Goals

[Veronica]

I need to ride 108 more miles before the end of the month to get my mileage goal for March. Crummy weather and other commitments on the weekend have made it tough this month. If the weather holds I think I'll just make it.

Today I rode 37 miles in Livermore while my car was getting worked on. If you haven't ridden up to Del Valle it's a really pretty ride. It's a cheese hill in both directions so be prepared.

Then I headed down Tesla to Cross Road to Patterson Pass following the Cinderella route. I was doing a little over 15 MPH going down Patterson, there was a wicked head wind out there (hope it's gone before next Saturday for you all!) when I was passed by 4 guys in a paceline. None of them said anything. The last one did turn around. That got my goat! I accelerated (Thank you Coach Troy for your god awful acceration sets!) and drafted them until they went straight on Patterson and I wanted to turn left on Greenville. They were doing between 19 and 21. So it was fun while it lasted.

Happy riding!

V.

[fasteryet]

What's a cheese hill? I'm not sure that we have them in NJ

[Veronica]

It's the kind of hill you whine all the up and careen like a drunk or a mad woman down.

Seriously, it's a hill that's long enough and has a steep enough grade that they put a warning sign of a triiangle (looks like a wedge of cheese) with a truck on top of it. Sometimes they will add the grade.

V.

[fasteryet]

Ahhhh..... We do have some here, but I try to avoid them. I do like cheese with my whine, though

[Bike Goddess]

So, Miss Veronica- What was your goal for March??? Let's see how I stack up with yours. (I'll have to check my bike journal, but I sure did do a lot this month, come to think of it!)

[Veronica]

It's a simple plan. Twice a month up Diablo - did that!

More mileage per month this year than last year.

March of 2004 I did 398.2. BTW I had been thinking 393, so I need 113 more miles.

V.

[Veronica]

It's been raining off and on all morning here. Around 10 the sky seems to be clearing, so I decide I'll take our truck in for work and ride from there with a plan of doing somewhere between 30 - 50 miles, since I'm not sure how long the route is from the Nissan dealership.

Drive the truck over and it's beginning to cloud up. That's okay, but the wind is picking up too. Do all the paperwork and while I'm in the restroom, realize I left my water bottles on the counter. Okay, it's not that far I'll just ride home and get the bottles, it will give me more miles.

As soon as I get on my bike, I hear something rubbing. It's not too bad, I figure I'll look at it when I get home. It starts to sprinkle. Then it starts to full on rain. I continue until I get to what I feel is a safe part of town for stopping in. Check out my front tire since hey, I've stopped. It's not rubbing on the brakes, maybe on the fender, but I'm not sure. Put on my jacket, which I had thought about not bringing and continue home.

While I'm in the garage checking out my tires, the sun comes out! Arghh... but I'm home and it''s lunchtime. I had some real food instead of Red Bull and peanut butter granola bars. And it does look like my fender had shifted around.

I'll try for a few more miles this afternoon. Thom says we can go ride the flatlands on the tandem on Thursday before taking off for our "mini break" to get whatever miles I still need.

V.

[CorsairMac]

I'm right there with ya V! My goal for the year is 3087 give or take. (it's the distance of the RAAM) which breaks down to only 60 miles a week. But since January I've been down twice with chest colds/bronchitis/sinus infection. I figure in the past 3 months I've ridden maybe 6 wks of which 3 wks I've had to use as "comback" rides meaning I didn't ride the whole week. I just keep telling myself - the weather Will get warmer, I Will get better, and the bike will Still be there once this is over and done with - but it sure don't help!