Stinson Beach Death Ride: The Final Frontier

Hello, Folks!  Yesterday was undoubtedly the hardest, most grueling, most psychologically screwed up ride yet.  But TFG tackled it with the highest of spirits!

Coach was recovered from her ailment and was back in the game.  Notice the armbands!

Naomi had no problem getting up Sequoia Valley Road.  

Claire, on the other hand, had some technical difficulties, as per usual.  Today included a three-pronged (gear-shaped) bruise in an unmentionable area.  Here she is attempting to hitchhike a ride home.

Our ride took us up Highway One towards Stinson.  What appeared to be a leisurely stretch of highway in a car proved to be a b*tch on a bike.

When we made it to the Beach, it was a smidge anticlimactic.  I noticed there was no welcome wagon; rather, a small snack shack.  (No clam shacks in sight)

Naomi did some yoga moves at the Snack Shack

TFG carbo loads!

Back in Marin, Coach let us stop for another snack.  After alienating the table next to us with our trash talk, Coach and Naomi took a little nap.

We were a little tuckered out at this point!

I was soooo tired when the Ladies came over.  But we kept snaking and watched "Breaking Away."  Ciao, Bambinis!

Tahoe:  Bring it On!

Eating Pavement, Dirt, Grass and Sand

There is nothing quite like that feeling right before you hit the ground, of falling off of your bike while you are still clicked into your pedals.

That's right, folks. I went ahead and got The Shoes! But I must say the frequency of my falling has increased to the level where I have more bruises than when I was on the Reed College women's rugby team!

Anything can happen to throw you off your guard--be it someone asks you a question, a quick red light, or, in my situation, while biking uphill on Polk Street my chain came off.....I looked briefly up at the sky and then down at the ground and surrendered to it. There are the few split seconds where you realize that yes, you are going to fall, and you are going to fall hard.

Immediately after impact I was initially worried about who had seen me bite the dust on a crowded street. One girl asks me if I'm OK. "Yea, yea, I just ate it," I said, confidently, while trying not to cry.

The funny thing about falling off of your bike while you are clicked into pedals is that you will scrape and bruise yourself in the exact same place every time!

On another note, we have only one more weekend bike ride in the Bay Area before we go up to Tahoe for the Big Ride! I will miss Team Fried Green.....

:Idgie sits at computer, sobbing quietly:

Bringing up the Rear.....

Hi folks. Idgie here. Well, just wanted to report on yet another fabulous ride! After missing 2 + weeks due to other worthy obligations, I was back on track with TFG. In my preferred spot as "Sweeper", I was in the back of the pack, taking care of flat tires, overheated team mates, and of course attending to other injuries. Luckily, the Team held up great!

On these rides, you can definitely find your head going to another place. After 50 + miles, I started getting really cranky. There are only so many drivers giving you the finger and surly bikers mentioning that they're "on your left". I KNOW, I KNOW! Gawd, you don't have to rub it in. Fortunately, this was just ole' oxygen deprivation and nothing a little falafel and coke couldn't cure. Thanks to Naomi for the yoga lessons, Chris for the history of Riot Grrls in Olympia lesson, and Emily for more tips on biking. Maybe one day I'll have something to contribute to TFG.

Go Team!

4 TF Grrrrrls + 50 miles =