Captain's Workout 11/28/09 Bike Ride

The plan today was a 35 mile rolling hills bike ride. Seems simple enough. I thought I would add on some extra miles by riding to and from the meeting point. The meeting point was 7+ miles away. I woke at 7:30 and planned to be on the road by just after 8:00. I looked out our bedroom window when I woke and saw the trees blowing hard.

I had a quick breakfast of whole wheat bagels and coffee. Ahhh, the Breakfast of Champions!!!!

On the road by shortly after 8:00 to meet everybody at the starting point by 8:45, roll by 9:00.

I was riding down Camino Tassajara, battling the wind, when I heard behind me, the crackling and falling of a rather large tree branch. I slowed to make sure no one was under it and after confirming all is well, I continued my ride thinking to myself, this is going to be interesting..

I got to the center of Danville, where I wanted to check my directions. I pulled them out of my back pocket and proceeded in dropping them. A quick stop and turn around to get the directions, otherwise I know I will get lost. As my friend Brian would say, " Chris can get lost in an out and back" No use in taking any chances, grab the directions!!

After checking the directions, I pushed off, clipped in, and slipped on some wet leaves...THUD!!!
On the pavement. No harm, No foul, just a bruised ego. As I got on my bike and pedaled away, I was praying not too many people saw that. Not my most graceful moment!

I arrived at the start at 8:40 without further incident. About 20 of my fellow riders were already there. We rolled at just after 9:00 and began our ride.

We were riding out Diablo to do a quick loop of Collier Canyon. Nate, Phil and I were out at a pretty good clip. Most of the start is protected from the wind. When we got on to Highland, the protection ended. The wind was blowing across and into us. Slow going and blowing us over does not make for a comfortable ride.

I made the rest of the ride with out incident and felt fairly strong. The biking was slow and I couldn't eat or drink much while riding because the wind was blowing us over, but I made it back.

I actually decided to cut it off early and just ride home as opposed to back to the start and home like I had planned. I still rode 35 miles of rolling hills in a stiff wind and came out of it with only a slightly bruised ego.

Not a bad way to start the day.....