Green light means GO!!!

Well,  I have good news the doc has given me a green light.  Finally after a week of ignoring a protrusion from my wrist bone.. I finally broke down and visited the doc.  X-ray shows all bones are in tact... haha! Feared that the trip over the handle bars may have been a bit much for me... BUT!! nope... I'm good to go.. something which is called a ganglion cyst... God what a terrible descriptive.   I'm sure I will work it out. Anyway.... I'm clear for more MTB fun....

Cat and Mouse

Okay, this ride was planned as a team ride.  Detailed " Easy, for everyone"  haha.... Now you have to understand that the team is hard core! These guys are high speed ...  reaching for the win... and many have won... Our Pawling Cycle and Sport team is amazing!!!! Seriously... Let's make a comparison... skiing to biking...  I'm the bunny slope, these guys are the black diamonds!!! haha... Well, as I meet up with the team.. speeding by.... Met up for a quick chat with Rob as I'm panting from the quick pace of the ride?????  He says oh man.. Nicole, this is the fast group... none of the slower ones showed up... of course I'm saying to myself... SHIT... I'm in for it... I reply.... I have the clue sheet.... I'm set.. He says stay as long as you can with the pack... I'm out here to ride I say, no worries...   the pack stayed a good 1/8 of a mile ahead of me for a ways then.... they were hard to see.  I continue as I'm here for a reason I will forge ahead, I've got the cue sheet and all... hehehe...  And then I see the yellow jacket lingering about... Yes... it is Ralph... wow...  I say, you didn't need to wait, you should have flown with the boys...  his response, I didn't want you to ride alone... Wicked amazing... So there you have it... An amazing friendship... my mentor, my friend.   Enjoy the video..... cat and mouse!!!

http://youtu.be/iSfK8D1iAXk

Stats:
Companions:  The team at first... then me and Ralph
Distance: 45 miles
Time 3:12
Average speed: 14.1
Temp: 30 degrees - No problem I have the dress under raps

What I learned:
Well, anytime I meet up with the team I know it's going to be a push.  But I will say it is exactly what I need to push myself.  I will admit, it is a bit intimidating but I do it anyway, every time. If I keep at it perhaps I will one day .. ride with the pack through the whole trip... :) and then I smile.

Speed ???

Well, did a short ride, pushing for speed.  Tried to get a partner to race against but I think I posted to late.  Anyway my opponent ended up being the clock, tick, tock, tick, tock... Hummm apparently I need to change the batteries in this particular "clock" as I ended a bit slower than I wanted.  Stats below

Companion: Solo
Distance: 13.8 miles
Time: 58 minutes
Average speed 14.3 MPH  compared to last speed run of 14.94

Well,  It was a beautiful day. Didn't think I would get out, busy with that thing called "life" but did for an hour, so was thrilled.    Although I didn't push myself the way I should have, losing speed on my last recorded "speed" ride.

What I learned:
Well, training can sometimes be a bit tough when doing it alone.   Meaning, I always "do" it but...  sometimes when I don't have the "boys" pushing me, or me keeping up with them!, it becomes a bit easier not to push my hardest. Well anyway... I did a lot of thinking on my ride, perhaps the need for "thinking" time was the reason this adventure was meant to be alone.  Had a good talk with myself ... HAHAHA... Oh come on... I know you all do it sometimes ;)... And realized something very important about myself, so overall.. it was a successful ride... :)   Gosh.... I can't help but laugh at my ride photos... because nothing makes me look remotely cool.... LOL!  And yes... the hair kept getting in the way... but no time to stop... as I was on the clock!!!  Until next ride...

Cross XC Training - With one of my biggest fans

So..  My trainer ( hehe ) Ralph has noted that what ever I can do when ever to support the progression of my training over the winter is huge.  It is quite cold out there and it makes it difficult to hit the road.  So I bring it inside on the trainer, spinning classes, Bikram, etc.  Anything that I think will support my efforts in strengthening me physically and mentally! So one Cross training event which I LOVED!!!!  as this was an adventure that I share with one of my favorite fans... my son.. XC skiing.. It was amazing and a sliver that I will remember, cherish and of course.. when we get the snow back???  Do it once again.  Although this adventure didn't come without a few "MORE" falls....  What is up with this last weekend... the bruises from the MTB crashes are healing... although there is a new "thing" sticking out from my wrist... hummm... Hoping it will go away soon.  so here are the stats:

Time:  2 hours through the woods!!
Length:  Have no idea
Temperature: 30 degrees, although it got warm very quickly
Speed: SLOW.... as we stopped and reflected whenever we could.. We were in no hurry!

