It's all uphill

Many of you know that I've taken to the sport of cycling. Thankfully, after dropping a ton of $$$ on a really nice bike, I have found that I l-o-v-e it! Before I bought this super, awesome, amazing bike, I went through a series of test rides from all different stores. I hadn't been on a bike for well over 10 years. The thrill of an "adult" bike that is almost weightless is awesome. You can fly anywhere. After trying several different types, I finally settled on one I fell in love with. It took me awhile to track it down, but my efforts paid off. Since I've brought home this beautiful baby in August, I've been out at least every Wednesday. I think I picked Wednesdays because I thought it would help break up the monotony of running M-Th.  I thought out a route in my mind that would have minor hills, avoid red lights (clip shoes are really fun to learn... I only hope I get to witness someone else almost falling off their bike like I did the first time) but be a good workout. I did just that. 

The first time I rode, my Garmin said it was about 7.5 miles. That was a good first ride! Basically, over time I just started riding the same route multiple times for longer rides. Yesterday it hit me. I'm bored of that route. (I hope you all don't wonder why...)  I suppose it was today I decided it was time to experience the "other" side of Route 40. So, avoiding the major red light, I drove to the Seventh-Day Adventist on St. Johns Lane. I parked my car, hopped out and really looked like a pro. (If you know me, you know I have the complete outfit. Although I may fail, I must try and make sweating look cute) I started out on St. Johns Lane in the direction of Route 99. Uh oh. My first red light! (I also found some videos on youtube that helped me understand a little more on how to approach a red light and proper turning rules - smart, huh? Youtube has everything!) So, I unclip my left and put it down. That feels more natural for me and I get a better start using my right leg. The light turns green and  - I made it! I head down Route 99 in the direction of that awesome snowball stand and think, this is pretty good. 

I hit another red light - and pass that one too. I'm feeling pretty good about this ride. (This is where I don't notice it is slightly downhill, with small uphills) I get to the snowball stand and take a left on Woodstock Road. This road is pretty neat too. Until you come to the more wooded area (this is because you are entering part of the State Park), the road takes a major drop into the depths of nowhere. Dramatic? That's how it felt. I got halfway down and couldn't see where it ended, it just kept going d-o-w-n toward the railroad tracks. Why doesn't it feel like this in your car?  I had to stop and turn around. I already knew I was screwed. Do bikers that really know what they're doing actually ever GET OFF AND WALK THEIR BIKES UP A HILL??!?!?! I don't know... I can't say I've ever seen it and I'm half embarrassed to ask. 

So, I get my start up this steep hill, not even at the bottom but halfway up it. I drop down into a pretty low gear and try and gun it. Mistake. I am struggling. The only way I was going to make it up this hill was if I decided to get off and walk. Realization would hit: this is during commutes home, driver-by's would see this and potentially someone I know, could I actually give in like that? Nope. I made it to the top, huffing and puffing my ass off, but I knew that if I made it up a hill like that, it opened up many different options on places to ride. Once I hit the top, I had to stop and settle my breathing down. What really matters, is that I made it. Needless to say,  it was mostly uphill on the way back. I hit St. Johns Lane and although I did low milage tonight, I still had an intense workout. Not to mention, I had accomplished something new.