(Sunday ChitChat) I smashed the challenge!

As if by magic, I’ve landed in fourth place in the top ten of women who have dared to climb at full speed that killer little hill near my home: the segment that appears on Strava as Climb Carril de Boyeros a 100.

Done! 😎

Do you remember Hunyaris? She was crowned Queen of the Mountain there with 33 seconds. I even wrote a post about it, where I set out and visualised my intention of one day joining that elite group of ten brave and powerful cyclists.

_{The women’s leaderboard}

_{Quickest times and the Local Legend badge}

That was on 27 December last year.

_{Those were my exact words in that post}

I’m 45, and I’ll be adding another year before this month is over. (I’m basically vintage already)

All the women up there achieved those times being 15 or 20 years younger than me. So when I saw the Strava notification, I felt like a goddess. Even more so because, by the time I pulled off that feat, I already had 30 km in my legs under a merciless sun.

Who would have imagined I’d be able to do that climb in 39 seconds, after everything… Honestly, I can hardly believe it myself. 😂🤪

I had previously managed 52 seconds there and nearly left a year’s worth of sighs along the way. From 52 to 39 seconds is a real milestone, don’t you think?

I don’t know how effective my rides have actually been in improving my fitness after setting myself that challenge, because I’ve only tried twice, if I remember correctly, to beat my own time (52 seconds). On the second attempt, the miracle happened. I could even have got a better time, but you should have seen it: a lorry full of men who ended up applauding me when they saw me reach the top… I raised my arms as if I’d won the Tour de France 😂. I almost felt like Pauline Ferrand‑Prévot! And two cars got in my way before finishing the segment. Plus, on the descent, with the river on the right, a small truck had broken down and I had to brake and dodge it on the right. Its doors were even open…

Still, when I slowed down, I knew I had made it into the top ten, because I saw it on my bike computer. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My breathing was fast, but I wasn’t dying. In fact, I felt great.

So… conclusion... this week’s prompt!

Do you think of Hive while cycling? Share whatever you can about it. After all, we are members of this blockchain and content creators, which is always a challenge even for those who have been around for a while and are used to it. There are also thoughts about the future of the chain — what we learn from others, what bothers us, what makes us better and more resilient… in short, one can wander quite a lot on the subject! Haha…

Yes, I do think of Hive when I’m on the bike. Among all my thoughts, Hive is there — and so are you, accompanying me, whether silently, with a thumbs up, or leaving a small comment. In life, you only need a clear idea and the courage to go for it. Nothing is impossible.

So I might set myself another little challenge on this segment…

😅

What will it be?

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