tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-253337042024-03-13T08:23:27.358-07:00Biker Chicky PookiePaulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-89083372153621973452010-05-05T16:21:00.000-07:002010-05-05T16:40:15.346-07:00Middle Mountain Mamma Race ReportTemp was 88...humidity 90%..It was going to be a tough race. This was the first day of real heat & humidity we've had. I knew it would be a tough day in the saddle, but I didn't realize just how tough. I was the only Master Woman over 40 so all I had to do was finish. My class raced with the other sport chickies so usually I try to stay competitive w/ them. Not this day. At the start I led the pack out the gravel road into the trail head. I climbed as best as I could to stay in front, but one of the other sport chickies was younger & stronger so I let her go. She sped off into oblivion. I settled in & just rode to the best of my ability. I forgot how much climbing is in this race. I've been doing short, fast stuff for the past few weeks so the long climbs really took their toll. <br />At one point 3/4 of the way up, I started getting chills. I knew my that wasn't good especially since the temps were near 90. That meant I was dehydrating. I decided to keep plodding on. When I got to the campground area I considered bailing out but decided to keep going. <br />It was tough, I walked most of the back side. I kept wishing I had one more easy gear but the 1x9 was all I had. Through the race I stopped alot, took a lot of electroytes and fluids, and kept regretting my decision to keep going. <br />I finished the race but was in a world of hurt. I crossed the finish line in tears and basically had a melt down. After lots of water, electrolytes, more water, and more electrolytes I started feeling betting about 4 hours after the race. It was ugly. I think my time for the 21 miles was somewhere around 3 hours & 21 minutes. Next time I'll listen to my body.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-46771559935718851662010-03-11T17:33:00.000-08:002010-03-11T18:15:13.904-08:00Bedford MTX #3 race report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S5mjazAN9GI/AAAAAAAAAhY/R8lPt1BfPzQ/s1600-h/pookie+mtx+3+image+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S5mjazAN9GI/AAAAAAAAAhY/R8lPt1BfPzQ/s320/pookie+mtx+3+image+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447564905044374626" border="0" /></a>Fun, Fast, Frenzied...did I mention Fun?<br />That sums up the last installment of the 2010 Bedford MTX Series. Coming into the race I was in second place in the standings...not t0o shabby for an old lady.<br /><br />Earlier in the week I wasn't thrilled about racing..I'm not sure why, I just wasn't feeling it..that is until Friday evening. We joined some friends to celebrate a birthday in the group. A little birdy told me that one of the riders who was in contention for a podium spot was out for me. (all in good fun)...That's pretty much all of the motivation I needed going into Sunday's race.<br /><br />Weather was perfect..mid-60's, slight breeze. The course was pretty dry with a few exceptions. We did a practice lap to get a feel for the course..It was gonna be fast...Kenny Palmer (race organizer & overall good dude) mentioned the expert men would probably pull 8.5 minute lap times..that meant I'd pull closer to 11 to 12 minute laps....it was gonna be a close one.<br /><br />My buddy Jen & I took off at the start. We headed up a paved area, then dumped into a grassy area, then into the singletrack...yes..this race had singletrack...It was great!...After the singletrack section, we went back into the field where you <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S5mjQInwhAI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/rpslfOBVbMw/s1600-h/pookie+mtx+3+2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S5mjQInwhAI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/rpslfOBVbMw/s320/pookie+mtx+3+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447564721868801026" border="0" /></a>could put it into high gear & just go. I loved my gears for this race.. Once out of the field, we went into another singletrack section...twists, turns, berms..fun fun fun...then back into the field....We crossed over a bridge and rode the semi-muddy/tacky section of the course. This is where I lost time b/c I was getting slightly bogged town. After the boggy section, we crossed another bridge & had to climb up a grassy hill.<br />I was hauling butt on my first lap. My goal was to hold off the "pain train" for as long as I could during the race. Getting 2-3 laps ahead of them would be ideal...As I came through the start/finish area on my first lap I checked the clock and came in just over 10 minutes. Wow! And the pain train had not started yet.<br /><br />I hammered as hard as I could on my second lap then on to the third lap....I was riding hard but felt something bearing down on me...Pain train...or at least part of it. 3 of the boyz zoomed by me...then I rode alone for a bit...then the next one came by..then alone...then hubby went by, then alone,.then the last pain dude went by. It was more like the Pain train...followed by the "vomit comet"....Ok that's gross...but the last 3 members of Pain Train were hurting a bit.<br /><br />I was starting to tire on laps 4&5....Just keep pedaling..no matter how much it hurts....That's what I kept saying to myself. As I headed down the grassy hill before the bridge, I caught a glimpse of my teammate Laura...Was I going to catch her? I pedaled harder to at least grab on to her wheel. As I got closer, we both caught up to Jen.....she was riding her new 29er..and looking good...we both passed...Laura pulled away up the hill..I eventually caught her on my 6th lap.....I passed by & she grabbed onto my wheel. We rode together for the last lap. I would pull away in the sections where I could gear up...but she would catch up each time once we hit the hillier sections. She rode my wheel all the way until we hit the last grassy hill. As a way to keep me moving b/c we didn't know where the Pain Train was..she said "race you up the hill"...I held her wheel for about 5 pedal strokes..then I was done.<br />As I crested the hill I noticed the pain train hanging out at the top....That meant I got 6 laps in & held them off....which meant I won the day's race! Woo Hoo<br /><br />As Kenny tallied the results...he asked me how many laps I did...I honestly couldn't remember...it was either 5 or 6....but the pain train only passed me once...so I stayed 1 lap up on them. It turns out I was the only racer who completed 6 laps...That extra lap gave me the championship!..Woo Hoo! (again)....<br /><br />If it wasn't for the handicapping format I wouldn't have had the opportunity to do as well as I did...I love the format as it gives slower riders the same opportunity as the experts and levels the playing field.<br />Fun race series this year..we had all types of conditions to contend with...snow, dark of night, and fast. I can't wait to do more of Kenny's races...Hopefully I haven't peaked too early in the season...Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-59547897377068593672010-02-28T12:31:00.000-08:002010-02-28T13:20:08.678-08:00Bedford MTX #2 race reportDeja Vu? - Well sort of...the result was deja vu from last year's 2nd Bedford Mountain Cross race <a href="http://http//bikerchickypookie.blogspot.com/2009/02/bedford-mtn-cross-2.html">http://bikerchickypookie.blogspot.com/2009/02/bedford-mtn-cross-2.html</a> but the conditions were very different.<br /><br /><br />I was not at all motivated to race. The weather was a far cry from last week's 60 degree temperatures...although the course conditions were much better. Weather was in the high 30's with a head wind on much of the course. This week's race was run at night. The course was just over a mile...We started on paved road, then climbed up into a section of singletrack, back onto the road, then onto a fast, fun, field downhill which crossed a stream, then a gradual mudclimb, onto a grassy climb back to the start where we had to dismount & cross 2 barriers on the way through the start/finish area. <br />My stomach had been doing flip flops towards the end of the week..Each time I ate on Saturday, I would get major stomach cramps....After talking to a bunch of the racers from last week..many people had been fighting the same symptoms..some worse than others. I think we all picked up something from riding in the mud the previous week, then trying to drink from our water bottles...(note to self..wear a camelback next time conditions are like that). I figured riding would help purge some of it from me.<br />Warming up was tough....It was so windy & cold that you couldn't really get warm. I did one lap to check the course..then decided I wasn't going to get warm so I'd just wing it..