Nuestra primera vez... / Our first time...

Esta nueva historia comenzó el 25 de Febrero 2023 cuando empacamos maletas junto a las bicicletas y partimos a la ciudad de Caracas, el motivo del viaje fué nuestra participación en la novena edición de Gatorade Bici Rock la cual se ha convertido en la carrera de mayor convocatoria de ciclistas en Venezuela, se llevó a cabo el día domingo 26 de Febrero.

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This new story began on February 25, 2022, when we packed our bags and bikes and left for the city of Caracas, the reason for the trip was our participation in the ninth edition of Gatorade Bici Rock which has become the race with the largest participation of cyclists in Venezuela, it took place on Sunday, February 26th.

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De nuestro grupo participamos Claudia, Greisis y mi persona, nos fuimos un día antes para retirar el material y el número asignado en la inscripción, esta entrega se realizó en el centro comercial Sambil, llegamos justo a la hora que cerraban la actividad porque pasamos primero por el hotel a dejar las bicicletas y nos perdimos en la ciudad.

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Claudia, Greisis, and I participated in our group, we went a day before to pick up the material and the number assigned in the registration, this delivery was made in the Sambil shopping center, and we arrived just at the time they closed the activity because we went first by the hotel to leave the bikes and we got lost in the city.

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Luego de retirar el material, fuimos a comer, sabíamos que era importante consumir suficientes calorías para aguantar la carrera, aprovechamos también de comer helados (teníamos la excusa perfecta para almacenar energía). Estuvimos un rato en el centro comercial y nos devolvimos al hotel, mientras nos asignaban la habitación, nos percatamos que había un grupo de personas reunidas, luego nos enteramos que se trataba de un movimiento llamado "YO ELIJO LA LUZ" liderizado por Robert Vogu, cuya misión es la meditación colectiva para elevar la vibración energética de Venezuela.

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After removing the material, we went to eat, we knew it was important to consume enough calories to endure the race, and we also took the opportunity to eat ice cream (we had the perfect excuse to store energy). We were a while in the mall and we returned to the hotel, while we were assigned our room, we noticed that there was a group of people gathered, then we learned that it was a movement called "I CHOOSE THE LIGHT" led by Robert Vogu, whose mission is the collective meditation to raise the energy vibration of Venezuela.

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Subimos a la habitación a descansar "supuestamente" pero, Claudia con sus ocurrencias nos motivó a hacer un reels y otro juego divertido con copas, un rato relajante de bromas y risas. Dejamos todo listo para salir muy temprano del hotel, estábamos a 3 cuadras del punto de partida en la avenida principal de las Mercedes con Avenida New York. La hora de inicio estaba pautada para las 7 a.m. A nuestra categoría le correspondió el corral J.

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We went up to the room to rest "supposedly" but, Claudia with her witticisms motivated us to make reels and another fun game with drinks, a relaxing time of jokes and laughter. We left everything ready to leave very early from the hotel, we were 3 blocks away from the starting point on the main avenue of Las Mercedes with New York Avenue. The start time was scheduled for 7 a.m. Our category was the J.ction corral.

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En la espera para empezar la carrera, nos encontramos con ciclistas amigos de nuestra ciudad Maracay-Venezuela, en lo particular me sentía un poco ansiosa porque no conocía el recorrido, había escuchado muchos comentarios acerca de la "subida los Naranjos" que era bastante pronunciada...iba con expectativas que pronto quedaron develadas.

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While waiting to start the race, we met with cyclists friends from our city Maracay-Venezuela, in particular, I felt a little anxious because I did not know the route, I had heard many comments about the "Los Naranjos" climb that was quite steep ... I went with expectations that were soon unveiled.

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A las 7 a.m arrancó la competencia, en total fueron 19,5 kilómetros de los cuales 12 a paso controlado y 7,5 tramo competitivo, la primera parte del recorrido fué en plano sin mayores contratiempos. Al aproximarnos a la mencionada "subida de los Naranjos" alcé mi mirada para conocerla de frente, quedé sin aliento...respiré profundo, puse la velocidad requerida para montaña y sin pensarlo mucho empecé a subirla.

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At 7 a.m. the competition started, in total there were 19.5 kilometers of which 12 were at a controlled pace and 7.5 competitive sections, the first part of the route was flat without major setbacks. As we approached the aforementioned "ascent of the Naranjos" I looked up to meet her head on, I was out of breath ... I took a deep breath, put in the speed required for the mountain and without thinking much I started to climb it.

