Last year in the final days of the Tour de France, Lance made a comment to the effect of, "today felt like I was riding with no chain". That comment was made even more impressive, in that, the day consisted of climbing the French Alps. I remember thinking, yeah right you freak!
Then it happened. Saturday I finally got out for a ride after being sick and getting ready to move all week. I went for a 60 mile ride with my coach that consisted of a 5000' climb up to Mount Baldy Village via Glendora Mountain Road. I've ridden this ride many times and it is tough. In fact, I've ridden it with Tony before and been left behind by a margin of about 30 minutes. So with a fresh set of legs from having rested all week and a good couple of months of training under my belt, we set off.
I could tell it was going to be a different day when Tony, a guy named Jaime, and I rode the first 7 miles up the mountain at a good pace while holding a conversation the entire time. Usually, I reserve this time for breathing and suffering. Towards the top of the climb, Tony and got into a really hard race to see who could make it to the top first. Jaime joined in too ( who was this mystery guy that neither of us had ridden with before?) It was an attack, recover counter-attack move that got me to the top first, but not by much. The next 12 or so miles are interesting on this road. They roll up and down in some spots with a 4 miles sustained grade right in the middle that takes you to the highest point of around 5300'.
We all climbed together again, but this time no one was talking. Then it happened. It only lasted for about 15 minutes, but I heard Lance's voice when it hit. On a particularly tough section of the climb I actually shifted down a couple of cogs to a harder gear and it felt like the chain had fallen off. I was climbing pretty much without effort. I wish I could say it lasted all day, like Lance did, but alas, reality and gravity came back to me and I was back into an easier gear and pushing hard after about 15 minutes. But I do know the feeling. Soon after, Coach Tony pulled up to me and commented on how strong I had gotten and that he was having a hard time holding my wheel. He laughed that he used to be able to drop me with the "blink of an eye". It is more a compliment to him, since he is my coach.
At 5300' it got really cold, so after one short downhill section, I decided to hammer out a short uphill to get warm. Tony pulled up and said "thought you could shake me, huh?". I just said, " Nope, I'm just trying to stay warm". He looked over and said "I'll keep you warm". With that another race was on. The last 3/4 to 1 mile of that climb became an all out race to the finish. I pulled out to the front, but never wanted to look back to see where he'd gone. I raced like he was on my wheel. I was surprised when I got to the top a full minute or so ahead of him. He would get the last laugh though.
We had decided early in the ride that we would do a short 2 1/2 mile run after the ride. When we got off the bikes and started the run, I realized he was going to have his way with me. It was a tough short run and in the end he kicked and I had nothing to answer with. That is why he is an Ironman.
Sunday, I took my friend Megan out for her first ride on her new tri bike. That was fun. It's a blast to watch new people coming into the sport. She did well.
We moved into our new house and today I got in a short run before it started raining on me. I will be able to get back to some sort of normalcy soon and really buckle down on my training.
This Sunday is the first race of the season. It's a sprint distance race here locally that the station helps to put on. We'll see how I measure up this year.
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