<br /><a href="http://abikenamedritchey.blogspot.com/">Jen</a> & I lined up at the start & off we went. Down the road, up into the singletrack, back on the road, onto the field, etc, etc. At the start of the race, I decided to wait to turn my light on since there was enough daylight. When I got to the grassy field section I attempted to turn it on and nothing happened....tried again, nothing. This went on for the entire grassy section. <br />As I came through the start finish, I was in a bit of a panic...I whined "I can't get my light on!!"...luckily Dave from East Coasters had not started yet..so he helped me...He asked "is it plugged in??" I said yes..I tested it before the race...Luckily he got it turned on for me & off I went. <br />As I started my second lap, I noticed Laura just up ahead of me. She was going the wrong way so I figured she was on a warm up lap...come to find out she wasn't really paying attention at the start & got a little misdirected. I continued on the lap & entered a section of trail which is little rocky & technical. As I got through the first part of the trail, I attempted to pedal & my pedals wouldn't go. I looked down & realized I had thrown my chain....I rolled through the next section then pulled over to fix it. When I pulled over, a bunch of the sport men passed me...I didn't realize my buddy <a href="http://surlygirlblog.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> was in that group too....I got the chain back on & followed the group...As we hit the road, the group went straight .(this was the wrong way).....I shouted to them but no one heard me...I hammered back down the road & continued w/ my second lap. When I got mid-way through the grassy field section, the "Pain Train" caught me. This group consisted of Clif, my hubby, and a couple other fast guys. They caught me on my second lap..they were only on their first so I knew I had to do everything I could to hold them off. I decided to start riding like I had my single speed...I didn't use the easy gears...stood up each time through the field, etc.<br />On my third lap,<a href="http://breakaway-adamc.blogspot.com/"> Adam</a> caught me..I tried to hang on his wheel until we got to the field downhill..then he was just gone. I started passing people who were walking in the field section...why are they walking when they have gears?? I kept hammering through...laps 4 & 5 went well..<br />When I came through the start finish for lap 6 I looked at the clock & tried to calculate if I could do the lap in enough time to get a 7th in. It was going to be close. I went hard through the first half of the lap but once I hit the mudclimb & the grassy field, I could feel myself getting tired. <br />I tried to put it in a harder gear & mash the climb...When I hit the barriers I only had 5 seconds to make it to lap 7....it wasn't going to happen...bummer. Throwing the chain earlier in the race cost me that little extra time to start the 7th lap. I wasn't sure where the pain train was in relation to my finish so I figured I placed top 10...<br />When I came in, the timers informed me my buddy Laura stopped after 1 lap. Apparently the stomach boogers got her good & ended her race short...so she got to stay warm & dry all night...<br />After the race we hung out while the remaining racers finished up. My stomach was giving me fits again...so I couldn't eat anything. I grabbed some pretzels & a coke...Kenny (the race promoter) wanted to see me...I thought Oh no....did I do something wrong? He asked me if I remember the Pain Train passing me a second time in the race..I said I didn't think so b/c they passed me on my second lap & I didn't remember seeing them again, but I couldn't be sure..<br />Turns out..I ended up winning the race...None of the Pain Train had passed me again...Woo HOO! I caught a bunch of grief again for Sandbagging....but once again..when I have a 20 minute head start...all I had to do was ride hard, and clean. <br />One more race next weekend...Can't wait to see what's in store.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://http://bikerchickypookie.blogspot.com/2009/02/bedford-mtn-cross-2.html"><br /></a>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-35871091687646195472010-02-23T17:05:00.000-08:002010-02-23T17:33:56.564-08:00Bedford County MTX #1 Race Report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S4R72_I5UqI/AAAAAAAAAg4/tX63M4coLBs/s1600-h/Mud%21+009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S4R72_I5UqI/AAAAAAAAAg4/tX63M4coLBs/s320/Mud%21+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441610434362299042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Clean!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S4R8SgBdx9I/AAAAAAAAAhA/8CdsP2UC0sk/s1600-h/Mud%21+023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/S4R8SgBdx9I/AAAAAAAAAhA/8CdsP2UC0sk/s320/Mud%21+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441610907045971922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />dirty!<br /><br />Bedford Mountain Cross Race #1<br />Finally a chance to ride outdoors! Sunday was the first of this year's Bedford Mountain Cross series. The course had to be shortened due to the fact we've had an abundance of snow this year. This was only the second time I've ridden outside this year & the first race w/ Clarence & his new gears. (1x9) They would come in handy on this course. We started out on pavement, then a left turn into the first part of single track...more like peanut butter track. it was muddy but rideable. Then a short run up..this would be a mess by the end of the race...then a crazy downhill loaded w/ mud, rocks, snow...I ran this the first 3 laps, then was able to ride it the last 3. Then we crossed a bridge, rode through a field, cross a stream, up the next part of the singletrack which was super muddy & got worse each lap, then back on the pavement to do it all again.<br />The format of the race was a handicap system. Beginner riders, or slower riders go off first and have more time to do as many laps as they can in 1 hour. They are chased by faster, more experienced riders who have less time. I raced in Vet Women which meant I had 57 minutes to do as many laps as I could. My buddy Jen raced in the same class... When we came through the start/finish area, all of the experts had not started yet. our first lap was slightly over 10 minutes....I knew we were in trouble. Sure enough..at the start of my second lap, the "pain train" passed us. These were all of the super strong, expert males. <br />I decided to just have fun this race & not worry about lap times. It was going to be a test of my technical skills. Normally I do not race well in slippery, peanut buttery conditions. I averaged just over 10 minutes each lap..but got slower as the race went on. Conditions improved in some areas while others deteriorated quickly. I was very happy with how I rode...I handled the bike very well in the slop. At some points I was riding sideways..it was pretty funny. <br />I did rely on my lower gears a little too much..that accounted for my slow lap times...but I'm glad I had them. I need to learn to ride the bike like the single speed and not rely on the easier gears so much. <br />I was in second place for most of the race until the "pain train" caught me again..then I was done. I ended up in the top 10..but that's only because of the handicap system. Had it been a normal race.. I would have been close to the bottom. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Overall I had a fantastic time. Normally I don't like mud but I think I was suffering from a serious case of cabin fever so I didn't care about the mud & slop. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Next week we'll race in the dark....it will be interesting<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /></span>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-71221649345097565372009-10-10T15:27:00.000-07:002009-10-10T16:04:42.539-07:00Montvale Mahem Race Report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StER85elmDI/AAAAAAAAAgo/xBBTh0BBSJc/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+089.JPG"><br /></a><br />I had to do 2 posts..my pics are pulling in weird to blogger.