I can't describe my joy

I was teased recently about not blogging so much lately. True. I've had (gasp) two two-week hiatuses from blabbing away on here. I'm not shutting this blog down anytime soon (although, perhaps, one could argue that I should for myriad reasons). I've just been busy and not riding as much (sniff). I'd like to provide sound excuses, but weather not permitting, feeling ill, participating in 5K events just sound lame, don't they? Yes, well, wait until I throw out the "sister is in town to visit" excuse next week.

I'm being facetious (an ass) but really the truth is that I've not been riding as much. I'm trying (trying) to turn this blog into a cycling blog and not one that is primarily just about the narcissistic chronicles of my little life. Thus, if I don't ride, I (mostly) don't write.

Well, in case you're wondering...I rode this weekend. Yippee!! I rode both days, although I worried I might not ride either. On Friday, I stayed home from work with a horrible sinus headache. I feared it was the beginning of a head cold or the hint of a far more nefarious malaise, one that's been circulating of late in the petri-dish otherwise known as my place of employment. Since sis is arriving next week, I can't get sick. I haven't taken many sick days, sooo... However, after hours of sleep and one fabulous Benadryl, I found myself in the shape to ride yesterday.

in action...

being a brat...

I rode with Bob, triathlete extraordinaire (I put that in case he reads this as a way to rib him). I planned the ride around him, actually. I made it easy and 30- miles. Why? Cause he had this 1/2 marathon to run today. I still don't get that, but considering the fact that he has been my loyal riding buddy (MFRPOAT) in the last seven months, I must cut the man some slack. Well that and he is a triathlete (and runner). So, I switched days - Saturday an "easy" ride and Sunday a "hard" one. Worked out to my benefit given the whole "sick as the dead" scare.

So, easy ride it was - from my place to Topanga and back. I love this route and, oddly, even though I knew I'd be riding many of the same roads today, I did not mind. Bob was perfectly game and his usual comedic self. I love riding with this sweet friend, which I've said many times. I certainly didn't regret switching days for him yesterday.

Bob's shadow dropped me...

on the bike path home...

yes, I was there...

We got lucky with the weather. Although chilly when taking off, it warmed up nicely enough. By the time we hit the bike path, heading back east, we were no longer shivering. He talked to me about his holiday schedule. Seems I won't be able to ride with him again until the day after Christmas. As bummed as I am about that, I completely understand. Not all of us live like nomads who have nothing to do but ride! Besides (clearing throat), it seems I won't lack for some excellent riding company in the absence of Bob.

Enter GT... Remember him? He's my good (and sorely missed) friend who suddenly had some life changing events (a heart attack and then new job that took every day from him but one) that kept him from riding for nearly a year. I've missed the hell out of him, but I understood. Sometimes, you got to do what ya got to do. Well, he's done it, and now he's getting balance back in his life. He's rediscovered his bike (never didn't have a desire to ride it!) and is back in the saddle. I'm overjoyed and beside myself. I love GT. I've known him and his wife for a good three + years, and they are my people for sure. I was saddened by his departure from rides in a way I never mentioned on here. Now, that sadness has turned into a happiness I can't describe.

a smile I've missed!...

He rode with me today, although we'd planned to ride last Saturday. Wind got in our way and the ride was aborted. This meant coffee and catch-up conversation at a Starbucks along the coast. It was then that I suggested Stunt. What the hell I was thinking is beyond me. Like I truly thought I was in the shape to ride that canyon after the last month of no major ride? I guess I like to push the boundaries that way. Sitting across from him with my soft belly bulging out over the top of my bike shorts, I should have listened to my inner naysayer ("are you fucking crazy, M.E.? You can't ride up Stunt to save your life at present. Now, go eat a Twinkie and knock this shit off.") I ignored her (and her potty mouth).

Flash forward to today, which was cold, as in freezing cold (for So Cal). We started out in the 40s, and I swear we ended in the 40s (although it was predicted to reach 57 degrees in my hood). I live in a desert that sucks. In the summer, heading west, it gets hotter. In the winter, heading west, it gets colder. Go figure. By the time we reached Stunt, it was so cold, my lips went numb. But let me not get ahead of myself...

GT met me at my place this morning, and we took off from my driveway (always a treat). We did the exact route Bob and I did yesterday (and Bob was missed today) through Encino. I offered to ride on Ventura Blvd. west to GT, but he was not sold (he's like me...we hate that stupid overcrowded boulevard). I figured why not take him the "hard way" through the many rollers in the neighborhood canyons. Turns out, I made the right choice - he loved it. GT is not one to holler or throw a ruckus (like me), but when he's excited and pleased about something, his face lights up into a smile that is infectious. He smiled a lot today (and more so for being on his bike than anything else!)

hate this f'n hill on Mulholland...

on Cold Canyon Creek Road (or something like that)...

