I have decided to train to do a century ride this October. I had been inspired by seeing a bunch of SF to LA Aids Ride bike riders on a recent trip down Highway 1 from SF to SC. I once did the same ride, back in '99, when I was definitely younger, and certainly a lot more fit. But, for some reason, even though I have not been working this entire last year, getting up the motivation to get out and ride has somehow escaped me. Too many choices here in SC of things to do, other than riding, I guess.
But in the winter I really got back into it, even going out and getting new cold weather biking gear, gloves, etc. and pedaling like crazy. I started exploring the Mt. Biking trails behind UCSC, going down Wilder Ranch through some scary shit terrain (to me anyway), and back home. And was feeling pretty damn good about myself. Well, till my first (no, make that second) bike accident ever. It was a silly one, really. I was riding my cross bike down a steep hill, coming to a T-Junction with a car stopped at the stop sign on my left. As I went through the stop sign, after slowing down a bit, I thought I saw the car inch forward. Did it? Was it my imagination? I will never know, but the result was a skid, crash, and other embarrassment, resulting in a broken wrist (left hand). Since I had never broken anything I had no idea it was broken till the next day when I went in for x-rays. I did notice that if I tried to put any pressure on it, it hurt like hell. For those of you out there who never broke anything, that is your tip-off.
So, that pretty much stopped me in my tracks for awhile, and then getting back on the bike again took some time. Even when I got back on the bike my wrists still bugged me, and it took some time to really get going again. But I did, and it makes me very happy!
But in mid-May I started up again, and then was trying to think of some kind of motivational ride that would keep me focused (and riding) through the end of the year. A friend of mine sent me a link to the New Surf City Aids ride, and so it goes! Now I am trying to convince some of my old cycling buddies to come with me so I don't have to ride alone.
But no matter what, I will be out there, rain or shine. It is good to be back.
