![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gridloreGot a much earlier start to the ride this morning.
Arrived at the park about an hour after it opened, and the trails were mostly empty. So, up I went. Shifting is becoming far more intuitive now, and I am able to anticipate changes based on the grade ahead. I wore my watch, but didn't think to start the stopwatch, nor check the time when I actually hit the bike trail.
Did pretty well, even handled the scary turn well (downhill into a tight left curve with an immediate uphill.) without too much trouble. Came to the point where I had turned back, stopped, drank some water, and kept going. I started picking goals like "the next par course station" or "the next bench in a shaded area." Eventually, I came to a wood bridge over the creek and decided this would be the point where I turned around. Came over the bridge, and saw the trail signs.
Almaden Lake 1.5 mi.
I was impressed, to say the least. So I walked the bike back over the bridge and started heading back to the lake. Made better time on this legs, since it is a slight downhill in that direction. Came off the trail with enough velocity to go over the first bridge over the creek with speed to spare. Made it out of the park (you have to walk your bike for a portion of the way, and headed not quite home. I needed the Sunday paper, of course. From the park gate to the Union 76 where I grab the paper is about a half mile. Had the paper bagged, and once I was back across Blossom Hill and the Expressway, I decided to do a sprint the last few blocks.
For most of the last half-mile or so, my legs were really beginning to burn. So I berated myself. "Pain? This isn't pain, Doug. Remember blood clots? chemotherapy? blood draws that struck nerves? Game 6 of the 2002 World Series? That is what pain feels like, chump! This is accomplishment. Pain is transitory. Accomplishment is forever! Suck it up, Berry, and pump those feet!" It works for me. My own personal Drill Sergeant in my head.
Add everything up, and I did about 4 miles. There were a few breaks where I pulled over to drink water and stretch, but I'm not really riding for time. There still more of the trail to be explored!
And I have a new goal for when I master endurance riding.. A trail along Mount Umunhum
I swear, getting out and riding has been one of the better things I've done for myself in the last few years.
Arrived at the park about an hour after it opened, and the trails were mostly empty. So, up I went. Shifting is becoming far more intuitive now, and I am able to anticipate changes based on the grade ahead. I wore my watch, but didn't think to start the stopwatch, nor check the time when I actually hit the bike trail.
Did pretty well, even handled the scary turn well (downhill into a tight left curve with an immediate uphill.) without too much trouble. Came to the point where I had turned back, stopped, drank some water, and kept going. I started picking goals like "the next par course station" or "the next bench in a shaded area." Eventually, I came to a wood bridge over the creek and decided this would be the point where I turned around. Came over the bridge, and saw the trail signs.
Almaden Lake 1.5 mi.
I was impressed, to say the least. So I walked the bike back over the bridge and started heading back to the lake. Made better time on this legs, since it is a slight downhill in that direction. Came off the trail with enough velocity to go over the first bridge over the creek with speed to spare. Made it out of the park (you have to walk your bike for a portion of the way, and headed not quite home. I needed the Sunday paper, of course. From the park gate to the Union 76 where I grab the paper is about a half mile. Had the paper bagged, and once I was back across Blossom Hill and the Expressway, I decided to do a sprint the last few blocks.
For most of the last half-mile or so, my legs were really beginning to burn. So I berated myself. "Pain? This isn't pain, Doug. Remember blood clots? chemotherapy? blood draws that struck nerves? Game 6 of the 2002 World Series? That is what pain feels like, chump! This is accomplishment. Pain is transitory. Accomplishment is forever! Suck it up, Berry, and pump those feet!" It works for me. My own personal Drill Sergeant in my head.
Add everything up, and I did about 4 miles. There were a few breaks where I pulled over to drink water and stretch, but I'm not really riding for time. There still more of the trail to be explored!
And I have a new goal for when I master endurance riding.. A trail along Mount Umunhum
I swear, getting out and riding has been one of the better things I've done for myself in the last few years.
