This isn't at all in step with my typical content, but it moved me so much that I felt the need to share.
I couldn't agree more with the position the speaker takes in these videos.
This is not funny or light hearted, so if you want that, then scroll to another posting, and come back to this one when you are in the mood to be contemplative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8B1nKGIAeg
God forgive us for not fighting harder.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
4X
If you look back at my posting from Jan. 16 this year on Goals, you will see near the end, that one of them was to summit Mt. Diablo 4 times in 1 day.
Did it.
6/20/09
8.5 hours - including water stops and 15 minute lunch.
95 miles.
13,500' elevation gain.
Several thousand calories.
Re-defined tan lines.
After 3 trial runs... An AWESOME 4th descent with a tail wind. Possibly my fastest ever.
Vince accompanied me for 2.5 of them, and urged me finish the last 1.5 solo, as it wasn't his day. He met me at the midway ranger station on his way down from 3 - on my way up to the 4th. Vince called it a day after 3 - having only intended to ride 2 when we left in the morning. He was an invaluable partner throughout the day, keeping me from blowing it all on the first 2 passes - as would be my inclination. He's completed 4 passes in the past, and I suspect that influenced this decision.
I sit here now a little sore, but have most certainly felt worse. Bec is even now reminding me of how my first time up the mountain - approx. 2 years ago - left me moaning in bed. It is possible the moaning was more a ruse to invoke sympathy, and some TLC... (This ploy would not be unprecedented.)
This ride has definitely been a boost to move me toward mental preparedness for the Death Ride - less than 3 weeks away.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Long Rambling Account of a Bizarre Ride & The Thumb
I rode home from work on Monday. It was eventful and punctuated by the atypical.
I should have hung it back up on Sunday night, when I pulled the bike from the shed and realized what I had been suspecting. The rear tire had a slow leak.
I replaced the tube just before heading out from the office monday afternoon, on a route designed to provide much climbing. Still training for the Death Ride in July, I've been abusing my quads, glutes, and cardio on as many hills as will fit in to each ride. The last few Sunday mornings (the most recent excepted) I've been venturing up Mt. Diablo at 5 am before church, since the Monday / Tuesday "commute" rides had been preempted by various domestic necessities.
Monday 6/08/09 promised a splendidly hilly commute including San Pablo Dam Rd., Wildcat Canyon up to Tilden Park, South Park - twice, Bear Creek Rd, Happy Valley Rd, and then Pleasant Hill Rd.
Weather was pleasant as I left the office in shorts and sleeveless jersey, but turned very windy as I passed San Pablo Reservoir, and then cold and foggy climbing up into Tilden. The wind on the dam road was intense and completely unpredictable - nearly lifting you out of the saddle one minute, then slamming into you with a head wind or gale crosswind the next. The wind was blocked on the climb toward Berkeley into Tilden, but returned near the top now escorted by icy wisps of coastal fog. (That's partly why I rode South Park twice. I was so cold by the time I had ridden around the top of the park, that when I circled back past the bottom of the climb, I went back up just to warm up.)
I descended back out of the fog and crossed San Pablo Dam Rd. for a warmer climb up Bear Creek Rd, then descended to a right turn on Happy Valley Rd. By this time I had begun to forget about my thumb.
I can hear a collective groan from all of my local friends.
Sorry, gotta put it in.
The thumb happened. It affected my cycling. It gets in the blog.
The primary reason I didn't ride up Diablo this most recent Sunday morning was that my thumb was still rather sore, and I couldn't bring myself to put it under that kind of stress.
"Why was it sore?" you ask...
You will be sorry you asked.
You see...
I was driving home on I80 just south of Fairfield, CA when I saw an unlucky Fido recently struck on the highway. A few cars swerved until finally the entire highway came to a stop to watch a lady hazard across the to extract the poor animal. Fido wasn't dead. He wasn't going anywhere on his own, but was most certainly cognizant of his surroundings. He managed a half hearted nip at his rescuer, taking her by surprise, and prompting a plea for assistance. I should have left well enough alone, but of course I didn't. I left my truck and crossed 2 lanes to hoist Fido into the kind lady's SUV. I should have left well enough alone.
