Tail Tucked

We did a nice ride along the golf course again today. The plan had been to scout out and route from our apartment to Starbucks, but alas we missed the road. On our way back through we did do a quick jaunt up the road to check out how hilly it is. It may prove a formidable opponent for me although Llama seemed to take it in stride. I was proud to make it up the steepest of our hills, at a snail's pace of course, but whatever works. Unfortunately shortly after making it up the steepest part and crossing the railroad tracks I was startled by someone beeping behind me. A quick glance assured me that the anger was directed at a fellow motorist. This made me feel much better for about 3.5 seconds, at which point I felt my tires plop down into that weird cement area on the edge of the road. I'm assuming this particular part of the road serves as a type of gutter. It's only about a foot wide and though I can ride in there I don't like it. This time however I was already rattled by the honking and I tried to jerk out instead of waiting until the blacktop was not 2 inches higher than the cement. My front tire skidded sideways along the blacktop instead of up and over just as a car was passing. I ended up on my feet, astride the bike, in the traffic lane. Clearly I'm fine, but I was pretty rattled. So between that and the "killer" hill, I found myself nauseous yet again and pulling over to collect myself. Llama came back for me, gave me some water and moral support and then we walked up the sidewalk for several minutes. I gotta say, there is just not much that ruins a bike ride for me more than having to walk any stretch of it for any reason. It pisses me of and makes me feel like crap and basically destroys any and all self esteem I may have built up up to that point in the ride. So I ended up coming home feeling a bit like I had my tail between my legs. There's always the next time!

Cyclist on a hill

Thursday was the only day we got out this week and that was only for a very short ride. I did manage to make it up a few hills which was encouraging. Today we set out for the longer section of the greenway. Before leaving, I made some adjustments to my seat. The last visit as the bike shop, James had said my seat might need to go down but only a smidge and it probably wasn't worth it. Well I heartily disagree. I put my seat UP nearly 3 inches before today's ride. I fiddled with several positions before settling, going up by very small increments and testing each time. When we finally got out on the trail, I felt like I was on a whole new bike! I felt so much more comfortable and noticed even the bike handling felt different. I was able to use my 3rd gear extensively when before I only used 3rd briefly on the downhill stretches.

I had several issues with my 2nd gear today. It was acting up towards the beginning of the ride, but after 10-15 minutes, it would not engage at all. Each attempt ended up with the pedals spinning furiously with no resistance. Good thing I could use 3rd because of my seat adjustment!

I was able to pedal along easily, feeling like I was using only a fraction of the energy I had been previously. Before long, we were approaching the hilly section of the trail. I pedaled my way up the first rise and felt the old familiar burning in my thighs. And it was then I realized the real hill was around the next corner! I was determined to get partway up before hopping off today. I shifted down and focused on the road 1/3 of the way up. I kept my pedaling steady and tried to think positively about making it to my goal. When I reached the spot I had mentally marked, I still had a good bit of steam left, so I focused further up the hill. Now my thighs decided to let me know they were not agreeing with my decision to keep going. When I reached this next spot, I didn't know if I could make it any further. I lowered my eyes to look just beyond my front tire and kept pushing. Llama starting cheering from behind that I had made it! I looked up and around and felt my excitement surge! I really did make it up the hill! I was panting and sweating and my thighs were screaming but I had made it the whole way up.

We stopped for water before enjoying the downhill, and not many minutes later we had reached the wooden walkways and the end of the trail. We stopped again so I could take some pictures and then started back.

Bernard in the wetlands.

Bernard by the long wooden walkway.

More wetlands.

Spokes-eye view of the stream.

I have always liked this decal--take the long way around.

My thighs were pretty worn out by this point, and after stopping for some more pictures of the wetlands by the trail, I realized that the cramping was still plaguing me. We continued much more slowly back towards the truck. I did have to walk up the final hill through the park to the truck. I don't know if I will ever make it up this hill. But today I conquered the biggest hill on the trail going both ways. And my ride was much more comfortable after adjusting the seat. I guess now it's a matter of getting the old thighs into shape...

From one small rise to another towards the far end of the trail.


