Mt Bike endurance ride Saturday! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Mt Bike endurance ride Saturday! by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

My personal record on all levels! Time, distance, elevation and minimal stopping!!

Thanks to Coach Lou, I am really improving!!

Romero Photos - you don't have views like this every day

Romero Canyon by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Romero Canyon by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Romero was beyond words with the views. I have never ridden this ride. It started off very rocky and steep and I had a tough time getting started!

Once I was rolling, it was all uphill for seven miles, with rock loose fire road, and single track with big rocks, big, big rocks, lots of rocks - and smooth, hot sun and some shade. Doug and I both got burned on our faces -- with sunscreen! - We road for some miles up at the ridge for some cadence consistency pedaling - This ride is only 33 miles from new Oma home next to Dani.

We had a lot of fun. The downhill was, again, seven miles of fast, rocky and stay-on- your toes type descent. You can really get some speed, and the views to your right are SOOOOO tempting to glance at, but after my friend took a hard fall doing that, I was paying attention. My hands here hurting and I was getting really tired from the rocky downhill. It was so much fun and I really felt stronger.

Coach said I had 3.5 hours, and I forgot I had changed my Garmin to elapsed time from moving time for the stationary bike, so I was concerned I was riding too long! Argg -- turns out I had a half hour to use.

My ride was 3 hours, 21 miles and about 3300 feet or so.

Got a call to rush back to Santa Monica, and I did - have a depo this morning, so rushing out the door.

I am feeling stronger and my weight just fell off, as Lou said it would. I am very happy with my fitness right now, especially for my age. But riding with Doug (the mountain goat) - I still feel super slow behind him. He waits for me, of course, but I can tell he is riding backwards. Nice to have a riding partner for so many reasons. Makes it a lot more fun, but for safety too. Riders should ride in pairs, when they can.

I am hoping Marwan can start jumping in every other weekend, I miss riding with him too.

BIG THANKS TO COACH LOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Encinal - intervals at Little Sycamore

intervals by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Today was around 18.5 miles, 2500 feet, 2.5 hours (details in the link) and a warm and beautiful day. My riding partner and I met a few friends in the morning for a few miles so I could pass on some bike clothes and say hi to Sue and Suzanne! I miss my friends because I cannot really ride with other people while training, unless they are training too.

We climbed up Encinal/ backbone trail and at the top, I told them I needed to do intervals, so Doug and I went on our way and he found a perfect spot uphill with some head winds! I realized later my tire pressure was really low, and pushing on black top top with soft mountain tires was hard. But I worked HARD and had a blast! - My legs are so sore. After my leg drills, we kept on climbing back to the dirt and another fun downhill down Encinal switchbacks! Lots of people out today!

There were some easy switchbacks on Encinal to help me practice using no front brake in those turns! Been a very long and physically demanding day, so I am so glad I am not working tomorrow!

The BEST PART OF THE MY DAY was a few minutes ago when Coach Lou told me that I did my ride PERFECT today - she said it's exactly the improvement she is looking for in my training!

This is great news, because it has not been easy to take direction. ;-) - Not just because I am stubborn, friends!! lol

Lou is really excellent at giving me my calendar in gmail and explains everything in detail. If I have any questions, she is always there to answer - saying that, thank goodness for Doug, he knows all the dirt and pavement in southern California, I think - finding the right places to right the right distance is not so easy for me.

I am excited about renting this place next to Dani and Noah and closer to Santa Barbara for some more rides!!!!!!!!!! Double winner - River, Rhys and MORE TRAILS!!!!!

I love my life and would not trade a thing today - thank you, God for doing for me what I could not do for myself!

Thank you, Lou for all the special attention you give me. I could not have dreamed for a better coach. I have improved SO MUCH since working with you and everybody notices! Lots of people say things to me about how I look and I know I am in the best shape of my life.

Lou will become a part of my life budget as long as I can pedal. I see a big future for me in mountain bike racing with her help! At least another 20 years?? lol

Love and night to all.

Cheryl

The hub last Thursday - santa monica blue skies

Holy Jim - fun and friends (peak in the background is my goal)

New Year's Eve - Holy Jim up and down by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Holy Jim up and down by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Doug, Marwan and myself drove to Orange County to ride up what will be the end of Counting Coup called Lower Holy Jim - pretty techincal with hike-a-bike rocky stream crossings, switchbacks and rocks. Had a blast - I made quite a few of the switchbacks, stopping to practice them - I really need help with these and there are at leaast 12 of them. The more steep downhill ones, my body just seems to freeze and not turn the wheel!!!!

One tumble took me down and Doug off the cliff - nobody hurt, but happy I put on my knee pad due to that nasty cut on my leg still hurting. It was warm and beautiful and the company was AWESOME! I am pretty sore from the techincal climbing and stress of not killing myself on those turns! lol -- Thank you, Doug and Marwan for supporting me and coaching me through them.
I have a video of the crash I will post, as soon as I get it edited, pretty funny with the Go Pro -