Fido wasn't dead, but after he chewed on my thumb I considered finishing him off. I, the kind lady, and several others now present looked on with curious concern as my thumb began to leak onto the highway. I realized quickly that I had made a STUPID mistake, and should have left well enough alone. I stayed around long enough to hear someone say something about a muzzle, thought - wow that sounds like a good idea, and then took off. Fortunately I was first in the right hand line of stopped cars. I made an unceremonious departure, drove 1 mile, and took the next exit as the world was closing in around me. I managed to ease onto a gravel shoulder along the ramp and stick my head as close to the floor of my truck as I could get it. All the blood in my body was checking out the new exit, and ignoring brain cells.
I had my wife on the phone by then to monitor my existence. I told her that if I stopped groaning, she should come up and get me. Wow did it hurt. Fido had tried to EAT my thumb. Not just a bite - he nearly digested it. (At the bottom of this post are pictures of the thumb after healing for most of a week. View at your own risk.)
I managed to drive home after idling for nearly 20 minutes and downing more than the recommended dosage of Ibuprofen. We decided I would survive. Ella, always the perceptive one, immediately went to work in her own creative way. Zoom in on the picture and read her sign.
All of that to say - my thumb was still hurting on Monday afternoon when I started out and it did affect my performance - especially the jarring downhills and requisite braking.
So where was I?
...Happy Valley Rd, approaching Lafayette.
I skirted Lafayette and started toward what was to be the last real climb up Reliez Valley Rd.
Flatted. Back tire. Soon the thumb was hurting again, as it really takes 2 to get a tire off the rim.
I patched the flat, rode 100 yards and found myself riding on the rim again.
Put the slow leak tube back on the bike.
Somewhere during the repairs I managed to reset my bike computer and lost all of the data for the ride. I have no idea how far I rode- 50? - 60 miles? At home it showed just over 10. The ride was getting interesting at least, though I had nothing to prove the previous 4 hours other than a hole in a brand new inner tube and some new discoloration to my gloves. (Details excluded)
The planned route was abandoned for a more direct path, and Pleasant Hill Rd from Lafayette was summited on a slowly deflating tube. The tire's pressure was verified near the top of the climb.
Half way down the extremely fast north side I noted the computer reading a speed of over 50 mph. I really wasn't even trying. Hmmm? I had intentionally cautioned myself to take it easy on this descent, because of the obvious. Hmmmm? All caution flew to the tail wind, however, at the realization that I was flat flying. I succumbed to the testosterone and laid into the pedals, surpassing my previous all-time top speed of 54 mph.
The little numbers at the bottom of the computer showed a new top speed of 55 mph. Yes, I took this picture at 32.5 mph. I needed proof before it reset again. It was long, straight and downhill, with a wide clean shoulder. (Not that any of that will satisfy my wife or mother.)
So now I think I've rambled on enough.
The ride ended uneventfully - ahead of schedule.
I was ready to soak in a hot shower anyway.
And if you really want to see the thumb...
Scroll down. It actually doesn't look too bad after a week of healing, and the sausage look is greatly diminished.
I should have hung it back up on Sunday night, when I pulled the bike from the shed and realized what I had been suspecting. The rear tire had a slow leak.
I replaced the tube just before heading out from the office monday afternoon, on a route designed to provide much climbing. Still training for the Death Ride in July, I've been abusing my quads, glutes, and cardio on as many hills as will fit in to each ride. The last few Sunday mornings (the most recent excepted) I've been venturing up Mt. Diablo at 5 am before church, since the Monday / Tuesday "commute" rides had been preempted by various domestic necessities.
Monday 6/08/09 promised a splendidly hilly commute including San Pablo Dam Rd., Wildcat Canyon up to Tilden Park, South Park - twice, Bear Creek Rd, Happy Valley Rd, and then Pleasant Hill Rd.
Weather was pleasant as I left the office in shorts and sleeveless jersey, but turned very windy as I passed San Pablo Reservoir, and then cold and foggy climbing up into Tilden. The wind on the dam road was intense and completely unpredictable - nearly lifting you out of the saddle one minute, then slamming into you with a head wind or gale crosswind the next. The wind was blocked on the climb toward Berkeley into Tilden, but returned near the top now escorted by icy wisps of coastal fog. (That's partly why I rode South Park twice. I was so cold by the time I had ridden around the top of the park, that when I circled back past the bottom of the climb, I went back up just to warm up.)
