Got out for a nice, long road ride with my TR partner Niall today. What a difference 2 days makes. I did a ride half as long the other day and felt like my ass was going to cave in or something. I just couldn't get comfortable. And that never friggin happens to me.
The day got off to a great start. Flat tire, not even out of Niall's yard. I change it and 5 seconds later ka-pow! Great. I discover there's not much of a rim strip so we try some rim tape. So, tube # 3...... ka-pow!!! WTF??
Ugh. Bow Cycle is only a few minutes away so I start walking. I get there just as it opens and there's already a lineup. I hate delaying the start of the ride as it's hotter than hell already and it's only 10:00. They fix me up with a good new rim strip and I am off (and the thought of flats is of course in my head). I've had 4 flats in 6 years on this bike. 3 of them were today.
We crank it up Sarcee Trail and head out to highway 8. The wind is swirling a bit, but it looks initially like we'll have a nice tailwind to ride home. Lots of traffic today, I really wish they'd clean the shoulders better on the highways. Probably next to impossible, but I can dream, right?
They built a roundabout at the intersection of 8 and 22, it works surprisingly well. I figured Calgary drivers would be too stupid to handle a traffic circle, but they've surprised me. We get to Bragg Creek and grab a smoothie. The largest road rider I've ever seen is sitting outside the cafe. Says he's done a few solo 24's. I hope he's faster than he looks.
We loop around and head back - into a head wind of course. Great. the one good thing that happens is that the clouds roll in and give us some shade. But I'm having a tough time finding my rythym. Niall is flying, I think he had to wait quite a bit for me. Sorry, pal.
The slog continues northbound on 22 approaching Cochrane. The wind is really kicking up and it's spitting rain a little now. I crest the hill and slam it into the big ring. Of course, I hit the red light at the bottom of the hill and lose my momentum. I gulp down an energy gel and hope it gives me some power to climb the dreaded Big Hill (yeah, points for originality on that one. Seriously, it's called Big Hill, WTF?). Even more fun, the wind is a cross/headwind going up. We have added motivation in the form of a huge dark cloud directly behind us. My form is ugly, but I make it to the top. And we turn and get a cross/tailwind home!! Yay!!!
Most of the ride is big ring and we stay ahead of the menacing cloud. I am tired but happy at the end. 4 hours or so and 110km on the odometer. Felt great for the most part, hope to follow it up with a mtn bike ride tomorrow. 4 weeks until the solo 24, 6 until the Transrockies. Gotta ride more.
Training after a baby
3 years ago
4 comments:
110 km is a nice big ride.
We have a suicide hill and a cardiac hill here. Also lame-ass names.
A long time ago riding friend used to say there is always one "stupid hill" on every ride. The one hill that's in the wrong place, or wrecks the flow, or is just annoying. So now, years later, on every ride I label one of the hills the "stupid hill".
my favorite hill name is The Anarchist outside Osoyous...going east. However it's still just that, a hill.
Something more appreciative was Cache Creek to Lilloet to Pemberton then Whistler in 1 day, over the Coastal Range on the Duffy Road, featuring some 17% grades. check it out sometime?. It's where motorhomes go to die.
Dude, the Duffey is in my back yard. I try to ignore it, but a couple times a year, I drag myself up to Joffre Lake just to say I've done it.
Duffy road is excellent! I drove it a couple of years ago when I went to visit Ali and ride their wonderful trails.
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