Ramping Up!

 

Well, this morning, I finally made it to the ramp!  I parked my car at the Sr. Center which is just a few miles from the ramp and plotted my way to the ramp, through the neighborhoods, from there. 

Down one road,  I encountered a group of men who saw me and fanned out in a line across the road.  I kept my eyes on them and when I got close shouted "Hey!" and blew right through them.  Whew!  Next time I will take a different road!

Once at the ramp I met a woman running up it and pushing a baby in a carriage.We greeted each other and I asked her how bad was the hill?  She told me, "You can make it!"  And so I did....I hate to say easily...but it was quite easy.  Then across I went and down the other side.  I quickly discovered that the back side of the ramp, coming back up, was the much harder side...but even that was quite manageable......on the first repeat! 

The bottom of the drawing is the front side of the hill

Here is my rough diagram.  The dotted lines are the turn arounds.    You are riding up and over a bridge that crosses the highway , then down the other side...repeat. On the back side...you have an up, then another up and around a tight corner then up and then up again until you cross back over the bridge.

I did 5.5 repeats in a row and of course each time it was  harder...but it was not that hard and I got bored.  I even hate to say that.  But I did.  I took a little ride to explore "the new land" and found that it dead ended along a highway with an on ramp!   Imagine that!  Not only that...but a bike path started at the very bottom on that ramp! Albuquerque is so very bike friendly!  I was in my glory!  Another ramp to practice on.  That too was a piece of cake...and I hate to say that.  But I got some good practice in and can now design a loop that will include two sets of ramps and will give me some miles at the same time.

I saw some beautiful things that I  had wished I could have taken pictures of...these metal coyote sculptures that were set in the middle of the desert with a rock wall in the background...the beautiful mosaic designs and colorful sands of the landscaping on the highway median as seen from above.....on my next round, I will photograph it before I start my speed rounds.

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I Finally Found My Ramp!

Well, since I qualified for the State Championships in Las Cruces, and discovered that the route was flat except for an on ramp onto the highway and then that ramp in reverse on the turn around, I have been scoping out ramps all around Albuquerque.  I like to practice.

However, I could not find a suitable ramp.  And when I did, I could not find a suitable time to ride the suitable ramp!  I wondered if Sunday or Saturday mornings, really early might suffice...but I never did quite figure out how I was going to ride on an 8 lane highway and turn around and get off it!  So, I did nothing.

Finally on this past Friday afternoon, I spotted my ramp!  It went across the freeway, but was a part of a pedestrain walkway...and it had a steep ramp up and over and then another ramp on the down side of the freeway that would enable me to do hill repeats.  Did I say hill repeats?  I had banned those little words from my vocabulary.  Here are a few pics of the ramp.

Here's another view.....

 The orange brown is the ramp...it is quite long...on a slowly increasing grade until it pitches sharply up as you can see in the first and second  pic.

And another view....

It was very interesting how I had to get to this ramp.  I had to wind  in and out of  neighborhoods and  apartment  complexes and ask people how to find the "pedestrian walkway."  It is along the South Valley side of 1_40.  Once I found it, I noticed that there was plenty of room to park and it seemed like a reasonable neighborhood.

So, wish me luck,  Early Monday morning, I  will do my first trial run over the ramp and back and see how many I can do.  Then I can work at  increasing my efforts week by week and incorporate this into the rest of my training!    I don't know whether to say "OH! JOY or not!"  Will  keep you posted!

Sweet Spot Skirts!

It is not often that Cece finds cycling clothing that features a wide rage of sizing. Usually in cycling clothing, an XL or XXL is a size 12-14. Too small for Cece! But recently, she came across a cycling skirt, made by Sweet Spot Skirts, that is made by women cyclists and made in the USA...that covers "the sweet spot" that gets all bulgy and poofed out from the chamois in your cycling shorts. AND! Glory Be.....they are made in a wide range of sizes from a small size 2 through a plus size 26! WOW!  Check out the fun videos on their site!

