Catching up Literally - Arrival 3/17

I'm well into the Century week here at the PAC tours in Arizona and I have a lot to catch up on, so here I go.

  My trip To Tuscan although uneventful was very long.  I had to fly into LA and then back to Tuscan totally almost 10 hours travel time.  Arrived there relatively on time and jumped right into the courtesy van.  The hotel was within a mile of the airport so it was short ride :) Thank goodness.  Arrived checked in and then out to the PAC tour Vans to check in there.   A little nervous as the groups of people seemed to of course be socializing as they have known each other for years.  I walked up to the silver Van where I met Barb, she quickly asked my name and with a smile said oh Nicole you're the scholarship winner.  She proceeded to tell me how she knew Anne Maire and would to sit with me a tell me all about her.  Of course, I would love to.  We're having coffee tomorrow morning before the ride.  Shortly after that I meet Susan Notorangelo and Lon Haldeman!!!!!!  Hello!!  Each one of them being a legend in this sport!!! Incredible legends and pioneers I should say.   What a privilege being here on this trip is... not only to represent Anne Marie McSweeney but also to be have the opportunity to talk and be with Susan and Lon both. That was only the beginning!!!!  Of course... the ahhh stopped immediately when Susan in her strong voice ushers me along and goes... okay you have your peddles and your seat? Come let's get started... haha... oh shit!!! peddles, seat.... Rob... where is Rob when you need him... hahah!!!! Only kidding... this is what I came here for... It's about time I fended for myself!  Susan proceed to explain and guide me though it all.   As I work through getting my seat on peddles etc. Although when I got changes the tire... I Patty told me that it might be on backwards!!!  haha... and it was..  So took it off and did it again.  Little did I know it was good practice for my trip ahead. Anyway continuing..  Susan moves on and I meet this amazing women, her name is Patty Joe.  Also known as Snow kitty... what an amazing character she is.  And also another amazing athlete.... Winner of the most extreme cycle race, RAAM attendee, Alaskan Iditarod!!!  That's where she got frost bite on her fingers and toes.  That story came out as we sat in the rescue van on the first day.... Although she was smarter than me and she sat in the back seat dry as I was drenched from head to toe.  That will be another story.  Well got the bike ready, and took a short ride around the hotel in preparation for the trip tomorrow.  Only 3 miles around and the roads were crazy rough, hurt my hands, the winds also was strong and felt like 6 miles.  Headed back to the hotel and met up with Lon and he asked if I would be joining them for dinner. Hecht yeay!   Well, Met Anna, who is part of the crew!  I really like her a lot and we hope to ride a bit together later this week. She is a ultra marathon cycle trainer and......  also has raised and trained horses most of her life... Although I don't believe she does anymore.  Lovely person.. Then I met George, again an ultra marathon cycler and trainer.  He was here with his son John, who was here with 2 men training this week for the RAAM.  He was training for crew with them.  I don't think I'll be riding with them. haha!  Then I met Dean from Australia, which I will talk about later, he ended up being a riding partner on Tuesday ride.   As we walked back to the hotel I was able to talk with George.  WOW!!  The information and suggestions he had were incredible.  Later I find out that his son John was on an Olympic training program... No wonder he knew so much.  Well I head back to the hotel where they had a riders meeting.  Then back to my room where I finally met my room mate for the week It ended up being Vaune who was the other scholarship winner. I didn't know that she was coming this week.  she has one incredible story!!  But I have to end this blog for now.  #1 it is a bit long and #2 I'm not sure how it happened but I became quite sick here and need to get to sleep.  I'm hoping I will feel better tomorrow morning so I can ride again.. what am I saying... I'm riding either way... tomorrow is Bisbee and Tombstone, again...

