With 18ish days to go until the next Rosarito to Ensenada Fun ride I though I would get down my experience from my last ride so I have something to compare it to after the next.
Training for the April 17, 2010 ride
In November 2009 my husband bought me a bicycle, a used Specialized Expedition off Craigs List. He and I had talked about doing the Rosarito Ensenada Fun Ride http://www.rosaritoensenada.org/ for several years and my one complaint was that I would not commit to a ride until I actually had a bike and had the opportunity to train. So, I had a bike, and I needed to remember how to ride it and then figure out a plan to train for the April 17, 2010 event.
I remember the first solo ride on my bike, a small patch of bike path in Canyon Country CA. I think I rode about six or eight miles and I was exhausted, I felt there was no way I would ever make 50 miles. So that was my goal, to ride and ride till I could ride 50 miles. By mid January I had done an eighteen-mile ride across the Santa Clarita Valley and I was quite proud of myself, it was basically flat, but a long ride. However by February, my babysitters for my son had to leave town and I was stuck with finding a new option.
I joined a gym and took up spinning…I REALLY HATE spinning. Although at the end of the day it probably saved my ass to get me through the ride. Spinning is definitely great for building endurance, and even though I never did a street ride longer than about 23 miles before the 4/17 ride, I felt I had built up the endurance needed. I was mentally ready to ride fifty miles.
The Day of the Ride 4/17/10
We made the decision to drive the route on the free road on our journey from Rosarito to Ensenada to get a better idea of what the ride would really be and to see the shape the road was in as there had been rumors they would be is disrepair. I think seeing it before hand was a blessing, first we saw work crews out working very hard to get the potholes fixed and we had a better idea of what the hills (and I don’t mean El Tigre) were really all about.
Road Repairs
El Tigre
I woke early the morning of the ride. We had made to decision to stay in Ensenada because that’s where we are comfortable (vacationing as a couple there annually for at least 10 years). After a morning stretch, and being told by hotel officials that they were unable to arrange transportation to the shuttles we rode our bikes from Coral Hotel into Ensenada to catch our shuttle to Rosarito. It was only a few miles and actually felt good to get in a quick ride in the morning air.
We got on a shuttle rather quickly, however it would not be a quick trip. First our shuttle driver stopped at the OXXO right before the end of town, to uh….pick up a cell phone from some guy and do who knows what else. The wait was about ten minutes at this stop. Then, get this….he drove to Coral to pick up a couple that were staying there, yeah the same Hotel we rode into town from. So we had to wait for him to load them, PLUS a guy on our van had to go restroom so we had to wait for him.
Finally back on the road, the driver drove at a snails pace through the toll and up to Roasrito. Upon arriving in Rosarito, the shuttle exited the toll road at Blvd. Bento Jaurez/Blvd. Guerrero. He crosses over the freeway, makes a U-Turn and parks in front of the McDonalds and pulls over and stops. He then tells us this is where he is dropping us off. We must be at least 1.5 miles from the Rosarito Beach Hotel and the starting line. Everyone on the shuttle was dumbfounded, but really what could we do? It was 9:15am, the race started soon and hubby and I still hadn’t eaten. So once again, we rode…
Where the Shuttle dropped us off.
We had an amazing pancake breakfast at the little restaurant at the hotel entrance and then took our bikes out to join a pack of 4000+ riders for the start of the event.
Rosarito To Ensenada Fun Ride 4/17/10
The street was packed with riders, from elite to average Joe’s like me. At 10am, we were off. The first part of the ride is basically flat with some minor hills and descents, but nothing too major. The streets are lines with locals cheering you on and luckily hubby did bring candy to toss out to the kids lining the streets. Really the hardest part of the start is the number of riders, and those at a faster pace trying to get around and break out from the pack. I do not recommend listing to music on this part of the ride, you are too packed together and need to be able to hear and move over for those that are passing. Allowing those to pass will help thin out the pack and make it a much more enjoyable ride.
There are a couple small climbs before you turn in and go over the toll road to head inland. They are completely doable; I really paced myself here because I knew there were much harder things to come. After turning inland you pass over a bridge and then through a town; this is it, El Tigre awaits at the end of town. My training for distance did not pay off. My endurance could not handle the length of the climb and we walked a majority of this hill. In retrospect I could have probably pushed myself harder but choose to give in to the easy route of walking (which was probably actually harder and MUCH longer).
Base of El Tigre
The view from the top of El Tigre (yes you started down there at the bottom)
After El Tigre there is a series of hills and flats. At least three of the hills are a bit of a challenge, especially since you are already tired. On the 2nd of the hills there is a photo area where they will take your picture when you ride pass. Yeah I know great right, but it makes sense because it thins out the pack so they can photograph everyone. On you get to a blue house on the right side of the road at the top of a hill you can breath a sigh of relief. Its about 32 miles in and at least for me, the ride was done, Finishing was no longer a question it would be a reality.
The "Flat" Mesa
More Hills
Eight miles of exhilarating downhill (and dangerous, we saw more than one go down hard) and you are back connecting with the toll road on the outskirts of Ensenada. At this point I was ready to break out and go full force, but we kept a moderate pace and at 5 hours 31 minutes we crossed the finish line together. We had no time goal, just a goal to finish, and we did. More importantly we leaned a lot.
Here is the video I made of the 4/17/10 ride
Here is the video I made of the 4/17/10 ride
Training for the September 24, 2011 Ride
In the beginning of August 2011 we made the decision that we would once again take on the task of this ride. However my training plan is different, hills, hills and more hills. I know I can ride flats till I turn blue in the face; flats are easy. My goal is to ride the hills, not walk, but ride. I really doubt I will ride more than 16 miles straight in my training this year but I have already made it up hills near my home that I never could have before the 2010 ride. Hopefully, this difference in training will get us through the hills and have more time for the fiesta.
To be Continued, until 9/24/11……..
No comments:
Post a Comment