And now is the time for the disclaimer...Cece is not getting anything from this company to promote their product.  She just thinks it is a great idea whose time has come.  Not only can the skirt be worn over your capris when cycling, but it can be worn for yoga, dance, apres ski or to the pool.  Each skirt is reversible and comes in many styles, patterns and colors.  You can even custom make a skirt for yourself.

Just for you larger gals out there,,, the larger skirts are also longer and have more coverage!  Hurray!  Finally a designer has an understanding of what larger women will wear!.....Or not!

This is another one of those items that Cece's mother would have loved....made in America, by women who sew...100% cotton , wash and wear....and putting women to work at something they love to do.....sew!  It also solves an age old problem for women cyclists...going any where after a ride is problematic  because of the "diaper butt look"  that is very unattractive. Now we can put on this  skirt,  meet friends for a snack after a  ride,  and still look good and feel confident!

Born to Be Alive! A Mission Moment.

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It was a wild morning. It all started when her little boy cat Latte decided to wake her  up at 3:30am when she was trying to sleep in.  Even for Cece ,who is an early riser, 3:30 am is early.  Latte was relentless.  First he gently head butted to get under the overs, then he pawed her butt, then he breathed on her ankle, then he pawed the back of her neck, then he nipped her ankle!  Cece dealt with this until 4:30 when she finally got up.

She milled around for a while and decided that after her chai tea, she would get dressed and go out early to do her grocery shopping. She looked at several shirts  and could not decide what to wear. Finally, she  chose to put on a hot pink tie dyed Team in Training T-shirt and off she went.

Cece did her shopping and was finishing up in the vegetable aisle.  She was by the tomatoes and fruit when she noticed a woman.  She came up and stood directly in front of Cece...just staring.  She did not say anything.  Cece asked her if she needed her to move ...she thought maybe she wanted tomatoes.  The woman said no.  Cece then realized the woman was reading her T-shirt.  The woman started crying and told  Cece that her mom had died from Leukemia and now her sister has it.  She said, there is no hope.  We have cancer  in our family.

There in the grocery aisle at some horrific time in the morning, Cece told the woman the story of her family's  cancer history.  She told the woman there is hope.  She spoke to the woman about Team in Training and how it raises money for cancer research and that most of the money that is raised goes directly to fund cancer research."There is hope," Cece told the woman.  You can do something positive yourself by getting involved...there are walking ,running and  cycling  programs that you can get involved in.  Cece gave her the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's name.

The woman listened and Cece noticed the woman's husband was listening  too.  Cece asked the woman, "Can I hug you?  Can you hear me saying there is hope...right here and right now in the vegetable aisle?"   The woman said, yes, she .."now knows there is hope."  Cece and the woman hugged surrounded by tomatoes and raspberries..

This is why we are born to be alive.  We are born to take risks.  We are  born to challenge ourselves....because you never know...in that  one moment when your cat wakes you up early, and you cannot decide what shirt  to wear out shopping,....that you will put on the exact shirt that someone needs to see and read and process...and you might give hope or encouragement or a gift...to a stranger that is in need..

The Summer Games! Time to Set New Goals!

Just Sayin' !  Cece has never seen so many fit good looking men in one place as she did at the 50+ Games Cycling Time Trials.

After she put her tongue back in, she read the goals of the NM Senior Olympics:

• To improve and maintain health and wellness of senior adults 50+
• Focus attention on the importance of regular exercise and constructive activity
• Celebrate the vitality of life through example and create an awareness of opportunities that promote a healthy lifestyle
• Provide competitive athletic and recreational experience at Local, State and National Levels.

Which reminded Cece that she had better think real hard about what her goals will be in the next 10 weeks before she leaves for Las Cruces.  These men and women are serious athletes and competitors!   Ten weeks is not very long and the competition is fierce.  What could she accomplish in 10 weeks?  Certainly she could not cut her time down 20 minutes!  The winner in her age category raced 20 full minutes faster than Cece.

This next competition is a road race.  Cece has watched road races, but  has never raced in one.  As a matter of fact, this was Cece's first competition.

