Mt Diablo 5/27/06 -TE Girls' Hill Training Prog back in progress

[bikerz]

I had so much fun yesterday! Wow - what a beautiful day for a ride, and great writeups from everyone!

It was a lot of fun riding in such a big group, although except for the times Jo mentions, I was pretty much all alone. But I didn't mind - the views were always gorgeous, and everyone who pased me had a friendly or encouraging word to say, so I enjoyed my sloooooow climb up! I actually made it past the junction (!) and turned around at Blue Oak picnic area - partway up a particularly steep hill with a nasty arctic wind blowing down it. Three big strong guys started up that hill as I was pulled over considering my options, and they all had the "cursing hill and wind" face on, and I thought - eh - this is a lot farther than I got last time, I think I'll head back down. In hindsight, knowing now how close I was to Juniper and the 3000 ft sign, I wish had just put on the "cursing hill and wind" face and pressed on! But now I have a goal for next time, right!

It was just past that point that I saw Jo and V as I was coming down, and I *almost* turned around to follow them - but by the time that thought made its way through my frozen brain, it didn't really seem that fun to start climbing again. I waited a few minutes at the junction for the first pack coming down, and Jo told the rest of the story...

Unfortunately the pictures I took are all completely overexposed (I really need to read the instructions on of these days ).

All this followed by a great lunch and plenty of fun hanging out in the parking lot, watching the Amici Veloci Evangelists in full swing!

Q: How many AV members does it take to recruit one cyclist chosen at random?
A: (I agree with Kim - SK need to tell this one!)


Also - my friend Nicole had a great time, really enjoyed meeting all of you, and appreciated the concern everyone, especiailly Ed, showed in making sure she came down in one piece. Think good throughts for her next week - she leaves a week from today on the Aids LifeCycle!