<br /><br />OW!!!!! That about summarizes the Montvale Mahem Race. It's been 3 months since my last cross country race. During that time I was riding fairly strong until about a month and a half ago. <a href="http://www.bicyclesoup.blogspot.com/">Hubby</a> dislocated his shoulder...so I sort of lost a little motivation to ride.. I felt guilty every time I went out w/ out him. I haven't been putting in the long road miles to keep up my endurance & although I've been riding..I haven't felt really strong. <a href="http://www.lauraannewhite.blogspot.com/">Laura</a> keeps getting stronger & stronger since she healed from a crash earlier in the fall. She's been focusing on the Iceman coming up in November all the while practicing short, intense, fast stuff. I knew going into the race it was gonna be a close. I was totally up in the air about racing until about 2 days ago when I saw Laura & Kristin had signed up to do expert. Sport, Singlespeeders & Experts all did the same length..so I decided if I'm gonna race, I may as well sign up for Expert too...just to make it interesting & possibly get some cash out of it for my effort.I had not ridden out here since February. Back then the trails were still fairly new. Much more has been added since then. I had heard folks talking about the course..how fast it was, where the log crossings were, the long climbs...Basically it was a course where you're on the gas the entire time. I would be riding "blind" as I had not pre-ridden the course so I had no clue what was in store.<br />When we lined up at the start, the girls were quite "whiny"...It was pretty comical to the boyz...they probably thought..."geez, what the heck are they racing for w/ all that whining...were's the cheese??? "<br />The start began w/ a gravel road climb.....great way to start for someone who hasn't been climbing real well. Laura pushed the pace right out of the gate. If I was even going to have a shot at doing well, I knew I had to stay on her wheel. We climbed the road, then onto the grassy section...then through the freezing cold creek into the singletrack. We ascended Yellow Drum trail..lots of leaves, roots, climbing. Laura was going so hard...I wondered if I would be able to stay w/ her. We got to one of the switchbacks & she pulled off...I took over the lead as we continued up. I thought to myself..oh no...I'm gonna pace the whole race and end up losing in the end. (nice positive self talk huh?) We continued on...up Bealle's Treasure, twisting turning, climbing, descending. A few of the sport boys caught us as we continued.. I had a slight gap going through the second half of the course. It was a ton of fun...very fast downhills, a few bermed turns..the only weird thing was the course went back and forth on itself so much, you could see your competitors but could never gauge how far in front you were. As I descended this super fun section, I must have hit a root the wrong way. The next thing I knew, I was in a heap of leaves on the side of the trail. One of the other riders who caught me said I was riding soo fast..next thing he saw was the lump of Paula laying in the leaves.<br />I got back on & continued. Little did I know I had the start of a nice bruise on my thigh...OW #1. As I continued, I encountered the log crossings. I was so hesitant after my crash that I ended up walking over all of them. It was pathetic. I have a bike w/ big wheels & couldn't do the darn logs!<br />I continued to push my pace b/c I figured Laura was right on my tail....Lap 2 was harder than lap one. On the climbs, I could feel twinges in my legs...never a good sign b/c I could tell I was on the verge of cramping. I kept drinking & eating my Shot blocks...but all the while telling myself..push the pace, she's gonna get you.<br />I crashed again in a different spot on lap 2. It was a sandy switchback where I had too much speed & just washed out. I did a 180 degree turn before falling. Argggh! OW #2.........Through Lap 2 I caught a glimpse of Laura in the same area as I was. I pushed it a little more b/c I didn't know how much time I had on her. As I came through the check point, the marshals were encouraging me on. I was running out of gas. The first part of the lap is mostly climb. My legs were starting to cramp...not good. I continued to push through it. Lap 3 was clean...slow, but clean. I still hiked all of the log crossings but I did not crash & maintained good control. I was flying the downhills b/c I knew I could make up ground there since I was labored in my climbing. Came through the last section & then followed the directions to head in. Another sport buddy of mine caught me. He said I had at least 2 minutes on Laura...I said "are you sure..b/c I think she's right there"...he said I was fine. By this point my legs were severely cramping. I didn't think I could make it back b/c there was one more climb. Going through the cold stream didn't help b/c I tensed my muscles ....as we headed back out the grass, I tried to spin & pace w/ the sport....he paced me up the climb....I was groaning & in a serious world of hurt. I tried to spin fast to the finish and that's when my right calf quit. It seized up & I couldn't get my foot out of the pedal to stretch it. Finally I got it out. I hit the finish line screaming. OW #3 Kenny (race promoter) was giving me a hard time for not taking my Sport Legs..when in fact I had taken my pre-race supplement (race caps)....I think I was a little dehydrated going into it & the constant up/down contributed to the cramping. Laura was only a few minutes back..she finished strong.<div>Overall I'm pleased w/ my effort.</div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StESTxR5zrI/AAAAAAAAAgw/kj6AAmcaJMo/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+110.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391110359794437810" /><div>..I wasn't happy about the cramping but I think I know how to fix that. <br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.roanokeoutside.com/">RoanokeOutside.com</a>/Mail It Plus had a good showing at today's race</div><div><br /></div><div>Expert Female: 1st- Paula Schimizzi, 2nd - Laura White</div><div>Sport Female - 1st - Jennifer Divers</div><div>Sport Male - 2nd - Adam Caldwell</div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-56162126485723652532009-10-10T15:04:00.001-07:002009-10-10T15:27:32.879-07:00Montvale Mahem Race Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEKDMZj__I/AAAAAAAAAgg/WVz7NX_I-Gs/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+086.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEKDMZj__I/AAAAAAAAAgg/WVz7NX_I-Gs/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391101278923522034" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJoRk2YKI/AAAAAAAAAgY/CHyBzPvgA7I/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+069.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJoRk2YKI/AAAAAAAAAgY/CHyBzPvgA7I/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391100816456573090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJng3XMQI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/YoKpZfHu_Jw/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+063.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJng3XMQI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/YoKpZfHu_Jw/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391100803380883714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJnJPUTDI/AAAAAAAAAgI/KddO9_avaa8/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+061.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJnJPUTDI/AAAAAAAAAgI/KddO9_avaa8/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391100797038906418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJmoh00LI/AAAAAAAAAgA/dSKLBGEA1b8/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+043.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEJmoh00LI/AAAAAAAAAgA/dSKLBGEA1b8/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391100788258164914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEII4ETnGI/AAAAAAAAAf4/gDkSlKdxUOc/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+035.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEII4ETnGI/AAAAAAAAAf4/gDkSlKdxUOc/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391099177521618018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEHqdfHyFI/AAAAAAAAAfw/golikbLXFxk/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+022.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEHqdfHyFI/AAAAAAAAAfw/golikbLXFxk/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391098654990256210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEHOpUO1kI/AAAAAAAAAfo/zCt76OK-DTs/s1600-h/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+008.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/StEHOpUO1kI/AAAAAAAAAfo/zCt76OK-DTs/s320/Montvale+Mahem+10.09.09+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391098177129469506" /></a>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-61872596098479762942009-08-30T19:09:00.000-07:002009-08-30T19:15:16.063-07:00NEW TEAM SPONSORS CHECK 'EM OUT AT <a href="http://WWW.ROANOKEOUTSIDE.COM">WWW.ROANOKEOUTSIDE.COM</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SpsxXCiawcI/AAAAAAAAAdw/V4p8mtE1s98/s1600-h/Team+photos+046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SpsxXCiawcI/AAAAAAAAAdw/V4p8mtE1s98/s320/Team+photos+046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375944852084801986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SpsxG8IXJWI/AAAAAAAAAdo/7nxNl8ZymSk/s1600-h/Team+photos+044.