As she got home from the race, she put herself in a hot bath of epsom salts and contemplated WHY she should go to race again at the State Competition. She did not have to go even though she qualified.   She could play it safe and chalk this race up to a good try and move on.  Why should she go?  Why should she spend the money on travel and food and lodging and mileage?  Why should she go?   Was winning the goal?  Then,  she should just stay home she reasoned.  She asked herself if there was another reason she should go. 

 She was just about literally contemplating her navel.

Out of the tub, she read the thick booklet that was the registration packet for the games.  Room, board and entry fee reasonable.  Parking free.  Shuttle buses to events.  A map so she could find her way.  Opening ceremony with a parade of athletes...social afterwards. She could watch other competitions.....

She thought and thought.  Finally it came to her.

The reason she will go to Las Cruces is to continue to increase her health.  The reason is to set  personal goals that she can achieve in 10 weeks.  The reason is to measure herself against herself with the motivation and thrill of a competition...to see what SHE is made of.  To see how much she can suffer and still come out the other end...

.AND she heard the hill is not as bad in Las  Cruces!

It's Just Me, My Bike and the Road...on Two Wheels Spinning!

"Because I Can Try"

On the way to the race.

The first part of this post is being written the night before the race when Cece had a funny conversation with her sissy.  After Cece told Krissy about the other women in her race,  this was their conversation.  Cece burst out laughing!

Getting ready
for my time trial
tomorrow

My sister called
and said
in amazement….

“Hugh! It sounds
like you are
trying to win!
Are you?”

“Yes,” I said

“But why,” she asked?

"Because", I said,
“I can try !"

**************************

 The Beginning!

On one crazy day, someone at the gym told Cece about a time trail that was hosted by the 50+ Games as a qualifier into the State Championships and then the Senior Olympics that would be held  in 2013!  Without hesitation, Cece decided that she wanted to do this race.  Over the months of training and up to the race, she has been thinking about why she so readily and exuberantly wanted to race this race.  She realized one day before the race that it was because of Cadel Evans!  She had watched him race his time trial in the Tour de France and watched his focus and determination.   She ended up cheering and shouting for him as she watched on her computer.... and  then crying over his win....and she knew that day... that some where deep inside her,...she had wanted to feel this same focus, grit and determination ...of doing something so hard....that she had to haul herself over that wall.

And so, Cece paid her fee and was in the race.  Cece is not a racer.  Recently , an acquaintance she has not even met yet asked her, "So,  are you built to race?"   Cece said no she was not. And no she is not,.

Here are some pics of the course taken the day she met Vickie at the Enchanted  Trails RV park.    The race starts uphill (of course)

 then some .false flats and some rollers.

2 mile hill with 4% grade...zoom down.....at 30-35  mph then....

 make a quick slow down  before the cattle guard  and go around  the cones

Pull a U Turn and start climbing up that same  hill you just zoomed down!  Oh Joy!

Almost to the top of this hill, when Cece's  heart rate is over threshold...she sees the sign....."Do NOT Pass"    She would if she even could...but this is her signal to pull out all the stops she has left and amp it up as best as she can...to crest the hill picking up momentum!   She knows that most will take a break here, but she cannot.  She needs to push it where she can and pick up time and speed!

Another 3.6 miles over some rollers and flats and she is at the finish line.

Race Report:    Cece arrived at 7:30am  as scheduled for her bike inspection and packet pick up.  She did not get ready because  her race would not go off until after 10am.  She enjoyed talking to people and taking pictures.

Below is a picture of a man named Larry (on the right) who is 92 years old.  His races were remarkable because they were just as fast as the men in the age 50 category...ok maybe just  a BIT slower but NOT much!  He is Mr. Fast on 2 Wheels.  They even gave him 92 as his race number.  He is a remarkable man!

And below you will see Bob.  He is the man Cece called for support and to ask questions.  When he gave Cece her third place medal he said, "And now the woman I had so much contact with I could not wait to meet her.  She told me and I quote.  This Latin woman does not like to climb uphill"  Cece and everyone there laughed.  Well, it is true!