I descended back out of the fog and crossed San Pablo Dam Rd. for a warmer climb up Bear Creek Rd, then descended to a right turn on Happy Valley Rd. By this time I had begun to forget about my thumb.
I can hear a collective groan from all of my local friends.
Sorry, gotta put it in.
The thumb happened. It affected my cycling. It gets in the blog.
The primary reason I didn't ride up Diablo this most recent Sunday morning was that my thumb was still rather sore, and I couldn't bring myself to put it under that kind of stress.
"Why was it sore?" you ask...
You will be sorry you asked.
You see...
I was driving home on I80 just south of Fairfield, CA when I saw an unlucky Fido recently struck on the highway. A few cars swerved until finally the entire highway came to a stop to watch a lady hazard across the to extract the poor animal. Fido wasn't dead. He wasn't going anywhere on his own, but was most certainly cognizant of his surroundings. He managed a half hearted nip at his rescuer, taking her by surprise, and prompting a plea for assistance. I should have left well enough alone, but of course I didn't. I left my truck and crossed 2 lanes to hoist Fido into the kind lady's SUV. I should have left well enough alone.
Fido wasn't dead, but after he chewed on my thumb I considered finishing him off. I, the kind lady, and several others now present looked on with curious concern as my thumb began to leak onto the highway. I realized quickly that I had made a STUPID mistake, and should have left well enough alone. I stayed around long enough to hear someone say something about a muzzle, thought - wow that sounds like a good idea, and then took off. Fortunately I was first in the right hand line of stopped cars. I made an unceremonious departure, drove 1 mile, and took the next exit as the world was closing in around me. I managed to ease onto a gravel shoulder along the ramp and stick my head as close to the floor of my truck as I could get it. All the blood in my body was checking out the new exit, and ignoring brain cells.
I had my wife on the phone by then to monitor my existence. I told her that if I stopped groaning, she should come up and get me. Wow did it hurt. Fido had tried to EAT my thumb. Not just a bite - he nearly digested it. (At the bottom of this post are pictures of the thumb after healing for most of a week. View at your own risk.)
I managed to drive home after idling for nearly 20 minutes and downing more than the recommended dosage of Ibuprofen. We decided I would survive. Ella, always the perceptive one, immediately went to work in her own creative way. Zoom in on the picture and read her sign.
All of that to say - my thumb was still hurting on Monday afternoon when I started out and it did affect my performance - especially the jarring downhills and requisite braking.
So where was I?
...Happy Valley Rd, approaching Lafayette.
I skirted Lafayette and started toward what was to be the last real climb up Reliez Valley Rd.
Flatted. Back tire. Soon the thumb was hurting again, as it really takes 2 to get a tire off the rim.
I patched the flat, rode 100 yards and found myself riding on the rim again.
Put the slow leak tube back on the bike.
Somewhere during the repairs I managed to reset my bike computer and lost all of the data for the ride. I have no idea how far I rode- 50? - 60 miles? At home it showed just over 10. The ride was getting interesting at least, though I had nothing to prove the previous 4 hours other than a hole in a brand new inner tube and some new discoloration to my gloves. (Details excluded)
The planned route was abandoned for a more direct path, and Pleasant Hill Rd from Lafayette was summited on a slowly deflating tube. The tire's pressure was verified near the top of the climb.
Half way down the extremely fast north side I noted the computer reading a speed of over 50 mph. I really wasn't even trying. Hmmm? I had intentionally cautioned myself to take it easy on this descent, because of the obvious. Hmmmm? All caution flew to the tail wind, however, at the realization that I was flat flying. I succumbed to the testosterone and laid into the pedals, surpassing my previous all-time top speed of 54 mph.
The little numbers at the bottom of the computer showed a new top speed of 55 mph. Yes, I took this picture at 32.5 mph. I needed proof before it reset again. It was long, straight and downhill, with a wide clean shoulder. (Not that any of that will satisfy my wife or mother.)So now I think I've rambled on enough.
