20 miles with Ellen

I took Ellen out for her longest ride yet. 20 miles. We headed up Mowry to Mission Boulevard and went south. We took Mission Boulevard all the way down to Stanford Avenue. Stanford is the road you take to get to the staging area to hike Mission Peak. There were definitely some hills to climb. On one hill I was going down, I was travelling at 28.6 mph. Tells you how steep it was. I was going like 6.2 mph on the way back up it. The last hill that goes into the parking lot for Mission Peak is steep. My first attempt, I had to turn around. I went down the road a little ways and drank some water, ate some Gu Chomps and told myself I could probably make it up there without a problem, if I tried again. I did! No big deal. I *heart* Ellen. Here's some pictures I took along the way.


Trees, looking like Fall, along Mission Boulevard:

Historic Mission San Jose :: Fremont, California :: Established 1797:

My dear friend, Mission Peak:

I stopped at my favorite produce stand:

Admired the beautiful flowers they are growing:

And bought some energy for the remainder of my ride home:

I'm not CRAZY about riding on a main boulevard with stop lights and trucks flying by at 45 mph but I do like that Mission is a steady but gradual climb. I already know I get bored with a flat out-and-back like the Alameda Creek Trail. Seeing the foothills during the entire ride was nice. I'll probably continue to use Mission Boulevard, it's the best option in Fremont.

I'm still learning how to use my gears properly. I know it sounds like simple science but there is a lot to consider when climbing, going flat and going down hills. And then stopping at lights and starting again. I'll get the hang of it. I just have to keep trying.

I went back to Pilates for the first time since Jamaica. Our instructor, Karen, went to a two week training class while I was gone and she came back with some different moves, I tell ya. My entire torso is SORE today. More so than the very first time I did Pilates. I can't cough, I can't sneeze. Too bad I'm working all day tomorrow, or I'd go back for more. ;)

Until later.............