SIX HUNDRED MILES LATER

This month has been the first month of serious distance rides. Definitely acting more confident this year about my level of fitness as June 6 approaches. Overconfident perhaps. My total mileage for April was just under 500 miles, but included a couple of long back to back rides. The next three weeks end "training." I'm going to increase my cross training (core and swimming) - it would be nice to drop a pound or two.

Yesterday I did my first century of the year. 106 miles. It was the Santa Rosa Cycling Club's volunteers ride - a thank you for helping with the Wine Country Century. I enjoy working that event - registering riders Friday night and Saturday morning. Every year that I've done it I've met other AIDS Lifecycle participants. Not surprising since there are 2500 participants and it comes at a perfect time before the Lifecycle event for people in training. There is always an amazing energy in the air when cyclists gather for non-competitive rides. There were four routes marked (120, 100, 65, and 35 miles) and people are excited to be challenging themselves. This ride is the major fundraiser for the Club and funds club activities as well as club support for other programs and advocacy efforts, including Safe Routes to Schools, Bicycle Rodeos and the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition.

Some pictures from the last four weeks:

My friend Ann Carranza shot this in Healdsburg. I was on a 6 block ride just for her! No sweat! See her write up for the Press Democrat here.

The Pacific Ocean as you first see it from Coleman Valley. A great descent is not too far off.

 These larger than life characters are on Route 116, along the Russian River. 


Do all resort areas have larger than life mythic creatures in plaster?

Lunch in Tiburon with Iliana and three of her friends from the Sunday training rides.