Brrrr

Sunday morning we planned to do a 40mi ride beginning in Pleasant Hill to Danville, up the back side of Mt Diablo to the Junction and back. The forecast was cold and rain so my coach changed the route so we wouldn't be decending the wet, steep mountain roads.

The alternative route was to take us out to the city of Crockett and back. We were about 15 minutes into the warm-up when the raindrops began to fall. After an hour or so we cut the ride short - it was wet & dang cold.

The great reward of a ride like this is the hot shower & flannel jammies waiting at home.

Up Next...

I'm riding around Lake Tahoe! I've been selected to mentor the spring season as they train for America's Most Beautiful Ride.

The season kicks off on Jan 31 and on June 7 we'll circumnavigate the highways clockwise around Lake Tahoe in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800 foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000 foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents totaling over 2,600 vertical feet of elevation gain! The altitude ranges between 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level and the ride is recommended for conditioned recreational bicyclist, not for beginners. Team in Training participants get an added out and back on Highway 89/ Bike Trail to visit historic Truckee, California, before continuing around Lake Tahoe.

Are you interested in joining the TEAM? Click here: to find an information meeting near you

The Route

Click here to see the map of the route. You can see the terrain, satelite view, elevations, streets etc.

We covered a lot of ground.

We Did It!

Team Papa! Together we raised over $15,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: Good job, girls. It was a joy to train and ride with you.

Before:

Self portrait at mile 20ish:

The long climb, at the heat of the day, about mile 60:

After:

THANK YOU for your support. I couldn't have done this without you!

The End Is Near

We had our last official team ride on Saturday. 50 miles. Easy.

Tomorrow we have our un-official biker chicks ride of 30 miles. Easy.

Thursday we begin the trip south. Friday we have carbo-loading pasta party.

Saturday I complete 100 miles. Easy?

I'm $1,000 away from my fundraising goal. That's just $10/mile on event day. Can you help? Donations still accepted!

80 Miles

Ow.

Goodnight!

Details of the ride from my coach's cycle computer: 80 miles; 4,162 feet of climbing; and 4493 calories burned (she said since I rode longer I burned more than that).

View Larger Map
I woke up hungry and still a little sleepy. I'm at work and trying to kick my brain into gear. Wish me luck.

The view for 99% of the day:
A beautiful day:
My thoughts at mile 69 when Merla wouldn't give me a ride:

A First Time for Everything

Last night we did our weekly climb up Mt. Diablo and I encountered three firsts.
1) Flat tire
2) Fall - I unclipped right foot, bike leaned left. Wheeee - here I go! Just a scraped elbow & knee. I'm fine.
3) Bite marks on right knee/thigh - how does The Beast jump so high? I guess she was mad about the crash.

The ride was great. Saturday we have 80 miles in Marin.