Climbing, Spinning and Bonking

By: C. Kent, aka (Superman) 6/26/13 I didn’t really know what to expect today. Monday was rather cool even if it got better after I got home. Today was predicted to be pretty much of the same as Monday so I expected to see overcast skies and was surprised not to see a cloud in the sky. I went back into the kitchen and fixed a low carbohydrate breakfast before getting dressed and heading for Burger King. When I got to the parking lot I knew it was going to be hot because Digger and Dura Max were already standing in the shade. I parked next to them and we talked while we waited for everyone else to arrive. Highlander got there just before Surgeon followed by Quicksilver, Dragon Slayer and Bulldozer. More riders than I expected on what could be a hot hilly day. Still we hit the road eight strong and crossed over Florida a little after 8am.

We quickly made it to Acacia and then over to Kirby to wait at the light. Quicksilver was very eager to practice spinning on the hills today and I could see the delight in her eyes. We chatted as we moved south on Kirby and then turned onto Cypress to make a move west. We were still talking as I took us around onto Johnston and north on Sanderson to Wentworth before heading west again to the airport.

Now I have to side track a bit here and explain how I got on this low carbohydrate kick. The simply answer is my doctor suggested it to trick my body into a more fat burning mode. It would also require that I learn to eat six times a day rather than three. I just started this thing last week and yes it seems to have broken the plateau I have been on for months. But as I will talk about later it has side effects. In any case I didn’t intend on pulling much today and I made it clear as we got ready to pull onto Stetson and head west to Warren Road. Highlander took us to Warren and started us towards California. Bulldozer rolled by with Dragon Slayer chasing and soon Surgeon started after them. He pulled up on California and let them go leaving six of us to make it to Stowe.

We picked up Coyote as we rounded the corner onto Stowe and I pulled us at a moderate pace west towards Winchester. I was a bit surprised that the group wasn’t pushing me but they held together well as we past the only houses on the left and closed in on the first houses on the right before the big old metal barn. We regrouped at the Country Store parking lot and tried to hydrate before starting off again.

Highlander seemed to get a bit antsy and motioned for us to get back on the road and then led us onto Winchester and headed south. Only Highlander and I made it onto Winchester before a whole flock of cars kept the rest of the group on the corner back at Stowe. I followed Highlander all the way to Chris’s where he pulled over to wait for the group and I soft pedaled till I got to Simpson till they caught me. We made our way by the elementary school and to the light on Domenigoni to get ready for the run east to the Marina road. Once again I ended up out front till Bulldozer and Dragon Slayer started a speed run and once again I decided not to give chase. Surgeon went around me and closed onto Dragon Slayer while the rest of the group seemed content to follow me to the dry wash. Picture 71

As I turned over the lead to Highlander and fell to the back I ended up with Coyote and Dura Max. We watched as Highlander, Quicksilver and Digger pulled away but rounded the corner onto Searle Road not far behind them. Most of the group were already on the hill when Dura Max and I rolled through the gate and I had to close the gap up to Quicksilver who was being coached on her spin by Coyote who is one of the better climbers in our group. As I pulled up next to Quicksilver my ride started to take a different turn. They say that the person is the engine on a bicycle and for the most part that seems true. But unlike most engines my body doesn’t have a fuel gage. I was riding easy I thought but I was burning fuel I couldn’t replace. That would come back to bite me later. I stayed with Quicksilver to watch her spin rate till we got to the last big right turn and then started to spin myself to get to the top and start back down. Coyote was pushing Quicksilver to attack me and I could hear her gaining on me like a Hawk chasing a rabbit. However I started down the hill first only to ride back up with Dura Max and then try to catch Quicksilver and Digger on the way down. Once we were all regrouped we headed back out onto Domenigoni and over to State Street. Coyote left us there and headed for home. I kept telling Quicksilver to conserve her energy for the climb up to Ramona Bowl but what I didn’t realize was my low fuel light was about to come on. We moved north on State and Surgeon left us at Chambers. We then moved through the neighborhoods back out onto Stetson to get ready to make the turn on Girard. I started up the hill towards Ramona Bowl pretty well and suddenly my low fuel light came on. I quickly started down shifting and got in my lowest gear to make it to the top when Quicksilver rolled by me hot on Dragon Slayers back wheel. When we were all at the top and in the shade I rehydrated and wolfed down a protein bar. I headed back down the back side of Ramona Bowl and headed for Crest to start east. Well before we got to Lake Digger asked me how I was feeling and I admitted I was starting to bonk. He stayed with me till the regroup at Fairview and I turned the group over to Dragon Slayer and started to head back to Florida and Carl’s while they went east towards Cranston Station. I got to Carl’s about 10 minutes before Dura Max joined me with everyone but Bulldozer following. I rehydrated till I felt better and assured Dragon Slayer that I was sure I could ride my bike home. Dragon Slayer had to leave for an appointment and the rest of us headed for home a few minutes later.

Dura Max left us at Park and we continued on to Devonshire together. Once on Devonshire we were on the downhill run back to Santa Fe and down to Latham. I rode with them back to Palm where Digger turned for home. I stayed with Highlander and Quicksilver till we got back to the cars and then bummed a ride home in Highlander’s van. I was feeling better but thought it was better to take it easy in the heat and get home to have lunch and sit in an air conditioned room till I had time for a Shower. At least I know what to look for after all of these years riding with the group. And the beast part might be the group look out after me as well.