Bates's New Great Adventure or...

...Why Do All His Rides Involve Getting Wet??

(Bates sent this post through the MadCyclists' group but I thought it worthy of publishing here, so I copied & pasted. Great story - now I want a CX bike! Enjoy! -jane)

I finally assembled my cyclocross bike, and took it out for a shake down late this morning.
The nearly smooth tires I chose are both fat and light, 700-32s, and don't be fooled, they roll real easy. I had previously tried normal cyclocross tires, read MudGrips... mudgrips do not roll on pavement worth a hoot.

Anyway, off I went, I rolled up Hebron Valley to Haywood, took a right on Hoover Rd, then a left onto Duet road. The bike was feeling great, all new to me especially with these easy rolling 'fattys'. Duet road is paved for about a mile and a half, and has a rather steep downhill. Bike was feeling good, tracks great, I let'er go on the hill. No spedo as yet, but I'd say I rounded the corner at the bottom around 35... Solid as a rock, downright confidence inspiring. I turned right onto Whipporwill Road, and went over the mountain to Etlan, refilled my H2O botttles, and fed my pie hole a Snickers and off I went, back up the hill I had come from from Etlan, but took a left onto Hughs River Rd, took that down to Pophams Ford Rd. You have probably never been on Pophams Ford rd... It is an old county rd, and it is cobblestone, well actually smooth river rocks, and they don't call it a 'ford' for nothing, actually there are two fords. I approached the first ford, a little one about 10 feet across, I didn't even stop, plunged in, crossed without even getting my shoes damp.... Nothing to it...The second ford goes over (through) the Hughes River, about 25 feet across, as I said, Nothing to it.... Until I hit the bolder mid stream, and then dearly wished I wasn't clipped in. OK so now I have very wet feet, but I remained upright. Oh well 'In for a pound' forge ahead.

At the end of Pophams Ford I met a locked gate with a paved road on the other side, locked?? Oh well, throw the bike over, climb over and on my way. Cool little stretch of road, old farm houses, well restored, I am obviously in Rappahannock!

Up the hill to Slate Mills RD.. I made it to my goal, now how the hell do I get home.
Hang a right onto Slate Mills rd. and go until I see some road on the right that looks like it goes to our Novum Loop and comes out up on Arrington Mtn.
I passed Major brown Rd, and took the next right on Green Rd which turned to dirt, and then intersected with Major Green Rd.. Oh well. Dirt road, up, up ,up... Then down down down, in the woods, repeat.

I was wondering whether I was on the right road, in the woods I couldn't see the mountains for bearing. So top of a hill (mountain) I whip out the rider's helper (cell phone) and call Aden. It seems Phones don't work wherever I am. Oh well, it's a pretty day, pedal on....
Up the road maybe 1 mile, the phone rings, it's Aden's friendly voice, just about as I see a sign saying I'm back in Madison, Aden consulted GoogleMaps, and verified if I go straight, I was in fact on 604, the road to Arrington Mtn. Thank goodness I wouldn't die of starvation out in the woods.

Rest of the ride went as if I planned it. Back home before the wind got whipping.
Test Ride was a huge success, CX bike with its long wheelbase, and slick geometry, coupled with fat smooth tires is an absolute Hoot, way better than I expected. Dirt roads are a whole new world... I saw 3 cars on the dirt sections, two of the cars were the same mailman who I passed twice.

Tidal Rhythms...

Yes, it's been very quiet of late. Winter is a season of slumber and introspection (unless you're a skier). But without the serene beauty of snow-covered hills (accompanied by a crackling fire, a hot toddy and a warm heart--two, if you're lucky...), we wouldn't even notice the arrival of springtime. Can you tell I grew up in California?

It's all about balance--the ebb and flow of life.

It's been a wicked wild winter for Yours Truly (I love alliteration!). I am a seeker, a spirit in motion, and I learned several Life Lessons during this, my first "off season." I piloted a heavily-laden U-Haul truck over the Rockies in late December ("Kidz, don't try this at home..."), cast the demons out of my beloved titanium road warrior (under the tutelage of Bates McLain, brother Celt and Master Velo Exorcist), and lived to tell about it. We unraveled the mystery that had the Campy "experts" stumped, and somewhere Tulio Campagnolo is nodding and smiling benignly. If you want to hear "the rest of the story" (and as all my friends can attest, I am nothing if not a storyteller), you'll have to buy me a pint. Money well spent, I can assure you: "There I was ..."

