Time for more new things to learn. The destination – amazing Tavares, at Wooten Park for the starting point of an instruction session!
My first two instructional sessions with Tracy were great, so I decided that it was time for more. This ride was going to be in the hills today. Already there is progress. I am not having an anxiety attack about hills before I even get there.
It was a bit of a drive to the site where I was to meet Tracy, and well worth it. As I got closer to the meeting point, the amazing scenery took me by surprise. This was the first time I had been in this area around Tavares.
We started with a warmup ride, and Tracy let me know we’d be doing hills. Within no time we were starting on a small hill. She observed my pedaling. Quick to point out where I needed work, she readily described what I should be doing and what it would feel like. This is exactly what helps me. I can read (and actually do) tons of articles and books about technique and what to do. But the reality is that having someone point out real-time to me what I’m doing and how to correct it is invaluable.
After a little more riding, we got to the “Little Pyrenees”. Wow! Florida is supposed to be flat. Even though these little hills might not have had an immense grade (new word for the day!), I felt their magic working away (and still do at the time of this writing). We rode several hills in a row. Climbing is as much mental as physical. She taught me how to break up my climb, so my analytical side now has a logical way to segment a hill and overcome that obstacle.
Downhill, which follows uphill, is still a work in progress for me. Work in progress in the aspect of crushing the fear of descent. Now, I have had a friend or two say they are nervous about going downhill. My fear is not “nervousness”. Terrifying describes it much more suitably. All the work on climbing the hill is followed by going DOWN the hill. There I was, not saying “self, don’t be silly; don’t be afraid”, but instead hearing Tracy’s gentle and firm guidance on feathering the brakes, take the hill at a speed I was comfortable with, and that she wasn’t going to leave me behind. Right on cue, my inner voice piped in, “self, you got this; you know the braking technique, and just do your speed.” Success came quickly, along with more confidence.
Riding while standing – remember this is a skill to be learned. We practiced this again today. I have a long way to go. But Tracy, as always, was encouraging in her praise of my learning (slow as it seems to me). She pointed out about tightening my core and where my body position should be. Technique goes a long way towards improvement. I am finding this out not just as a cliche, but as a real-life lesson.
Today we spent time riding through the grass. Yes, it seems easy now! Just before I got on the grass, though, I could feel the apprehension starting. Riding through grass, on a road bike, didn’t seem easy at all. Put it in an easy gear, Tracy said. Following directions, I did as instructed. Worked like a charm. Riding through the grass was easy! Be careful of the sugar sand, Tracy warned. (check out my tires…. yes, that is sand on my tires. Not too many pictures because I was too focused on riding.)
After the ride, I spent a bit of time taking in the beauty of this park. It is located right off the lake. I was treated to views of seaplanes, boats, and amazing clouds. Seeing planes land in the water fascinates the kid in me. Not only did I get to experience the thrill of riding but also take in the sights of planes landing on water.
If you didn’t catch it yet, read more about Tracy Draper’s cross country adventure – cyclist and author: “Live It: Riding the Highs and Lows of a Cross Country Dream“. She also will be leading some workshops and rides for the rider that wants to learn more.
Regards,
Diana | TeamOne
