This is the top of Coleman Valley Road. We approached from the Coast Highway. You can see the route of the whole ride above.We started in Santa Rosa, rode to Tomales, then to Bodega Bay. From there we followed the route of Stage One of the AMGEN Tour of California, held in February.
Linda and I watched the three circuits of that race in Santa Rosa and it was pretty exciting. 130 bicycles bearing down on a corner at over 30 mph, inches apart. In a moment they are past and you can only see the back of their jerseys!
I don't think I'll be in that peleton anytime soon!
But it is good to know I can still learn from my own excesses! After that first week in March and noticeable pain in my knees, I have refrained from acting the jock. My training hours and miles got reduced, plus one week I had a terrible cold! More modest progress, week by week has been good to my body. I have learned about taking better care of my knees too. After every ride, I ice my knees with compression and elevate them. Plus I am stretching more conscientously at the end of every ride.
One of the regular riders on the AIDS/6 training rides here in Sonoma County is an ER doc with a similar history of knee soreness. We have compared notes and experiences. The RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and NSAIDs have made a difference. But there are no conclusive answers. I have had multiple conversations about the differences between naproxin (Aleve), ibuprofen (Advil), and asprin. And no firm answers: which one? before? during? after? I am also trying tumeric - an herbal NSAID.
First major mechanical failure on the road - broken chain! Fortunately one of the riders had a chain tool and we removed the broken link and put the chain together. There's a chain tool in my tool kit now! Being 25 miles from home and having to walk (no cell reception!) makes for a long day!!! First flat on the road too. Sheet rock screws are incredibly sharp.
There are 53 days left until the ride. I've now riden over 1450 training miles, with over 60,000 feet of climbing. My first email pitch for support went out March 18 and 46 people have made donations, from $15 to $500! I made the $2500 I needed to go on the ride in less than a week. I am halfway to my goal of $10,000! Thank you to everyone who has responded!
The weekly goals for April are bumped up from March. It seems easily accomplished, given my success so far.
Weekly Goals for Mar......... Results Week of (3/26)
75-125 mi ................................ 205
10-12 hrs ..................................16
45-55 longest .......................... 52
Weekly Goals for Apr......... Results Week of (4/2)
125-150 mi ............................... 133
12-14 hrs .................................. 11
55-75 longest ............................ 73
Weekly Goals for Apr......... Results Week of (4/9) thru 4/11
125-150 mi ............................... 111
12-14 hrs .................................. 8
55-75 longest ............................ 73
