Saturday, June 30, 2012

I tackled Beatty Drive twice already this week, now for the third time and then to continue up Green Valley Rd and climb up Serrano Parkway.... I didn't get the early morning start I wanted to, but I got myself out the door by 9:05.

I pedaled my usual route, up Folsom Lake Crossing and as I came to Empire Ranch I saw two other cyclists heading down Sophia Parkway. The thought crossed my mind, are they heading to Beatty Drive too? Yep. I kept them in my sights climbing up the hill. It doesn't look that steep, but at 3 mph it must be. Pedal, pedal, almost to the plateau. The two cyclists ahead of me were taking a water break at the plateau. 'Good Morning.'

I kept going enjoying the almost conquering of the hill talking myself up the hill, almost there. Then I hear "Good Job!" as another cyclist cruises past me then turns off on a street to head home. Wow, I think to myself, I thought the hill to get to my house was bad!

I keep pedaling, then another cyclist approaches, he tells me his daughter went to Arizona for the weekend and that it's 112 degrees there and he'll take this weather. I agree. He turns off a side road after another cyclist who is looking at a map asks him directions.

I proceed to the top, take in the gorgeous view of Folsom Lake and wonder where those other riders headed, there must be a route I don't know about, but that's not surprising as I'm just out exploring looking for hills.

It's getting warmer (it's actually very nice out). Something you should know about me, I like to climb the hills, I'm not much of a fan of going down them, and I’m afraid to go fast. Going over my handlebars at 15 was enough for me. I hit 35 mph and begin to panic and put the brakes on. As I get to the bottom the "suffering" of climbing the hill and the speed of downhill has subsided and I decide to head up to Serrano Parkway.

I climb Serrano Parkway; it's not as tough as I remembered it last year. Sure, it’s easy to say now sitting behind the computer. I refilled my water and headed back down. I noticed a sign on the landscaping stating not to drink the water, it's recycled. I hope the water I just got wasn't part of that!

I head back to Green Valley Parkway and decide it's not too hot or too late for one last hill I've wanted to try, I go down it heading to Green Valley Rd, so now I make a left onto Sophia Parkway and do the climb. Again, it does not seem as hard as I thought it would be.

I turn down Natomas ready for my regular route home. When I returned home I had completed 41.12 miles in 3:13:59, which for me I thought was great for my first big ride and with hills for this year! I was stopped a total of just under 28 minutes, had to refuel with my almond butter banana sandwich before Serrano Parkway and then I had to call my hubby from the top, who advised me lunch would be ready when I arrived home!

I love fresh fruit after a ride and my sweetheart of a hubby had a bowl of melons and pineapple all ready for me.

Life is Good!

View of Folsom Lake from the top of Beatty

 At the "plateau"

What goes up, must come down.