Warmer days are just around the corner and we'll all be out there eatin' up the tarmac and getting fitter by the day. And we'll all have plenty to blog about soon enough. So many potential crashes, so little time! (I'm just yankin' yer chain.)

See you on the road...

humph!

****SIGH**** I wish someone else would post to this blog....or tell me they are not interested. Pish!

Love/Hate Relationships

I love my bike. The feeling of the pedals eating up the ground under me as I tootle along country roads, the sounds of nature, the air in my lungs as I gasp whenever I climb a hill - it's all good.

I hate winter. The more I love my bike the more I hate winter. It's cold. It's brown. This winter has been especially hard for me because it has been just a bit too chilly to really enjoy cycling outside.

I love my trainer. Sort of. I can at least get on the bike and pretend I am out riding.

I hate intervals. They really hurt. But I can tell I am getting stronger - if only by teeny tiny increments.

I love my ipod. It is at least a little distraction to the monotony of said trainer.

I hate mean people. The ones who rob us of everything from possessions to happiness to security.

I love longer days. They give me hope.

I hate it that winter still has two months to go.

I love Arizona in the winter. Uh oh. That sounds way too much like a snowbird. But the high plateau of southeastern AZ in winter is warm-ish during the day and cold at night. Perfect. BTW, it's not all that hot in the summer either - at least, not Phoenix-hot. (And....well...it's a dry heat:)

I hate laziness - that disease that infects folks who won't get up off their chairs and DO SOMETHING to make themselves healthier; those who continually complain about aches & pains and not feeling good. You know who I am talking about - people who consider a Super Bowl party or watching NASCAR on TV a workout.

I love running. Never thought I'd say that. I have never been a runner. Not that I am much of one now, but a good 3 - 4 miles at a time is wonderful. Ditto all the positives I said about cycling, without the pedals.

I hate trash on the side of the road. Why can't people leave it in the car until they get home, then put it in a trash can?

I love a day off - even if it has to snow to get one.

I hate getting behind when I have a day off.

I love the way I feel right now - I have worked hard to get here and I intend to stay here for a very, very long time. Losing 25 lb. is not easy, but it sure is rewarding. I'm much stronger and I feel so much better - and I get to throw all my "fat clothes" away!

I have a little sign in my car that says "play everyday". I intend to. What about you?

Winter.

As a cyclist I'm not a big fan of winter. As a skiier, I love snow. But there's nothing good about snow in denver, or cold weather for that matter. No road rides since sometime in December, and tons of trainer time. That doesn't make for very good ride reports, but I figured I would post something and at least remind everyone: Spring will come!

Hiking Anyone?

It's too cold to ride! Is anyone interested in doing some wintertime hiking? I am starting my new job (yeah!) on January 5th, but like to do longs hikes on the weekends. I'm also recruiting for trail workers. Anyone interested in getting involved in volunteering in Shenandoah National Park? I have trails awaiting adoption! I'm off now to stay at Jones Mountain Cabin with Kurt for two nights. If you're in the area drop by to see us ;-)

HELLOOOOOOO...

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted here. Not surprisingly, it has been even longer since anyone else has. What's up with that? Lee tells me it's because most people consider this "my" blog. I did not intend for it to be that way. Read the name of the blog and the description underneath. Nowhere does it say it's "my" blog. So....help me here! Is anyone out there? Say something!

Everyone is busy these days - not just because today happens to be December 22 and it is the height of the holiday madness. Every day is busy for each of us. Still, sharing stories and ideas and opinions seems (to me) like such a good idea. If you agree, please post something here. If you have not been given rights to post, then ask and most likely you will be able to.

Some questions are rolling around in my head...

Who is still training? Indoors? Outdoors? What are you doing to stay fit?

Will Kathi make her goal of 2000 miles before the end of the year? I'm on the edge of my seat!

Is Guy still with us? The last sighting I know of was at the Culpeper Century.

C'mon Maddies - talk to us!