Holy Granny Gears!
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My coach planned a great training ride today. We started out riding on Hwy 128 a few miles past Moskowite Corner. We parked alongside the road and started right into a hill. I have to be honest, there was a bit of “oh no … what did I get myself into today?” fear as we set out. I’m not used to jumping straight into any kind of hills; I’ve gotten used to starting out on the flats and taking some time to warm up. My knee was feeling it a little, so I just granny geared it and stuck it out. It sure felt GREAT to get to the top of that first little climb. We rode along Lower Chiles Valley Road together for a while and then I turned on Pope Valley Road and my coach set off on his far more ambitious ride heading out the other way on Pope Valley Road and on towards Angwin.
My direction turned out to be a great downhill. I only saw one other cyclist on Pope Valley Road and he was riding up. I thought, “Oh, I’m going to have to ride up this on the way back!” Only a handful of cars passed. It was delightful!
I continued on until I connected with Hwy 128 again, and headed towards Lake Hennessey.
Lake Hennessey, Napa, California
Lake Hennessey, Napa, California
I stopped just for a few moments, and headed back up the road towards the Napa Valley. Our goal was to meet back up in St. Helena at the park off Pope Street by 1:30. It wasn’t even 1:00 and I was this close already?!
Hwy 128 & The Silverado Trail
Woo hoo!! Got there first! Haha! Not sure I can really brag much about that in light of the ride that he did compared to mine, but ... at least I know that there was one part of the ride where I didn't keep my coach waiting or having to turn around to check if I was still there and still OK.
I rested a couple of minutes and took a few photos.
Interesting bee-like insect ...
Itty bitty daisy-like flower
... in pink
I headed back towards the Silverado Trail and my coach was rolling over the Pope Street bridge. We rode together to downtown St. Helena, in hopes of having lunch at the Model Bakery.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Lesson learned … Google first to make sure your destination will actually be open on a holiday and at the time you expect to arrive.
We ended up getting some food at the Safeway and then having a latte at the Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company.
Napa Valley Coffee Roasters' (surprisingly average) latte
A busy bee tending to the lemon trees at the Napa Valley Coffee Roasting Company
We rode back on the Silverado Trail and on to Hwy 128. We stayed on 128 all the way to the car. Most of it was pretty manageable for me, but a few parts were quite challenging, especially with a little wind. I got some great encouragement from my coach and that kept me motivated and going. He said that my pedal stroke is getting better (I’ve been working on it). I really do need to get some new pedals and shoes. Real cycling shoes with the clip-in things … yeh, I’m a bit behind the times … ’nuff said about that.
One hill just kept going, and going, and going … I fell quite a bit behind and had to literally talk myself up part of the hill. “You got it … Almost there!” That happened through a few false peaks, and at one point I found myself really wanting to get off my bike and walk, but I kept on going and made it to the top.
Here’s a map from their website to give you an idea of where we were:
We continued on, and there were a few downhills, some more uphills, and finally a nice downhill to the car. Whew. I made it!
Today’s ride was only 36.3 miles for me, but some good climbing practice for me to help prepare for the upcoming Tour de Cure (http://tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage) The Tour de Cure is only 4 weeks away! If you want to make a donation, go to http://tour.diabetes.org/site/TR?pg=pfind&fr_id=6830 & type in my name.
I am really quite thankful to have gone on this ride today. I would never have done this by myself. Thanks Coach!!