sandi_1609 - SAE02

BIKE: Roadie

DATE: 4 June 2014

ROUTE: lawson rd/airport hill

TEMP: 83*F

WIND: strong wind from the South

TRIP: 24.57 miles

AVERAGE CADENCE: 62

START TIME: 19:20hrs

END TIME: 21:15hrs

TRIP TIME: 1:43:23

GOAL: 20 miles in 2 hrs

OF NOTE: the wind was constant from the S/SE.

this ride was two-fold: 1) help hubby get a work-out without 'bonking'. 2) ride part of the rally route.

started the ride with my warm-up thru the neighborhood. and then down long creek to clay to east glen, which is part of the route for the Mesquite Bike Rally. goin' down east glen, i was riding behind hubby but keeping up. we turned onto berry for a quick jaunt to scyene. my mindset was set and i was in my groove. the fact that i don't get a lot of speed built up does cause me to struggle a bit more climbing but i have learned/trained to keep an even cadence as i pedal up the hill or incline. as i coasted down to the right turn for lawson, i hoped we wouldn't have to make a complete stop, which we didn't. but then i saw the first challenge and put my bike in gear and made the climb. we were goin' on a gradual uphill incline with steep hills. since this was the challenge i wanted to conquer, i got to the task and met the challenge head on. the first few steep rolling hills, went well, even tho i ended up in the lowest gear. i kept pedalling and reached the top only to see my next challenge a short distance ahead. but because i ride for endurance and not speed/power, i am able to keep conquering the challenges. i am may be in the lowest gear and at the end of the pack, but when i reach the top, i am not worn out only winded a bit.

hubby had no trouble climbing the steep hills as he pedalled up the road. i did my best to keep up but i really couldn't even keep up with his cadence. however, since his cadence sensor was broke, he was keeping with me so he wouldn't over do it and 'bonk'. tho it was a struggle, he actually did a slower ride with me and ended up feeling like he could go for a bit longer when we got home.

when we got to airport hill, i did my best to keep up momentum and speed to help me get up the hill. however, my shifting still needs work and i lost momentum. i ended up in lowest gear as usual and after reaching the top, i was winded but not worn out. the rest of the road was a steady climb but much more manageable. the steeper parts found me in lowest gear as usual but i was determined to meet the challenge i set for myself. and i did! we made it to Hwy 20 service road and took a break. we had gone 13 miles. the place we stopped to rest will prolly be a rest stop for the rally. continuing on the service road, which was a gradual incline reminded me of our driveway. i restarted the ride with a renewed strength and i was actually feeling good. travelled the service to beltline where we turned right heading for home. beltline is a gradual incline and easy ride. hubby took lead and we enjoyed the ride.

reaching 5 corners, hubby decided we would stay on beltline. we followed the circle around and continued on our way down beltline.

at this point in the ride, i was feeling renewed and began putting some real power in my pedalling. i got goin' fairly fast and was able to get up a steep incline in highest road gear. i felt absolutely ecstatic and stoked. it really felt good to keep speed and not struggle. when i reached bruton/beltline intersection, i had just stopped my bike when the light turned green. just a bit frustrated, i started up again and was quickly back in my rhythm. the ride was fairly easy with just a slight struggle on a steep incline before leveling off and cruising for a mile. turning right at the high school, we took detour cuz i wanted to avoid the road under a railroad bridge. after returning to beltline, we headed for Hwy 80 service road. turning right onto the service road, we headed home.

the whole ride was very enjoyable, even the more difficult parts for me. i am gonna continue challenging myself and meeting those challenges.

on saturday, i know there will be a challenge at the beginning of the ride on rodeo center rd. it's a good climb to new market rd. i will prolly be in the lowest gear by the time i get to the top of the climb. but new market is a gradual downhill so i will get a bit of rest b4 lawson rd and airport hill and the continual climb to I-20. the final challenge on the route is the continual gradual climb on Bruton to sam houston. i will hopefully be rejuvenated after conquering the mckenzie hill, which is just as challenging as airport hill. but the challenges r there to conquer and overcome. i am up for that challenge and am looking forward to it.

until next ride... :)