You Said that was the last hill

So I did my first real road bike ride the other day on my new bike. It was lovely day in Louisville and the park was full of people running, playing and on their bikes. After a quick lesson on shifting gears Civil Racer and I left from his house and we met up with Turtle and Coach. Civil Racer had already done a furly (freaken early ride) that morning so he was really just going along to help me out and play a little in the nice weather.

We road through Seneca and Cherokee Parks. I was a little fearful as we started out, knowing that I was the slowest, least experienced person on the ride and I was still not 100% on the clipping in and out. But I put all that aside and went for it. The first part of the ride was not bad at all. I learned about staying on someone’s wheel and why, that I have good instincts when it comes to not running into the back of someone, and that I can unclip (for now) when I need to.

Oh boy here comes the first hill so I switch in to my “granny ring” under the advice of Turtle. I am learning you can do anything in your “granny ring”. I felt the burn only a little and the trip back down was great, a little scary for a first timer but the next one no brakes, I promise.

Now we are coming to my first stop. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this, and I did. I was doing great until I tried to clip my right  foot back in and slipped. I did not fall, however I did get a nice bike bite. I was so worried about keeping up and not falling I did not notice it until we stopped the next time. My first of many scraps and scars along this crazy adventure I am taking.

I really did not have too much time to worry about it as I look in front of my and there is yet another hill, PS people KY is not FLAT. This one was a little longer than the first but still doable for me. And I only used the brakes a little on the way down.

Now I am feeling the burn more but getting into a grove. Then I see it. Dog Hill. You want me to ride up that? Excuse me? Guess it is right back into the “granny ring” I go. About half way up I get some encouragement, “This is the last hill, you can do it, woohoo Christine you are looking good.” Yes I already have what is called a “fan crowd”, what can I say I am popular person. I make it to the top and the ride down was never so welcome, and yes this time no brakes were used. I am home free after all that was the last hill.

WRONG, like I said KY is not flat. If someone says to you this is the last hill do not believe them until you are at the finish line, which more than likely you will have to ride a hill to get to. What should have been said was “this is the last big hill.” But I made it up all the other hills and back down. Although Civil Racer did say I have the I am going to kill you face on a few times, but the rest of the time I was smiling.

Important notes: I did not fall (knock on wood), I learned I can do it, I will get faster, and I WANT more.

Ride Time: 1:31:24    Miles: 10.81   Max Heart Rate: 185  Avg Heart Rate: 151 Calories Burned: 899



Pretty sure I am in love

With my new BIKE! On Sunday I got a new bike (well new to me). It is a Scott CX Comp 2009 that was never raced and in great condition, and I could not be more excited.

I know she is pretty, right?. We are still getting to know each other but I know it’s a match made in heaven. What is not is me and clipless pedals, well at least not yet. I was very nervous to try this out but I am in this to win it (okay win is a big word but ya know what I mean). With a little instruction from civil racer I go for it on the hard pavement. Not so bad, I clip in okay, ride around a bit and then it is time to stop and unclip. I do it perfectly, and I know you are all jealous of my skills, time to go home now, ttyl.

Okay not really but that would make a cooler story than me falling flat on my side with the bike on top of me and civil racer soon after as he is trying to help me up. Did I mention that I was on the hard pavement? Damn it, try #1 FAIL. I have not had this bad of a skinned knee in a long time. No worries I got back on the bike. I will do it better this time. Haha, not so much. time #2 FAIL with a few more scrapes and bruises cause I am still on the hard pavement, but no extra person falling on me this time. Maybe this is not for me, any one want a pretty new bike?

Okay not really, with a little encouragement and the cliché saying from civil racer, “Ya need to get back on the horse, darlin”, I did but this time we move to the grass (just in case try #3 is not the charm).  Try #3= WIN, I unclipped successfully this time and the next and the next and did it ever fell good, well until I hit my newly skinned knee on the pedal.

So in just a few days I have had my first bike wreck as an adult, found out lots of new bike things, and fallen in love with a bike. I promise there will be more to come as I learn more, like how to shift, change a tire, what it means to “drop my chain”, and many more new and exciting things as I try not to break a bone and race in my first ever cycling race.

What about you? What is your first time story?

Happy Valentine’s Day

 

To all of you out there I hope you have a wonderful day filled with love. Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays. It is a day to celebrate love, not just the love of a significant other but the love you get everyday. I am sending you all love and happiness today and everyday.

 

It’s Official

I am on a bicycle racing team! I joined an all female team that is brand spakin new in the wold of cycling, kind of like me. We are made up of several different skill levels, ages, types and the types of racing we do. Team Fleur de Lis is going to take the racing world by storm in our purple and black kits. We are all beautiful and spunky women that are ready to kick some butt. From what I can tell racing bikes among women is not very popular, the fields are always smaller and people get really excited to hear you are a woman that wants to race. I am not sure why this is but cycling is not the only sport where men out number the women by a lot. In my other sport, kayaking, the men always out number the women like 5 to 1, especially if you are talking about whitewater. So ladies come on out and play! I promise you will have fun and learn.

As the team does things I will make posts and hopefully have some pictures. This is for sure going to help me reach one of my 2011 goals of racing in a cycling race. I hope to learn from all of these women and get better at this new hobby of mine. Who know’s maybe I will see some of you out there.

PS: Thanks to our wonderful team sponsors. Bicycle Sport INC., Challenge, Kenda Tires, Heine Brothers Coffee,  and Work It Out Therapeutic Massage.