Enjoy the slideshow:

 http://youtu.be/d0DpWxZU5wI

Mountain Ride

A bit sore... but worth every minute..  Tried something that my crazy mentor has been pushing me to try... And actually I loved it.. Although had a few spills and have a few bruises and scratches tonight, ouch!!!  But I gained a huge amount of knowledge from it.  As Ralph would say.... you know it from riding a horse... you become one with what you're riding. So true, I total got it by the end of the 1.5 hour ride. Was scary at moments, but I quickly learned how to ride the "bumps", don't be afraid of the hills, lay off the front breaks as you descend, ride thru the obstacle if it is not too large and don't stop pedalling, and to dress lighter... It was cold out at first but took no time to warm up. Anyway... I would do it again in a heart beat! Thank you Rob for lending the bike! It will get some good use in the future.. I'm sure of it!  So as for the Gopro... my daughter said to me this morning... mom... make sure you don't forget to hit the start button.  Well I did that, I made sure of it, but I think something went wrong along the way. It was actually kind of weird! It might have been the bumps???  Out of he 1.5 hours riding... only 9 minutes were captured, but the weird part about it was ... in those 9 minutes, the first crash was captured, which was half way through the ride.  Seriously... so not planned.. Next time I hope to capture some of the wicked stuff I experienced today.  Side note... my son will love this and I can't wait to ride it with him... We will start with the double wides..

Well... I hope you enjoy the video... Stats: are listed

http://youtu.be/8e8yADGv6M0

Snow ... hummmm

Well, 24 degrees and snow on the ground... This ride will for sure be interesting... UGH!   I will make sure the red light is blinking this time... hehehe...  until later.. If I survive.

Nothing

Nothing to log today... except dragging in and out of the city a 40lb bag from showroom to showroom, back to the showroom, back over to the showroom.. you get the idea... Accounts for something, no??.. But I do have exciting news!!!!  With Ralph's ever wonderful mentoring skills he has been trying to get me on a "mountain" bike.   My response has been a sarcastic laugh and then... maybe next season Ralph, as I roll my eyes.  Monday's trip he spoke of getting a nice thick log to practice jumping over.. And if anyone knows me well... I responded with a gasp, oh ya... not me!!!!  This man is completely mad, jumping over a log with a bike, can you imagine... I say to myself???  Well.... Plans for Friday.. yup you have it... mountain biking with Ralph.  Man this is going to be interesting to say the very least... And he writes in the e-mail "do not wear layers" followed by "you'll see why"  Some how I think I might be getting the old Ralph set up...  Like "Going for a short ride today, want to come?"... sure I say... we hit the end of W. Dover I go to turn right... he says nope left...I in horror respond!!! THE MOUNTAIN!!!!  WHAT!!!!  He laughs and turns left.    That's called the "Ralph" set up....  Thinking perhaps a gopro event, although it might be a bit dangerous for the new equipment. The body can always heal, the equipment doesn't heal :/, priorities?  But it could be really great footage... hahaha... we will see.  On that note.. see you then...

Quantum Physics....

I woke to the cover of snow today.... The rain came shortly after....  Life just happened and I was pulled towards those things that fuel the mechanics of life... Anyway by 6:30 pm I was ready to surrender to my obsession...But today... I leave Chris behind( cycling for power-master)... haha...  I will revisit you soon.. don't you worry...  Choice of this evening.. documentary genre... hummm  picks for you? Nextflix says...... Let's see... "what the bleep do we know" Perfect... 109 minutes of quantum physics...  Right up my alley... seriously... and I could even say this was great  for training.... Mind over body.....
And yes... of course I was able to monitor and track my cadence .... :)

Stats:
109 minutes
Cadence intervals 80-100
Knowledge registered.... Lots..( c'mon  quantum physics... ) wicked cool stuff haha!!! really!
companions... occasional super twin asking for something... or sharing something...

