Puff, Puff...Pass.

So I did my second Tour of Napa Valley Century this past Sunday-what a great ride! This year had some interesting things to note, and given my limited time to post right now, I'll just give a bulleted recap:

• This was my first ride on my new compact cranks and can I say Amen! I suck hard at climbing and any benefit (short of going to the dreaded triple) is greatly appreciated and definitely needed. The Shimano R700's I swapped onto my bike have a nice 50/34 combo, which when mated to my 12-26 in the back, help propel me and my fat ass up hills a little easier and faster. Came in handy as the course had almost 5000' of climbing (Mt. Veeder in the morning and Ink Grade in the afternoon).

• Speaking of asses-so there I was doing what I do best, hyperventilating on the first climb of the morning, Mt. Veeder by way of Redwood road. I'm cruising along, minding my business on a 7% or so climb when here come a racer chick from The Olympic Club in San Fransisco. Now bear in mind, it's like 7:15 in the morning, the birds are singing and all you can really hear are the gasping sounds of me and other similarly shaped riders and the wind. Well Mrs. Enchilada as I will refer to her, decides that my 6.8mph and gasping is too much and goes for the Boonen-break. Standing up about 2 feet from my left shoulder and passing me like the wind, or should I say passing wind. You see, in her effort, she had the common decency to not only swing almost directly in front of me as she passed, but she also ripped a nice, nasty fart about 2.5' frommy face. Best part? She just kept on going! No sorry. No how did that taste. No nuthin! Real nice.

• One other new component that has me smiling is the set of Schwalbe Stelvio Pro tires Grady hooked me up with. I am a devout Michelin ProRace fan, but these babies are the bees knees. Front and rear specific, they hold lines and corners with confidence and keep me upright--even inspired enough confidence to ratchet up my descent down Veeder to the low 40mph zone! I ususally don't listen to Grady or his advice, but this time he was on the G-Money!

• Last but not least was my wife. Oh Cari how could you fool yourself? One ride a year is not preparation. I left about 1.25 hours before her and assumed we would meet at the lunch rest stop (approx 65 miles for me and 30 for her). I was surprised though when I saw the green jersey and pink helmet in front of me about 6 miles from the rest stop. I did what I thought was right, slap her on the butt as I passed her, and she kinda smiled (I think). I slowed to see how she was doing and was informed that she was not going to do Ink Grade. Problem is you basically have to do Ink Grade as we were now in another valley and seperated by some things called mountains. I goaded her into the rest stop and some lunch and together with her friend from work convinced her to do Ink Grade any way she could, walking, riding or (dread)-SAG wagon. I tried to stay with her, but had to get moving to the top where I waited about 15 minutes for her and her friend to arrive. Nice work! She said it was because I had compact cranks and she was running the old 53/39. I had no problem suggesting that she upgrade to the same cranks as me (she's selling her Campy Chorus triple group now). But I also said she needs to get back on the bike more than 2X a year. I'm all for getting her back on the bike, on our trainer, whatever!

I'm looking for another century before the end of the year and will continue to work toward a double century next year!