I knew I wanted to do more rides…but my Specialized was NOT the bike for long rides like the one I had just completed.
Lunch ended, life went on, I continued to ride my Specialized.
Flash forward a month and change and there I sat on Christmas Eve Day, the soon to be proud owner of a bike that was very appropriate for long challenging rides
Oh! Emm! Gee!
I couldn’t find the words, still haven't found the words to accurately and appropriately express my excitement and gratitude.

Tour de Cure 2013

Take the ride of your life is ADA’s Tour de Cure slogan.  It was my first ever charity ride.
Prior to the ride I mapped out the route – 28 miles and change.  My longest ride so far had been 24 miles, but I’d only done it once.  Started getting nervous, had I bitten off more then I could chew?
I arrived by 7:15a, my ride didn’t start til 8a, since it was my first ride I wanted to make sure and leave plenty of time to get my riding number and get myself organized and ready…course all that took about 15 minutes!
It was a brisk 46 degrees outside and there I was dressed in spandex bike attire with no sleeves.  At that moment I would have paid good money for some sleeves!
All the ceremonial stuff took about 10 minutes and the first wave of riders were on their way.
8a – time to roll out!  They reminded us to shout “Go Red Rider” whenever we passed a fellow Red Rider – I thought “how corny” but went with it.  As we headed out I was still worried I’d fail, wouldn’t be able to complete the route.  There were rest stops at 5, 11, & 20 miles.  I knew I could ride 10-11 miles without issue, but 10-11 miles three times back to back?  Time would tell.
I rode right on past the 5 mile stop.
I did the first 11 miles alone, got passed by a lot of folks but I had expected that – as corny as it was, the cheer GO RED RIDER as they passed me was a good motivator.   I returned the cheer to the Red Riders passing me (look at me bein all corny right along with em).  At the 11 mile stop I pulled in, ate a snack, drank some more water, and text everyone my progress – I was really doin well, keeping a good pace and my butt only kinda hurt.  11 down 17 to go!
Back on the road and again I was alone, nothing to be sad about I ride alone all the time so this was nothing new or different.  What was different was this odd woman who decided I needed company for miles 12-20.  She pedaled up next to me and started a conversation.  I went with it and politely answered back while thinking to myself “please move on”.  As we chatted the miles melted away.  She commented more then once about how much harder I was working on my bike than she on hers, and that I should have gotten a better bike for this ride.  I explained what I was riding was all I had, there was no lightweight option back at the house.  As odd and sometimes annoying as she was chatting with her got me thru those middle miles.  At the 20 mile rest stop we parted ways.
20 miles done! 7 to go, I’ve got this!!
At the 20 mile stop my butt hurt quite a bit more, but the rest of me was feelin good! I was still keeping a good pace, a bit slower then the first 11 miles but still good. The temperature was approaching 70 and now I was glad I didn't have sleeves on!  During the middle miles I developed a squeak so I went over to the Bicycle World tent and had them look at it – a little spray on my chain along with some good hearted teasing the squeak was gone.  Walking back to the refreshment tent…OMG what a darling puppy!!  He was a blue heeler/lab mix named Eli – playing with him for a little bit made me forget all about how much my butt hurt.
I had another little snack, some refreshingly cold water (still had water in my camelbak but it wasn't cold cold anymore) and text everyone my progress.
Seven miles left – I can do this!
Off I went to cheers of GO RED RIDER – I was energized and rarin to go…for the first two miles then my body started to get a bit tired, legs still goin strong but the rest of me wanted a nap!  I kept pushing, I was too close to give up. I was determined not to ride to that finish line in a SAG support truck!
I now loved hearing GO RED RIDER, the cheer seemed to come each time I needed that extra push to keep going during those last miles.
My route monitor tells me I have hit mile 25.
I start talking to myself (yes out loud) - 3 to go, c’mon you can do this, you have already ridden farther then you ever have, let’s add some more miles to that!
About this time the Ride Marshal comes by, slows down and says “About 5 miles left, you can do this Red Rider!” and zips off.  Five miles?!  Nuh-uh! My thing just said three about a half mile ago!
Mile 27 – YES!  I can do this, one mile to go!  Only problem was nothing was looking familiar.
Mile 28 – Ummm I should probably be seeing the mall by now, this is not good
Mile 29 – WTF?! Where the hell is the finish line?!
After mile 29 – Boy it had better say 30 before I cross that finish line!
Mile 30 – GO ME!!!  You are a bike riding rock star!!
As I rode in Anthony was at the final turn taking video, my parents were cheering and taking pics as I approached the finish and my friend was just inside the finish line taking video and pics.  After a small celebration and a few introductions by the finish line my friend headed to her next activity while Anthony, Mom, Dad, and I went to lunch to celebrate my victory. Yeah I know it wasn’t a race and I didn’t come in first, but I did accomplish both goals I set for myself
1 – finish the ride
2 – don’t be the last rider in
Victory!
As we chatted about the ride the conversation went to discussing the need for a different bike for this type of ride.  I agreed and relayed that I’d lost count of how many people said “I can’t believe you are doing this on THAT bike!” or “Wow, how are you doing this on THAT bike?!”  Both statements followed by GO RED RIDER! as they zipped on ahead of me. Trust me, by the end of the ride I wasn’t even sure how I’d done it on any bike, let alone one not designed for distance riding!
By the time I got home the adrenaline was wearing off and I was feeling the need for a nap.  As I rolled over to get comfy I realized the nap was going to have to wait until after a soak in the tub – from my waist down I was hurting.  Soak done, jammies on, time to get some ZZZ’s – time to dream and relive the best 30 miles ever…it was indeed The Ride of My Life!

