Another time we rode to the Silverlake skatepark for some skills building. Of course I didn't call it that to her. To her we were just riding around the skatepark. She really loved that. It helped build her confidence, and helped in her controlling and handeling of her bike. It took her a while to build up courage to roll down and even ride up the steep banks of the park. But once she really got going, she was jammin'! I would take her more often, but I want to keep her exposure to vulgar language to a minimum, so take her on weekdays before school is out. Of course that limits the time because then she'll usually be at school now too.
So Sunday we headed up the Douglas trail, she was wearing her "Crush Gravel" shirt, so it was only fitting to take her off trail, and onto one of the many gravel roads that cross the trail.
Now the Pork Chop is a bit of a talker. Whatever is on her mind usually comes out her mouth. So she's talking about how gravel is much different the pavement. Much harder and how much her arms shake. She talks about how she can shift into easier gears and spin.
We had just finished watching the movie "Ride the Divide
", and she says she'd like to do that (the race - Tour Divide) with me some day. She asks a lot of questions about the length of the Almanzo race and how you do that, and how she wants to crush gravel more.We climb a hill, she stands out of the saddle and makes it over. There's a small bit of rest and a bigger hill to climb. The goal was to get to the top of the climb, turn around, ride down, and get back on the trail for the return ride. After a couple stops to catch her breath, she's climbing up the hill, in the saddle, trying to spin the cranks as best as she can, when she blurts out "Come on legs! I know you have been sitting on the couch these days, but now you got to work!"
Seriously, that's what she said. Out loud! to her legs!
Needless to say, she was determined to make it to the top of that hill. It took some work, and a little bit of help, but no matter what it took she was making it to the top. There were some cows fenced in gathered near the top, and she really wanted to show those cows that she could make it. And make it she did.
After taking a breather at the top, we coasted down. She was a little nervous to let the brakes go and coast down, she could tell that gravel is a bit more skittery to ride on, but eventually she loosened up an let it roll.
It looks like I may have a new training partner in the next couple years. At least until she becomes too fast for me (afraid that will happen pretty quickly), and my fast days are her recovery rides.
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