On Saturday we finally got back into our old Saturday "Fred Ride" groove (that's Fred as in "Fred Rookie Crew Chief" Fred). It was great! The weather was beautiful - sunny and slightly cool but warming up by the minute as the sun climbed into the sky. Wheels down at 9am leaving Fred's and by 10:00am-ish Leary, Fred, and I were at the 2244/360 intersection split. Everyone else made the turn but we opted to do the "Lost Creek Extension" and get in some hills.
The big difference between conceptually loving to ride hills and actually loving to ride hills is a matter of physical condition. I haven't really been riding hills lately but my mind was all for it (conceptually) however my legs weren't so sure (physically).
We made the turn from 360 onto Lost Creek and enjoyed a long down, down, down curving descent. We flew across the little low water crossing bridge, past the Lost Creek Country Club and around the first blind corner where climb #1 awaited us. Fred and Leary were out in front and almost immediately popped out of the saddle and started to pull away. But I stayed seated, quickly found my rhythm, and pedal after pedal I slowly pulled my way back up to them. Note: I am a seated climber. The only time I get out of the saddle is if the hill grade exceeds 20% (like on "the Beast" at the St. Croix half ironman race - US Virgin Islands) or if I'm thinking I need to practice how to climb out of the saddle so I remember how to do it.
One by one we made our way up and over the relatively short but steep hills. For Fred and Leary's amusement I pointed to the driveway where an aquaintance of mine fell over on her bike and proceeded to throw up. Apparently a little old lady came out, unreeled the garden hose, and started washing the barf off the driveway while saying, "It's OK deary. Lots of cyclist have passed out or thrown up on my driveway. I'm used to it."
Once onto Barton Creek Bouldevard we made the last short, steep climb up by the church (praise be to GOD!) and finally popped out onto Barton Creek Blvd. We took a left onto 2244 and eventually regroup with everyone at "The Worlds Greatest Gas Station" in Lakeway (they have kick@ss breakfast tacos, the best view of the hill country from the women's bathroom, and they are bike friendly).
It was good to get those batch of hills under my belt for the start of this year. Riverplace hills are coming in a few weeks and I know Fitzhugh has my name on it for many rides this summer. Gotta start somewhere! My legs are finally coming around to my mind's mantra - bring on those hills!!
