That Special Place

So biking has this magical quality about it for me.  It takes me to a special place -- on so many levels. I'm not just talking your average Mac'n' Cheese Daily Special special.

By special, I mean:


1)  Amazing-secret-undiscovered(to me)-gawd-I-can't-believe-we-live-here-Special.

Here's a view from Hwy 1 biking south of Half Moon Bay, about 30 miles south of San Francisco.  The blue sky had just started to break thru the clouds.  The waves were a breathtaking. Even though I got up at 5:15am, I was actually in a good mood. It wasn't raining, and  I was with an amazing group of friends who all appreciate what we have. Thanks to Lin, my teammate, who's pictures I have stolen.  (Thank you, Lin!)




2) Bike-people-continually-amaze-me-as-kind-and-helpful-and-I-think-I-need-to-be-a-better-person-Special.

Here's a pic of me at the Bike Hut, this very cool hut that someone has set up.  It appears to be on an the land of an organic farm.  They offer water, coffee, tea, dehydrated fruits and veggies, dried lavender, magazines, and various other snacks, along with a sofa, benches and a picnic spot.  It's all on an honor system.  Drop you money in the cash box and enjoy!  I love that this exists, that its well maintained, and that people don't appear to abuse it.  Bikers in general seem to be such a helpful lot.  They are always stopping to help strangers change flats, to chat about the weather, or to give you directions.  It's like a special not-so-secret club. I love it.


3) Wow-What-a-Great-Group-of-People-Special

Here's my team I ride with every week for the last 15 weeks.  We are known as Jim's Harem. Jim is our ever-patient coach of 6 whiney women.  He is even-keeled, encouraging, and kind.  The ladies are crazy, wonderful, and oh-so-very special.  I have loved getting to know them all, and feel lucky to have them in my life.  I've loved watching all of us get stronger and more comfortable on our bikes.  When we summit or we crash, we do it together.  Something about riding with the same people week after week really fills a place in my soul.  Also, they like to make up songs while they ride, and asked me to sing the song on stage in front of our whole team.  And that is a whole different kind of special (Sally).


4) Here's-a-subject-you-don't-talk-about-much-Special

So biking for long distances requires a lot of time in the saddle.  And riding on that tiny little seat sometimes makes your "special" parts not feel so special. And only with ladies that you bike with can you talk about how to deal with this oh-so-special feeling.  And now I am convinced that Butter Makes Biking Better.  And I'll leave it at that. And give you a nice picture of us riding through redwood forests to wipe the special mental image you may have developed in reading this.


And there you have it. My Special Places.

Final image of teammate Betty cruising down Hwy 1.  Can't wait to go back to my special place next weekend!  Mt. Diablo  -- here we come! (Wish us luck!)

29 Days Later

Hopefully this is nothing like 28 Days later because I really hate flesh-eating zombies.   It is 29 days until my first century in Solvang, CA. 

It has been a tough month, I have to say.  The weather has been a bit rainy and cold, which is no surprise.  I've missed a few long rides, which has been frustrating.  And last week, I screwed up my neck so badly I couldn't turn my head to the right.  Definitely has slowed things down for me.  Limited riding, no driving, and no talking to anyone on my right side.  (hmmm, an aversion for the right?)

However, today is full of all sorts of things to keep me happy.  I can now turn my head to the right.  It is CK's and my first anniversary and my parents 43rd anniversary (I think). It Darwin's 201st birthday.  And the 6th anniversary of the day SF started issuing same sex marriages.  I'm still in PJs, working from home, and also have a shiatsu massage and sushi in store for tonight.  So take that, February!

Anyhow, back to training. . .  Tomorrow we head out for a 65 mile ride.  This is one mile shy of my longest ride ever.   And though I'm a bit nervous about these increasing distances, what I remember the most about the 66 mile ride was not how long it was or how hard it was, but how hungry I was afterwards.  I literally could have eaten my own liver at that point.  Hmmm.  Maybe this will be a bit like flesh-eating zombies.