An Arbitrary Start

I hereby mark this date as the date I start journaling my training and my rides once again.  Why, because I can.  However this time I’ll be raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Today was a very cold day.  I think it is the coldest weather I have ever ridden any length and distance.  Thirteen gents and one woman gathered for an ALC Cat3 training ride I was helping to co-lead in near 37F temperatures.  Last winter I swore I would never ride in temperatures below 45F.  It had been rumored that San Francisco was going to get its first snow in something like 40 years the night before.  The snow was a no show.  Just as the clouds were peeking from behind the clouds we departed 8:30 am sharp for a leisure jaunt to Point Reyes Station and back.  The route was the usual route to Fairfax where we stopped for a quick breather.  Rather than the usual coffee, pastry, and chit chat, the group was on the move to stay warm.  We had two significant climbs ahead of us before we reached Point Reyes for lunch, White’s Hill and Olema Hill.  In between there was also Samuel Taylor State Park with the Marin Bike Path through the Redwoods.  This was a very cool section with what appeared to be black ice in spots.  We were in Point Reyes just before noon.  I think this is the fastest ALC training ride I have ever co-led. 

Here they are lunching and sunning in Point Reyes Station.

Lunch was eaten hastily and we then were all off for our return trip.  Rather than retracing our steps entirely, we headed for the Platform Bridge and traveled clockwise around the Nicasio Reservoir.  Did I say this group was flying?  Nicasio and a last re-group in Fairfax came next.  It was in Fairfax that I had texted Trevor and found out he wasn’t doing well at home sick.  I grabbed a Red Bull from Perry’s and headed out with a group back to the city so I could be nurse.  There were two significant climbs still in the way though.  The backside of Camino Alto is my nemesis.   On long hard rides, the backside of Camino Alto tests my limits severely.  In the past, half way up the climb I’ve found myself on the grass doubled over in pain from cramps.  This ride was cold and fast AND I neglected to drink as much as I should have.  Sure enough, I started cramping as I was climbing Camino.  I slowed my pace to make it to the top and over the other side without having to make nice with the grass.  At the light at the bottom I drank an entire water bottle containing electrolytes to see me up the last significant climb, Sausalito Lateral.  I was home by 3:30 pm. 

All-in-all, it was a great group of friendly and fast riders.   Refresher lessons of the day are to moderate my pace and to drink even more.  An awesome Arbitrary Start…