The ride ended uneventfully - ahead of schedule.
I was ready to soak in a hot shower anyway.
And if you really want to see the thumb...
Scroll down. It actually doesn't look too bad after a week of healing, and the sausage look is greatly diminished.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday Morning - Squeezing In Rides Where I Can
Left the house at 5:00 am on the road bike - with lights.
Weather was less than ideal with fog spilling over the valley all night keeping temps in the low 50's at best.
Traffic through the valley was superb - otherwise known as - nonexistent.
Winds were stiff out of the south visibly whipping the fog past me as I climbed through 1000' on the north side of Mt. Diablo. The 2000' marker - nearly slipped past unnoticed, obscured by a vast wet blanket.
The North Gates had been closed at the bottom of the climb, so I skirted by, close to the sign stating that they wouldn't open till 8:00 am. I basked in the solitude, ever wary of the same. A climb to the very top seemed unwise now, since a spill could leave me rather cold and lonely for several hours. My plans changed over the next few miles, and I established an alternate route, that sent me down to the South Gate - avoiding the final climb to the peak.
I was completely alone for the nearly 7 miles to the ranger station and turn toward the South Gate. Not one suicidal ground squirrel scampered across my path.
The South Gate descent was brutal, exposing the wisdom of avoiding the summit. I was nearly blind in the fog and frozen within minutes.
I passed 3 separate adventurers cycling up the other side, and one other on foot. It was now getting light, and late.
8:00 am in the shower was the original goal, but the detour ended up extending that by 10 minutes.
Made it to church by 9:00 am.
Probably should have stretched a little more prior to sitting for an hour.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Energy Bars
I figured I would share the secret recipe that we found online.
We (My Wife) make our own energy bars for my many extended length adventures on the bikes.
We have yet to do the cost analysis to verify this supposition, but, I firmly believe that we save a HUGE amount of money by making these ourselves. Find the recipe below.
- 4.5 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup flour
- 1 t baking soda
- 1 t cinnamon
- 1 t vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup butter - softened
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup choco chips
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds.
Mix first 4 ingredients first.
Add next 4 and beat with mixer.
Add rest, dump into "lightly greased" 9x15 pan, bake 20 - 25 mins or till golden brown.
Makes approx. 24 reasonably sized bars which we (My Wife) cover with plastic wrap for easy access on the fly.
We (Me) did the math and established that each of the 24 bars has approx. 235 calories each.
Not bad in comparison to other available energy bars out there.
If you are at all familiar with the other options for compact energy replenishment, you will know that taste, texture and chewability (new word) definitely take a back seat to shelf life and calorie capacity. I'm sure there has been exhaustive market research done to determine the viability of the many similar available products, but I have to believe that the corporate decision makers for the manufacturers don't consume their own products. I've tried various assortments, and have been rather disappointed. Hence the search for the cost effective, digestible, and palitable alternative.
The biggest problem that I can see to marketing our little secret is shelf life. Ours hang out in the freezer. Not sure if that's a marketable concept.
No matter - they work for us. And as long as I'm not gasping my way up a long hill, they go down pretty easily.
(Tip: Don't inhale the little crumbs)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
WCC - Completely SOAKED
Saturday May 2 - 2009
Wine Country Century - 200 Kilometers.
It never crossed my mind that it might rain.
It didn't. It poured.
For several weeks we have been training with this ride specifically in mind. Known only as a moderately hard ride, it hasn't exactly dominated our lives or changed lifestyles. But paying over $50 to register, tends to make one want to at least make it to the lunch stop.
Within the week prior to the ride the weather report started literally casting shadows on the event. I would check the weather several times a day, starting on Wednesday, and by Friday afternoon it was getting harder and harder to find a weather report that my optimism could cling to. My companions (Vince, Kevin, Milt, and Dick) had begun jesting about cutting the ride short and settling for the 100 mile course or worse yet the 100 kilometer. I clung to the 200k threatening to ride it alone. It didn't seem to bother them
Friday it poured rain. By Saturday morning the first blast of the storm had saturated the Bay Area and the clouds were hanging ominously at around 1000'. The air was thick. But it wasn't raining. We said good by to Bec and Ella (who would spend the day with friends in Santa Rosa) around 7:00 am and started the ride not even needing the rain gear.
