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-   -   Tales From The Dark Side - Sara's Aspirations (https://www.bikeforums.net/masters-racing-all-disciplines/833521-tales-dark-side-saras-aspirations.html)

ericm979 11-24-12 07:50 PM

Hitting the bank is the right thing to do. I'm glad you wern't hurt. I know the turn you went down in. It's often wet there.
I stopped using Gatorskins a while ago because they lack traction in the wet.

Hamilton is a fun and challenging descent. They fixed the worst of the bumpy parts when they repaved the top section this year. It makes repeats more bearable.

sarals 11-24-12 11:53 PM

Ericm, I really wanted to let it go on the descent from the summit - at least, that was my thinking before I crashed. I let sense be the better part of valor on the way down instead. Ex went by me on one stretch so fast I had a difficult time trying to decide how he did it! Then, there was the motorcycle. He passed us, and yes, we passed him. Yes, we did.

I felt taking the embankment was a far better choice than the pavement, no matter how hard it might be. If I was going to crash, that spot was the right one, apparently! By the way, the GPS data says I was going 27.9 into the corner where I hit the deck. Sobering!

sarals 11-29-12 10:39 PM

How Dark was The Dark Side?

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...F9173E097A.jpg

I went from a 115 pound young gal at 24 when I went into the service to THIS 183 POUND BLOB six years ago when I started cycling "to loose the weight". I was so ashamed of myself I wore circus tents for sweatshirts and boy jeans (they fit). I was also too ashamed to show my (round) face.

Talk about deriving joy, then trying to achieve goals, in cycling. You're looking at why, in my case.

VanceMac 11-30-12 09:02 AM

Awesome... 53 pounds is incredible. And life-altering.

Allegheny Jet 11-30-12 09:47 AM

Great job on the life change Sara!

sarals 11-30-12 12:50 PM

Thank you!

It was a life change, and I will NEVER go back there.

AzTallRider 11-30-12 02:31 PM

Very inspiring, Sara. I have the same attitude: NOT going back!

sarals 11-30-12 02:45 PM


Originally Posted by AzTallRider (Post 15002052)
Very inspiring, Sara. I have the same attitude: NOT going back!


I'm sure that's the common bond we all have here.

What's interesting, and I'm still trying to understand it, is my need now to explore fitness, what levels I am capable of. The pain associated with it is totally moot. I accept it, and even like it. Then there's the competitiveness. I always knew I had that streak, but I thought it ran to "boy vs. girl" challenges - I'm a commercial pilot, for heavens sake. I did NOT know that I'd have a "need for speed" (I never did on the motorcycle or in a car) on that bicycle. But, by golly, the closer I get to actually being able to do this, to go fast, I want it more and more. I hope it never ends. It is indeed intoxicating, even addictive! But, oh my, what a fine addiction!

sarals 12-20-12 04:24 PM

Happy Holidays from Sara (LS) and Alex (The Tall Russian)!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...2C1D673181.jpg

Allegheny Jet 12-20-12 06:44 PM

Happy Holidays Sara and Alex!

shovelhd 12-20-12 06:54 PM


Originally Posted by Allegheny Jet (Post 15072848)
Happy Holidays Sara and Alex!

+1

That's one big tree!!!!

Esteban58 12-20-12 07:06 PM

Happy Holidays to you both...

Hermes 12-20-12 10:18 PM

MC Sara and Alex!

sarals 12-21-12 12:03 AM

Thank you, my friends, everyone! May your Holidays be warm, wonderful, and may your New Year see all of YOUR cycling aspirations come true.

sarals 12-21-12 12:04 AM


Originally Posted by shovelhd (Post 15072898)
+1

That's one big tree!!!!

Which one? ;)

sarals 01-28-13 11:56 AM

Silly me grinning away in a daze after a default win in my first ITT at Hesperia. That kit makes me look fat!

http://i1111.photobucket.com/albums/...3720E9AD5F.jpg

AzTallRider 01-28-13 01:49 PM

Great job, Sara!

sarals 01-28-13 05:26 PM


Originally Posted by AzTallRider (Post 15208609)
Great job, Sara!

And to you, AzT! :)

tony2v 01-29-13 10:57 AM

Congrats Sara!!!

sarals 01-31-13 01:10 PM


Originally Posted by tony2v (Post 15211946)
Congrats Sara!!!

Tony, thank you!

sarals 01-31-13 09:05 PM

I was going to be dramatic, but I changed my mind. I'm wondering if I really have the mindset to be a racer. Next weekend will tell me. I sure do like going fast, but I need to know if I am too soft a personality to "race". I'm sure a crit, with all of those type A personalities all wanting to be at that finish line at the same time will answer that question for me.

revchuck 02-01-13 05:20 AM

Sara - FWIW, I've got the same question about myself, being in about the same situation as you are. I've got five weeks until my first race, though mine is a 106 mile road race rather than a crit. Opposite ends of the spectrum. :) Hey, you've at least got more experience than me! But the "Do I have it in me?" question is still there. I'm not a type A guy, but I've learned to turn it on and off when necessary, and I suspect you have too. We'll just have to turn it on right before the race, and leave it there until the beer flows later.

shovelhd 02-01-13 06:03 AM


Originally Posted by sarals (Post 15222485)
I was going to be dramatic, but I changed my mind. I'm wondering if I really have the mindset to be a racer. Next weekend will tell me. I sure do like going fast, but I need to know if I am too soft a personality to "race". I'm sure a crit, with all of those type A personalities all wanting to be at that finish line at the same time will answer that question for me.

I ask myself these questions all the time. Seriously. At the beginning of the season. During a performance drought. After a bad performance. You are asking yourself these questions precisely because you are a competitor. It's what we do. It is why we have success. We always question ourselves.

Racer Ex 02-01-13 11:21 AM

I'm posting here because I'd like to get to page 12 so I no longer have to scroll down and see that hideous helmet in that picture.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/...237962de26.jpg

Here's a Shiv. I have one that's sort of like this but not really.

Come on page 12.

Racer Ex 02-01-13 11:25 AM

Hey Sara, you should watch this. Actually everyone should.

"Full Gas" with Fabian Cancellera.


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