It is amazing how many rides I can remember and in detail. There was the ride where Nick, Craig and I had to deal with a stiff headwind for 25 miles, but by drafting and a lot of effort managed a very decent pace, and then flew home with  the strong tail wind. There was the ride when Josh and Kasia joined us and Nick and Craig kept ticking us all off by doing intervals of sprinting. There was the ride when I had to let Nick and Craig go on without me, so that I could sneakily walk up the hill; they waited at the top anyway. As I careen past each falling autumn leaf an old memory flickers in front of me, reminding me exactly of why I love riding.

There is one ride that will always stick out in my mind. It was the perfect balance between fun, competition and friendship. This was one of our first long rides together and it was epic. On that Sunday morning a couple of years ago the weather was very brisk and clear and was the perfect day to test our will power and friendship. The loop we ended up doing was 42 miles which we completed in just a little more than 2 hours. We were all in pretty decent shape but as we tackled the big hill on the ride Craig and I came out way on top. We sat at the top waiting for Nick and discussing his fitness levels. We determined that he was not as fit as we were, but to this day he will argue that he had done all the leading while we had drafted off of him for miles, until the hill. The rest of the ride we were never separated. Craig and I had to consider that maybe Nick had done all the work and we had just taken advantage of a more tired rider up the hill, we were certain not to voice these thoughts to Nick. Frequently we rode side by side and little was said except for me encouraging a now exuberant Craig and Nick to scale the pace back. We have had several rides like this in which we were able to support each other, compete with each other and goof off, and each one is etched into our collective memory, where it is sorted according to length, pace, duration, and weather.

Proper Group Cycling Technique

It is in the nature of cycling to create friendships and great memories. Cycling is not like a soccer game in which you compete with a team, but have very little contact with teammates during the actual event. In cycling there is constant contact and communication between riders, and frequently the conversation is not about cycling at all. The other aspect of cycling which makes it so memorable and helps foster very strong bonds is the element of adventure. There have been several rides when we have just ridden and ended somewhere unintended. Whether the ride is planned or not, the ride is still a journey taking its riders from one place to another and all the places in between. And as most travelers have said, the journey was not about the miles or the obstacles but about the people met along the way.

I have been blessed to have shared so many journeys with such great companions. All who have ridden with me, ride with me every-time I crunch an Autumn Leaf.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/tristanscavalry/cyclecalifornia

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• A Ride with Rando Luminaries (seattlepi.com)

I took Midnight walking for 2.30 miles.  She really seemed like she was full of energy today and was walking super fast a couple times.

I ended up walking 2.77 more miles on my own going on the Custis Trail. It was definitely much more calmer today with very few bikers. My average was 3.6mph and I passed a few walkers on the track a couple times.  After all the walking earlier in the day, this definitely was a bit harder.

Midnight is looking for her furrrever home so if you are interested or know anyone else interested in adopting a sweet dog, here’s her bio:  http://lostdogrescue.org/dogs-adoptable/14248/midnight-3.  Or you can follow her blog at http://myfostermidnight.blogspot.com/

To donate to my walk and this very important cause, please visit http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2012/General?px=6129183&pg=personal&fr_id=1772&s_subsrc=bfgetwordout&s_src=boundlessfundraising.  If I get five donations between now and the 21st, I get a badge for this.

To donate to my walk and this very important cause, please visit http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2012/General?px=6129183&pg=personal&fr_id=1772&s_subsrc=bfgetwordout&s_src=boundlessfundraising

I went on the Custis Trail in Arlington which has a bit more ups and downs on the trail than what I have been doing.  Let me just tell you, those cyclists are scary the way they ride.  I thought I was going to get hit a few times.

Today’s walk was was definitely one that I would not want to do again. Initially walking, it was pretty hot but after a while you get used to it.  However, near the last mile, it started drizzling which felt good after the heat.  I should have probably just turned around right then but I was determined to finish.  It eventually started to get harder which is when I turned my butt around.  It started pouring which was still okay but when the wind started spraying the rain in my face and some cars sprayed me with their water, I was just hoping to get home soon. All I gotta say is I hope October’s weather is not like this!  I ended up doing 5.9 miles so not quite 6 but close enough and especially with this rain I was not about to stay out longer than I had to

To donate to my walk and this very important cause, please visit http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2012/General?px=6129183&pg=personal&fr_id=1772&s_subsrc=bfgetwordout&s_src=boundlessfundraising

These smells set the tone for my evening fake’mute last night.  After finishing off the workday at home thanks to a stop at the tailor prepping a suit for my wedding, I decided to head out at 5 and ride the MVT and Custis Trails until I had to turn around for dinner.  Riding along the MVT at this time of day was really enjoyable. And the slight breeze brought that fresh water smell along with it.