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Reduje al mínimo mi angulo de visión, ví como muchos ciclistas se bajaron de sus bicicletas para continuar caminando, eso ni siquiera lo contemplé, sólo tenía en mente pedalear hasta el final. A medida que avanzamos encontramos bandas de música tocando y bailando, puntos de hidratación y personas animando a los participantes.

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I reduced my angle of vision to the minimum, I saw how many cyclists got off their bikes to continue walking, I didn't even contemplate that, I only had in mind pedaling to the end. As we advanced we found music bands playing and dancing, hydration points, and people cheering the participants.

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Como comprenderán, desde que se inició la carrera hasta el final no hay registro fotográfico porque no hubo tiempo. La concentración era la clave al igual que la respiración y la cadencia. Los 7,5 kilómetros del tramo competitivo fué subida constante, a veces creía que faltaba pero la realidad era otra, continuaba pedaleando, no me paré ni a tomar agua.

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As you will understand, from the start of the race to the end there is no photographic record because there was no time. Concentration was the key as well as breathing and cadence. The 7.5 kilometers of the competitive section was a constant climb, sometimes I thought I was missing but the reality was different, I continued pedaling, and I did not stop even to drink water.

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No sabía nada de mis compañeras hasta que vi a Claudia pasar por mi lado y se adelantó, continué avanzando, ya estaba cerca de la meta, al poco tiempo llegué al colegio Claret en el alto Hatillo, donde finalizó la carrera. La alegría estaba presente en cada ciclista que logró el objetivo, la emoción nos embargó a Claudia y mi persona, esperamos a Greisis para celebrar juntas.

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I did not know anything about my teammates until I saw Claudia pass by my side and went ahead, I continued moving forward, I was already close to the finish line, and soon after I arrived at the Claret school in the upper Hatillo, where the race ended. The joy was present in every cyclist who achieved the goal, the emotion overwhelmed Claudia and me, we waited for Greisis to celebrate together.

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Al entrar al colegio nos colocaron las medallas por participar, también nos dieron frutas, agua y gatorade, en el patio se concentraron todos los participantes a la espera de la entrega de trofeos para quienes hicieron el mejor tiempo en cada categoría. De nuestro estado hubo varios ganadores, de los cuales nos sentimos orgullosas, especialmente de Claudeth, Yeselin y Nairobis.

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Upon entering the school we were given medals for participating, we were also given fruit, water, and Gatorade, and in the courtyard were concentrated all participants waiting for the delivery of trophies for those who made the best time in each category. There were several winners from our state, of whom we are proud, especially Claudeth, Yeselin, and Nairobis.

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Recorrimos un total de 33,4 kilómetros, cumplimos la meta propuesta, para Greisis y mi persona fué nuestra primera vez, Claudia desde que la hizo hace 3 años ha participado y disfrutado al máximo, ella fué quien nos animó a inscribirnos. Estos fueron los resultados:

Claudia: 1:03:36
Alix: 1:05:33
Greisis: 1:15:17

La medalla la tengo en un lugar visible para recordarme que la valentía es asumir riesgos a pesar del miedo, que lo desconocido guarda sorpresas agradables y que el cuerpo acompaña a lo que se desbloquea en el cerebro...hoy mas que nunca celebro la vida junto a personas extraordinarias.

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We covered a total of 33.4 kilometers, and we met the proposed goal, for Greisis and myself it was our first time, Claudia, since she did it 3 years ago, has participated and enjoyed it to the fullest, she was the one who encouraged us to sign up. These were the results:

Claudia: 1:03:36
Alix: 1:05:33
Greisis: 1:15:17

I have the medal in a visible place to remind me that courage is to take risks despite fear, that the unknown holds pleasant surprises, and that the body accompanies what is unlocked in the brain ... today more than ever I celebrate life with extraordinary people.

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Si has llegado hasta aquí apreciamos tu lectura.

If you have made it this far we appreciate your reading.

Todas las imágenes son propiedad de @aventurerasbike, el ingles no es nuestra lengua nativa, se ha usado la aplicación Deepl para la traducción.

All images are the property of @aventurerasbike, English is not our native language, so we have used the Deepl application for the translation.