Cycling Foodie

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I am enjoying having a week off work before I start an exciting new job! I was a little concerned about being able to get some good riding in this week when it was super windy on both Saturday and Sunday last weekend, but day by day the wind has eased up. I logged 50+ miles on Monday, 70+ on Wednesday, and 30+ yesterday.

Greetings from Winters, CA!

And now, March Madness is off to a good start – 71.0 miles today! Here’s where I ventured today … Davis, Winters, Lake Beryessa, Pleasants Valley Road, Lake Solano, Winters, and back to Davis. First I made just a quick stop in Winters before heading out towards Lake Berryessa. I didn’t ride all the way up, just to the base of the dam. Yikes. I have got some climbing work to do & soon! The Napa Valley Tour de Cure is just over two months away and there are some hills I have got to prepare for.

Then I headed out Pleasants Valley Road past Putah Creek Road a few miles, & back for a quick stop at Lake Solano Park.

Near Lake Solano, I just couldn't resist any more of these beautiful blossoms!

Incredible visibility today ... too bad my little Nikon Coolpix barely picks up the Sierras in the background.

A quick stop to stretch on Road 29.

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This year I registered for my first Davis Bike Club March Madness. Registration is open to everyone, not just DBC members. It’s a great cause – proceeds go towards purchasing cycling helmets for school aged children. Check it out:  http://www.davisbikeclub.org/annual_events/club_challenges/march_madness

I’ve pledged to ride 750 miles in March. That probably doesn’t really seem like a lot to many of you, but being my first time, I don’t want to over-pledge. If you can’t get out on your bike, you can include up to 1,000 miles of indoor riding (stationary bike, spin class, your trainer).

If you would like to register, or make a donation to support this great cause, you can do so here:  http://2013marchmadness.eventbrite.com/#

This will also be GREAT training for my Napa Valley Tour de Cure!

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A dear friend of mine makes these:  http://www.omaltars.com/

They’re beautiful! Check them out.

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I am cooking up a bowl of steel cut oats with walnuts and dried cherries to warm and fuel me on this chilly morning. I am very, very hopeful that the wind won’t kick up again today or the rest of this week. There weren’t many cyclists out and about in Davis this weekend, so I know I wasn’t the only one who didn’t ride due to the crazy wind.

I’ve got just over two months to gear up for my 5th Napa Valley Tour de Cure and am going to take full advantage of this week off. I hope the weather cooperates!

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Follow-up to post (http://cyclingfoodie.com/2013/02/an-adventurous-weekend/) …

I am very happy to say that Trek (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/) did cover the rim under warranty.

Thank you
Freewheeler Bicycle Center
in Davis
(http://freewheelerbikes.com/)
for your help!

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I got a ride in this morning, from Davis to Winters and almost out to Woodland and back home to Davis. It didn’t seem so windy when I started out in the morning, but the wind started to kick up when I got to Winters. I made a quick stop at Steady Eddie’s for a snack and water refill. There are lots of flags in the park in Winters today … and they started a’waving a LOT in the wind while I was there. The wind was strong, but worked in my favor for more of the ride than I thought and I enjoyed a wonderful tailwind on Road 95, from Russell to Road 27. Then, I turned on Road 27 and had a strong side wind until I got to Road 102 (Pole Line). Oh, dear. The headwind was brutal. I was getting blown around on my bike and there were a few gusts that almost blew me right out of the bike lane. I really did not enjoy that part of my ride today. I made it home safely today and was very thankful for that. I really appreciated that one driver who was pulling out onto Pole Line who cut me a break in letting me cross so I could get out of the headwind. Whew!

I was pretty hungry when I got home, so …

Ooops ... just made way too much fruit salad.

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This week …

Come walk on the wild side of the UC Davis Arboretum!

I’m sorting through some photos from February 2012 and I came across a few I never posted, but I really like. They just sort of capture a bit of the magical beauty in the UC Davis Arboretum.

February 14, 2012

February 18, 2012

February 18, 2012

Just a few photos … there are so many to sort through!

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A lovely surprise today by the Chemistry building on UC Davis campus … I can’t get WordPress to post these pictures correctly right now, but temporarily … If you click on the thumbnail, a larger version of the photo will come up. Enjoy!