Adventures of the Northwest

Rain and Sun and Success all around!

Saturday was an interesting day. I woke up around 6 am and heard the pouring down rain on the roof. WOW! I am supposed to be biking in 3 hours and it doesn’t sound like fun. Oh how much I wish I could lay in bed this morning. I finally got up, fixed some pancakes and got dressed. I loaded the car and headed to Mercer Island. The rain seemed to let up right out of Bellevue and going towards Mercer Island. I got to Mercer Island and it started to pour. I was going to wear a real light rain jacket and realized that would never do. Ok, so I switched jackets to protect my butt from all the dirt and grime knowing that I didn’t have fenders yet and it was going to be a wet, muddy ride. I took off and went to Pert’s at Leschi. I met up with Jane and Carol. Eventually other Byrne riders were there that I was able to meet – including Dan Byrne himself. I was able to see Tamara who I met two years ago on the “meet the team” ride for a different group. She has been working on me for 2 years to join the track racing. She and I were talking about how much fun it was and how much I was enjoying it. She stated, “I don’t normally say I told you so but can I be so bold in saying I told you so?” I said, “Yeah you can say it. You were right!” hee hee We all stood outside and heard more about the team, the clothing order coming up, etc. and then we set off to ride. We had easily 60 or more riders… probably 75 and it was nice to see everyone enjoying themselves. We finally got to Coulon and the group split up a bit. Jane and Carol were going to head back the way we came but I was heading to MI so I didn’t go that way. They rode with me and we passed 3 bicyclists and I yelled out to Jane – Jane! I feel bad as those three riders are with us and we are dropping them. So we slowed down and rode with them and talked to them. A woman with that group, which I spoke with at Coulon, was talking about possibly track racing. She isn’t a hill climber so she was feeling bad she was going slow. I told her how bad I am with hill climbing and how well I have been doing this year due to the training I did all winter and the track racing this year. We rode with them and I split off on Mercer Island. I felt like I rode stronger than I ever have on that south end loop on the hills. It felt so good!

I got home and took a warm bath. WOW! A warm bath feels so good after being drenched!! I cleaned all my wet clothes immediately and hung them up to dry. I then took a nap. I cleaned up all my bikes trying to get them ready for their tasks of the winter. Milly was screaming at me. The weather was now sunny and nice and she wanted to do a ride. I gave in. I took her down the road again knowing I needed to challenge myself on that hill. I took her down and this time I felt more in control of my legs spinning down the hill. I was able to take in some wonderful views again of the mountains, the pink/purple clouds, the slivered moon and the beautiful pine trees. I got to the dead end and turned around. I started back towards my challenge and still taking in the exquisite view. My legs spinning in control yet out of control then I feel the slow incline prior to the steep, short hill. I tried to keep the momentum going and at some point stood up to keep it going. I kept talking to myself, and Milly, ok keep on going, keep on pushing, you can do it! OH MY GOSH!!! I DID IT!!! I made it to the top of the hill!!! I can’t believe it. I called Jane from the top of the hill to let her know that Milly and I conquered the hill!!! WOOHOOOO!!!! :)Success is mine!

Then I continued to pedal home going down the slightly long descent. Again my legs felt in more control of the pedals but less control. I realized I had more confidence in myself and the power that Milly holds to keep me pedaling fast and to keep me going up a hill. I let my legs spin like crazy and only tapped on the brakes and/or back pedaled slightly just to lose a bit of momentum but I felt more confident of the control this bike had on me and what it can teach me this winter with spinning and strength. I felt powerful and exuberant! Oh what a good winter this will be!!!

posted by Seattlebiker @ 7:12 AM