Maui Thoughts

I've got a thinking/working/get it done face on there.

 I think a lot. Maybe too much. The pros, the cons, the good, the bad, the best , the worst, the hope , the fear. Think too much. Anyway. Here's what I'm thinking. Starting to mountain bike less than a year before attending an off road championship race might be a bit much. Some people might say "you should have waited a year".  I'm glad I went while I had the chance. Once people read about all the fun I had they will all be competing with me for a spot at that race. That's what I am thinking.

More Maui

The book is still in the works. In case you need photographic proof of what an awesome experience Maui was here's a few photos.

 Tim and I with the overall champion Conrad Stolz. I love watching him ride the bike, he's strong like bull. In person he seems more like a gentle giant. Note: He is in his race kit still which means I must have finished right behind him.

A wave hello. I'm happy to be exiting the lava field even if it is in exchange for deep sand. The joy of finishing 28 minutes behind your spouse. He can come back and take a few photos.

Maui

One Bike and One Bag

Tomorrow I leave for Hawaii with one bike and one bag. Seven years ago I went to Hawaii to work and to live and with me I brought only one bike and one bag. I had never been to Hawaii and really fought to find an assignment there. The hospital I found with an opening was in a town called Ewa Beach. I couldn't find much information on it. It was about 15 miles leeward of Honolulu. I imagined it was well kept locals secret and couldn't wait to see that beach. I was informed by my agency that I wouldn't need a car because the public transit was amazing. The bus actually went on strike about the time I arrived but I wasn't worried I had my bike. I remember arriving sort jet lagged and tired but I assembled by bike anyway. I needed to do  essential things, like see that beach I had been dreaming about, oh and buy things like toilet paper. I'm not sure what my face looked liked when I arrived at the beach park and saw warning signs that you shouldn't swim because of Pearl Harbor. There was nobody there except two men siphoning gas out of a car that had no doors left was jacked up on blocks. I pedaled away from there pretty quickly. I thought it was no problem. I'll would just ride into Waikiki. It was only 15 miles. The next town over was Waipahu. To say the least it wasn't a good place for biking and I realized I couldn't get to Waikiki this way. I was stuck in Ewa Beach. No internet, no cable, no car, no, bus, no AC and no island breeze in Ewa. I had come so far to be just shy of paradise. As most of my colleagues, I came with expectations the experience didn't match.

Thankfully I met another travel nurse. She was new too and like me new not a soul. Instead of a bike, she had a rental car. It even had AC. Her last assignment was in LA not Marquette, MI. Negotiating traffic was no stress to her. We explored everywhere and I had a nice mix of island paradise mixed with reality.

I'm looking forward to returning to Hawaii. This time I return with no expectations. I know the race will be difficult but this time in Hawaii I have Tim and a rental car.  What more could I need?

Sunday

Sunday I rode the San Juan trail behind  with Tim and Paul. It was raining but we rode anyway. In life there are no rain checks, just missed opportunities.I love the San Juan trail. I feel like my mountain biking has come a long way this year. Nothing to something is a long way, even if there is still a long way to go. Note, I'm still wearing the padded shorts and elbows. (Fat) Flossie got sick of me calling her fat and tossed me twice last week. I  tried to complain to Tim about Flossies manhandling me. It was of no use. He calmly said Flossie lodged the same complaints about me every time I dump her in the dirt. I whined Flossie could knock my teeth out. Speaking of teeth, Tim mentioned he had just finished bending all of the teeth on Flossie's big chain ring back into place. Apparently, shifting under pressure is not such a good idea. I reminded Tim that Flossie threw me into the bushes and I got scratched up. Tim asked how I thought Flossie felt about all her scratches? Hers will never heal. I made an attempt to make it up to Flossie. I got out a black Sharpie and colored in the scratches on her rear shock, then I gave Flossie a good bath. She should be happy with me now. It's about all I can offer at this point. A better rider could treat poor Fat Flossie better but I am the level that I am.

Something is a long way from nothing.

In case the spa treatment wasn't enough I'm going to take Flossie to Maui. She'll be happy about that racing is what she was made for. 

Tim says it's my "A" race. Knowing Tim, he means "A" as in adventure. I can honestly say the preparation has felt more like adventure than training. I think I trained, adventure being the byproduct. I might have that backwards. Either way, it won't matter when I am old and gray.

I hear it's a great race to not be a rookie. Cheers to the high speed read as there is no pre riding the course.