Tour of Hidden Valley Road

Wow! What a wonderful view we had on Saturday! It was a truly beautiful day, and wonderful to see the wildflowers. They are better this year than I've ever seen them, probably due to the rains. This whole area was burned by the fires, and we saw some sad sites, and a few people living in trailers next to their burned out houses. I guess the burn areas are looking really beautiful with new growth. I dont know if they specifically included wildflower seeds when they sprayed the hillsides with seeds, but it sure looks like it!

As for ride stats, we did 70 miles and 5000ft of climbing. Golly gosh it was our hardest day yet. As you can see it was blazing hot sunshine, about 30 degrees hotter than last week, so we all found it hard going riding in the heat. I think its good training all in all, but just not all at once like this!

My arm coolers did a good job of keeping me cool though, I kept pouring water on them and they will be with me for the rest of the season. Its a bit annoying our jerseys have black arms, but I think I'll be getting rid of the arms on mine soon enough.

The team were really wonderful and didnt mind waiting for each other, then we all pulled each other home along windy and nasty miramar road....

This week I just managed a couple of spins while watching david attenborough in the south pole and a lot of gory action in terms of seals and penguins.

We're stopping spin classes on a Thursday and doing hill repeats, so I'll look forward to seeing my team on mt soledad from now on!

More Rancho Santa Fe Fun!

Look at all those smiling faces!! We had a great ride on Saturday. I had a really hard time, particularly when we started, I just felt a bit under the weather and very tired.

Thankfully it was a great ride and everyone did really well, we all made it up the steep via capri up mount soledad, which was great!

I also managed the usual spin on Monday and Thursday.

Climbing Demons!

This week I did my usual spin on monday in front of a film, I managed a few laps with my mentee around fiesta island on Wednesday, then we had spin class on Thursday with Phil. Its always a lot easier spinning with other people, and it was extra fun as the whole team was together.

I couldn't believe how much difference a week could make in the weather! Instead of grey drizzle we were treated to blue skies and golden sunshine, it was even a bit too hot at times. We started from Mission Bay straight up Mount Soledad. Start as you mean to go on, I guess! We then made our way over to Ranch Santa Fe and did all kinds of loops and hills around there, we stopped off at this beautiful but deserted park for a quick bathroom break, then more hills.

Next was up torrey pines, followed by our last climb of the day up Soledad again. We made our way up past some unbelievable homes, a hearst castle wannabe, a japanese mansion. And of course stunning views!

We then made our way back to the car and realised that we'd managed over 4700 ft of climbing in only 55 miles! Way to go ACE team! That was a big step up from 65 miles and 2700 ft of climbing! I was in awe of everyone, we all did great. I think this is going to be a wonderful season!

Week 3-Tour de bonsall with more hills!

This weeks training went pretty well. On monday I did spin in front of 'Lost in Translation' then I showed up to proper spin class at Hi-tech bikes. Gosh its a lot more intense when you've got a bunch of people with you. I must try to work harder when its just me.

On Saturday I started the drive up to Poinsettia train station in the drizzle, which wasnt a good sign. It wasnt actually raining so we rode anyway.

It was a really fun ride, bit chilly, you can see that despite the hill climbing, we kept most of our layers on. It was the kind of day that Brits would be very happy with, but Californians stay in doors with a hot chocolate and a book!

We managed 64.5 miles and nearly 3000ft climbing, everyone seemed pretty happy and our paceline improved significantly, which I was very happy with, as I got to draft of people in the chilly wind!

Its got to the stage where I need to crack open the oatmeal. The night before a longer ride I'll leave some oats in the microwave in some boiling water and they are ready to be warmed up for breakkie in the morning and they keep me going all day. Other breakfasts just dont seem to cut it, but the oats always work.