Rowers, Washington Monument, Refreshing Potomac Smell

Shortly after this photo was taken I hit one of the thousands of bumps on the trail, and the lid to my Acorn bag flipped open for a split second.  This was all the time needed though, my old and already dying iPhone made the leap for freedom at 17 mph.  This isn’t the first time the old fella tried this trick.  Once he wanted to take in a show at the Kennedy Center, but a cyclist trailing behind me found him struggling to make his way out of the bike lane and returned it later that day.  Unfortunately, I think this time he didn’t make it out as well.

All Cracked Up

The National Park Service was at Roosevelt Island handing out bells and bike maps. I stopped to assess the phone damage, but didn’t take any bells or brochures.

NPS Outreach Campaign

I did snap a photo of the “On Your Left” Mascot.  Apparently a “jackass” is the most appropriate spokes-animal.

"I'm about to shoal you"

The riders on the Custis at this time of day were a mixed-bag – some hardcore roadie/commuters, some out for an evening ride, everyone generally getting along. Most people even obeyed the bike/ped cross signals.

Go!

I think I need to inspect the front half of my drivetrain.  There is a mystery noise that I cannot figure out, though I tried very hard on this ride.  It seems like the chain is slightly rubbing something.  Maybe a bent chainring? Bottom bracket bearings going out?  The sound gets slightly louder when I really crank on the pedals.

Eventually the angle of the sun signaled time to go home and make dinner.  I rode home past the Jefferson Memorial,through the SW waterfront (To catch the Titanic Memorial) and around the Navy Yard, taking in some more “water smells”, though I must admit that Yards Park has some pretty foul smells as well.

Jefferson Memorial

Although I cut the ride short, I did manage to sneak in 21 miles – and my reward was a cold beer and a hamburger on our new grill.

Yes!

Looking forward to planning the next fake’mute.

Update: I am not the proud owner of an iPhone 4S with a gigantic OtterBox Defender case.  Hopefully that will prevent future bike/phone incidents.

The Custis Trail features hills...followed by more hills.

I’m proud to say that last night I kicked those hills right in the booty and had an awesome run. We started with a lap around the block holding W&L High School. That is one big school! Then we headed over to the Custis Trail for some 1.5 mile hill repeats.

Coach Zac wanted the hills run at a pace that was too fast to hold conversation. And he wanted us to negative split the 2 segments.  Ouch.  I was in a horrible mood so I was up for the challenge.  And it was a challenge.

Let’s look a little more closely at the hills:

I think the big spikes on the blue speed line are when I went under underpasses...

The elevation profiles on Daily Mile are way less dramatic than Garmin Connect

Suze and I took off and, with a lot of cursing but no conversation, made it through through the first 1.5 mile segment in 16:04, a 10:34 pace.  Um, what the heccccccck? That is really fast for me on flat terrain and I forgot my iPod so I was running without music which I thought was essential to running quickly – maybe not.

We turned around to go back, aiming for anything faster than 16:04.  I just got into a groove and spaced out.  I had a Jason DeRulo song on repeat in my head. Actually I had the first  two lines of the song in my head since I’d only heard it once in the car on the way… and the first line was, of course, “Jason DeRulooooo”. But I digress… about half a mile in I looked around and realized I was by myself.  I apparently let Suze and our other running buddy get behind me and since the trail was so curvy I couldn’t see where they were…so I just kept going.  The quicker I ran, the quicker I’d be done.  I pushed through and even though I felt like I ran out of gas completely about .4 miles before the end, I managed to finish the second segment in 15:57.  A 6 second improvement with a 10:31 pace!

I was so happy when I finished this.  Seriously I think I did a little dance. Suze finished right behind me but she’s training for a marathon (I’m training for a half) so she ran another lap around the school for cool down.  I just shook my legs out, walked over to where she’d finish and stretched.  I only needed to run 3 miles and I did 3.89 very quickly. I definitely consider the first temp/hill run of the VA Beach training plan a huge success.

Have you ever used a crappy day as motivation to do better on a run or workout?

I was back on the bike today at least, bundled up as usual and for the first 10-15 minutes wondering why on earth I was outside freezing and still dodging remnants of our snowstorm from a few weeks back on the path. I guess even the few sunny days in the mid-40s we’ve had recently haven’t been enough to make the path completely ice-free, but at least today it was passable…well…mostly…

Ice and snow still cover parts of the Custis Trail in Arlington

… well mostly…but I didn’t let a little snow and ice turn me back, and luckily aside from a few patches of ice near the edges, the trails were pretty clear. I did notice a drastic reduction in the number of cyclists and joggers out on the trails this morning, however. I guess the weather has forced most people inside until things really start to warm up.

