Phoenix area riders?

[JanT]

Hi, Melisa,
I've been thinking about you there in Coronado, and believe it or not, I'm not really too jealous at this point. Yes, it's been blistering hot, and we've arrived at the time of year where the mornings are hot even at sunrise. But we've been blessed by a late start to the monsoon, and I really don't mind the dry heat in the early morning hours. I've only been running a couple days a week, focusing on getting more riding in. My speed has actually increased a bit, which makes me feel more able to keep up with a group. Think I'll check out a "local" (westside) group next weekend. I've been watching your posts, and it looks like your training is really going well. I would imagine it's pretty hilly where you are, so I'll bet the running and riding there are making your legs mighty strong! (27.8 on the flats! Sheesh! You are getting good!) Do you swim in the ocean, or do you have access to a pool?

The mother-daughter camp sounds like fun--great bonding opportunity. You'll have to let me know how the mountain biking goes. I love the thrills and challenges of mountain biking, but I also like the speed and distances of the road, and being able to ride right from my garage. So, I guess I'm a bi-cyclist.

I will be in class all day, every day, next week, and then I'll be moving into my new classroom and getting ready for the new year. However, I'm on my own schedule until August 9th, so I'll still be out riding/running in the mornings. Depending on when you get back, maybe we can sneak in a ride before the official school year starts. Otherwise, there is always the weekend! I'll probably continue my plan of a long road ride Saturday, mountain bike Sunday. However, you'll want to ride with me for a recovery ride! No way I'm riding 27 mph, unless it's downhill!

Thanks for checking in. Wish you continued good training in beautiful southern California, and have a great time at camp!
Jan

[mommelisa]

Hi, Jan! I've been thinking about you! Did you check out that bike group you mentioned? How'd it go?

I went to camp with Frankie and it was absolutely amazing. They'd rented Mountain Bikes for us and the first day we set out on a ride. There were two groups and I kinda fell between the ones that had done it before and the ones that hadn't (I guess because I've been riding my roadbike) so I joined the group that had done it before. About 30 minutes into it, I thought I'd made a HUGE mistake. The altitude in Colorado and the climbs up were kicking my butt, but oh, my gosh, what an awesome feeling to be out there, actually running OVER stuff vs. trying to avoid it! It was a blast! We were out about 3 hours the first day and 3 the second day. The second day it was a lot of single track stuff and although I had to push my bike a few times, I felt so empowered! One of the trails we were riding was called the "ditch trail". On one side was a small ditch and then the side of the mountain, and on the other side, BIG DROP. I was doing ok until out of nowhere came this teeny bridge! I panicked and plowed my bike into the ditch and the side of the mountain. I have a beauty of a bruise around my entire knee, but I am so proud of it! Isn't that funny? I got back up and got back on the bike and refused to be beaten by it, no matter how scared I was. :-)

I'm heading back to AZ on Tuesday of next week. I'll probably ride with the Thursday morning group and then I need to do long on Saturday, most likely 3+ hours. Any weekend is great with me, maybe I'll try to beg a mtn bike out of my husband and ride with you all on Sunday! lol!

Talk to you soon!
Melisa

[JanT]

Hi, Melisa!
I'd been thinking about you and wondering how the mountain bike adventure went. You sound like a closet mountain biker--about to come out of the closet! Did your daughter enjoy her ride, too? I like road riding, especially in the summer when you create a cooling breeze. But there is nothing quite like the thrill of whizzing through some twisty-turny singletrack. There's a trail out at Pima and Dynamite that to me is a better ride than anything Disneyland has to offer. I used to have an extra mountain bike to use as a loaner, but I sold it because I felt guilty having 4 bikes. (Not to mention hogging all the space in the garage!) But if you can scrounge up a trail-worthy mountain bike, we could show you some great rides.

I'm back at work daily, but on my own schedule at this time. My first full official day back is the 9th. Until then, I can ride any morning. I'd be open to a 3 hour ride on that Saturday if you don't mind my slower pace. Are you talking about the first Saturday in August? Let me know when you're back and what you're up for.