I was prepared to compose my perspective of the day's events. But before I was able to sit down, Milt sent the email seen below. He must have had far more energy left over on Saturday night than I did. So, with some of my own editorial comments embedded, here is Saturday's ride...
Dick, Vince, Me, Milt, Kevin
Sent From Milt at 10:23 PM, Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wine Country Century - 200 Kilometers.
It never crossed my mind that it might rain.
It didn't. It poured.
For several weeks we have been training with this ride specifically in mind. Known only as a moderately hard ride, it hasn't exactly dominated our lives or changed lifestyles. But paying over $50 to register, tends to make one want to at least make it to the lunch stop.
Within the week prior to the ride the weather report started literally casting shadows on the event. I would check the weather several times a day, starting on Wednesday, and by Friday afternoon it was getting harder and harder to find a weather report that my optimism could cling to. My companions (Vince, Kevin, Milt, and Dick) had begun jesting about cutting the ride short and settling for the 100 mile course or worse yet the 100 kilometer. I clung to the 200k threatening to ride it alone. It didn't seem to bother them
Friday it poured rain. By Saturday morning the first blast of the storm had saturated the Bay Area and the clouds were hanging ominously at around 1000'. The air was thick. But it wasn't raining. We said good by to Bec and Ella (who would spend the day with friends in Santa Rosa) around 7:00 am and started the ride not even needing the rain gear.
I was prepared to compose my perspective of the day's events. But before I was able to sit down, Milt sent the email seen below. He must have had far more energy left over on Saturday night than I did. So, with some of my own editorial comments embedded, here is Saturday's ride...
Dick, Vince, Me, Milt, KevinSent From Milt at 10:23 PM, Saturday, May 2, 2009
Hi All,
This is kind of long, so be warned....
Wellllllllllll, today's ride was great. It wasn't without it's trying moments, but it was a lot of fun just the same. I have to come clean with Vince, Scott and Dick though. I don't know about Kevin, but I only rode 111.?? miles today. I skipped the lunch stop and headed for the finish. Vince and Scott rode ESI (Every Single Inch) for 124 miles. By chance and misfortune ( for Vince) I found myself about 25miles ahead of Vince at the end of the day. I couldn't help it. When he asked I just told him I rode the whole thing. In fact I told him I got lost, and even rode extra miles :)) Soooooo here's the real story of a great ride. (Scott: Milt, I would have believed you, but boy I didn't think we had lost THAT much time working on the flat tires. I figure we lost an hour.)
We almost left my house on time this morning at 5am. After loading my new 4runner ( actually it's 9 years old ) with all the bikes, gear , and riders, for it's maiden trip. It wouldn't start. I now have a new pet name for it."Titanic". We quickly unpacked everything and loaded it into Kevin's trusty Ford 60000 Diesel and left for Santa Rosa at 5:20am. When we got there the parking lot was almost empty. Despite our late arrival, we were able to park very close to check in. We checked in under cloudy skies then walked back to the truck to put our gear together. Still no rain, and the temp was in the high 50s - low 60s. I remember telling Kevin I thought we'd get rained on because it was just too warm...
7:30am... We were off. (Scott: It was actually 7:00)
Light wind, still no rain, things were looking great. Then, about 10 miles into the ride we made a sharp left turn, and as I was coming out of the turn I could hear the sound of metal grinding across the pavement. Kevin was down, and he was in a group of about five other riders, including Vince and Scott. Turned out Kevin swerved wide to miss a metal grate, and his front wheel slid across some loose gravel. Vince narrowly missed rolling over Kevin's head and some how managed to keep his bike right side up. True to form, Kevin quickly got up, gave his bike a quick once over, and got back on the bike and promptly dropped everyone. We didn't catch Kevin for about 30 minutes. Vince thought Kevin was just working off the adrenalin, I think Kevin just didn't want any of us to see him cry:))
We rode over Grayton road, and as we did the rain came. Grayton Road is also where some of us would be tested.