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SpsxG8IXJWI/AAAAAAAAAdo/7nxNl8ZymSk/s320/Team+photos+044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375944575486993762" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://WWW.ROANOKEOUTSIDE.COM"></a>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-43101894615904786082009-08-16T11:41:00.000-07:002009-08-16T11:59:03.886-07:00Cove Trail work & creature sightings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SohW52ocIgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/dhylYzSrzm8/s1600-h/rattlesnake+at+cove.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SohW52ocIgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/dhylYzSrzm8/s320/rattlesnake+at+cove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370638107556979202" /></a><br /><div>Been a blog slacker again.....sorry...</div><div><div>We did trail work at the Cove on Saturday to fill in some really muddy spots on Songbird Trail. I spent most of the time helping to sort out rocks. After a while the rocks started looking the same. We rode today to try out our handywork. It rode much smoother...flowed well & our line of sight is much better now. The trail looks a little wide </div><div>where we had to dig...but that will get overgrown again in time. </div><div>Thursday night I finally saw my first bear of the season. A mamma & 3 cubs. ..We kept our distance...the cubs were very cute.</div><div>Saturday we saw a rattle snake while working on the trails....he wasn't so cute.</div><div>here are some pics..(borrowed from Laura...thanks!)</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SohWQqeus9I/AAAAAAAAAdQ/P4kjzwDtxZQ/s320/BEARS+AT+COVE.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 200px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370637399920391122" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SohU71PqEHI/AAAAAAAAAdA/A6ZiLnhSexw/s320/rockpile.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370635942521081970" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SohUixdg_OI/AAAAAAAAAcw/gyR9JdR3G5s/s320/trailwork+canycom+machine.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370635512008735970" /></div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-54591501626968070462009-07-22T15:49:00.000-07:002009-07-22T16:16:59.227-07:00Carvin's Cove Race ReportSunday was the second installment of the Roanoke Moutain Bike Challenge (RMBC) <div>The time trial up Mill Mtn was Sat. I felt good & had a decent time.</div><div>Sunday I was the only single speed chicky..but I started w/ the sport women & would do the same course as them. I think there were 6 or 7 female sport riders.. a few of whom I knew would be strong riders. My goal would be to finish among the t</div><div>op female sports..</div><div>When the riders lined up to the start, they had all of the sport men, women, clydesdales, and single speeders starting en mass. We had a "neutral" rolling start to the gate, once through the gate it was every person for themself. The neutral start was a little squirrelly. I tried to stay towards mid pak...I knew I wasn't fast enough to be in front, but I didn't want to be the last into the trails either. </div><div>When we arrived at the gate, the riders actually entered through in a single file, orderly fashion. They we hit the fireroad & took off to be some of the first into Songbird. This was a bit of a cluster getting in because people were already getting of of their bikes. I traded places with one of the clydesdales back & forth...I ended up having to go around him....then I ended up behind someone else who would stop at every technical section. (Songbird isn't very technical..one creek crossing, a few rocks embedded in the trails, etc). I knew if I wanted to gain any ground on the other chickies, I had to get around this dude. </div><div>I passed him in the cree</div><div>k because he stopped in the middle of the trail!!..I continued on..weaving & bobbing, pedaling, just having a blast. As I exited Songbird, my friend Skip was there encouraging me on. We then dumped into Enchanted Forest & on to Lower Comet. I was already running into people breaking chains & getting flats. I just kept praying I would have no mechanicals. </div><div>After Comet, we dumped back on the fire road & started the first ascent on the 1000' climb. I passed two guys who had passed me earlier on Comet. I continued to pedal & tried to get into a rhythm. I approached the feed zone where they were passing out bottles of cold water...I passed b/c I didn't have anywhere to put the bottle. I continued on up..mostly climbing alone...although I never looked behind me to see how far back the girls were. In a way I didn't want to know so it wouldn't put more pressure on me. </div><div>As I got near the intersection of Jacob's drop, I caught my teammate Chris. I was shocked I caught him..so I figured somet</div><div>hing must be wrong. I asked if he needed anything & his response was."Geez I must really stink today since I'm getting passed by you!" Thanks alot, Chris. I passed him & entered Hemlock Tunnel. I knew I didn't want Chris behind me so I slowed a little so he could catch up & pass me. I never saw him after that. A little motivation every now & then is good. As I started to descend Hemlock Tunnel, I started talking out loud to myself...I guess I was coaching myself down..."feather your front brake, let off of the back brake, get your weight back, look out ahead, keep a good line, relax, breathe" Luckily no one was around to hear all of this chatter, but it helped & I got down safely without dabbing on any switchbacks. </div><div>As I continued on Hemlock Tunnel, I started trading places w/ an expert dude. He'd dust me on the downhills, but I'd catch back up on the climbs. Once out of Hemlock Tunnel, we climbed up the fireroad...there's a stiff climb at the top & I was determined to make it w/out walking....and I did!! Yea me!. All the while I still had no idea where the girls were. I figured they were close to 1 minute or less behind me....so I kept giving it all I had. </div><div>Onto comet..got through safely..had a couple of hike a bike sections but kept a good pace..</div><div>Once through comet, it was back on the fireroad & back up part of the 1000' climb. I checked my time & realized I had a shot at finishing in under 1 hour 45 minutes. I decided to go for it but had to get up the second climb. It w</div><div>as pretty tough..especially w/ one gear. I settled in & rode steady..Once on to Connector(Four Gorge Trail)...I rode w/ another expert. He was pretty banged up..had crashed a few times & flatted...not a good day for him. As we continued, I decided I couldn't hold his pace & passed him. I continue on but the trail seemed to take forever to end. I caught up to a beginner girl & shouted some encouragement to her...she looked like she was going to have a meltdown at any time...poor thing. </div><div>I checked my time at the intersection of Hi Dee Ho...1:38....I can do this I thought to myself....I put the hammer down & rode as fast as I could to the finish.</div><div>Final time 1:40 and some change. I waited & waited for the strong girls to come out. Finally the first one arrived 9 minutes after I finished!...Wow...I knew I was ahead but didn't think I had that big of a lead...I was thrilled. </div><div>All in all it was a great race (of course it is when you do well) There were a few factors that contributed to my good race...Great Weather ( mid 80's & low humidity...I don't do well in heat), I knew the course well (ride out there every week), stayed relaxed, no mechanicals & just went out to have fun. Thanks to RCO for putting on another fun event.</div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-81046540199367827732009-07-18T14:10:00.000-07:002009-07-18T14:22:19.846-07:00MMTT<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SmI82g1LP6I/AAAAAAAAAcY/KNahmFWo7qI/s1600-h/Mill+Mountain+MTB+Time+Trial+006.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SmI82g1LP6I/AAAAAAAAAcY/KNahmFWo7qI/s320/Mill+Mountain+MTB+Time+Trial+006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359913413747883938" /></a>Mill Mountain Time Trial<div><br /></div><div>It was hard, and it was all up...except for a little section on Monument.