When Cece was at the starting gate, Bob counted her down as she focused on what she had to do.  30 seconds he said.  Cece clipped in. " 5,4,3,2,1 Go Cece, Go, " He said!    What a nice happy and fun loving person Bob is.  Cece's friend Mike also came to the starting line with her and he was a comfort even though she did not speak to him....he was right there supporting!

Also supporting were Stephanie and Ellie the Shark.  Both of these athlete women have injuries and both are chomping at the bit to get back in the prime shape they want to be in.  No doubt in Cece's mind that they are on the rapid  downhill road to recovery.....probably holding pinwheels and shouting  weeeee.....we, we .we,   .weeeee!

And then there was Char, Cece's trainer who pushes her beyond belief but is the kick butt person who has helped make Cece so much stronger in her legs.... rehabbing her injuries and taking no nonsense from her! No pic to be had...but that reminds Cece she must take one of her.

And so to Cece's race.

As mentioned earlier, she came in third place as she expected she would given that she knew the other women and their skill levels.  But for Cece, she was happy that she had some moments of glory on her ride this day.  

Remember the DO NOT PASS sign?  Well she did pass someone going uphill.  A miracle has occurred and she is glorying in it!  As Cece passed she lingered a bit and told the woman she was doing great.  But the woman did not like that comment evidently because she said, "Well I can't be doing so great since you are passing me"  Point taken.

Then after the horrible hill she starting amping it up and she passed another person. She was in her drops and going over 20mph to try to make up some time.  She  looked at her cycling computer.  She knew it was just about 3 more miles and she pressed on.  Round and round the legs went. Over threshold breathing a given.  Come on...come on....come on.....she told herself.  And finally she crossed the finish line to the cheers of friends and acquaintances!  It was a good feeling to finish and to have accomplished the goal she  set out for herself,  To try her hardest...to give all she could give...and she did that.  So the day was a success!

Now it is more training, more weight loss and on to the State Championship in Las Cruces in July....then perhaps the Sr. Olympics ( in ABQ you need to be 50 or older to e considered a Sr. citizen!)  in Ohio in 2013?  Who knows.  Nothing is impossible!

Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post to Host 50+ Games Cycling Time Trials

Cece is on her second day of complete rest.  She does not do "rest" very well.  She was getting itchy and needed to do something besides stare at the walls...so she decided to take an adventure out to Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post.  This is the  site of her time trial on Saturday.  She had been past there before , but had never stopped in. 

Once there, she was greeted by a marvelous Scottish terrier named Winston and a host of happy and

friendly people.

 On historic Route 66.

She met Vickie Ashcraft the owner who had a happy disposition and did not mind answering Cece's multiple questions about the RV park and whether they had bathrooms. Of course they did!   She told Cece where the finish line would be and  how the tables and registration booths would be set up.  Cece has never been in an RV and was very curious about what an RV park is.  You would think she came from MARS, but only really from New York where she had never had that experience!  She had much to learn.

The casita part of the park housed many rooms that provided for necessities and for entertainment.  She noticed that they had many vintage things!  Here are a few!

A women in the trading post told Cece they were on 9 mile hill and Cece's eyes got as big as flying saucers!  Her first thought?  Was her route still on the 9 mile hill?  She had climbed that before...but she could not remember the details....probably she was in a coma at the time!   The woman got out a map and highlighted 9 mile hill and told her that really they were at the end of it!  WHEW!  She was gonna climb enough hills on Saturday she did not need to climb that infamous hill  too!

In the back by the RV park, she had several vintage motor homes.

 More than anything, the people she met there were friendly and willing to talk and answer any of Cece's

 questions.  She asked a man she met at the park about the Balloon Fiesta and he said that even though it is in October, they are almost booked up with just a few spots remaining.  Cece understood why...everyone was happy and friendly!  Cece is looking forward to Saturday and is glad it is being hosted by the Enchanted Trails RV Park and Trading Post! 

*****

A Wonderful Route 66 Adventure!