Prepping for a Century

It's been four years and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a cyclist.  A competitive one you ask, "no."

However, when I borrowed my first road bike to ride 50 miles up Mt. Spokane, I would forever be addicted.  You see Lance Armstrong was correct when he said "it's not about the bike" - it truly is about the journey.

As a child you learn how to ride a bike, in fact, once you learn how, it's something you never forget.  Training wheels were in order back then but now they have these clips and you clip in.  Terrifying you ask.  YES!  In fact, shortly after the Loreen Miller ride up Mt. Spokane, I purchased my very own Fuji - no, not an apple but it's red and crisp and she's gotten me through some tough falls, long rides and inclement weather.

When I first started out I didn't have clips - your shoe is literally clipped into your pedal.  Some folks ask me why I'd ever want to be attached so closely.  It helps with form, speed and after sitting on the seat for up to 10 hours, you would want them too.

I'll never forget when I first crashed.  A person never does.  It was approaching a city bus in downtown Spokane.  Two young men driving past me yelling obscenities and telling me to get off the road if I recall.  Along came a city bus, the STA, at the time it didn't stand for Spokane Transit Authority.  In my mind, STA was an acronym for Slow, Tease, Attempt.

You see, after my altercation with the two young men, I could hear the bus in the distance, I slowed.  Turned to look, ahhh, the bus was a block away.  Turned back and there it was...that quickly, on my left side.  It teased me.  I held my breath to attempt to unclip to stop for the bus and couldn't do it.  Yes, I fell into a water drain.  Thank goodness it wasn't open.  In any case, I had road rash for weeks.  

Once you fall, you get right back up.  Sure, there may be red substance on your body but it's the thrill of knowing you can ride again that keeps the adrenaline flowing and the blood to dry.

Other quick pointers to remember:

• Always carry snacks.  You should eat every 15 miles. My favorite you ask, almonds.
• My first seat was definitely for a man.  I had sores where you shouldn't have sores.  If you're a woman, invest in a woman specific seat.
• Always carry a one shot (I am not talking about an NRA card.  This is a one shot of juice for your tires - air that is).
• Carry a spare tube.  It helps for times when you blow your tire while riding over long bridges with grades.  This happened to me while crossing the bridge from Washington to Oregon in Longview.  Not too fun.
• Remember, you'll fall so get tough and always wear a helmet even if you're in your neighborhood.  A woman fell into me once while stopped on her bike.  Yes, I fell too.
• Along with that, clothes are key.  Jerseys, toe clip shoes, riding shorts (they'll feel like diapers), it's OK
• And finally, the outhouses (porta potties) are small.  Don't look down or in...ever.

Prepping for a century (or 100 miles - I had to learn that early on) is not like running where you add a mile at a time.  It's realizing that each mile has it's unique beauty, challenge and that you're one pedal closer to the finish.  I've ridden 100 miles, 210 miles and am now looking for a 300 miler.  The more you ride, the more you want to see.  From Seattle to Portland, the CdA trails, neighborhoods and back country, consider trying it.  And believe me, don't use a mountain bike.  They are too heavy and your body won't think kindly of you.

So, get up.  Get out.  Get on and ride. 

Bye for now.  I am meeting my friends for a 25 miler this morning. 

What do they have in common: 38 degrees, What about Bob? and cotton kills

It's a nice Friday afternoon.  I beg and plead with my friend Megan to ride her bike outside with me.  Actually, it was her original idea a week before.

I know it's 38 degrees and I know there is a slight flurry in the air.  She texts me twice that day. 

Text #1 - happy hour instead? 

Text #2 - it's snowing.

Each time, I returned the messages with, 

Text #1 - go for it, I won't be joining you

Text #2 - so, we'll be fine.  

Funny thing about the two of us.  We both grew up in Spokane.  We've lived in the four seasons all of our lives.  And, we were both auto parts girls at Schuck's in our early 20s.  I'm quite sure, we can change the oil on our bikes if we needed to but change a flat, we'll we still need some extra lessons on that.

I will tell you I was prepared for the outdoors that day.  My outdoor buddy has taught me well.  How to layer. How to wear clothes. And, how "cotton kills."

We unloaded our bikes, got on the Fish Lake Trail and headed out for a nice 15 mile ride.  I'm pretty sure there was no one else on the trail except a few homeless people sleeping in the trees.  

But, not after we came through.  

That day, we were getting out our pent up frustration, our Friday fiery and our fancy Fuji's (not to be confused with apples) were ready to ride fast.

I love to ride.  Megan is just starting.  I would say instead of LOVE...it's more like LO and after we rode that day, she was off to REI for appropriate gear.  

You see,  she wore $5 half gloves (her fingers were frozen), a Chinese cotton blend coat (remember cotton kills) and her ears were as a red as the first sunburn of the summer season.

There is something you can do when you are cold and you have options.

Ride faster.  

Raise your voice.  

Both.

Yes, yell at the top of your lungs like Bob in What about Bob?  You remember that 1991 movie, where a successful psychiatrist loses his mind after one of his most dependent patients, a highly manipulative obsessive-compulsive, tracks him down during his family vacation. 

Let's just say, Megan and I had Tourette's.  It felt really good.  Better than good. Fantastic even.

So, what do 38 degrees + What about Bob?  + cotton kills have in common =  combined they make a phenomenal stress reliever

Thanks Pigs, I had a great ride.