Wow! 2014 has been my most amazing cycling season ever. That's quite a statement given that any season which includes cycling is amazing. This one has been even more so, however, and I thought it would be fun to recap it. I realize this is primarily for my own amusement, but I appreciate your willingness to come along for the ride (pun intended).
First, in 2014 I went on my earliest-in-the-year ride ever: March 1. I also cross country skied on that day, during which I sprained both my knees, an incident that effectively ended most fun activities for the next month or so and still bothers me a bit today. Regardless, it was still amazing to get out for a bike ride on March 1 in Valdez. That's usually the height of our weather that brings 4-6 feet of snow in a dump.
Hmm, when I was searching for a photo of March 1 all I could find were skiing photos. In the process, however, I discovered that the knee issue didn't put me totally out of commission as long as I thought. I do have a photo from a ride on March 18. I'll include it here because the conditions would have been nearly identical - cold and snowy while riding in the lane on the highway because the shoulders and bike paths were still ice-covered.
Conditions at the end of March weren't any better, but by the time spring rolls around, I'm always desperate to be out flying on Madeleine. Whatever it takes I'll do, including, apparently, freezing my toes. Despite the glorious weather in these photos, I rode a lot in slushy, cold nastiness, and as a result over-chilled my toes very badly repeatedly. I still suffer from toes that get painfully cold far too easily.
Why was I torturing myself in this way? Well, for fun, of course. But also because I'd set a pretty audacious goal for myself. It may not have been much to many people, but for me it was audacious. I signed up to ride the Great Alaska 2Day300K portion of the Fireweed 400. I was terrified of not being able to ride a 110-mile day followed by a 85-mile day in July. Must train!
Luckily, by early May the temperatures were rising and frostbite was less likely. The scenery was getting better, too, and I took advantage of a long ride to see what was happening with the Damalanche out in Keystone Canyon. Let me tell you, that mass of snow created its own cold front for this lightly-clad gal.
The good weather continued throughout the spring. Either that or I never take photos when it's gloomy. I kept racking up miles on 20-30 mile bike rides after work most days, and occasional longer ones on weekends. One took me 2,600 feet up the north side of Thompson Pass in an attempt to ride some real hills. If I remember right, I put over 500 miles on Madeleine during May alone.
June brought a chance for a longer training ride while raising money for the American Diabetes Association, not to mention an opportunity to ride with a new friend. It was a tough ride that reminded me that my left knee was still not back to normal, but also told me that I was capable of riding 64 miles without being exhausted. My confidence for July was growing just a little.
Lots and lots and lots more miles were covered with Madeleine in all sorts of weather. I froze my toes in rain and squinted into sunlight. I got faster and stronger, but it never seemed like it was enough. My butt hurt, my knees hurt, and, inexplicably, I developed a knot in my right deltoid that caused me excruciating pain any time I rode over 20 miles or so.
I thought I'd better incude at least one photo to prove it's not always blue skies in Valdez. Hah! Like that's ever our problem.
Finally, finally the time came: July 11. With the support of a good friend who was willing to leapfrog me with my truck and make sure I had what I needed, I participated in my first Fireweed 400. You can read that post to get the details, but suffice it to say I was thrilled and disappointed all in two days. Even with conflicting emotions, though, I was very proud of myself. Here I am at the beginning and end of that 110-mile day. Exhausting!
Just a week after the Fireweed, I got to go play on bikes with Mandy in Montana. Yay! A week mountain biking in and around Glacier National Park. Not only was it great fun, but I was finally given some evidence that I was stronger than I'd ever been before. Nothing like towing 50 pounds up steep gravel roads to give one a confidence boost.
By the time I finished riding in Montana I'd put just over 1,000 miles on my bikes. For the first time in 10 years, I was burnt out on riding. I think it was the mental energy I'd spent focusing on training that was the problem more than the actual miles. Either way, I was not heartbroken when I wasn't able to get Madeleine back from the shop for over a month.
Even then, I wasn't really in the mood for riding. I'd started running! for the first time in my life and was actually enjoying that. I think I've only been out on Madeleine three times since Montana. But every time was pure joy. Running is great, but nothing compares to the way cycling puts a grin on my face and makes me feel like I have wings.
My most recent ride was just this afternoon, October 15. This date means that not only did 2014 bring my earliest ride, but also my latest. Usually, snow flurries, rain, and cold end my season in early September. It is simply unfathomable to have conditions in which I'm willing to ride well into October. I'm lovin' it! Madeleine will get put away soon for the winter, but I'm already looking forward to bringing her back out next spring. Until then, skiing, snowshoeing, treadmill running, and an occaisonal spinning class will have to be poor substitutes.