Sadly

Sadly, This blog is not about adventure or any of the wonderful things I'm experiencing this week.  This blog is about a friend, and fellow team member of Pawling Cycle and Sport, Markus Bohler.  I found out as I returned from my ride today that the injuries he suffered during a bike race crash at the crit yesterday afternoon took his life.  Markus passed away this morning from multiple head fractures.  I just saw him before I left for my journey to Arizona.  We talked about riding, his training and my upcoming trip for about an hour at the shop.  He was an amazingly energetic and positive person.  This was the season he was going to win the race.  He always greeted me with a great big smile.  We will miss you Markus.  RIP

photo: Markus - Bottom right ( Navy argyle PCS jersey ) 

Many thanks to many people

As I finish packing today for my flight out to Arizona tomorrow I think back at my journey over the last 2.5 months.   Finally the big week is here.  It's been a challenging few months for many reasons.  As a mother of 2, running my own business and starting a new venture along with making the time to train adequately has been more than overwhelming.  Physically I feel right there and ready.  Although I will tell you again... I'm nervous as anything to be doing these rides 6 times over and the way it is looking today, we will have some days in the rain, wind and colder weather. :(   I think as long as I fuel my body, get adequate rest and maintain any pains that I have I think I will okay.  Well, I thought I would give some shout outs now, as I'm sure my blogging this coming week will be all about my adventures.  I don't want this time to go by without saying thank you to everyone, and there are so many of you out there to say thank you to!   Thank you first off to  the UMCA board for choosing me and believing in me to represent Anne Marie McSweeney's memory.  Doug and Nancy and the Board, thank you for all the support you've given me along the way.  Pawling Cycle and Sport Shop aka ROB, for the loan of the trainer, CD of "CHRIS"!! haha...  The nice toasty gloves, the loan of the mountain bikes, the words of encouragement, technique, and of course all the tuneup and maintenance, you always kept me safe on my bike :)   The Pawling Cycle and Sport Team for everyone's encouragement.  All my Indiegogo friends and supporters!!!!  Thank you so much!!! Mark N., Tom R. and the PA Randonneurs for your support and encouragement through this journey.  Susan and Lon at Pac tours.  Lon thank you for the loan of the bike this week and I can't wait to spend time talking with you and hearing the many adventures you've had and all the amazing feedback you'll have for me!!!!  So excited!    My mentor and friend Ralph, we've spent many hours together, many climbs, I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful mentor and friend to have come into my life!  My cycle partner on the West, Ken... Even 3,000 miles away, the knowledge that you have given me when I asked, or even not.. hahah...  has been amazing, no rock left unturned.  And by the way... pictures will be taken.. because you know the saying.. No picture, it never happened... haha...  ( I'm sure I messed that up somewhere.. hehehe )   Solvang for sure next year and I will see you soon for a weekend ride on the West Coast, we will do SF.  Spiz energy drink for the sponsorship.  All the many friends and family that I have passed on the road and who cheer me on EVERY TIME!!!!!  THANK YOU!!!!  There's not a ride I've gone on, I haven't gotten a honk or a yell out the window... Even made some new friends with the Fed-ex guy...  "Wasn't that you I saw 3 hours ago over on ....?,  haha!! YUP!"  And lastly but not least the many people that have followed this blog.   I've been writing this blog since the end of December and I have had an amazing ( to me) amount of hits over that short time, about 650 in total.  It thrills me to know that people have wanted to come along with me on my journeys.  The road sometimes can get quiet but the will to push,  go faster, harder and better is that much stronger when I'm doing it with you guys!    Riding towards something... yes I am,  but I'm still figuring it out!!!  hahaha...  Be back when I hit the desert ground!  SO EXCITED!!!!!! 

To REACH! My last blog before the big event

So today was my last long ride.  "Wondering with Ralph Century" OMG!!  That is so Ralph! Love how he names his rides! We missed you Steve !!!!!   Ride link is listed below:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/983480

Stats:
100 miles ( the ride link included Ralphs ride from another starting point)
Average speed 14.7 mph
6 hours 46 minutes not including stops
Grades up to 12.9%
elevation 5338/-5303ft
Overall was just an easier hilly ride..( Ralph will say though I complained every time I saw a "hill"). Ralph spared me as he knows how I hate climbs!!!
Beat my highest speed to date: 41.2 mph ( that was a fun ride down... :) )


This century was very different than my first one.  My legs started to scream at about 80 miles... much later than the first century.  Although I will say my knees started talking much earlier :/ ouch!!!  I didn't have the emotional experience as I did at the 85 mile mark last time...Or the wanting to give up at 94 miles.  It was quite a good ride overall.  Of course I was tired and by the end my legs were very exhausted..  The walk up the stairs when I returned home and the slow crawl into the bath was another story hahaha!!!  Epsom salt and long soak, some ben gay, a short cat nap and I'm good!!!  Now to this 6 times over ..... that was the sound of my chin hitting the desk... OMG!!    But really...all kidding aside.  What an amazing experience,  a once in a lifetime.. To be chosen was such a great honor.. To represent the memory of Anne Marie McSweeney and ultimately encouraging women's cyclist across the country... Although slow I may be (I'm working on that though - This season!!).... I hope to show other women courage, determination, endurance and the ability to reach for something that perhaps seemed impossible to achieve.  You go GIRLS!!!  Go get it! 

