Week 3-paceline riding

Paceline riding is all about team work. The idea is to conserve energy since the person in front of you blocks the wind. In order to be effective, you keep a distance of upto 18 inches max. The main important lesson with team work is communication. It's like a domino effect calling out words up and down the pace line.

"all in" or "all through"-the entire team has gone through a street light, a stop sing, after a "gap" or after changing leaders.
"rolling" after stopping at a stop light or stop sign, you call this out when you are ready to bike forward
""slowing"-to let the person known behind you that you are slowing down
"biker/jogger/walker/car left/right"-to let the person ahead of you know that there's an incoming obstacle
"car back"-there's an incoming car next to you
"debris"-anything in the way of the path and you can also point to it
"gap"-if there's more than 2 bike lengths of distance, so the people ahead of you will slow down so that person that has the gap can catch up
"stopping"-you say this in advance so the person behind you knows you are slowing down to stop
"turning"-this includes a u-turn and you can also point to the left or to the right in the direction you will be turning

Falling off Melody

the culprit? new shoes with cleats and clipless pedals. It's all in the timing and the balance. I lost count how many times I fell of my bike, Melody. Today was the ultimate test-riding long distance with the team with the new equipment. My goal was not to fall. I was feeling confident but during one of our stops at a street light, I successfully clipped out but when I was about to put my foot down, I leaned over the unclipped foot. I scraped my knee but it was a minor accident. My knee was throbbing later though. I was very happy to clean up after the training. It was probably the best shower I had.

2nd week

We met in El Dorado Park once again but this time we rode for 20 miles and we road on the streets. We rode on PCH to Seal Beach pier and back. I hated my pedals. I kept having to look down and I still had a hard time getting my foot in. If I missed the pedal with my foot, the pedal would drag on the road. It definitely slowed me down. So, yesterday, I got bike shoes with cleats and the clip in pedals. I can't wait to try it especially since I got some great tips from Karen, assistant coach in Solvang's century bike ride. Coincidentally, my bike was also Specialized, the same brand as my bike. It's also white which is the color of my bike handles and seat. It was meant to be! Overall, I had a great experience on our 2nd week of training.

gadgets

As recommended by several team members and Tweety, I got my gadgets at Performance Bicylce shop in Torrance. Directions from my house (605S, 405S, xMagnolia->R, Warner->R, left side). Everything that I got was on sale: bike shorts, gloves, pump, tools for change a flat tire, spare tire, rack to mount the bike on a wall, lights for front and rear, and a computer bike (to monitor your miles and speed). Believe it or not, I still have more things to get: shoes, clip ins, and a jersey.

my new bike

Karen Curtis and Jeanne Perales (bless their hearts) accompanied me to Beverly Hills Bike Shop. They are TNT members who were willing to help out a novice like me. Here is the bike that I got, make: Specialized, model: Dolce, wheels: Gary Fisher. It's a sweet bike. Brown in color with a white seat and handlebars. I got 2 white cages (container for water bottles). It's a beauty. I test rode it this morning. My God, what an exhilirating moment. I was all smiles. I never felt the breeze of the wind wipe across my face and hear the wind blowing against my ears like that. I fell in love with cycling.

First Training Day

My biking adventure was awesome. My favorite part was getting to know my team members. We had the change to ride side by side each other and just talk about cycling. TNT is really a great way to meet awesome people. My coach, the mentors and other team members were so generous of their knowledge and time. I met Bill, one of our assistant coaches. I was at the parking lot looking confused so he approached me and asked if I was in the team. He said I'll look for them and I'll come get you. As promised, that's what he did. What a gentleman. The people there really go out of their way to help you. Our venue this week is in El Dorado Park. There was so much to see as we went in circles around the park. There were people of all ages taking a class on archery. There were geese, swans, dogs, squirrels crossing the street. We witnessed a near collision between Coach Charlie and another biker. We avoided obstacles, lots of ditches from the rainstorms. It felt like a whole new world. I loved it!

clinic

On some training days, we get a "clinic." This means we learn more about cycling. Today was on safety, equipment, gear, and shoes. It was a lot to take in so I made sure I took notes especially on things I need to get. Boy, do I have a long list and I'm already making calculations in my head and thinking, "Oh, no!" My goal is to get my bike by our 2nd training day. The search continues...