Cycling in Morro Bay

There are a lot of reasons I love Morro Bay. If you don't know, Morro Bay is a small village on the Central Coast of California, north of San Luis Obispo. I have been going there for years for the beach, the cool summer weather, the awesome 9 Sisters morro's etc. etc. I have a 5th-wheel there now so I get to spend even more time. Morro Bay offers some great cycling. You can ride along Hwy 1 south as far as San Luis Obispo. You can ride north up through Cayucos, Cambria, Hearst Castle, San Simeon and points north. The Tour of California professional bike race comes right down that stretch of beautiful coastal highway. Then there are all the little canyons in the area that offer some really great riding, including as much climbing as you might want. For example, this past weekend I did a 16 mile ride over Turri Rd. I went out and back from South Bay Blvd. This is a narrow two-lane road with minimal traffic and offers some really good climbing, especially when coming back heading north. Only negative on this ride was the bee that decided to land on my pumping thigh and sting me for no good reason.

Knee is better

I wore my knee brace all day today and haven't experienced any more pain. I did a 60 minute Spin tonight without a problem. I have to admit that I am concerned. So much of who I am these days is based on my fitness. I get a lot of satisfaction in my ability to work hard, harder than a lot of guys much younger. But I am over 60 yrs old. Sometimes I worry that it will all come crashing in on me.

I will not be discouraged!

Went to Spin class tonight with the intention of doing my typical Monday night back-to-back classes. About half way through my first class I started getting some twinges of pain in my left knee. I decided against doing the second class and I continued to experience pain as I have been walking around this evening. I am not going to get discouraged! I don't know what is happening, but I will find a way to continue my fitness efforts. I intend to talk to my doctor about what is going on. As long as he doesn't tell me I have to stop cycling like he told me to stop running.

Oh no, not again!

I got to Morro Bay last night with every intention of going to Spin class. When I got out of my truck, my left knee buckled and the pain of my osteoarthritis had returned. Understand, I had experienced no pain whatsoever for months, ever since I started taking my anti-inflammatory. I was, in fact, thinking about asking the doctor if I really needed to keep taking it or not. I had even considered starting to do some light running again, against doc's wishes. So much for that! I went ahead and rested it last night, had some light pain today but is much better. I don't have time for a workout tonight, hopefully tomorrow I can do something.

Failed century to successful half-century

After failing to complete my first attempt at a century, I knew that I had to get serious if I want to be successful on my next attempt. I completed 42 miles on that failed attempt, so I decided that I would start out by attempting 50 miles, which would be my longest ride thus far. Yesterday I made the attempt, and I was successful! I rode 25 miles out and back on the local bike path. Sure, it wasn't hilly, and the weather was mild, but I accomplished it in 3-1/2 hours and felt great. And I did it on my own, without the motivation of an organized ride and the support of SAG teams and snack stops. So, the next step will be to try for 60 miles, maybe this coming weekend.

My failed century ride

I don't know what made me think that just because I could do intense Spin classes for 4-1/2 years, and just because I did a 32 mile road bike ride comfortably, that I could go out and do 100 miles on an organized ride. Lot's of ego working overtime I guess. I mean, how hard could it be - you push the left pedal down, you push the right pedal down, you keep doing that until you get to the place where it says FINISH. I knew that there were bound to be some issues, hills, wind, traffic etc., but I just knew I could do it! Even if it took me 10 or 11 hours. So, on April the 28th 2007 I left Creston CA to do 107 miles in the Wildflower Century. Wait a minute, I thought a century was 100 miles, oh well, what's 7 more miles when you have done 100. Little did I know!! The first 28 miles were great. Mashed my way up some pretty good hills, conquered some great downhills, passed a few people, got passed by a lot of people. I pulled into the first rest stop feeling really good. I ate a couple of high carb pastries, waited my turn in the porta-potti line and got back on my bike. As I left the rest area, I still felt good, but I was getting passed by individuals, pace lines and fast moving critters. I soon started up a long steep hill. I started to get very heavy legs and got off my bike and walked up part of the hill. I coasted down the other side, and when I started pedaling again I was just feeling very heavy. When I started up the next hill, again I stopped to get off the bike. When I did my quadriceps cramped up on both legs - I was done. I basically gave up. When the sag wagon came by I jumped on and it was over. 42 miles and I was a quitter. My only encouragement was that I was not the only one, the sag wagons were very busy. It turned out to be 98 degrees that day and a lot of riders were 'saggin' out. I am feeling better about it now, I just need to prepare better for the next one.