Looking over the beaver pond area. We saw tons of wildlife today, which thrilled me, including 2 herons and many ducks and other waterfowl.

7.5

Yesterday was a rest day, but we used the free time to scout out some new trails on foot. We have been trying to find trails that are long enough, but not too long, flat enough without too many giant hills and that are close enough we can get to them quickly. Thus far the Cary Greenway system has been just about perfect. Today we headed out to a new trail, the White Oak Creek Greenway.

The trail head is in a park and immediately gave us the choice of right or left. We tried right and discovered this part of the trail is a slight grade uphill. Also it was not very long. It meanders behind several housing communities and actually ends right up against a welcome center for one. After hoofing it up the final hill, we took a quick break and then mounted back up for the quick ride back down. This is one of the pros for hoofing it up the hills that are too much for me and my 3 speed, the joy of even a slight hill. It's always exhilarating and usually a smidge scary since my braking system is...shall we say lacking. This little hill made it a breeze and before long we were back at the trailhead we started on. We decided to go the opposite direction. This trail passes across several roads, none of which were too busy as they are in residential areas. Again the trail was relatively flat. After hearing several remarks and feeling the burn first hand in my thighs, I'm pretty sure my seat is a bit low. Basically my knees are hitting my arms every time I pedal. I also suspect it is adjusted a bit too far forward as I find myself constantly adjusting in order to keep the balls of my feet on the pedals.

After several more minutes, the trail begins to get a bit more woodsy. We stopped for a water break and (of course) pictures in an area that was pretty swampy/wetlands-ish. After a few minutes we decided to keep going. My thighs generally dictate the length of the ride, or rather my tolerance for pain in my thighs, I guess. The trail feel much more uphill at this point and rounding a corner we come to a rather formidible (for me) looking hill. Llama has by this point figured out the best way to use her 12 speeds to her advantage. Well, that and she's in much better shape than I am. I made it partway up the hill and the hopped off and puffed my way up to where Llama was waiting. The downhill was so fast my eyes were watering and as it was pretty cold today I felt like my tears were freezing onto my face. Man, was it fun to go flying down that hill!

By this point my thighs were basically screaming constantly so we decided we should turn back soon. And then I got distracted by what looked like a pretty long bridge. It was a raised wooden walkway and who can resist riding over that? Just as we reached the other side, we spot another up ahead--and I figured, well, what the hell it's just a little further. So we crossed that one. And then right ahead of us maybe 100 yards, it looks like the end of the trail. I had no idea we had come this far out. I had no intention of going this far. We went the extra yards just to complete the trail.

I was a little worried about making it back due to my aching thighs, but we got going and I just had to take my foot off the pedal and stretch my leg a lot more. Interestingly, it's usually only my right thigh that hurts constantly and intensely. After hiking up the big hill again, I was determined to use as much downhill momentum as possible to my advantage. I pedalled slowly a few times and then shifted up into my "high" gear--big number 3, watch out. By the bottom of the hill, my stupid right thigh hurt so much I wanted to cry, but I just whined a bit and tried to keep going. While I was still coasting, my gears decided to temporarily abandon me and the sudden lack or resistance almost sent me teeth first into my handlebars and that was a bit scary. So now, here I was, slowly cranking my way back to the truck thinking about how far it was and wanting to cry like a baby about my sore thigh. Llama, as always was encouraging, but this time she just went a bit ahead of me and left me to myself. I alternated with pedal, pedal, pedal, as hard as I could and then coasting and stretching my stupid leg. I did get off and walk maybe 100 yards before one of the road crossings, but mostly I just pedalled very slowly, occasionally whining out loud about my dumb leg. And then before I knew it we were back. I took several minutes, after loading the bikes, to stretch my legs and, boy, did that feel good.

As soon as we got back I was anxious to see how far we had gone. I felt longer than Black Creek. And wow was it. We went almost 7.5 miles today! I felt so good about seeing that number. Sure I wore out, but I went a lot further than we usually do. And I only walked up 2 little hills and a little bit before that road. Yes, I am tired and sore. Yes, I was mad at my leg for the last 1/4 of the ride. But 7.5 feels damn good. Now if I can just fix my seat...