Wash Out

-18.25 miles - not a shabby ride, but not the ride I wanted to do
-Beautiful crisp clear morning (50 degrees cooler than the last time I was at the park)
-I remembered real quick how cold 46 degrees is while on a bike
-1st ride with the Alief Cycle Team
-ACT has a different definition of slow then I do
-I was able to keep up with the ACT...until we reached the actual path!
-Riding with no music and no company is tedious
-Riding with no music allows you to focus on how much your butt hurts
-Seeing friendly faces on the path as they pass going the other way makes you realize how incredibly slow you are actually going
-Mother Nature is a hag!  Yeah I said it, a hag!

-This is how she blocked me today!  The rains from Thursday morning combined with rain Friday night equaled a flooded, unsafe path
*angrily waves fist in the air and curses at Mother Nature*
-May be good the path was blocked - all the extra water along the sides of the path probably has the gators in the "nature area" rather active - zero desire to try and outrun a gator...ever!
-Turned around and rode to the Terry Hershey park side
-Wind decided it was time to BLOW
-Wind and hills do not match
-Wind and I do not match
-Wind doesn't match with anything!
-A bug that flies into your mouth can cause you cough uncontrollably
-Coughing is not always helped with a sip of water
-Spewing water all over when your cough attacks before swallowing is unpleasant
-Nobody being around when you spew your water makes it's slightly less traumatic
-Flying down the hills on the underpasses makes me feel like I should have a cape on
-Pedaling back up the other side makes me feel like I need a push

-Helmet hair extraordinaire!


Mother Nature has messed up my last three long rides with rain...using "The Rule of Three" this must mean everything will be perfect for my Tour de Cure Rain Check Ride next Sunday *fingers crossed*

Bugs

Just so you are aware

Daytime bugs are smaller and less likely to fly into your face then the bugs that are around at dusk.

Dusk bugs are larger and tend to fly right into your face, up your nose, in your eye, or worst of all in your mouth!  I'm not sure why the dusk bugs have such difficulty avoiding your face/nose/eyes/mouth.  One would think since they appear at dusk they would be visually capable of seeing with less light, this apparently is not the case *she says as she picks a bug from between her teeth*