Put me in, Coach!

After returning home from my trips, I immediately felt the difference in my riding. The training that I earned on the mountain translated into faster rides at home and easier climbs. I had more breath. I worked less to get the same results. I started my Saturday am rides from my house, saw "the guys" at some point in the route(though barely even a grunt of aknowledgement was emitted). I started finishing all my rides with a swim at our lake. 150-250 meters was what I would do. I found it to be a perfect way to cool off and stretch at the same time.

I am committed, I am loving it. It's time to start shopping for my own road bike. Countless stores and brands and sales reps. Some shops looked me up and down, decided I couldn't possibly be an athlete and treated me like a fool, some basically laughed at me. Yes, I can ride hard for 2 hours or more without stopping. Consider that an endurance sport. I can average 15 mph on a mountain bike, hills included and I am an athlete in my own right. So, I'm not in an athlete's body, but things are not always what they seem.

August 11, I'm on the ride on my mountain bike. I used a gel food for the first time in a ride. I felt the difference. In my mind? I don't think so. I've got good speed and endurance and the crest of the big hill seemed to come earlier. I feel great. Put me in, Coach, I'm ready to play!

August 18, Tony at Pedal Sports in Oakland, NJ(the shop) helped tune my Brother in Law's road bike for the ride. My first time doing it on a road bike. I was up till 1am, I'm tired. There was a head wind the entire time. I had no spedometer and had no idea how fast or slow I was going. I had no gel or food for energy. I had started my ride 5 or 10 minutes early and the guys caught up with me at the half way point, then did the four mile add on loop. I went ahead and climbed to the top of the hill then waited for them. After everyone was up, I clicked into my pedals with them to head out. What a sweet sound! Towards the back of the pack, I rode out. I don't know the guy ahead of me... suited up in riding gear and team shirts, they all look the same, but I recognize Rob, the shop owner behind me. We hit the incline. We own the road. I start to coast faster than the guy ahead is pedaling. I apply the brake lightly. I'm in with the pack, I don't want to be rude and step on toes...

Finally, I can't wait anymore. I like speed and I don't want to hold back. I give a couple thrusts and pass one of the guys on the left. It feels good... real good. Feeling exhilerated at being here after months of trying, I utter something of a triumphant grunt under my breath. I pedal my butt off part way down the hill then crouch down for aerodynamic advantage. I am flying. It is spectacular! The road bike is faster, leaner and meaner than the mountain bike and the ride is glorious! I pedal again at the bottom of the hill then coast, spent. Rob and the other guy pass me right before the light. I turn with them and they are off. The head wind is back. I'm drained.

Later in the day, I stop in the shop to make some final choices on the bike I'm going to order. Tony looks up at me and says. "Sandie, you scared a bunch of people out there today."
"What? Did it look like I was I out of control?"
Tony- "No, I heard you were passing people like crazy."
"I only passed one guy."
"That's not what I heard"
Then Rob popped in the room and chimed in, clearly amused. "You flew past Mike"
Tony- "You should have made vroom-vroom sounds as you passed him."
All laughing, "Yea, that would really kill him."
me- "But you guys blew me away at the bottom."
Rob- "It doesn't matter, the damage was done."

Wow! Is this an in? Did I do it? Did I earn an ounce of respect? Or will they chew me up and spit me out the next time I attempt to ride with them? Time will tell. Tomorrow my new bike should be in. I haven't been this excited since I bought my last Taylor guitar. I won't ride with the boys Saturday. I'm riding on Sunday. I'm entering a road rally/fundraiser for a multiple handicapped children's center. I plan to do the 62mile route. I'm contemplating the possibility of doing the 100 mile if I feel good enough. That's a century, 100 miles in one day. It's insane for me to think that big, but it's no more insane than last year's 112mi with 3 1/2 weeks of training.

Till soon,
Sandie