I got back from Germany Friday night. When I first got in, I felt like I couldn't breath the air. It was so heavy and I was so stuffed. It was that bad. The plane ride sucked as always. And after the horrible flight, I had to wait to go through border security. These people are always rude and profoundly bored of their jobs. It's interesting that they are the first Americans that foreigners get to see - talk about a first impression!
On Saturday, I thought I had better get back in the action of things since I haven't been doing much exercise over the past 2 weeks. So even though I was having a bad cold (which I attribute to not exercising), I went to do a few laps around RB. The following day I went to do my typical GMR-39 loop. I have been lucky because a fire started and died while I was away. The road was however still closed, so I had to along with my bike hop over 3 gates. When I was nearing the rest stop at top of GMR, I could hear air hissing out of my front tire. I stopped to investigate but couldn't see or feel any difference so I decided to keep going until I reach the top to change the tube. A cyclist then rode up and started talking to me. After 2 min, I told him that I have a flat and he helped me to change it. I know the general idea of changing tubes but not about how to prevent pinches etc. It was nice that he was there to help make sure that I put in the tube properly. I then continued onto backside of GMR and 39. It was a hot day, my cold was still there and crap was coming out of my nose. I needed a lot of water so I stopped at the station to get water. After one drink, I wanted to spit the water out, it was horrible and it tasted toxic. I think it must have the ashes from the fire. I was so thirsty and tired but couldn't drink the water in my bottle. Not a good situation to be in.
Yesterday I went up the 2. I was going pretty well and feeling good, when all of a sudden I heard a loud bang and pshhhh as my back tire blew out. So I got off the bike and headed for a nice shaded area to change the tube. I was a little bit excited cos this would be my first time changing tubes by myself while out cycling. I want to get this first over with cos it's bound to happen at some point. As I was investigating my tire for any sharps etc, a cyclist descending from the opposite side asked if I was ok, I told him, yes I'm ok. But a moment later he was back and ready to help me change the tube. I guess I just looked that clueless. I am of course always grateful for people taking their time out to help me. So I listened and nodded while he was showing me how to change the tube even though I already knew how to do it. When he was leaving he told me that he just saw a coyote and that I should carry a pepper spray, I told him I saw it too and I was calling for it to come to me.....sounds so stupid haha. I then went up to the station and decided to call it a day. While there I bumped into someone from the club, he is a very good triathlete and he is humble about it too, in fact, both him and his gf are like that. I hope I won't be full of myself when I get good lol.
Today I went up to do GMR-GRR. I carried an extra bottle in my back pocket to avoid dehydration. I was nearing the station when someone I drove past on Sierra Madre came by me and we chatted for a bit. I then met another cyclist, a 55 yo guy who has been cycling and racing for many years. We rode together on GRR and back. He asked if I'm married and have children....haha getting married is one thing, having kids is another! I wouldn't be surprised if I get married this year, but having kids is not going to happen for awhile yet. He then promptly told me that there are many single cycling guys lol. Single cyclist dudes, please come and introduce yourselves. Here are my criteria, not much, just four - fit, honest, humble and can laugh at yourself.....the first is very easy to achieve, the rest not so much. Of course there needs to be attraction, in general after one conversation, I'd know if it's going to happen or not. Being wealthy and smart are overrated, they are nice but certainly not necessary. Anyways back on track, we cycled on. We started talking about politics, or shall I say, he was talking about politics. I don't know enough to voice an opinion. He is conservative in terms of economics, abortion and immigration but liberal in that he doesn't impose his views on others. haha I don't know if not imposing ones views on others can be classified as conservative or liberal. We soon reached Mt Baldy village and I took off my helmet and sunglasses to rest. Upon seeing me he told me that I should be a Fox news anchor cos they employee very beautiful women lol.....We then headed back. I don't like descending GMR, there are so many switch backs and it's quite technical. Looking at my speedometer, the max speed was 37.4 mph. He descended much faster than I did but maintained that I am a good descender...(here comes the important part)....for a woman...(so sad).....he says most women he ride with get very tense and he has to wait for them for a long time. He then said that my cycling is advanced, to which I told him that my cycling skills are certainly beginner. In fact, I fell (again) while trying to start cycling on an incline. I want to practice my bike handling skills. I envision wrapping my elbows and knees with bubble wrap and seeing how long I can balance on a bike for, practice starting the bike on steep inclines and turning around tight corners.
No comments:
Post a Comment