Look Mom - No hands!!
Vince (in blue) Coming to the Top of Grayton Rd.
Light wind, still no rain, things were looking great. Then, about 10 miles into the ride we made a sharp left turn, and as I was coming out of the turn I could hear the sound of metal grinding across the pavement. Kevin was down, and he was in a group of about five other riders, including Vince and Scott. Turned out Kevin swerved wide to miss a metal grate, and his front wheel slid across some loose gravel. Vince narrowly missed rolling over Kevin's head and some how managed to keep his bike right side up. True to form, Kevin quickly got up, gave his bike a quick once over, and got back on the bike and promptly dropped everyone. We didn't catch Kevin for about 30 minutes. Vince thought Kevin was just working off the adrenalin, I think Kevin just didn't want any of us to see him cry:))
We rode over Grayton road, and as we did the rain came. Grayton Road is also where some of us would be tested.
Look Mom - No hands!!
Vince (in blue) Coming to the Top of Grayton Rd.
At the top of the first climb we became separated. Vince, Scott, and Dick, being the studly ones, rode over the bonus hill into Occidental. Kevin and I stayed on Grayton Rd figuring we would need a little edge to complete the Coleman Valley Rd climb with Vince and the gang. Did I say it had started raining?.... Kevin and I stayed together for the Coleman climb and when we reached the rest stop at the top we waited ( in the rain ) for Vince and Scott. After 15 minutes we left, thinking they would catch us along the coast. What we didn't know is that Vince would suffer two flat tires ( in the rain ) along that stretch, and his group would fall farther back.
Kevin and I descended Coleman Valley road in heavy rain. I can't ever remember using my brakes so much on any descent. The wheels stayed wet no matter how much water you scrubbed off by applying the brakes. It could take a couple of hundred feet to stop the bike while riding as slow as 20mph. Every time I rolled over a cattle grate I was worried I might drop the bike. (Scott: There were at least a half dozen of these - slick as ice. One rider went down just seconds behind us on the first one of the actual descent.) On the way down Coleman I stopped to put on my glove liners and Kevin pulled ahead, not to be seen until we reached Monte Rio.
Bottom of Coleman - Still alive, soaked, and now wearing the wind breaker
Kevin and I descended Coleman Valley road in heavy rain. I can't ever remember using my brakes so much on any descent. The wheels stayed wet no matter how much water you scrubbed off by applying the brakes. It could take a couple of hundred feet to stop the bike while riding as slow as 20mph. Every time I rolled over a cattle grate I was worried I might drop the bike. (Scott: There were at least a half dozen of these - slick as ice. One rider went down just seconds behind us on the first one of the actual descent.) On the way down Coleman I stopped to put on my glove liners and Kevin pulled ahead, not to be seen until we reached Monte Rio.
Bottom of Coleman - Still alive, soaked, and now wearing the wind breaker Once on the coast highway it wasn't quite as cold, and we did have a tail wind while we rode in the rain. I reached River road in about 30 minutes and headed for the second rest stop. The Russian River area is mighty nice, and the ride into Monte Rio was uneventful. At the second rest stop I rejoined Kevin and we filled our water bottles. We hung out a while waiting for Vince and the gang who never showed. By now we figured they somehow were in front of us, so we started to push a little. We rode through Gurneville, in the rain, and over the hill to Whorten Bridge where the next rest stop was. We didn't wait all that long now because we were sure everyone was ahead of us. We rode across Dry Creek Road in the heavy rain" with a mission", and skipped the lunch stop in a effort to catch up with Vince, Scott , and Dick. Then it happened again... Another left had turn, and when Kevin came up behind me he touched my wheel for just a moment.... Luckily, he saved himself at the last second. (Scott: I'm hearing differing reports of this. Some are saying that he actually cleaned another section of pavement. Hmm??)
What we didn't know is that Vince would have three flats for the day, and replaced a tire.
Vince flatted immediately upon leaving the Whorten Bridge rest stop. Good timing at least.
