Clara and Kathleen up Rock Creek Road
YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PIE AND EAT IT TOO! THE LAST DAY OF THE CLIMBING EXTRAVAGANZA...
After a weekend at home in The Eastern Townships of Quebec I can hardly believe I’m back down in California…4 hours of driving, 2 flights equalling 8 hours and then a 2 hour drive to ‘home’ made for an epic trip. I was back in my nook of the Townships only for 4 days- specifically to lead a Hiking Day for the Nature Conservancy of Canada- Quebec division. It was a glorious day at Au Diable Vert- a really awesome camping/hiking/skiing area in the valley where I live. The owners were kind enough to donate their land for the day for all to enjoy. We raised a ton of cash for the campaign that is purchasing land in the Sutton Mountain Range to protect this beautiful part of Canada. I am proudly the spokesperson for this campaign. Special thanks to Bell Canada and The Canadian Olympic Comittee for donating a few great items for the silent auction.
At the top of Senora Pass
eating pie at over 9000fT
Anyway, back to California, and after of a reverse of the above mentioned journey, I was back in CA to finish off some great spring training. I couldn’t resist throwing in another epic climb en route to Bishop called Senora Pass- up to 9600 feet! Before I was able to do this ride, I had to stop at a bike shop along the way and buy shorts, a cycling shirt (with pockets on the back for food), a frame pump in case of a flat and a baseball cap to keep the sun off my face. That and a few cycling bottles, some gatorade and energy bars put me out $200 USD!! The reason I had to break the bank for this ride- Peter! He was up in Oregon and unable to come back down as planned (for family reasons that I am grateful to say haved turned out OK) and I was left to rent a car and buy all this stuff because my personal items for riding (save for shoes) were in the car in Oregon. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, though, and I was determined to ride this mountain pass that I have driven by so many times when living down here for three years during my former life as a cyclist. I coudn’t help but this this ride cost me $200….When I have to travel for any events or appearances, training is always my #1 focus and no matter what I get out and train. No matter what it takes.
The ride was incredible. Glacially polished rocks shone in the afternoon sun and I felt like the queen of the world riding this climb. There must not be many cyclists who scale that road because it seemed like everyone in cars was cheering me on or giving me thumbs up. The road ramps up to 26% grade at points and it’s a real kicker to just turn the peddles and not fall over on. What a ride! After some time at the top, trying to make a little video that kept being interrupted by motorcyclists, I flew down in the thin jersey I purchased shivering but so happy. I didn’t have a jacket in all my stuff but that was OK, a few goose bumps was easy to take after such and epic ride. I found myself smiling and giddy on the way down. It was one of those days when I could have just driven by and come straight down to Bishop and done a ride I’ve done before. Instead, I stepped into that unkonwn and did something different- leaving me exilerated and just feeling completely alive.
From there, it was on to Bishop and time to prepare for the last day of climbing according to the Aerohead Cycles jersey. My good friend Kathleen informed me that the little restaurant/store up at Rock Creek Resort at 9,500 feet was not normally open for ‘pie’ at this time of the year…but her husband Brian pulled a few strings to have some delicious chow ready for us in the thin air. I’ve ridden and skied that road many times and never has the joint been open for business! Needless to say, it was my motivation for the day. Pie and coffee. Who needs anything else?
We had another visitor on the ride, Scott Weaver, a friend, neighbor of the Nelson’s and also a part owner of Aerohead Cycles in Bishop, CA. It was fun to have him on the ride because we missed Peter who remained up in Oregon. That and Scott can eat a lot of pie. I was able to share a second piece with him.
Scott Weaver and Kathleen Nelson at the top of Rock Creek
The climb (well, actually it was two climbs- Lower Rock Creek and then Rock Creek itself) was mellow for the most past and just plain enjoyable. I think about 6 or 7000 feet of elevatin gain total. I used my new heartrate monitor and realised that I can keep a pretty good pace climbing and not go anaerobic. That’s always nice.
Me and Kathleen happy at the top of our last climb!!
More than anything, it was fun to finish something that was just a crazy idea. Having a friend like Kathleen to share these rides with makes it all the more special. I leave the Owen’s Valley with a new appreciation for not only the landscape here, but my dear friends who make this place so wonderful.
And now, I’m heading North to Oregon, and then up to Calgary where I’ll see my Team again. I’m ready to step back into the group environment and enjoy the extrinsic motivation it offers. More than anything, I just can’t do speed skating imitations by myself- it’s torture and I need company to push myself! It’s been fun to ride, though, and once again, I am so grateful to enjoy riding my bike. What a gift.
PS I have photos but cannot upload right now….
