(This is a long post.  You are forewarned!)

This weekend featured 2 new “firsts” for me, plus a return to my “last-resort” method of training: indoor bike.  So many words, so little time, so let’s begin!

Yesterday, my SAT and I embarked on a new type of adventure: the multi-disciplinary outdoor fest.  We decided to hike up Bridge Mountain, which is one of the most popular and beautiful hikes in southern Nevada and is situated in Red Rock Canyon.  Most people who climb Bridge Mountain drive their high-clearance vehicle (HCV) up the 5 mile gravel road to the trailhead.  That gravel road is appropriately named Rocky Gap Road, for it is indeed VERY rocky.  I am not sure which is faster: driving up the road or hiking up the road.  There are many sharp twists and turns along the narrow road that necessitate good driving skills, a cool head, and patience (for high speeds are well nigh impossible).  I was eager for my SAT to hike Bridge Mountain because I knew from personal experience how fun of a climb it is.  Along the way to the summit, one will see the rocks change color from grey (limestone) to red and cream (sandstone).  There is also a hidden forest near the summit as well as a beautiful stone bridge or arch (thus, the name “Bridge Mountain”).

Whilst discussing the idea of hiking Bridge Mountain, my SAT smirked and suggested that we do Bridge the “correct” way: (mountain) bike up Rocky Gap Road, hide our bikes at the trailhead, then hike up.

“It’ll be SO much faster going down Rocky Gap on our bikes and besides, we have to do this the proper way,” my SAT declared.

“Proper according to whom?” I inquired.

“To anyone hard-core,” he asserted.

“How long do you think this will take?”  I asked.

“Let’s say 2 hours….wait, no, probably more like 1.5 hours for you,” he calculated.

Oh joy.  A 5 mile mountain bike climb, which is something I rarely do, for almost 2 hours.  To add incentive, my SAT invited a friend (Mike) to join us who knows the route up to Bridge AND who is even less experienced than me on the mountain bike.  I reluctantly agreed to this endeavour and yesterday morning, we got on our bikes and started pedaling up the rock and boulder strewn road.

Honestly, that was one of the hardest things I’ve done on the bike.  My lack of expertise on the mountain bike was most evident when I had to negotiate my way uphill through rocks and gravel.  I was going so slowly that I lost my balance (and patience) several times.  All the while I was huffing, puffing, and fearing for my cardiovascular health, my SAT was smiling, laughing, and doling out words of encouragement.

“Pedal HARDER!”….”Why are you just standing there?”….”GET BACK ON YOUR BIKE.”

(Ok, he DID say some nice things too, like how well I was doing and how far I’ve come.  Of course, my state of mind during the entire climb was such that I decided that SAT now stood for “Sadistic Apathetic Trainer.”  I think the word “sadistic” is apparent enough; the “apathetic” was my adjective to describe his attitude to my pain during the climb).

Mike wasn’t saying much either on the bike ride up the climb and had to admit he did not make HIS wife do things like my SAT was making me do.  Take note, my SAT.

We finally got up to the trailhead, heaved in as much oxygen as we could, then stashed our bikes off the trailhead:

The hike up to the top of Bridge Mountain was beautiful.  Perfect temperature and gorgeous views.

(Our goal!)

(My SAT and I on top of the bridge.)

The ride down Rocky Gap Road went much faster than the climb (obviously!), but I still had to brake most of the way down, as I kept on gaining speed when I wanted to go slower over the rocks and boulders in my way.  However, we all made it down safely and before the sun set.

(SO HAPPY to be DONE.)

In contrast to yesterday’s beautiful weather, today was quite rainy and cold.  I still had a considerable number of miles to ride for the week and it wasn’t looking good for a long ride today.  Despite my lack of adequate rainy weather gear, my SAT and I set out for a bike ride anyway.  We were only a few miles into the ride when we both decided to turn around and go home for the following reasons: 1) every time we turned a corner, our tires would direct streams of water into our shoes.  Cold, wet feet do not a comfortable ride make.  2) My saddle (seat) is one of those fancy cut-out ones to alleviate pressure.  While I cycled, water from the wheels would splash up the cut-out and onto my butt area, making my cycling pants feel like a spandex sponge.  I could feel myself squeezing water out of my chamois (the padded part of my cycling pants) whilst sitting and rotating my posterior during each pedal stroke.  3) It was just plain cold and miserable.

We arrived home and immediately shed our sodden clothing.  I resigned myself to a long session on the indoor bike in the gym.  Better than nothing, I suppose.  I hope tomorrow is a sunnier, drier day!

(Just arrived home and not impressed with the precipitation.)