Lastly... but probably the most important component of my training... RALPH!!!!!!  WOW... without him there pushing me along.. I don't know how I would have done it.  Without me even knowing, he would teach me something every time... or do something that would force me to push just a little bit harder.  I remember my first century when I wanted to give up.... he distracted me without even knowing what he was doing and by the time I knew it I was over the 100 mile mark.  Even today as we climbed... and I complained about the "hill" he did his magic again. When I was running slow...  He didn't wait for me because he knew I push just that much harder to catch up to him.   He was the one that waited for me on the team rides... when I was - as I say it "spit out" haha!!!  Ralph NEVER EVER GAVE UP ON ME!!!!     I hope to make him proud on this adventure too!   and BTW... don't you and your beauty other half run off too fast to NC... I need to place on the PMR... and need your help.. hahah!!!! Smiles to you :)

So there you have I will finish the week with short easy rides.  I will not be blogging until my journey starts on Saturday.   I will bring you along with me that week on my journey!!!!   Until then!!!

Missed the team ride :(

Sadly I have to report that I woke with a very sick kitty...A grey one to be specific, the one with the motor that never stops, until today... Had to miss the team ride this morning.  Spent most of the morning and day tending to my furry friend... Got about 1 hour on the trainer and then off to NOW and back to tend to Divi (the kitty)  I know this is about training but thought I would share more of what I call "life" ...  Got some food into him and water... and meds...  Sometimes our life puts us on a side road, and we have no other choice but to follow it... But in the end the roads all come together... right?.... It all works out and we are ultimately where we are suppose to be.   Well anyway.. Hope he will show signs of feeling better tomorrow morning.  I'm still planning to hit the crit  tomorrow 10:30..., but it will all depend on my little furry friend :(.. anyway, that is all I have to blog for today, sorry no average speed, no cadence records, no grades, no crazy miles tracked.... closing in on the end of my journey.. at least this part of it.. ( or this one I should say)  Off to tend to my little guy... I miss his purrrr....

An expensive ride... haha~ This is a new visual blog!!!

Well, It was great to be back with my very, very dear friend Ralph.. I did indeed miss him!  Picture, yes a picture!!!!!!  he soooo rocks!

Okay... so out of the box... did like rock star effort... totally!!!!  Thanks to the rockin mountain bike Rob lent me... heheh...then shocking... 15 minutes into the ride... the sounds started and the back wheel stopped... ugh... stopped and evaluated the damage.... OMG!!!! the derailleur!!!!  Darn.... a derailleur......  I walked off the trail at first and then Ralph pushed me most of the way back... to the shop... Pic below.. hehehe!!! This is Rob.... he has his shy side!!!!  but he still smiles for my camera!Look at those dimples...  Rob... of "Pawling Cycle and Sport"  Total Rock star!!!! Hooking me up!!!!  with some new wheels...  hehehe....

Okay... back on the road with an older bike ( above )... So thank you rob for finding it!!!  ..... So continued the ride.... thank goodness... Wicked fun... Felt more confident on the ride... fast... 2 rockways and 2 logs.. but failed poorly on a few larger logs...and face down on a muddy hill!!!!  haha only walked away with a few bruises... Talked to myself as I plowed through the obstacles....  keep pedaling... keep pedaling...  totally worked... Although I will admit.... and Ralph will confirm... I walked through my last big crash.... I had to... but I'm sure I will pedal through it soon..  my favorite stop of the ride... below... Just trees and roots... and me.... swerving... It totally rocked!!!  second favorite to the chevy route..

And there I leave you... for the night..
Meeting the team boys at 8:00 in the morning... they planned about 65 miles but I will see how their pace is... might sneak out at 40... or earlier, we will see... this will be my crit prep.

And pleased with her day and accomplishments... She smiles..

