Shasta Report & Rec.

[Tuckervill]

It made me all teary-eyed, too. What a watershed moment for you, for persevering through all that personal turmoil. Now it's time to say "What's next?"

Good on ya!
Karen

[Starfish]

Now it's time to say "What's next?"

Haha...beat you to it! LOL

I'm pretty pleased that just a day or two after the ride, I feel great, not beat up. That tells me I can do more.

I know that with longer training, I could keep going longer & longer. Problem is, I will run out of time. As pleased as I am with the stats, and I REALLY am pleased (!), it is easy to see that the next goal is to get faster. This is the year to lose weight and add speed & power.

I am tentatively thinking about going back next year and attempting the Super Century! One-hundred-thirty-five miles and 16,000' climbing! And, two months before that, RATPOD in Montana...156 miles with 7500' climbing.

Those will both take a pretty good increase in speed & efficiency, and muscular endurance. I think they are possible, but not without a lot of weight loss discipline and a new kind of training program.

Also, I intend to start a cross training program this year including more weight training, swimming and walking, laying in that base, so that after getting faster on the bike for next summer, maybe then the next winter I could start an actual triathlon training program! A 2 year plan... (Edited to add...God willing!)

But, the immediate plan for the next 6 weeks is just to enjoy riding my bike for fun! Wheeeeee!

Thanks again for helping me celebrate!

[Deanna]

Here are my belated congratulations. What a great ride and write up. What an awesome job you did with your plans and goals for this!

[HappyAnika]

Congratulations! What an inspiring story. I remember being super impressed by some of your training rides. You have such a positive attitude to have gotten out there and started training for this monumental ride that you weren't sure you could complete. This is one of the things I love most about cycling, it shows us we are capable of so much more than we ever dreamed possible. Congrats again!

[slmdunc]

What a wonderful account of your ride!! It was a delight to read. Your journey (inside and out) serves as an inspiration for all of us. Thank you.

[Bklynmom]

Just Fabulous! What an amazing and great ride and vivid write up. It feels like we were all there with you. Totally amazing.

And the tapering and training really worked too.

Congrats on not being totally fried afterwards, which is another tribute to your training.

I though of you as I was romping over the little hills of MA - glad to know you were having an amazing experience.

I hadn't realized what a tough year you had before the ride, also an inspiring healing process - hats off to you .

Lisa

[Veronica]

You know you were instrumental in helping me get there. Truly, if it had not been for you, I don't believe I would have made it to the start line. Thank you. And, I think it is a ride you would enjoy. Shasta is a volcano, you know!

I was glad to help. Although, all I did was give you a swift kick in the butt every now and then - virtually of course.

V.

[short cut sally]

What an impressive job you did, oh my gosh.. The narritive was great, great set up for your adventure. I finished your story and thought to myself, and I was dreading my century coming up in Sept. that has a little over 6000 feet of hills..thats nothing compared to what you did..GREAT JOB Starfish..woo hoo...

[Starfish]

I was glad to help. Although, all I did was give you a swift kick in the butt every now and then - virtually of course.
V.

I know! I'm afraid to meet you in person! Just kidding, of course!

Thanks to all of you for your warm responses...it is so wonderful to be celebrated. If you aren't already asking for lots of encouragement and cheerleading, I highly recommend it!

[RoadRaven]

Super Starfish!
Its been a privalege for us to be part of your journey
Great report, and kudos to you for achieving your goal

[Tiffany]

Digging Deep:
I was tired, but determined, and concentrating one pedal stroke at a time on the fact that, barring anything really wild, I was going to finish the ride. The ride that I first dreamed about doing with my husband, before we were divorced last year. The ride I decided to do before caring for my mom until she died a few months later. The ride I kept training for throughout the spring, despite three jobs, caring for my dad until he died, and handling the estate sale, selling the house, and moving, just last week. This ride symbolized for me something much more than an athletic achievement. And now that it is done, I feel extremely humble, and grateful, and hopeful.

Wow. Congratulations is probably the best I can say right now because I'm speachless. I admire people like you ... honestly.

[Starfish]

Wow. Congratulations is probably the best I can say right now because I'm speachless. I admire people like you ... honestly.

If I can do it, anyone can. I've been very blessed in my life. Having faith (and good friends who will remind me of my faith) and getting support are the keys!

[Starfish]

Pictures on a new thread called Shasta Ride Pics

[Bike Goddess]

Starfish- I read the other thread first, so my comments here are on your wonderful account of your ride as well as allowing us a window into your personal life.

One of the things I love about climbing on a bike is it takes on a form of meditation. It's a lot like climbing mountains where you put one foot in front of the other slowly making it up the hill. Being outside and communing with nature is, to me, a healing process. Through our breath and concentration our bodies can rejuvenate in a spirtual and mental way. I'm so moved by your account of how you used this ride to not only accomplish a very big riding goal, but also to allow yourself to heal.

Thank you so much for sharing with us. You are an inspiration in so many ways.

[cwodiva]

I"m new here, I read your post and it gave me goosebumps! No one will ever be able to take away that accomplishment and it will be something that you will carry in your heart forever. Although you most likely will do many other great things on and off the bike, there is something about that first big ride that stays with you forever. Speaking from experience, it'll be a touchstone. Congratulations!!