Cycling Foodie

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Yesterday I rode the rideATAXIA NorCal. We had a wonderful ride for a great cause, great company, friendly rest stops, lots of SAG vehicles on the route. It’s a well-supported ride followed by a big plate of ribs compliments of Outback Steak House. I eat ribs once or twice a year, and this is one of those times.

Post Ride Ribs … oh, so good.

However, I have to say that this year for me personally, even more exciting than the ribs is that I made it up and over Cantelow Road again without having to walk! It’s been a couple of years since I’ve taken on Cantelow Road and life has been sort of kicking me to the curb the past year or so, and all that has interfered with my cycling time, so I’m not in great climbing shape. I did have to stop one time near the top, but just for a few moments. My goal for the summer is to make it to the top without having to stop … better yet, perhaps I’ll even take on the shorter, steeper side again by the end of the summer. Who knows?!

Top of Cantelow … victory two days in a row.

I was so excited that I decided to try to tackle Cantelow again today! I still had to stop once, but, I made it to the top again. My Klein Reve is my climbing bike … I don’t care what anyone says, I love the triple for climbing.

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I had to leave work a little early yesterday to meet PG&E at my house to investigate a gas leak. I just had a new dryer installed on Friday and … the installers didn’t do it right. I was very grateful that PG&E came out right away. I was even more grateful that he was able to resolve the issue in a time frame that allowed me to also grab a quick post-work ride.

All in all, I logged about 28 much needed miles total yesterday. A quick ride in the morning and about 1.5 hours after work. Not a fast ride, but a ride.

Here are a few pics from last night.

I’m glowing with delight! Have sunscreen, will ride.

Notice my Tour de Cure jersey? This from my very first Tour de Cure – when I rode with Team Golds from Vacaville.

I can hardly believe that the Napa Valley Tour de Cure is now less than 2 weeks away. I am not feeling ready at all this year. If you would like to support my ride, please make a donation here. This is an especially important Tour this year – it’s the 25th anniversary!

Must get ready! Spinning up and over a few rollers.

Moonrise.

No matter where the road takes us, as long as we’re together, I’ll be smiling.

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I just got on my bike and rode … and rode … and rode. It’s about time!

The Napa Valley Tour de Cure is just 6 weeks away?! How did this happen? If you would like to donate to support my Tour de Cure ride, please click here. Interested in riding? Find your Tour here.

Pleasants Valley Road, a few miles outside of Winters, CA

Pleasants Valley Road, in Vacaville

Pleasants Valley Road, in Vacaville

Pleasants Valley Road, in Vacaville

Putah Creek Road, between Winters and Davis

Selfie Time!

Road 29, headed back towards Davis

Back in Davis … photobombed by my own shadow!

Can you see Sacramento in the background?!

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Feeling hopeless? Watch this video.

“Everybody you know has a challenge. Something in life that just weighs on them. Things that rob us of hope. de:terminence is here to cure hopelessness. To inspire in our world reasons to live. Reasons to move forward. The philosophy behind de:terminence is to cure that hopelessness.”

~ Sean Baumstark

I had the pleasure of meeting Sean Baumstark yesterday at the UC Davis Advising Conference. He was our closing speaker. All I can say is wow.

Check out tour de:terminence. Race. Volunteer. Find that way to cure hopelessness.

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Last night’s full moon made for an amazing moonset this morning.

Looking from North Davis towards Winters area – you can just barely see the full moon setting.

The cool, fresh, moist air made for a glorious sunrise …

Sunrise, looking east towards Sacramento.

This morning’s ride was just over 17 miles … aaah. Not much else to say.

Here’s wishing you a wonderful ride today.

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… to start your day?

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Why is it that when I am in serious need of some comfort food I often turn to curry? Probably because curry powder is flavorful, warming, and has oodles of health and mood-boosting benefits.

Chicken Curry with Cauliflower, Peas, and Rice Medley

This can be a super easy weeknight dinner to prepare. I had some leftover cooked chicken, fresh cauliflower florets, frozen peas, a little chicken stock, and cooked rice. I like it a little spicy, so I also add some cayenne pepper to my curry powder.

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Slice the cauliflower into about 1/4-inch slices and saute on medium-high heat in a pre-heated wok with a little oil. Sprinkle your favorite curry powder and cayenne (if desired) over the cauliflower and toss to coat. Add the chicken to the cauliflower and add the stock*. Add the hot rice and stir to combine well. Reduce to low and allow to simmer gently. Meanwhile heat the peas – about 2 minutes on high in the microwave should do it. Add the peas and stir gently to combine.

*You can add a little flour to the stock and make a slurry if you want to thicken your sauce a bit. 

We have been having some glorious rain in Davis this week. Last night’s storm was impressive and off and on today we had some intense rain showers and wind. The air was so clean and fresh this morning it was delightful. I am looking forward to getting some good cycling in this weekend!

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Pre-work rides make all the difference in the world … in my world, anyway. How about yours?

A little chilly, a whole lot beautiful sunrise ride between Davis and Woodland.

I still love, love, love this bike.

Exercise is a well-researched and proven way to effectively deal with stresses that everyday life can bring. Why not start your day a super healthy invigorating stress relieving bike ride?

All that, and you can eat more yummy stuff, too. It’s a win-win. Yes?

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Here are a few scenes from my ride today.

A beautiful spring-like day here.

Sweet, fragrant almond blossoms along Putah Creek Road.

The morning started out so calm and in just a few hours there was this crazy wind. That will teach me to wait too long to get out on the road in the morning, huh? 56 miles total and most of it either into a headwind or fighting a strong side wind. It was worth it, though, for those few miles with a sweet tailwind.

That made for a pretty good training ride. I was hoping to ride a longer distance today, but with the wind this was enough. It’s been wonderful cycling before work again. I know we need more rain, but I’m sure enjoying cycling again. Yesterday 62 miles. Tomorrow … who knows how many?

Dinner tonight was a simple salad of greens, avocado, and tomato with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I had a small piece of a lean cut of beef that had marinated overnight in coffee, balsamic vinegar, and a little olive oil. I quickly pan fried the little steaks, then allowed them to rest while I made some mushroom gravy. It was very low fat – I used the leftover marinade as the base of the sauce and added some beautiful oyster mushrooms. I made a light slurry of chicken stock with a bit of flour to thicken the sauce and some fresh thyme to brighten it up a bit. It was very flavorful, but low fat. I made some smashed potatoes (basically mashed potatoes with the skin still on them!) to have with the gravy. The potatoes were also low fat – made with a bit of low fat milk and no butter.

The meat was a very lean piece of beef and kind of tough even after marinating overnight. Sliced very thin, however, it was quite flavorful and tender. The leftovers will be a perfect addition to a post-ride salad tomorrow.

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Remember … some of the best things that you can do for your heart are to exercise, eat well, and be happy.

So, here’s wishing you a happy, heart-healthy Valentines Day! I hope you have the chance to ride today!