<div>We started a 1:00 intervals, up the alley, then right on Sylvan road, then climb a little bit of Sylvan to the trailhead at Monument. The alley was steep...I wasn't feeling great on the alley or the road. Once I got on to Monument, I felt a little better. I settled into a groove & pedaled away. I soon caught one of the boyz up ahead...pedaled a little longer & caught a second boy! Woo hoo..I was stoked b/c I didn't think I catch the second one. Then there was a third just before the fun downhill part on Monument. Got around him & put the hammer down....Came out flying & took the right hand turn up ridgeline. I could tell someone was behind me but wasn't sure who. It turned out to be my teammate Adam CAldwell who started 2 minutes behind me. He was absolutely flying. ONce he got around me, he just flew up the hill. All that road biking he has been doing has made him super fast. </div><div>I got to the switchback on Ridgeline & passed one more person. Then I had to walk the switchback..this is where I lost a little time b/c I couldn't get clipped back in. I continued up....came out in the grass, got on the path & back into the grass. I got passed by 2 more really fast boys...one started 4 minutes back, the other 5 minutes....they were flying. It was all I could do to keep my pedals turning. It was so steep on this section. I lumbered through. </div><div>Total time 23:18......There was only one other chicky...she did it in 22:54..... I'm pleased w/ my result. I could sit here & go shoulda, coulda, woulda, but it doesn't change the final results. I gave it my best & that's all I can ask for. I did beat some boys so that's always a plus....</div><div>Tomorrow is the Carvin's Cove cross country. </div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-80868856270112951552009-05-27T15:49:00.001-07:002009-05-27T16:03:59.757-07:00Burn 24 hours<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sh3DymDdcGI/AAAAAAAAAcA/quzFEPcMhC0/s1600-h/Burn+24+Hour+2009+005.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sh3DymDdcGI/AAAAAAAAAcA/quzFEPcMhC0/s320/Burn+24+Hour+2009+005.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340640007107211362" /></a>This was our home away from home for the 2009 Burn 24 hours held in Wilkesboro, NC. <div>The course was the same as last year...a little climbing on the front side & lots of fun, fast, bermed turns, downhills on the back side. </div><div>350 riders were signed up. Roanoke Cycling sent 2 teams of 4 riders each down for the event. </div><div>Our team did a rotation of 1 lap each, then Skippy pulled doubles. I felt good on my first couple of daytime laps. As we progressed into the nightime hours we decided we'd all pull double laps. When it came to be around 1:30 or so, I was hanging out waiting for my turn when the skies opened up & dropped some nice rain showers upon the riders. I decided to head back to the tent & get my jacket. I ventured back out on course and had a really rough time. The roots were slick, I was overheated, & I had a rock in my shoe. At one point I sat down off of the trail to get rid of the rock when Dave (he was on the other RCO team) came by & asked if I was ok....I said I was, just having a rough lap. The following lap was much better as the rain had subsided & I could lose the jacket. I headed back to the RV to sleep until my next daytime lap. I don't really know if I slept all that well...I never sleep well in new enviroments and this would be true for this race. I headed back out for my 7:00 am. lap. This was probably my fastest lap. I felt great..legs were strong I was flying. I should have pulled a double when I got back & my teammate was having mechanical issues...We got him fixed up & off he went. We debated about sending a last rider out before the cutoff, but we realized it would only move us up one place in the standings & it had started to rain again..so it wasn't worth risking injury. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall we had a great time. Our team came in 9th while the other RCO team came in 4th. Dave pulled the fastest lap of all of the RCO gang...something like 38 minutes...That's moving!</div><div>I can't wait to do another one...(as soon as I get over the crud I caught from riding in the rain all night...yuk)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sh3ERjnyVFI/AAAAAAAAAcI/Wk1oXWkO7xI/s320/Burn+24+Hour+2009+020.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340640539030213714" /></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-65413802722087027192009-05-13T16:31:00.000-07:002009-05-13T16:37:10.856-07:00Ah, this is the life<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgtY8noS0MI/AAAAAAAAAb4/nWtMp7jp4EY/s1600-h/Florida+2009+032.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgtY8noS0MI/AAAAAAAAAb4/nWtMp7jp4EY/s320/Florida+2009+032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335455982003867842" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>When the time comes for me to "retire" from racing this is how I'd love to spend my days. Relaxing on a quiet beach or pursuing my other passion: Golf</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgtYm8bjTaI/AAAAAAAAAbo/JR8kjCmY_9o/s1600-h/Florida+2009+025.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgtYm8bjTaI/AAAAAAAAAbo/JR8kjCmY_9o/s320/Florida+2009+025.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335455609630444962" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgtYzwM5uaI/AAAAAAAAAbw/m_1Y5wmkyz8/s320/Florida+2009+040.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335455829686073762" /></div></div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-86508587056770875382009-05-05T16:22:00.000-07:002009-05-05T16:35:23.256-07:00Douthat Race<img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgDKpndii1I/AAAAAAAAAa4/R0Q1FU-f6-o/s320/snooze.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332484775122996050" /><br />This is how I spent my day on Sunday at Douthat.<div>It was rainy & cold & the trails were a mess. The double XC race was delayed by 1 hour. Then the regular XC race (the one I was signed up for ) was postponed for a later date. I had about 5 hours to kill so I hiked a little, then I came back to Adam's Winnebago, read a little, and slept for an hour. I woke up in time to see the first finishers of the double XC. </div><div>Hubby had 4 flats..not a good day. </div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy the pics. </div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgDLvQvyBrI/AAAAAAAAAbI/XREOUxjvpuY/s320/029.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332485971616335538" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgDNBikgOeI/AAAAAAAAAbg/CmFPNKKSY18/s320/059.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332487385150142946" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SgDMzZTeQsI/AAAAAAAAAbY/DYKVii_hZRw/s320/057.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332487142144623298" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-52359189300842803092009-04-14T19:35:00.000-07:002009-04-14T19:49:24.075-07:00Pics from Roadie RideWe headed out the parkway on Saturday for a climb up Bent Mountain. There are some great views this time of year....although it was proably 10 degrees colder at the top.....made for a chilly descent down the mountain...brrr. Total Miles: 42<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SeVJi5YpbQI/AAAAAAAAAaw/IGwOfM_ExOw/s1600-h/April+weekend+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324742998304058626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SeVJi5YpbQI/AAAAAAAAAaw/IGwOfM_ExOw/s320/April+weekend+015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SeVJBc9eI1I/AAAAAAAAAag/KdmhJwO-kqE/s1600-h/April+weekend+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324742423738196818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SeVJBc9eI1I/AAAAAAAAAag/KdmhJwO-kqE/s320/April+weekend+008.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SeVJOG0nfEI/AAAAAAAAAao/O5Z810OIZDU/s1600-h/April+weekend+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324742641133780034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 325px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SeVJOG0nfEI/AAAAAAAAAao/O5Z810OIZDU/s320/April+weekend+011.JPG" border="0" /></a></p>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-35106308507862608702009-04-05T12:45:00.001-07:002009-04-05T13:16:04.267-07:006 hours of Warrior Creek<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkP9wH7A6I/AAAAAAAAAaY/PyLMi9BSmCI/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321301988279518114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkP9wH7A6I/AAAAAAAAAaY/PyLMi9BSmCI/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><div>Packed in tight<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkN4DUg5wI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/GQFpav4Cwmc/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321299691330135810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkN4DUg5wI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/GQFpav4Cwmc/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />Clarence gets ready for bed</div><div> </div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkKwf5xKHI/AAAAAAAAAZA/0ZEFBHmXzpE/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321296263028746354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkKwf5xKHI/AAAAAAAAAZA/0ZEFBHmXzpE/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+006.