California Rocky Mountain High

Bad news first, then the good (not much ugly around here)

California Rocky Mountain high…
I’ve seen it raining ashes in the sky

The season for people to drop cigarette butts into the dry forest is upon us, and as such, a few fires have already sprouted here in Sunny Southern California.  It is also undeniably amazing that a person will sit in an air-conditioning-blasting-idling-car indefinitely so save a few cents per gallon on car fuel. There are literally thousands of gas stations yet the perception of saving money (penny wise…) lures people into lining up obstructing traffic in major intersections to save a few cents.

In fact, I am beginning to think a gas station is the perfect investment. I know of a corner- near the Rose Bowl- that would be a perfect site. The strategy? Charge 10 cents less per gallon than everyone else.

OK enough cynicism for the day!

California Rocky Mountain high..

Is this really California? With this weather, I could be in Boulder. And not only the weather, but enjoy these photos I took of the afternoon California Rocky Mountain thunderheads.

As I take a quick break from covering the Tour de France, I’m trying to remember all of the other things I ought to be doing. Delivering awards from this spring’s Most Influential Women in SoCal Cycling, among others.

The Tour has been a great race, and if you have not been paying any attention, go over the roadbikeaction.com to get up to date. Much of the work is mine, and I get to choose the photos of the day- I do hope you enjoy. While I am covering the race from SoCal, I do wish I were in France right now. My S.O. just left for France so I am feeling a little more bummed about being here. Next year will be the year I make it to le Tour.

I’ve spent a little time on my mountain bike of late– trail rides up to the top of Mount Wilson, and a little race.

I decided to get up and race in the San Bernadinos last weekend at the Rim Nordic mountain bike series. I ponied up with the Pros and Experts (that would be Cat 1 to those who joined the sport apres 2008), and have to say I nearly died. At first I thought perhaps I was just suffering from altitude and poor fitness, as it turns out, on top of poor fitness and altitude, I was becoming sick.

I finally bailed out after my second lap. In my easiest gear, and I currently ride a triple so we’re talking you can walk faster than I was riding– I could barely push the pedals. I lost contact with all of the Pro and Expert women. Not only that, but the giant swig of pre-race-drink-gone-sour was churning in my belly. I am one who thrives in adverse conditions, so this should be a challenge more than a road block!

As I carried on, knowing I am a true come-from-behind- racer, i felt I could get warmed up and make a comeback.

As the descent started, I found my Kenda  Nevegal was hooking up so nicely I sincerely let go of my brakes and railed like a moto down the dirt road. I was flying. Roosting dirt. I wold surely catch up with the girls in front of me at this point. I knew I was on my game. Ready to squeal with delight when — hey where did the trail go???

I rode right up to a piece of tape strung across the road on the other side of which was what appeared to be the second water station. Uh.

I could not find the trail, the course, and the man at the water station informed me I would have to pedal back up the mountain and turn left. I racked my brain to remember whether or not I had ever gone off course before. I felt this horrible sinking feeling.

OK, fine. I turned around with my tail between my legs and pedaled painfully back up the road I had just ripped to pieces on the way down. Determined, I rode as hard as I could looking for the missed turn. It was too far away, and when I found it, I was behind a few more riders. At this point, no matter how hard I rode, I knew my deficit would be too far. As I came through the start finish a spectator yelled I was 5 minutes behind. shoot. I thought for a second– I must be warmed up by now, I can get 5 minutes in two laps, no problem.

What I didn’t realize was that as I pushed harder, I was going deeper into the zone of doom where a body on the verge of becoming sick just goes full bore.

After lap 2 when i saw I was too far behind to catch up riding along in my easiest gear, I simply pulled of. After getting sick, I spent most of the rest of my day in bed- and the subsequent next couple of days.

All is well now, and I hope to go back to Rim Nordic and race another day.

LADIES- you can race for free at Rim if it is your first MTB race, so I highly recommend you stop by! Rim Nordic

Well I must get back to le Tour and my roadie duties, so ta ta for now and talk to you soon,

namaste

-Tonya