This morning, the shortest day of the year, it was dark, lonesome, and freezing cold at about 34F. On such days I did what we usually do when it feels like the nose is about to snap off and fingers are without feeling ... I headed straight up Page Mill.
Unlike most days, Page Mill did not get warmer as I gained elevation. Frost was sparkling in the grassy fields beneath the oak trees all the way up to Montebello Ridge, and even the road was frosty most of the way up.
I was rewarded with one of the most beautiful sunrises of the year as I approached Gate 4. Bright red and orange with surprisingly sharp and vivid azure sky mixed in. I wished I had my camera along, but alas, I have no record and you would have had to be there and suffered with me to appreciate its magnificence. I clocked in at Gate 4 37:30 mins after leaving downtown Los Altos (1:20 behind my fastest time), which felt like a good way to finish what may be my last ride of the year ... unless inspiration hits again next week.
I reached Montebello ridge after 49:30 mins, and chatted a bit with another lonely rider I caught up to on the way up from Gate 4. Then a cautious decent on a sparkling road froze my face into a mask, which still has some remaining traces after a hot shower, coffee, and an hour at work.
Hope to see you sorry denizens of the Cornichon team out there next time. Keep in mind that you now can ride 4 days a week in the most excellent company of David and I. Both of us ride Tuesdays and Fridays, David on Wednesdays and I venture out on Thursdays to accommodate extra long distance swims on Wednesdays (did 3*150 + 600 + 500 + 200 last Wedn). Should you feel like a swim, join me in the slow lane on Wednesdays.
Have a happy new year and a joyful holiday!
--- Rune
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
One is the Lonliest Pickle
So Rune and I have decided to start seeing other weekdays. Rune is currently experimenting with Thursday, while I'm still on Wednesday. You can catch me down at the coffee bar, trying to look cool with my polyester shirt and tight pants.
This morning I rode up to the Christmas Tree farm -- an excellent ride, wet, but not cold, and not foggy (except for my glasses). The moon was slim and high in the sky, and the eastern hills just glowing a bit when I got to the top.
Its kind of a bummer, because I really feel far from my peak performance: At a comfortable pace, I got to gate 4 in about 54 minutes, which is a ways from my all-time best of 47. As far as distance, except for my long rides in Norway and Portugal, I don't think I've ridden farther than 22 miles since the beginning of August. Hopefully this isn't the beginning of some kind of Thompson-like burnout. Next thing you know, I'll be moving to Coeur'd Alene.
On the other hand, I'm out there and having a great ride, so I guess it doesn't matter that much. If anyone knows a sensitive and open rider looking for long sunrise climbs, non-smoker, must like Peet's, please send them my way.
(of course RD and I are still kickin' it on Tuesdays and Fridays)
This morning I rode up to the Christmas Tree farm -- an excellent ride, wet, but not cold, and not foggy (except for my glasses). The moon was slim and high in the sky, and the eastern hills just glowing a bit when I got to the top.
Its kind of a bummer, because I really feel far from my peak performance: At a comfortable pace, I got to gate 4 in about 54 minutes, which is a ways from my all-time best of 47. As far as distance, except for my long rides in Norway and Portugal, I don't think I've ridden farther than 22 miles since the beginning of August. Hopefully this isn't the beginning of some kind of Thompson-like burnout. Next thing you know, I'll be moving to Coeur'd Alene.
On the other hand, I'm out there and having a great ride, so I guess it doesn't matter that much. If anyone knows a sensitive and open rider looking for long sunrise climbs, non-smoker, must like Peet's, please send them my way.
(of course RD and I are still kickin' it on Tuesdays and Fridays)
Monday, December 3, 2007
Sour Pickle Looking for a Sweet Ride
It's starting to feel like time to train up for the next year of knee injuries. As you know, at our household, all weekends are scheduled up to 6 months in advance. I already know that I can't attend the Death Ride, for example.
There are a few rides that will appear on my schedule though, such as:
Solvang Century, March 8th.
TUC, May 10th.
Rides from last year that were fun:
Tierra Bella, April 19th
Sequoia, June 1st
Shasta Century, August 1st
Death Ride, July 12th
I am not sure how it'll all come out this year, but I've promised myself to share the pain and encourage Leo to join me. The most likely outcome is that I'll be riding 50 mile/metric century distances, though I just can't see missing out on all those hills in the TUC.
Speaking of the TUC, we've already made our reservations in Fortuna. This year, we're riding the week before Humboldt State's graduation, so it should be much easier to get a room in town, and they aren't jacking up their prices like last year.
-- Dr P.
There are a few rides that will appear on my schedule though, such as:
Solvang Century, March 8th.
TUC, May 10th.
Rides from last year that were fun:
Tierra Bella, April 19th
Sequoia, June 1st
Shasta Century, August 1st
Death Ride, July 12th
I am not sure how it'll all come out this year, but I've promised myself to share the pain and encourage Leo to join me. The most likely outcome is that I'll be riding 50 mile/metric century distances, though I just can't see missing out on all those hills in the TUC.
Speaking of the TUC, we've already made our reservations in Fortuna. This year, we're riding the week before Humboldt State's graduation, so it should be much easier to get a room in town, and they aren't jacking up their prices like last year.
-- Dr P.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
