Hills to Climb, Beautiful to see and Great Training

All bicyclists know that riding on hills is probably the best way to train for big rides.  In fact it is a must. 

Pig Fram Hill

First, you do not go very far in California without negotiating steep terrain.  And training on them improves your legs and endurance to ride extra miles on the hills and the flats.  So hills it was Saturday and Sunday.

Terry and his Touring bike on one of the Bears

Mark and I rode 55 miles on Saturday up and over 3 Bears and Pig Farm Hill in the first photo.  The second photo shows a quick stop to photo me and my bike and the water reservoir behind my head.

Sunday we were joined by our friend and Old Spoke Tracy to ride 75 miles to Tracy.  We stopped at Golden Corral where Tracy(not the town, the lady) gained strength from lifting those Rice Krispy treats in the 3rd photo.  Then up and over Corral Hollow against a head wind that makes your heart beat like a drum.  The last photo shows Mark finishing the ascent.

Both hills leave you gasping for air at the top.  Looking up at them questions your ability to go up there without stopping.  But once you get moving you pedal and pedal until you are there.  I often count to 100 when the elevation gain is 10+ % and it is for a portion of each of those we rode this weekend.

So we are working hard to train and hope this helps everyone appreciate the effort.

Tracy in Tracy at Golden Corral

Summit at Corral Hollow