Training for ACL5

[ACG]

THANKS! to all. I am frustrated with this group, especially the one gal. (She recently told our Xerox rep that she trains all the time) Yet I've come to realize that is her problem. I am training with a group that is not riding ACL5 but wants ME to do well. They have been really encouraging, even trying new routes that they hope will help me improve my skills. The other group, I'll participate in fundraisers, etc. but am going to limit my training rides with them. Selfishly, if I have 6 hours blocked for training, I'm training, not coaching people who don't really want to ride.

Everyone has told me to pace myself, and not worry about other people. I've also taken a few other steps, bought a new bike, am collecting lots of clothing, gear, cross train, etc. I don't want to finish first, I just want to finish. And I've already raised $825.00. The gals of TE are the best encouragement, thanks to all!!!!!!

[Trek420]

This was my first organized ride of the year.

It was cold when I set out from home, cold enough to have 2nd thoughts (did I mention I hate cold?). But I'd told myself I'd get to some ALC training rides and with one starting 1 BART station down I had to do that.

By the time I arrived it was turning into a beautiful day. We had 18 riders including a few newbies.

After the obligatory safety speech we set out.

There was an odd kid, with his mountain bike, not an ALC rider, no helmet who watched us gather and decided to ride with us. One thing odd about this kid is that his face had this palor, grey almost. We were a diverse group of men, women all different ages but we all had that "glow of health". He just wanted to ride with and his frequent cheery "I'm keeping up with you!" were amusing.

He was doing the frustrating and unnerving "ride his pace and then whenver a women passed him struggle and pedal wildly to pass or keep up" thing.

What was not amusing was when I passed him on a hill on Coyote Hills park, called out started to pass and he looked back at me (can't hold a line) and started to move to his left right smack into me.

I like to think I'm an extremely polite and calm cyclist...he's probably off somewhere trying to recover his hearing in his left ear now.

At the coffee/regroup stop I talked to a couple gals about TE board (yes, we recruit on TE). If you're lurking, howdy!

There was some confusion about the route as we left and uhm some people took a wrong turn and another group of 3 slower or just more relaxed men got off route so we were split in 3 groups.

I stayed with Russ the leader and we got back the rest were not far behind us.

ACG, Bikerz, Hill Slug, liksani, Shadon, how's the training goin'?

[liksani]

Haha. Just started training, I was one of the newbies on the ALC ride that was with the people who took a wrong turn. Was lots of fun tho.

[Trek420]

OMG this is too funny. OK, so you weren't either one of the gals I talked to about TE or you probably would have said "I'm already there"....and you weren't Red or was it Orange mtb and Sidi's gal, the one who made the "T'Cells on the move" stickers because she was on the ride last year (notice how on this board we can't remember names but we remember what bike shoes you are wearing...oh that's just me?)

ok, I'm the short, chubby gal, dark hair, glasses, silver/plum Mondonico road bike, dressed like it's the arctic, grey tights, Lifecycle vest, pink arm warmers, pink helmet, Impeach Bush bike socks.

I'm really really bad with names were you the gal who stopped in Coyote Hills park, you were having some trouble with your shifting? Silver Specialized (?) with rack on the back?

You done real good!! I hear your variation of the route included a hill?

[liksani]

Yeah I was the girl who stopped in Coyote Hills Park cuz I was having trouble with shifting. Black Specialized w/rack. So you probably already have an idea of who I am vaguely. I'm short and asian and female, I think that should narrow it all totally down.

And yeah we went up a hill with a headwind.

[Trek420]

liksani "we went up a hill with a headwind. "

on your first organised ride? that was billed as "flat and easy"? with no toe-clips or clipless that I could see?

After Helga gets done with it...the Princess She-Ra tiara goes to....liksani

ya' done good.

where'd I see that, ah, click here for info on chain, shifting problems http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...operator+error

when's your next planned training ride? Maybe have you TE gals get together?

[liksani]

haha.. yeah it was probably the first time i biked any sort of distance. i don't really bike. was gonna possibly go snowboarding again this weekend, but i think that's a no go. so sort of debating between the alc ride in palo alto on sat, a south bay velo girls ride, or the alc ride in sunnyvale on sun. :O

just trying to figure out if i'll be able to go to practice sat night if i bike on sat morning. tho i do think i should probably get bike shorts at least.