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkK7ihaiUI/AAAAAAAAAZI/yGu530yrKtQ/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321296452710467906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkK7ihaiUI/AAAAAAAAAZI/yGu530yrKtQ/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div>set up camp</div><br /><br /><p></p><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkLVNA7XwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/V1OMX1U-QFQ/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321296893613661954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkLVNA7XwI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/V1OMX1U-QFQ/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+022.JPG" border="0" /></a></div> Team RCO - what a motley crew<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div>Laura & I on the first lap<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkL8NZf1QI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Vf40opyaBCM/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321297563731612930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkL8NZf1QI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Vf40opyaBCM/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+042.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div> </div><p></p><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div>Transition to Gina<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkMYJlP_kI/AAAAAAAAAZg/n8rkU-wqT80/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321298043743501890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkMYJlP_kI/AAAAAAAAAZg/n8rkU-wqT80/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p></p><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div></div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div>Chillin between laps<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkM9jdFHNI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Y8QAFG5YzQg/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321298686343716050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkM9jdFHNI/AAAAAAAAAZo/Y8QAFG5YzQg/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+047.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><div><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div>Jen getting ready to go<br /></div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkNXt4LcjI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Z-_zeiwGOdc/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321299135818330674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkNXt4LcjI/AAAAAAAAAZw/Z-_zeiwGOdc/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+071.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Gina down the home stretch<br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkOtQ3pMHI/AAAAAAAAAaA/PXworZcHGMM/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321300605500207218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkOtQ3pMHI/AAAAAAAAAaA/PXworZcHGMM/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+074.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /> </div><div>Pooped<br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkPUPFhYzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/zQ4l2yAjjCw/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321301275036443442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkPUPFhYzI/AAAAAAAAAaI/zQ4l2yAjjCw/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div>Pooped<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkPtLHQwbI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/5UqpX-jnQHk/s1600-h/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+086.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321301703466729906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SdkPtLHQwbI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/5UqpX-jnQHk/s320/Six+Hours+of+Warrior+Creek+086.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Chicky's Rock! 1st place 3 person Female team!</div></div></div></div></div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-3126299924194676322009-03-29T08:56:00.000-07:002009-03-29T08:58:15.771-07:00Ughspent 2 hours on the trainer yesterday. It's been raining for the past few days. Usually my limit is 45 minutes. I was amazed I did 2 hours. Watching movies on the computer really helps pass the time. 2 weeks ago I did 2 hours on Saturday & 2 1/2 on Sunday. It's just not the same as getting out there & riding. We'll try to do Mill Mountain today...sun is out, temps are in the mid 60's...it'll be muddy but at least we'll be outside.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-90333104109266143182009-03-29T08:49:00.000-07:002009-03-29T08:55:44.834-07:00Asheville Pics<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sc-ZcM5U19I/AAAAAAAAAYo/fxOaDSIV65U/s1600-h/Ashville+052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318638394724898770" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sc-ZcM5U19I/AAAAAAAAAYo/fxOaDSIV65U/s320/Ashville+052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sc-ZIG5f8gI/AAAAAAAAAYY/YGpBZ5OJdOI/s1600-h/Ashville+051.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318638049517629954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sc-ZIG5f8gI/AAAAAAAAAYY/YGpBZ5OJdOI/s320/Ashville+051.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sc-ZPC2VUbI/AAAAAAAAAYg/gNDFMbnajQs/s1600-h/Ashville+113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318638168689693106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/Sc-ZPC2VUbI/AAAAAAAAAYg/gNDFMbnajQs/s320/Ashville+113.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Stylin</div></div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-30228363249196820872009-03-01T13:55:00.000-08:002009-03-01T14:07:38.664-08:00Gave it awayToday was the 3rd & final race of the Bedford Mountain Cross Series. It would be a muddy mess given the fact it rained all day Saturday & when I got up this morning, it was snowing & cold. We checked the web site & the race was still on. Unfortunately I would not be participating. I've been fighting this upper respiratory thing for about a week now & today it decided to move up into my head. Took an antibiotic the first 5 days of it,...but it did nothing. Now I've moved on to Dayquil, Niquil, and started Theraflu today. Nothing's working. Can't get in to see my doctor until Thursday (that's the first "sick visit" she has available) Yuk...coughing, hacking, sneezing, taking inhaler shots...repeat sequence. I wanted to race but like my hubby said...it's March...It's early...why risk getting sicker than I already am. I probably would have had the series wrapped up...although hubby insists he would have caught me today. Oh well...I guess I'll never know. <br />My buddy Laura called me on her way home wondering what happened to us. She said it was a very short course, but extremely muddy. Basically you'd climb, then descend, then climb, then descend. I think Scott Schleckman (sp?) ended up winning the whole thing......<br />I'm not happy about it....but what can I do? I've been pouting all day...just ask hubby. He's taken the brunt of my grouchiness..... Oh well...back to the couch...for a bit. <br />Congrats to the participants who braved today's weather. There's always next year's series...Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-42701648524872995922009-02-16T17:44:00.000-08:002009-02-16T17:52:19.180-08:00Bedford Mtn. Cross #2<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SZoXDslJmyI/AAAAAAAAAX0/frr2aiI2P_k/s1600-h/sandbag.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303576863456205602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 97px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SZoXDslJmyI/AAAAAAAAAX0/frr2aiI2P_k/s320/sandbag.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://www.ace-bag.com/images/green%20sandbag.jpg"></a></div><br /><p>What in the world is that? Yes, my friends, that is a bag of sand. </p><p>The second race in the Bedford mtn cross was Sunday...and I was a major sandbagger again. I ended up doing 5 laps on the 1.5 mile course. It was fun, fast & furious. I completed my first lap before many folks had gone off so I was a lap up on most of the expert boyz......got passed by hubby & some others but I was able to hold them off to take the checkered flag...or bag of sand....</p><p>Oh well...I guess that's what happens when you get a 20 minute head start. I felt much like a mechanical rabbit at a greyhound race. I didn't know where the riders were behind me...but I knew they were there....All I had to do was keep pedaling...or shoveling as the case may be!