Ride #1 West Hills Challenge 2011

This morning I rode the first of the five West Hills Challenge Rides for 2011, a Category 2 climb.

Why?

1. I was already going to do the last climb up from the level Hwy 30 because in addition to the climb I get the ups and downs of Skyline Blvd on the way home.
2. I am not built as a hill climber but I learned touring that hills are what are always there, so I no longer avoid them, and having a goal to try some hills gets me right up and out there.
3. I want to do some long distance rides before the end of summer, Mt. Hood/Hood River, Salem, Seattle and while I won’t train enough to justify trying these, I might as well do something to get ready.
4. Did somebody say competition against myself?

Only two rides under my belt this summer (not going to get my bike dirty,  tired of always cleaning it with everyday commuting, I rode both dry days) I placed 72nd out of 92.

I don’t care, I got out, I rode the hill, I am active in a competition, at the end of the summer I hope to have them done.  If you are out there, let’s meet for a beer at the end of August and recount all of them. My current excuses include the dog, the branch, the dirt on my bike, my current shoulder injury, my lack of training time, the cold and my weight being the highest it has been in over three years.