Winter’s a challenge, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s been a lot harder than I anticipated to go by bike this winter. If it’s not freeze-your-nose-off cold out, we’ve got freezing rain, ice or snow blocking the trails and making it unsafe for cycling. And then of course there’s the dark. True, I have my lights, but at the same time, I still don’t like to be out on city streets too long in the dark by myself. It’s not an “I’m scared” issue – I just realize that as a young woman, sometimes, even on a bike with lights, it’s probably not the safest thing to be out alone at night. Riding in the winter also takes more time – when I suit up with all my layers, it will take me 5-10 minutes to get everything on and adjusted properly so I’m ready to ride and stay warm. Not quite the same as throwing on a t-shirt, shorts and rolling out. But no one ever said a challenge would be easy, and it’s definitely been a learning experience in seeing what I’m made of and what it takes to go by bike more often than not. The winter’s been hard, and I’m hoping it gets better, because the one thing that doesn’t change, no matter what the weather, is the smile on my face I get every time I ride my bike!

Stats:

Started: Nov 14, 2010 12:48:56 PM
Ride Time: 2:00:38
Stopped Time: 4:10
Distance: 21.63 miles
Average: 10.76 miles/h
Fastest Speed: 24.69 miles/h
Climb: 504 feet
Calories: 978
Official Route: No

But yes – for the record, the e-bike was able to pass the segway. At least there was some validation in that

[map]

• Stopped at Big Wheel Bikes
  • Super-convenient to the Custis Trail
  • Really nice about exchanging helmet-mirror for handlebar mount mirror (good thing; that thing gave me a headache)
  • Picked up some sunglasses with interchangeable lenses that came in handy for riding into the sunset, then back at cloudy/dusk – CRUCIAL for keeping bugs out of your eyes
• Route passed through Arlington, Falls Church, and Fairfax
  • Falls Church has really pretty and nice biking facilities
  • BUT, lots of at-grade crossings
    • Lee Highway requires bikers to stop and wait for a crosswalk light.  Fair enough, this is a major road.  This would be a great place for a bridge like the one on Broad Street
    • Lots of stops for crossing relatively quiet, residential streets.  The signs all read “Stop Required by Law”.  Hmmm, because most stop signs are just suggestions?  This is another indication that interactions between cars and bikes are still considered outside the norm.  Why should the cyclist have to yield to the guy in the Infiniti?  When I was riding (about 6pm yesterday), there were far more bikes backed up at these stops than there were cars; maybe the cars should have the full stop instead of just a crosswalk.
    • Broad Street crossing has a nice trail bridge that arches over the roadway
• Riding back downhill after working so hard to climb those hills is fun :0)

Took a ride on Sunday to the delicious Lost Dog Cafe on Washington Blvd by way of the Custis and W&OD Trails.  As usual, the climb up from Rosslyn to Ballston was not the most pleasant (although good practice for the PCH), but working up an appetite made the sandwiches taste that much better.  On the ride back we stuck to Washington Blvd. because it’s much less hilly than the trail.  Traffic was light, and we spent most of the time on the road itself with some sections on the sidewalk.  I used the blinking tail light just to be safe, and made it through in one piece.  We rejoined the trail where Washington crosses I-66.  A downhill coast was perfect for our full stomachs!

11.4 miles;  47 minutes;  14.55mph;  hilly terrain

This was the first time I took my new (bought yesterday) Shimano pedals and shoesout for a ride from Rosslyn to East Falls Church and back along the Custis and W&OD trails (map; Arlington bike map). 

The new combo makes an amazing difference when climbing the relatively hilly sections along the Custis trail.  I pushed pretty hard on the way out (up) and was feeling pretty worn out on the way back when it happened again:  someone close to 3 times my age went flying past me.  I took this as a personal challenge to suck it up and try to match his pace, which ended up working out great.  I gained motivation to make good use of that new gear for the uphills, and I gained confidence in passing runners and other cyclists (after giving fair warning, of course).  If you’re still a little unsure of yourself on the trails or the road, I highly recommend following someone who looks like they know what they’re doing*, and paying attention to how they navigate the road (in addition to or conjunction with a good cycling class).

My downfall (almost literally) came as I returned to Rosslyn.  We stopped at a stoplight (one of only two that I had to stop for in the whole trip!), and as I proudly and skillfully unclipped shoes from pedals, the older gentleman struck up a conversation: 

“You’ve been with me since Falls Church, haven’t you?” 

 ”Yes sir, thanks for keeping me honest on those hills; this is my first time doing this.”

 ”Well keep it up, have a great day.” 

“You too!”

I was so pleased to get the slightest bit of recognition from a seasoned commuter/cyclist, that as he pulled away at the next stop light to head into D.C. and I stopped to turn off into Rosslyn… you guessed it.  I almost did exactly what the lady at Revolution Cycles warned me would happen at least once before I wised up:  I stopped my bike and began tipping to the side.  No problem, I’ll just put my foot down spazz out wildly until I remember that I’m locked onto this crazy contraption.  I managed to slide my left foot out at the last minute, but not without considerable pain to the inside of my thigh, a major misalignment of my seat post, and a good bit of embarrassment in front of all the traffic waiting to cross Key Bridge.  No permanent damage, but I was a split second from tumbling into the I-66 off-ramp.  Better luck next time…

*Make sure this person is not a suicidal bike messenger.