He took each hill will determination and easily dropped me. I kept telling him that he isn't as out of shape as he thinks he is (which is true). I reminded him that the body has a memory. I give him two months (and a few outings with Bob along) to be right back where he was before. This means (sigh), I've got to whip it in shape faster so that I can (fingers crossed) somehow keep up with him and Bob. I look forward to trying as I believe they will get along great and be good motivation for one another. Men like estrogen around when out riding, but they need a little testosterone challenge from time to time too!

thank goodness he brought those newspapers!...

stopping for holiday ornaments...

ooh...reflective!...

At the Starbucks on Topanga, we took a quick break. We were warmed by the 18+ grades in the canyons and knew that our real challenge was waiting. I was nervous over that bitch of a hill on Mulholland for sure. It hurts more than Stunt. And, truthfully, I wasn't sure how I'd feel on an extended four-mile climb (something I've not done in awhile).

As GT and I hit Mulholland Highway, I felt my legs truly kick in. From that point, all the way out to the bitch hill (7-minute hill as it's called by some cyclists I know), I felt great. I was slow, of course, but steady... and strong. Just prior to hitting bitch hill, GT gave me a pep talk.

halfway up Stunt Road...

and he drops me...

"Sit up straight and smile at the base of the hill. Pedal steady and breathe in a rhythm. You'll be up it before you know it." He said all this in his Austrian accent - which makes him sound so very authoritative!

"I'm like the little engine who could...'I think I can, I think I can...."

"You can do better than that," he insisted.

"Okay...I know I can, I know I can..."

"That's it!" he hollered, and then dropped me...like a badly microwaved potato.

I watched him disappear to the top and just smiled and pedaled. Oddly (and I don't care if I sound corny), it worked. In no time, I'd crested with legs fully engaged and committed to climbing. I was ready for Stunt and excited to climb it with my sweet friend who'd not been up it in over a year.

it was so cold out there today!...

yes, I was there...

Do I need to tell you the rest? (no but I will) We climbed Stunt, the both of us steady and capable and no one whining...well, except me and only about the freezing temps. Luckily, GT scored us some newspapers to stuff in our jackets for the descent. Climbing under overcast skies was perfect, but I was praying it would be sunny at the top (did not have my prayer answered). We rode together for most of it (GT at a speed much less than normal; me at my normal waddling speed), enjoying the beauty of that canyon. No, it never ever ever ever ever gets old. I love it, know it like the back of my hand and actually dig the suffering. We took one break (for me to stretch my back) and one sorta-break to fill our water bottles near the top.

almost to the top...

At the crest, GT posed for photos. He was smiling ear-to-ear and so was I (upon seeing his reaction). I know how it feels to love cycling passionately, like a lover you cannot shake. To have a period in life when you are unable to ride for reasons beyond your control is nothing short of maddening and depressing. GT has weathered this well, but I could tell today that upon reaching the top of that unforgiving canyon, his heart was full, his legs tingling and his mind at ease. That's what cycling does for a person, by the way...just in case you don't own a bike and were looking for some motivation to purchase one.

and he did it! (no surprise to me)...

Thank goodness we had that newspaper on the descent to keep my upper body warm. My extremities, however, were screwed. I think my fingers nearly froze off my hands - braking was iffy at best! GT was well ahead but I just couldn't go any faster with my teeth chattering. I resigned to just floating down softly around each curve I'd climbed just minutes before, while enjoying luscious canyon views. I love the Santa Monica mountains. They possess a rawness to their splendor so unlike the San Gabriels, whose beauty is much more refined. That's my opinion, anyway.

At the bottom, GT was waiting, and just as I pulled up, two lean, tall cyclists appeared. One was a man and the other a woman. Both looked like pro riders to me. Turns out, the man is someone I know from Twitter (Cyclepath55, Pete Simpson), and the woman is his niece. So cool that an uncle was showing his niece the ropes. They weren't going up Stunt (yet) but had stopped to discuss it. This encounter was a treat for me, as I got to meet Pete in person (finally). He's a sweetie and clearly strong on his pedals. I look forward to riding with him...er...chasing his back wheel until he drops me someday!

Pete (Cyclepath55) out riding in the cold...

so sweet - he even let me take one of my "in the glasses" shot...

heading back on Mulholland...

GT's and my trek back was much easier, albeit somewhat colder. We stopped again at Starbucks for a warm drink and then were flying back on the bike path home (deja vu from yesterday with Bob!). Back at my place, GT and I hugged. Both of us were tired, but we finished strong. I was proud of him (and he me) for taking on a ride we both fretted over (slightly...and me more than him). I am stronger than I realize and, yes, the body does have a memory. I can't wait to do it again (and more rides!). GT is already on board (with Bob and me) for Baldy in the new year - and the Eastern Sierra century ride (something we'd planned to do this year before he took that job). I can't describe my joy to have my riding buddy back on his bike and excited for the many miles ahead.

in Balboa Park...

through the tunnel...

final stretch home...

Now, I just have to introduce GT to Bob. Then, I'll be ecstatic. Yes, they'll drop me, but what else is new? Two strong, tremendously enjoyable male friends on bikes with me is always a treat, so I'll just have to up my game, won't I? Seems to be the theme (of my riding) of late (always!). I can live with that....bring it.