</p>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-41193000070323978522009-02-05T18:36:00.000-08:002009-02-05T18:58:17.530-08:00SandbaggerSunday was the first race of the Bedford Mountain Cross Series This isn't a really serious race..but more of a way to gauge how your fitness level is in January. I hadn't really even given the race much thought until Sunday morning. I didn't even decide what class to race until we got there. I chose to race in my age group this time...Vet Women I knew I wouldn't be fast enough to even attempt to race expert class. The race was a bit different...there was more of a handicap system in place where the slower riders started first. The more experienced/faster riders started at a time deficit. You had to do as many laps as you could in your allotted time limit. I had 53 minutes to do as many laps as possible. I think the expert women had something around 45 or 42 minutes, vet expert men..38.5 minutes, and so on. <br />There were a couple of run ups on course and a few barriers. The course was waaaaay muddy. When I rode my practice lap, I had trouble keeping the bike upright. When I came in from the practice lap, my bike was already caked in mud....Fun!.<br /><br />As my group started, we had to ride past the other riders waiting to go. As I approached the singletrack, I was greeted with a chorus of "sandbagger, sandbagger!". Thanks hubby!<br />I rode w/ another younger rider (age 16) for the first & second laps. We would trade places back & forth, he'd get ahead, then I'd pass, then I'd fall or slide out & he'd go around. <br />I slipped & slid all over the course.....in some sections, I'd stand up to pedal & would remain in the same spot just spinning my back wheel. It was a little freaky. <br />The course was pretty fun..had it been dry it would have been extremely fast. <br />on my 3rd lap, Kenny (race promoter) let me know I still had enough time to do a fourth lap!..Woo Hoo....My goal was to not get caught by all the faster riders behind me...and I really didn't want to get caught by my hubby who started 15 minutes behind me. <br />As I was finishing up my last lap, I heard an all too familiar sound of someone's hub.....I turned around to see my hubby fast approaching. I tried to hold on for as long as I could, but he passed me on the last up hill section. I almost caught him on the very last climb...but just couldn't stay upright. Turns out he beat me by 14 seconds..and he turned the fastest lap time on the course. He was going all out to catch me...pretty darn good for starting w/ a 15 minute deficit.<br /><br />I really didn't know how I placed at the end. I felt really good on the bike & my legs felt strong. <br />When they did the awards, it turns out I got second place!...not too shabby for a sandbagging old woman . Pictures & results are here.. in 2 more weeks I'll race again. <br /><br /><a href="http://bedfordtrails.wordpress.com/upcoming-trail-events/">http://bedfordtrails.wordpress.com/upcoming-trail-events/</a>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-70449401178074157482009-01-26T17:01:00.000-08:002009-01-26T17:35:09.348-08:00Arcadia....Hubby, Adam & I decided to head out to Arcadia for a ride on Saturday. Temps were in the low 40s and were predicted to drop throughout the day. As we traveled the road towards the parking area, we noticed many of the smaller trout streams still had a 3-4 inch layer of ice on them. It was quite scenic but we knew it was gonna be cold.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5jnQ0SOxI/AAAAAAAAAXk/Tc5gEHiTevw/s1600-h/Arcadia+in+winter+010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295779738014595858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5jnQ0SOxI/AAAAAAAAAXk/Tc5gEHiTevw/s320/Arcadia+in+winter+010.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>We got dressed & headed up the road towards the first climb of the day. As we approached some houses, we wondered if we would run into our golden retriever friend, Baden. A couple of years ago he came along with us on a ride. We thought he would turn around & head home.. but around 18 miles into the ride, we finally called his owner to come pick him up. Surely we wouldn't see him & if we did, he wouldn't remember us. As we approached his house, he came bounding down the driveway barking his head off. We called to him & his bark turned into a friendly greeting session...he seemed to act like "Where have you guys been?" "Are you ready to go? Huh? Huh? Huh? " We knew we didn't want him to come along today because we planned another epic ride. While we were stopped, I decided to change my jacket so I would not get overheated on the climb. I dropped my El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Toreo</span> vest on the ground & Baden picked it up and started to run away w/ it. Fortunately he brought it back & dropped it at my feet. It was all a big game to him. Baden's owner called for him....He seemed a little torn because he really, really wanted to go with us....Finally hubby rode up to the house & Baden followed. Hubby mentioned to Baden's owner the adventure from 2 years ago..His owner remembered us. </div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5kKW1uAOI/AAAAAAAAAXs/6eReFTgZ8wI/s1600-h/Arcadia+in+winter+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295780340926644450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5kKW1uAOI/AAAAAAAAAXs/6eReFTgZ8wI/s320/Arcadia+in+winter+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Once Baden was safe & sound & I had a lighter jacket on, we started to climb...and climb, and climb.....and climb some more. I think the overall elevation gain for the ride was around 4400'....That's a lot on a single speed. Upon reaching the top, I put my dog slobbered vest on over my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">camelback</span>. I looked like the hunchback of Arcadia. It was quite funny....but I was warmer. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5jOzZKlII/AAAAAAAAAXU/PHHOBaZ4h7M/s1600-h/Arcadia+in+winter+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295779317799359618" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5jOzZKlII/AAAAAAAAAXU/PHHOBaZ4h7M/s320/Arcadia+in+winter+015.JPG" border="0" /></a>We descended this horse trail. It was pretty rough going because the ground had frozen, then thawed, then was frozen again. Plus there were a ton of leaves on the trail...in some places it was hub deep so you had no idea what was beneath. Big rocks were hidden in the leaves so you got a jolt each time you hit one. We approached an area where there was a big hole covered by leaves. Adam & Hubby rode it. As I got closer, Hubby exclaimed: "Get your weight back, there's a hole!".....I thought, I have a 29er, I can do this..there's no way I can <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">endo</span>!......I rolled up to it, put my weight back, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BAM</span>!....my front wheel stopped dead....and......yup...you guessed it....I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">endoed</span>! I was in a beautiful swan dive position, ultimately landing on my left shoulder, all splayed out!.....I thought...so you CAN <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">endo</span> on a 29er! Wow! Except what came out of my mouth was rather R rated....let's just say I wasn't very happy. I guess I didn't have my weight back far enough. Oh well....I jumped back on the bike, but was pretty tentative on the rest of the leaves, etc. </div><div>As we continued riding, we noticed the temperature steadily dropping. My toes were getting colder as were my fingers. We started up another <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">fireroad</span> climb in the hopes of getting warm again...Unfortunately we got about 1/4 of the way up & were not any warmer. We decided to abandon that part of the ride & come back down. We headed back to our vehicles.....on the way back, we saw 2 coyotes. We had noticed lots of coyote poop on the way up so we knew they were in the area. Seeing them was a little spooky. I'm sure the farmers in the area are not too happy about the coyotes.<br /></div><div>We ended the ride around 3 hours later...we ended up doing 20 miles. We stopped in Buchanan for some chili & grilled cheese sandwiches...mmmmm....It was a fun day but a little cold....hopefully we can go back in the early spring when the temperatures are a little warmer. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5jcplUWZI/AAAAAAAAAXc/hvDq-pM-ANU/s1600-h/Arcadia+in+winter+031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295779555684145554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SX5jcplUWZI/AAAAAAAAAXc/hvDq-pM-ANU/s320/Arcadia+in+winter+031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-13455979900769940232009-01-18T07:49:00.000-08:002009-01-18T08:08:12.158-08:00BrrrrrrrIt was Saturday...hubby had already done his "no excuses" ride. I had to get froo frooed up in the morning so I could not join him. I had the itch to ride...even though it was only 20 degrees or so. Quite a bit warmer than when hubby went out. Around 12:30 I called my buddy Laura & asked her if she had already ridden.....she said she was still in her pj's watching CSI dvds....I asked if she'd be up for an urban assault, local trail ride...she said sure..she could get motivated.....She had originally planned to ride the trainer...yuk!...I figured this would be more fun.