Archive for April 8th, 2007

New Links…

Add comment April 8th, 2007

So I’ve tweaked the header a bit, nothing fancy since I’m “unskilled” for what I’d like to do. Mebbe you like?

Anywhey, A good friend has re-entered the world of bloggities with THIS and THIS is her rockstar-rider brother’s site. I’ve know him for as many years, and am amazed at the level he competes cycling-wise. I’d love to get up there someday, hopefully it’s within God’s plan for me, as I can’t do anything without Him.

~e

Yesterday’s Ride…

Add comment April 8th, 2007

Hello Dear Ones,

Yesterday started with a great message and eats at the men’s breakfast, then a rousing-ride out to the Jemez Dam was the plan. We left the Burlington Coat Factory on Alameda/Ellison around 9:30a or so, and at the time weather was mostly-cloudy but not too-cold. In for a nice ride, we didn’t think the weather was anything but just cool enough for a nice effort over 30+ miles. The Westside of Corrales was pleasant, blocked by the wind by trees and such it was quite pleasant if slower-going than my normal pace. I had planned (thankfully) to ride in-and-out of the Rivers Edge I, II, and III, and while it added a few more hills, we were shielded from the wind by doing so within the neighborhoods, rather than simply working North on 528. About as we crossed 550, it seemed that we were experiencing the occasional snowflake, as if it was more like super-slow sleeting, on a very-barely schedule. The wind had been pretty cruel, cold and driving, as we struggled against it, and as the road’s pitch increased as we passed the soccer fields the “sleet/snowflakes” were not proving comforting as we had yet to reach our turn-around point. For a short break, the sign at the Tamaya Resort turnoff proved really pleasant at blocking the wind we had struggled against since leaving the Rivers Edge III neighborhood. As Pat and I were the only skinny-tire’d riders among the 5 of us, the hills we encountered next were not as difficult as for the MTB riders. Proving challenging after the trip North from Corrales were the hills just before the dam. Fun, Fun, another sweat-it climb. I had loaned a mid-layer vest to another rider who needed it more than me before we started, and until that climb, my mid-section wasn’t the warmest as that wind’s chill cut through my shell. That climb is what I needed, and shielded from the wind as I climbed out of the canyon, I soon found myself toasty from the work. Praise God. Pat and I beat the others up to the dam overlook, and as we rested for a few minutes the sky opened up, and all this white-stuff stated blowing all over. Finding shelter as we waited for the others, it was pretty amazing to see it snowing, and caused a worry or two about our return back. Slippery roads are no fun on a bicycle. I’ve gone down a few times from tire-slip, and wasn’t eager to be calling Jessica to come rescue me. After the others joined us, and were able to rest a wee-bit/take in the view, back South was in order as non of us wanted to see our path get worse. What hoover’d was the descent I had earned wasn’t going to be rewarded due to the slick circumstances. Darn! Kept it under 25 riding the brakes, unlike my normal speedster attack, thinking about how injuries really Dyson, and I wasn’t about to call for a ride because of one. One of the funniest things I never thought I’d say while out on a ride crossed my lips as Pat and I again climbed ahead again, out of the canyon: “Looks like the snow is letting up”. Who’d a thunk it? Hur-Hur! The rest of the ride was a blast, downhill, wind mostly at your back. I had a hard time not stepping on it and surging back to the cars ahead of the pack. By now the snow had mostly-ceased, and no longer worrying about catching a cold as result. Final numbers: 36.6 miles, 2:51:42, max 29.7mph, avg 12.8mph

Awesome. I love riding my bicycle, and am looking forward to the next ride I can lead with my brothers! If you were one of the few, your participation/fellowship was appreciated, and if not, stay tuned for the next jaunt. I’ve got a 4-Hills to lunch at Cedar Crest Ribs ride planned, a 20m Fingers Flaunt to crush, and a loop of Albq. to cruise. Join US!

~E