Photo by CAH

With resolve, intent and purpose, you just do it

Ralph's Bog Hollow ride today.

I woke and immediately checked the temperature outside for the ride... 9 degrees, and I thought to myself... wow I must be out of my mind...  But continued to get ready with more layers than I care to admit. Although as I will boast... I found the perfect formula for dress on a cold run... ( we'll see I say under my breath) The ride started out malfunction after malfunction, but that never stopped me before.  It started as my young racer eagerly helped to prepare for my adventure of the day.  The Presta valve broke as he explain to me what happened as he was filling the tire.  No problem... the closure was still in tact and should be fine for the ride. I fill my bottles with "almost" boiling water.  The little racer shocked and confused but after explaining it gives me a smile as he learned another trick he is sure to use in the future.  I'm bundled up and ready to roll.  I stop at a neighbors house to drop the kids off thanking her for supporting me as I indulge in this craziness.  As she says... "I'm not going to ask why, I've learned.... You do what you do" followed by a laugh... As I eagerly start to pedal away my chain slips.  I try to use the tricks of getting it back on without stopping but to no avail I had to stop, turn the bike over and re-chain... Okay... back on and ready to roll.  Met Ralph and Steve on West Dover turned to join in their direction.    Oh and btw....  had the gopro attached and ready to record the ride...

Stats:
http://ridewithgps.com/trips/486120       (Although I did not do the full ride, met them on w.dover)
Companions:  Ralph and Steve
Miles 37.5
Time 2:44
Average speed 13.8 mph
highest grade 12.1
Temperature start 17 degrees
Temperature end 24 degrees

Overall great ride..I was hoping to share it with you all but..... Malfunction #3 - Apparently I didn't hit the start button properly on the gopro... OMG!!!!  So I rode looking like a dork for almost 38 miles and for what... haha....I look like a dork with or without this machine protruding from my head, so why is this moment any different?  followed by a laugh!!!!    Had some great drafting shots...  and descending shots ( or as Ralph refers to it... screaming) .. although... as my brother in-law would say... no pictures then it didn't happen... haha!!! But really it did!  Drafting during the cold days is key.....  It's called the warm spot... and I take full advantage of it, the boys will tell you.  As for the perfect formula in "very" cold weather....  Well.... my toes were freezing!!!!!  So I haven't quite gotten the "perfect" formula... Other than that... I was generally really comfortable.

No pics this ride... :(

So what did I learn from this ride.... dedication to something that you really want after time becomes natural.  You just do it... without question, with resolve, intent and purpose, you just do it.

The West Cave

The East cave is for art, creativity, passion and emotion
The West cave is for perseverance, dedication, endurance and challenge
The west cave, the new cave as been created and will stay for the next 2 months
After those two months... hummm.... not sure... what will go in its place

Stats:
Have no idea how far I went ... but I would say about 20 miles
Today's focus and training was about cadence 80-100 intervals with recovery periods in between
The 60 minute training flew by, window open for a breeze.

Working on a trainer that was lent to me from Pawling Cycle and Sport, 12 Main St. Check them out, amazing shop.... http://www.pawlingcycle.com/  ... Thank you again Rob!!!!  Love the DVD too... although... Chris got a bit boring during the DVD so on one of my recoveries... I had to add background music ... gusgus was my music of choice today.   Nothing personal Chris but... haha....   I did get a chance to think about my opening words for Thursday... I've got them done..   Hitting the road though again tomorrow with my dear companion Ralph!   Thinking gopro... for our ride. :)

Additional support :)

I'm excited to share that I have received additional sponsorship from the LP energy drink company.  I've reached out over the last week to a number of potential sponsors as I continue to plan for the Arizona trip. One of which I heard back from right away.  Thank you Randy!