<br /><br /><br />We met up at PH around 2...At this point the sun was out & I was thinking I was a bit overdressed...especially when we started the short climbs. We ran into a gentlemen walking his pooches....he bid us a good day & mentioned it was getting warm enough to start taking off the layers......almost... We continued over to Fishburn and explored the trails there...I was trying not to do too much climbing b/c I was really feeling tired from the previous nights P90X Core Synergistics workout. I didn't think it would affect me that much...but I was hurting on the climbs. We went through some of the more "technical" sections of the trail...lots of roots, a few rocks, . I mentioned to Laura this is a great place to work on technical skills.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXNTbD_aPgI/AAAAAAAAAXE/QKWH7acLNcw/s1600-h/2009-01-17+pookie+at+fishburn"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292665711483305474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXNTbD_aPgI/AAAAAAAAAXE/QKWH7acLNcw/s320/2009-01-17+pookie+at+fishburn" border="0" /></a><br />We continued on and ran into our friend Wake from the bike shop. He had his adorable 9 week old little puppy with him....a Brittany named Kaya......very cute, very cuddly, all puppy. After we chatted with him for a bit, we decided to venture over to Mill Mountain. We cut through lots of alleys as we made our way to the Roanoke River Greenway. Once at the Greenway, I hopped up on a small median & rode alongside Laura...I did have to bail because I was headed for a trashcan.<br /><br /><br />As we continued on the greenway, the wind had picked up a bit & the cloudes rolled in. It was starting to get cold...Laura mentioned her fingers were getting a little cold because they had gotten too warm on the initial part of the ride and the inside of the gloves were now damp. I was having the same issue with my thumbs.<br /><br /><br />We cruised past River's Edge where there were a few folks out jogging & some others playing soccer. We rode through the tunnel under the railroad tracks to head over towards Chrystal Spring...There was actually ice in the tunnel.... When we emerged on the other side, we noticed our friends Chris & Angelia waiting in the parking lot. I noticed a Trane HVAC truck there as well..I asked Chris if he was on call..he said no, but his co-worker was..but ran into an issue. He had called Chris for a little backup & Chris was nice enough to oblige. We chatted w/ Angelia a bit...As we chatted, the winds increased & the temps felt like they were getting colder. We decided to forgoe Mill Mountain today for fear that once we climbed, we'd be chilled to bones trying to ride home & that wouldn't have been any fun.<br /><br /><br />We bid Angelia adieu & headed back through the Greenway, onto the alleys & finally parted ways near PH. It was fun just to get out & get a decent ride. I wanted to do 2+ hours, but the colde got the better of me. I ended up with 1:45 which I guess wasn't too bad considering the conditions.Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-78065324574096921012009-01-16T11:10:00.000-08:002009-01-16T11:22:32.178-08:00Ignorance<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXDeHFkA0sI/AAAAAAAAAW8/nDaTdimKkvI/s1600-h/outback+window+001.JPG"></a> <div><div>Went out this morning to start the car so I could warm it up in the 8 degree temps. I entered through the passenger side, stuck the key in the ignition, & started her up. As I shut the passenger door, I heard what sounded like ice sliding off of the roof.....I thought to myself..we didn't have any weather last night. I circle to the back of the car & the back window had completely shattered. Holy Crap! I shut off the car & ran back inside to tell hubby what had just happened. We forumlated a plan. I went back out front and noticed my neighbor's car had paint all over the driver's side window & their side mirror was busted out. Shooot!...some )@($* idiots decided to vandalize property over the frigid evening. Stupid, just plain stupid!<br /><br /><div>I ran back inside & told hubby we needed to call the cops in addition to the insurance company...</div><br /><p>Here's a few pics...nice Huh?</p><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXDc2akUr1I/AAAAAAAAAWk/_Ign6QYZw-g/s1600-h/outback+window+1+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291972389563051858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXDc2akUr1I/AAAAAAAAAWk/_Ign6QYZw-g/s320/outback+window+1+001.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291972712457392738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXDdJNcVUmI/AAAAAAAAAWs/CsTfNpBA97Q/s320/outback+window+1+002.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><p></p><p>When hubby was on the phone w/ the police, he noticed one of the neighbors driving up the street. They had paint on their car too. I don't know what possesses some people to do such destructive things. Funny thing is you'd think the car alarm would have gone off in the middle of the night. We didn't hear a thing...even the dog slept through the night. </p><br /><p>Anwyay..she's in the shop right now getting some new glass. I'm home...I worked 1/2 day this morning, then met hubby at the glass shop so he could take me home and go to work for the other half of the day. It's just a car & it can be fixed. But it's just really stupid the mentality of some of the people in this world!</p></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-80103957679211123952009-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:002009-01-16T10:48:59.090-08:00question: what do you do when it's 10 degrees outside<div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>You have a "spin' party! Note the twinkling Christmas lights!</div><div>requirements: Some type of cycling training dvd, bike, trainer/rollers, good friends, good attitudes</div><div> </div><div>I never enjoy riding the trainer...but had to get a workout in. We decided to host a "spin" session in lieu of the Thursday night ride. Our buddy Laura, aka "Michigan" joined us for this time trial workout. I thought I would die during the 2nd 5 minute high intensity phase. If it was just hubby & I, I don't think I would have pushed as hard.. It was nice having Laura join us...I felt like I had to be accountable for the workout I was doing. Thanks Laura...you totally motivated me w/out even knowing it </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXDVTk9pUgI/AAAAAAAAAWc/vJaGf1UGLCU/s1600-h/Dungeon+005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291964094476800514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SXDVTk9pUgI/AAAAAAAAAWc/vJaGf1UGLCU/s320/Dungeon+005.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25333704.post-66580472174989603982009-01-02T18:19:00.000-08:002009-01-02T18:32:04.868-08:00New Yrs eve/day pics<div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SV7L4Lv5RiI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pkjJzGtI0JY/s1600-h/New+Years+Eve+New+Years+Day+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286887178666329634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SV7L4Lv5RiI/AAAAAAAAAV4/pkjJzGtI0JY/s320/New+Years+Eve+New+Years+Day+021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SV7Lgc5QqOI/AAAAAAAAAVw/r7UFdKDai8k/s1600-h/New+Years+Eve+New+Years+Day+023.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Hey, put me down...my beer......I mean bone is down there!</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SV7MNPodYSI/AAAAAAAAAWA/p5n66R3mXMI/s1600-h/New+Years+Eve+New+Years+Day+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286887540486136098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SV7MNPodYSI/AAAAAAAAAWA/p5n66R3mXMI/s320/New+Years+Eve+New+Years+Day+015.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Should old acquaintance be forgot...........</div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SV7Nm3gChXI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/2NJMxin5LSE/s1600-h/New+Years+Eve+New+Years+Day+054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286889080196597106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0KDB38ZzTA0/SV7Nm3gChXI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/2NJMxin5LSE/s320/New+Years+Eve+New+Years+Day+054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>One day soon, I will conquer this log pile</div></div></div></div>Paulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06435451575044357804noreply@blogger.com1