Bike Wash!

So I got up just before 6 on Saturday morning to get myself over to Kapiolani Park by 7. Every weekend I think "It's Saturday, I'm making myself get up before the sun, and I'm paying for this?" But I'm always glad I did after the workout.

Today wasn't that bad. We headed over Diamond Head and down Kalanianaole Hwy, turning left at the base of the hill up to Hanauma Bay. Another couple of turns and we were looking at Heartbreak Hill. Now I've heard the name of this said with dread many times over the training, but I've never done it. I did have some trepidation, but there was nothing for it but to tackle it.

It wasn't too bad, by that I mean I was gasping for air like a fish out of water, but I knew I was going to make it to the top. I kept the rpms around 80 and just tried not to look too far ahead. I find that it's easier for me to keep myself unaware of how much further I have to go, otherwise I start to psych myself out.

After cruising the downhill, trying to stop sucking wind, we reached the stop light at Sandy's beach and turned right to head up to Hanauma Bay. Going up the hills here was actually kind of fun. It's up and down with lots of turns to keep your mind occupied. It's not until the long straight uphill in front of the rifle range that it gets hard.

So we all rendezous at the top of the hill in front of Hanauma Bay, and then down the hill we go. I've never done 35 miles and hour before, but it was FUN! Even with my sunglasses on, the wind was so strong that my eyes were tearing up. It looked like I was crying coming down the hill. The rest of the ride was doing some back roads and heading home with a tail wind.

The ride took about 2 hours which is unusually short for this group, but it's because there was a bike wash planned for after. The coach brought simple green, soap, sponges, rags, and oil and showed us what to do.

It starts with wetting the bike down and then spraying simple green all over the place except on the gear cog (is that the right word?). They say the simple green can get inside and rust out the ball bearings, so while you can do a short spray on the cog from straight on, don't cover it in the stuff.

Then you stick a sponge in soapy water and wrap it around the chain while you turn the pedal backwards to get the chain clean. After this, you take off the tires and flip the bike over. Basically, scrub everything you can reach on the bike and the tires and then rinse. Repeat until you're happy.

Once that's done, dry everything off and oil up the chain, cogs, pedal clips, and anything else that gets friction or moves. That's the gist of it. I'm really happy they showed us this, because my bike was absolutely filthy. I just wish this was covered at the beginning of the clinic.