  I'm also thrilled to say the owner of Pawling Cycle and Sport has donated the use of a trainer, so that I can continue my training during these cold months "inside".  Although the cold has not seemed to affect my training... I have decided not to train during these cold days outside unless I have a partner so safety reasons.  Picking up later today :)

January 8, 2012

The best ride in a very long time....  Wasn't paying attention to the mileage, the average speed, the climb.. none of that.  We were more concerned about what snacks we were going to take in our backpack, new lense check, something to eat check, carrots for our friends check.    Bravo to my partner on this trip.. Made it about 6 miles.  First time out with mommy.  With many stops along the way.  Isn't that it is all about anyway?

Stats: 
Partner: A little "almost" 5 foot figure that I call the fuel that makes my heart beat
Distance: It could have gone on forever
Speed: Way toooo fast

What I got from this ride:  A sliver of exploration, adventure and perseverance with a magical little girl that is growing up way too fast...   Our quote "Call them and they will come"  ~ We're talking about koń.  And she did come.... she must have smelt the carrots in backpack... hehehe...

January 6, 2012 climb

First time on the Gopro....was great to take you along!!!  But will need to experiment and tweak.  Helmet mount try this trip. - outcome was just okay :/....  Too much looking around.. I think I might try the bike mount next.   Okay enough about the video and more about the ride...

Stats:
Solo
2.9  mile climb
32 minutes total 5.76 miles for the climb only and descent.
10 mile excursion
Not so great at 11.1 amph - But this can be my starting point for climbs
Weather was perfect mid 40's
Grades hit 13.6%
climbed 791 ft.

I hope to eventually hit this climb multi times within a single trip...  I'm getting less afraid of it... which is HUGE!!!!  fellow cyclist will get that comment!  It changes every time I climb.

Enjoy the Climb with me:
http://youtu.be/kDU3menyR1E          

Cold DAY!!!!! January 3, 2012 - climbing

Wow... the days are getting very cold here.  It snowed a bit last night.  I've gotten better at the dressing for the rides and I think I might actually have it down to a science.  Although I did realize 2 very important things.  #1......  I need a thermal water bottle... Even after filling my water bottle with warm water it froze about at the 14 miles mark and I was unable to get any water out of it unless I took the top off.  Hence we stopped once we got into town to add some hot water.  Thanks to some help.. hehehe... I was able to get the top off. Stopped to chat a bit with Rob the cycle shop owner... Was great to chat but... #2 lesson.... do not stop for more than just a moment on a cold ride.  I stopped for about 15 minutes got back on the bike and within a few minutes I thought I might have to stop because my finger were about to fall off!!!!   But trustly Ralph pulled me thru not to stop.. hunkered behind him at his wheel to get warm while pushing thru and soon after that fingers had a nice supply of warm blood flowing thru them.  The wind was strong today.  As Ralph would say, this wind is like riding thru mud.  I even had a few flurries grace us.... OMG!!!

Stats:
Partner for the ride: Ralph
Distance  29.04 miles
Time 2:14
Average speed 13.6 mph
Temperature: 24 - with wind 14 mph
Route: Up and over Quaker Hill  thru Patterson into Pawling and then back.
Ride type: climbing - Don't have grades or feet climbed but will update later.

What I took for this ride today:  Brrrrrrr... It's really cold out there....  Oh and even if your not really up for a ride... do it anyway because you will feel better after.  Although I'm still thawing out..

December 31, 2011 Speed

My rides will be broken up into 4 "types"  1-Distance, 2- climbs, 3- speed and 4- strength intervals, which will include short climbs, high grades.   On the last day of the year 2011 I ended with speed.  Mostly flatter routes pushing for speed, This will be my base starting point for speed

Stats for this ride:
Solo
Distance 17.4 miles
Time 1:10
Average speed 14.94

This being the last day of the year I was tempted to stop and reflect, but instead I pushed forward with momentum.  Although just a decision on a ride, in fact it represented many things to me. Through out our lives we are faced with at times, moments that you want to just stop.  Whether it be through frustration, exhaustion or just plain confusion of life.  But it is important to keep moving forward, with momentum, strength and energy. So there it is we say goodbye to 2011 and hello to 2012.  Although just another day it holds a unique representation of a new beginning.  I'm game... Happy New Year!