A Fall Uphill....

That was the title that Frederick recommended for me to use for today........

Today I met up with my good buddy, Scott. He is the one of the reasons why I am doing this ride. Scott and I go back, and he has been doing the ride for sometime. He was persistent with, Come on Jose, Do the ride...! And I signed up...

He invited me to ride with him today... It's only right, that I do some rides with him, since he was the one that got me into doing the ride.

It was great seeing him--- we talked about the bikes, got our gear ready and talked about what route we would do. We were at Griffith Park and I told him what I have been doing, but just like it's been suggested to push myself, I told him he can decide on the ride (the only thing i requested is for us to do a lap in the parking lot, so I can feel my bike).

We started to ride, and it was great- a lil bit chilly though (and it was pass noon). We did that one lap, and of courese, my right turn sucks! In time, I will master it...

We went out onto the road and made a left towards the golf course. He told me, we would try to go up hill.. I was dreading it inside-- I KNOW that hill.. we used to hate running over it, when we trained for the Marathon... Oh well, I just need to do it. During the week, I did go running to help build my endurance. I knew that would come in handy.

We started to go up the hill.. WHOA it was a killer workout on my legs. Scott was talking gears to be, right one, left ones (one to use for climbing). I was just moving things around, so I can figure out what works for me.

I started to make some stops up the hill. It's a challenge, so I needed the quick break to catch my breathe. BIG MISTAKE- you never stop going up hill. WHY? Because it's so hard to get back going-- I guess the way to do it, is to pedal downhill and then turn back up to get some momentum. As I started to pedal up hill, I started to have a problems to start the movement.... so what happens? A FALL! I got a bruise and a little cut. Scott came up to me and asked how I was doing. You know, the falls are part of the game. No pain.. no gain! I just got back on, and kept going..

The hill was tough, I ended up walking for a bit, but hey, that was my first time doing A HILL...

Now, the adrenaline rush came as we went DOWN THE HILL! Whoa, the wind just hitting you as you are racing down.. It was scary though; I woud say like I'm coming down a ride at Magic Mountain. When we got to the bottom, we stopped and chatted. I told him that was a fucken great feeling! I could just imagine coming down that hill the first day on the ride.

We went back to where we started. He calculated 8.4 miles today-- but with a hill. I couldn't do more, since I have a family committment to head out to..

It was great riding with my buddy Scott. We decided that Saturdays will be our day- and we then join the groups.

Until then,

xoxo
Jose