There is something about blogs that often finds me bored and/or just not wanting to post. Laziness? Time management? I havent a clue, but I do know that the ride I did today, and the riding I have done this week, warrant mention. Why not here? I have to catch you up on the week first.
I flew out to Petaluma, CA for the Chief Petty Officer's Academy last Friday. In the weeks before leaving I convinced myself that the best bike to take along for 33 days in NorCal was the roadie. No car, no singletrack on base and tons of epic road rides out of the front door. No brainer.
I bought a Thule 669 bike carrier from Halter's Cycle back home (the best shop in NJ) and rolled the dice with flying the bike as checked baggage. United hooked me up hugely, I checked the bike case, a huge suitcase and garment bag. Since I was travelling on orders up to 3 bags were free.
I got to my room early in the afternoon Friday and set out for a loop after calling home. First order of business was to hit town and buy some water bottles from the nearest shop. Mission accomplished, and I hooked with a frame pump too since cell service is horrendous and being alone on a desolate road for hours with the weather out here doesnt appeal to me. I got back to the base area with under 20 miles and really wanted to ride more. I had done some google earthin' around the area, and took a chance at Spring Hill road not knowing exactly where it came out.
I wound up doing the Spring Hill - Cheleno Valley ride. Met a dude named Paul who used to live in NJ, he gave me a few directions and saved the night. I would have been back 2 hrs after dark had I not spoke to him. I have since found out that it is a staple of the petaluma area. It rolls through breathtaking farmland, and the roads are often carless for super long periods of time. I was immediately impressed by the local drivers. They wait to pass until it is safe, often wave to you, and wait at intersections when they see you. Refreshing really.
Saturday was a full day and evening of academy business, including "low ropes" which was a blast. It was all team building excercises, the best of which was a "trust fall". You fall backwards off of a 6' platform into the arms of your teamates. It felt awesome to let go, and really built trust on the first day. Cool stuff. The night ended with a reception in the club put on by the local CPO Association. I called it an early night but had an arrogant bastard ale or two.
Sunday was again filled with CPOA stuff. We began the morning with a health assessment. Weigh in, blood pressure, 1.5m run, pushups, situps. I did great ok on the PT portions, though I am going to work on increasing the situps in a minute test. BP was awesome and I weighed 192. Up a solid 8lbs from where I was a month or two ago but I know how I got there. I was surprised to find that by the forthcoming BMI standards I would have been 1lb overweight. My new max weight will be 191 down from 205. More motivation to keep healthy! We ended the day with a game in the galley called "promises promises". It was fun, more team building. Had a few lagunitas IPA's but again called it an early night.
Monday we were out of class by 3:45 or so, I hit the Cheleno Valley-Spring Hill ride in reverse. This time I took a detour through Helen Putnam Park and found an awesome climb on a path in there called the ridge trail. It dumped me off on the outskirts of downtown Petaluma, so I turned around and climbed it the other way. It was 17% in some areas, a real leg burner. I couldnt get mountain lions out of my head, since a classmate had asked the base captain earlier in the day about our risk of cougar attack. The Capt. took the question well and had a response that was half joking half serious, a good laugh. Bottom line is that they have a 100 mile feed zone and I think all of the deer, cattle and sheep I see around here are tastier than my 192lbs.
More to come on the week's rides tomorrow, and all about today's epic ride. Off to dinner.
I started the day Saturday with a 5k fun race.
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