| Training
Ride |
Description
|
Challenges
|
Lessons
Learned |
Black Diamond
1500 ft elevation
80 miles |
Long, relatively flat ride at
brisk pace, with advanced cyclists |
Keeping up and not being dropped
by the faster riders. I was panting like a dog, just to
stay with them. I only was dropped twice. |
When I cycle with people who are
better than me, I strengthen my endurance and improve
my ability to ride long distances. |
Sunrise Pass on Mt. Rainier
6500 ft elevation
99 miles |
There was a long, uphill climb
to the foot of the pass. Then 10 miles up a steep pass
to the Sunrise vista. Beautiful views of Mt. Rainier were
our reward! |
We rode 10 miles up a steep mountain
pass. It was a psychological killer to continue to see
nothing but hills for 10 miles. They seemed to never end.
We were climbing at 5-6 mph – so it took almost 2 hours
to get to the top. |
When I am persistent and consistent,
I achieve my goals. I kept telling myself to pedal at
a consistent rate and not to rush it. My goal was to
reach the top, not to set a new speed record.
Slow and steady. Be like the turtle.
|
Paradise Vista on Mt. Rainier
5400 ft elevation
80 miles |
This ride started with a gradual
10 - mile climb. The climb to Paradise was 12 miles, some
steep, some not so steep. |
This ride, I looked up the steep
hills and knew I would get to the top, because I had proved
to myself that I had done it before. |
The extraordinary became ordinary
when I recognized that since I had climbed Sunrise, that
I can climb Paradise too. |
Snoqualmie Pass in Cascade Mtns
3,000 ft elevation
60 miles |
We climbed 1200 feet, over 5 miles
through dense forest and along pristine streams. Then,
we repeated this six times. It took one hour to climb
the 5 miles and less than 10 minutes (at 30-35 mph) to
descend. What a thrill coming down the mountain! |
I was really tired after doing
the climb four times. I rested and did the fifth. The
sixth and last climb, my friends went up with me, even
though I was slower than them. |
When you think you have had enough,
you really have it in you to do more.
It is OK (and good) to be supported
by your friends. Good friends support one another. |