Prep for the "Almost" double metric - hehehe

Nothing exciting today, it was a date with the trainer. Twisted the resistance 3 times from norm.  Did a total of 2 hours.. and some soul cycle practice to keep my upper body strong. The water was flowing.. the fellow cyclist will get what that means.  I'm sure I'll be doing some pulling.. haha! Finished "the girl with the dragon tattoo"  Really liked it.. for being a thriller and all.  hahaha!!!  Did have me a bit off my seat a few times, glad it was day light...  Then hit a poorly directed, written and filmed documentary on the Buddhism... Horrible!!!!!  with a capital H... only lasted 30 minutes... then went quiet visually, and went with tunes and pushing to the end.. 

Have a mountain ride planned with my tour(ture) director... aka mentor on Friday.
Saturday - crit prep
Sunday Crit race
Monday: "Wandering with Ralph" century ride... although frankly Ralph, I would consider it a double metric... hehehe... That was my next step so let's call it the almost double metric... hahaha! Can we pleazzzz... haha

2 days into the 10 day push

Recapping the past 2 days:

Yesterday was trainer and held a good 90-100 cadence on medium resistance.  Really felt as though I pushed myself and ran at about 80-90%.  Did a total of 1:40 as I watch a foreign "thriller" haha!!!  Although I realized after I put it on pause that there was actually an english version... Even funnier.. That is sooo me... Well.. no biggy actually enjoy watching a foreign film every once in a while.  A diversion to my normal documentary genre... I enjoyed this movie.  It was "The girl with the dragon tattoo" made from the first book in the trilogy in the Millennium series, although still have about 40 minutes to go... OMG!  I know... how do I do that... well...life calls and the kids needs to start their nightly routine, so had to help it along.  Anyway.. good train good movie, so far...

Today was a trial ride of the Bethel crit.  Planning on doing it this Sunday, although I need to take it easy as I can't hurt myself before the camp week;)  That's my story and I'm sticking with it.    1 hour, average of 15.8... The wind was crazy and it was bitter cold, below freezing as I did it early in the morning.   OH and BTW!!!!  Call out to Pawling Cycle and Sport team, Thank you... my hands were mega warm thanks to Rob and the team for the new gloves!!!!!    I'm so tired of riding in the cold... ugh.... And yes I was complaining about the weather that is...  Can't wait til it warms up.  The wind was brutal around the last bend before the hill, was like riding in quick sand. The hill didn't bother me at all, was really strong the whole way...  Ran at the largest gear 3/4 of the way thru the loop... then as I head up the hill pulled the gears down 3 spaces and then at the start of the drive entrance pulled myself up and held it up until after the loop line and then recovered from there.  Feeling the hill never really affected me, leads me to believe that I could have pushed a bit more.  Ralph or Rob, hope to get your feedback on the technique I was using for the hill.  Hoping the race will be a bit slower from this past Sunday, and I'm thinking if I can stay with the pack and draft where possible I could do "okay".  I'm not great with speed, I'm more endurance but I think like I mentioned in a previous blog  I really want to push for speed...  I need to get myself from out of the back and at least in the middle... I think that is my goal for the season :)

Until tomorrow, day 3 of the push!

I return and head hard into the final stretch

Okay.... I'm back after being exiled from US social networking including that of my blog and google+ :(  But all is good and yes... I did stay true to my efforts and goal.   With the exception of the long journey time, I had regular training.  All hotels that I stayed at had full gyms.   So I did a combination of cycle/run and floor...   Did between 30-37 km on the stationary bike... watching the BBC... right at home pulling info to file in my brain.. Never knew about "The race to the Challenger Deep"  Cameron/Branson/Jones...  Crazy....  I suppose the bar goes up as you hit each plateau...and with money like they have the plateau goes very high!!!  Although that very concept is very important at what ever level.  I see it in my cycling.  Once I looked at the Wingdale mountain as terrifying...Crazy terrifying!!! But recently I've beat it 2 times over, yes it is hard, very hard.. but I'm ready to do it 3 times over...  I reference again how cycling has many parallels to life or should I say life's lesson.  You just have to try... you get to the next step ( or that rock or mailbox ahead of you)  and then the next and then the next... and finally you're at the top.  And there.. at the top.. I hope I never have to tell the same story over twice.   That is my ultimate goal... as I go through life and explore and live... when it's time to slow down I want to be able to tell my stories about each adventure and hope I never run out of stories to tell.  So with that... I leave you with some photos I took overseas...  They're self explanatory...  Hope you like them :)