Space Mountain & Rosewood climbs - 1900 feet and over 100 degrees

I thought by leaving at 7:00 a.m. and riding at 8:00, we might beat the heat, but it was still tough climbing.   Derek and I met Douglas at Los Robles trail head and I just wanted to get these two climbs checked off.  I am not familiar with these trails and lots of steep switchbacks.  I was surprised I made all the climbs, but did not have such luck on the hairpin downhill suckers!  Tired legs and staying up every night watching the Olympics is not helping with sleep!  Go USA!
As Doug said, we were all hot, but nobody quit!  I whined a bit, but I did not quit! lol

Once I start repeating to myself "easier than cancer"  --- "because I can"
"I can do this" - sure beats sticking needles of Interferon in my legs three days a week for five years to battle cancer - once my legs could not take it anymore, I had to switch to the shots in my stomach.   I decided to stop that after five years because long-term use was playing havoc with my memory.  

And since my femur broke and I made the decision to stop taking IV Zometa, I am officially not only cancer free, but drug free.   It still rattles me at times and a little hard to  believe that I am on no medication, no maintenance this or that.  No needles!
No pain!   Unless you count these dang steep mountains I keep trying to climb faster and faster!  Now this pain is fun!  This pain reminds me that I am alive and how important and fun it is to exercise.

I love Strava and the support I get there.   Thanks to Mr. Garmin for showing me all the segments.  I have two more unfamiliar climbs to attack at Cheseboro and I will have 15 QOMs and be the only woman to date to do any of the mtb climbs and all 15 in the Strava Challenge for Santa Monica Mountains.
Okay, I hate to brag, but don't thing these brutal climbs have been easy - guess that's why they are called climbs.   But my quads and legs are burning every day!
Thanks, Lou, for giving me the confidence!

So now I need to decide if I can ride at 6:00 and knock off my last two climbs in the brutal heat at Cheseboro?  ???

Let you know tomorrow!
Peace

Bulldog + Guadalasca + Backbone - one hot long day

Yesterday, Derek and I headed to Malibu to climb Bulldog.   It was fun and cool in the morning and a blast through the rock garden.   What a climb -Bulldog.  The last mile was very HOT.  My jersey was drenched! Thanks to bibs, I hung it out to dry.  We decided to drive to Sycamore and see if I could climb Backbone and Guadalasca.   I really did not think I could do all three of these climbs in one day.  The day ended up  about 28 plus miles and close to 4300 feet of climbing in total on a hot day.  The trails were perfect at Sycamore Canyon - no people - no snakes - just fun climbing!  Thanks, Derek for pushing me.  I never thought I would be able to climb Bulldog, let alone, followed with two more climbs in the same day -
Every night and every morning I thank God for my life, my family and friends. Don't give up, ever!  Keep moving, stay focused and stay study - Remember, it's easier than cancer.

                                             Bulldog 3.5 miles 1700 feet

Bulldog near the top ( climb 1)

                                           Backbone - Sycamore Canyon

                                   Backbone with an awesome background (climb 3)

                                             Top of Guadelasco (Climb 2)

Finally going down - Overlook with ocean views

It was an awesome day yesterday and my legs are so tired today.  

So far I have suggestions for a handle of Thunderbird, The Phoenix and Tuffy -

So give me some help on deciding - let's see who reads these boring blogs to the end? Peace - Cheryl

Photo by Derek heading down bottom of Messa

                                   Fun DH after lots of climbing!

Steep climbing in the heat: Mesa & Puerco by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details

Steep climbing in the heat: Mesa & Puerco by stenogrl at Garmin Connect - Details
This morning Derek and I met Doug at the trailhead for Mesa - $10.00 to park.  No wonder it was an empty lot.   I have never ridden this trail before and I know why now.  Starts out very steep and rocky and never ends!  - Then we all decided I could kill two climbs in one day, so we headed down Puerco and back up!  Oh, my, this was a tough day.   Many times I wanted to quit.  It was hot, over 100 degrees.  Doug and Derek were both very supportive, as always, and they usually sort of take turns waiting at spots for me and making sure I am okay, especially in the super heat, which I struggle it.

Several times today when my legs were so tired, and I really thought I could not turn the pedals anymore, I found myself thinking of the very first time I got that big needle in my arm and my first chemotherapy in May of 1989.   I was so scared of the unknown poison and what it was doing to me and knowing it would cause my hair to fall out within two weeks.   I am not sure why today that particular memory was what kept me going and repeating to myself  "EASIER THAN CANCER" over and over.

But I know that reminding myself that if I could get through all the years of cancer, blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, tons of chemotherapy, broken bones, and all the losses of basically everything, then I can get up this damn hill!  One pedal at a time.   So it was a tough climbing day and I am so tired.  And Derek has suggested a nick name for me of Thunderbird?  What is your opinion? ;-)
So happy I made it today!  Bulldog this Saturday.  Backbone and Guadalasca on Sunday!

Thanks again to my riding friends!!!!

Today I got in two of the MTB segments and I have now ridden 8 of the 15 climbs I need to for the Santa Monica Second Annual Climbing Challenge!  After I finish all 15 MTB climbs, I will attempt to ride all of the 15 road climbs for my goal of all 30 climbs.
Not much sleep last night - was at the T1 tunnel at 7:30 a.m. - climbed to Latigo and back to car - check -
Drove to Zuma and climbed around 2000 in four miles and knocked out that segment - And then I got the QOM on the DH  -check- had so much fun - Dani, Noah and the babies stopped by for a visit!  Simply a beautiful day!
Tomorrow looking at possibly Bulldog if I can get an early start before the heat!

Brutal climb for me up W Rogers Backbone in heat

 Started on a warm morning about 9:15 from Almalfi and Sunset

Climbed up backbone for the first time - BRUTAL climb for me - but I made it and pushed hard! ( this is a downhill ride, if you ask my) even passed my riding partner a few times while he was sinking in gravel ;-) what a great feeling! ;-)

I never dreamed I would go from bone marrow transplants, boobs being put in a lab jar, shaving my head in the shower crying, being told I was going to die soon more than twice -- terminal cancer  --  broken femur - to a day like today!  Thank you God, friends and family for always supporting me to keep on keepin on! -- Great day!  last week I worked a tough week in a technical arbitration - and today climbing in the SM mountains!  Life cannot be better!
The ride ended up being about 20 miles and 3000 feet of some steep rocky, sandy, loose, overgrown climbs - and then some flying fast downhill -  and HEAT!

"Have you found joy in  your life?"

Sycamore; Overlook - Hell Hill

Today was a beautiful day riding in the Santa Monica mountains.  My first attempt riding up hell hill, about an 18% grade.  I did it twice ! Then off to take a highchair to Dani and Noah and see the babies for a bit.  Then off to meeting!  Days just don't get better than this! thank you for my life, God!