They were about 90 minutes back. Kevin and I continued to push ( in the rain ) as best we could. The final 30 miles was into a light but steady head wind, and it rained very hard at times. After the Whorten Bridge rest stop, Kevin and I rode the final 60 miles in without stopping. We just wanted it to be finished. I don't know about the others, but I rode for 5 hours today without being able to feel my feet. (Scott: Vince started complaining about numb toes about an hour in, and never got them back till 5:00 at the finish, 9 hours later - Mine came and went) At the end of the ride we found that Dick experienced knee trouble, and had found a quick way back to the truck. Vince and Scott came in late in the day, but looked like a million bucks despite having lots of road trouble.
Did I say we rode A LOT in the rain today ? It was a blast... maybe one of the best rides ever... my feet are warm, and I'm not riding in the morning ....LIFE IS GOOD.
Take Care, Milt.
And so there you have it.
Vince flatted immediately upon leaving the Whorten Bridge rest stop. Good timing at least.They were about 90 minutes back. Kevin and I continued to push ( in the rain ) as best we could. The final 30 miles was into a light but steady head wind, and it rained very hard at times. After the Whorten Bridge rest stop, Kevin and I rode the final 60 miles in without stopping. We just wanted it to be finished. I don't know about the others, but I rode for 5 hours today without being able to feel my feet. (Scott: Vince started complaining about numb toes about an hour in, and never got them back till 5:00 at the finish, 9 hours later - Mine came and went) At the end of the ride we found that Dick experienced knee trouble, and had found a quick way back to the truck. Vince and Scott came in late in the day, but looked like a million bucks despite having lots of road trouble.
Did I say we rode A LOT in the rain today ? It was a blast... maybe one of the best rides ever... my feet are warm, and I'm not riding in the morning ....LIFE IS GOOD.
Take Care, Milt.
And so there you have it.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
1 Week till the Wine Country Century - 75.8 Miles
Rode on Saturday with Vince, Milt, and Mickey.
Talked a lot about next weekend's Wine Country Century.
Still a little sore from my 20+ mile mountain bike ride home from work on Thursday (including a stop for a quick 5 mile run in Briones), and then return on Friday with the road bike.
Took it rather easy at the onset.
Stayed with Milt and Mickey for a while, and then left them just before Bear Creek Rd.
Waited at San Pablo Dam Rd. where we finally left them for good.
They finished a loop back through Orinda and Lafayette, while Vince and I explored a new route to the top of the Oakland Ridge. 100 yards or so on a singular stretch of dirt road concerned me, but not as much as the abrupt climbs in the next couple of miles. Very steep.
Wind breaker on. Wind breaker off. ...all along the Oakland ridge. We would descend long enough to need it, put it on, and then sweat up the next climb. Once we came out of the hills, we were able to stash them for good.
We followed basically the same route as my century last week, but skipped the mountain to get home on time.
Led a spectacular tail wind from San Ramone to home. No complaints.
Total of 75.8 miles.
Talked a lot about next weekend's Wine Country Century.
Still a little sore from my 20+ mile mountain bike ride home from work on Thursday (including a stop for a quick 5 mile run in Briones), and then return on Friday with the road bike.
Took it rather easy at the onset.
Stayed with Milt and Mickey for a while, and then left them just before Bear Creek Rd.
Waited at San Pablo Dam Rd. where we finally left them for good.
They finished a loop back through Orinda and Lafayette, while Vince and I explored a new route to the top of the Oakland Ridge. 100 yards or so on a singular stretch of dirt road concerned me, but not as much as the abrupt climbs in the next couple of miles. Very steep.
Wind breaker on. Wind breaker off. ...all along the Oakland ridge. We would descend long enough to need it, put it on, and then sweat up the next climb. Once we came out of the hills, we were able to stash them for good.
We followed basically the same route as my century last week, but skipped the mountain to get home on time.
Led a spectacular tail wind from San Ramone to home. No complaints.
Total of 75.8 miles.
Monday, April 20, 2009
100 Solo
1 large Whole Grain Bagel - 1 oz Neufchatel Cheese.
1 cup Grape Nuts cereal
1 chopped banana - in noted cereal.
1.5 cups Starbucks Italian Roast Coffee.
4 homemade energy bars - designed, created, and wrapped by my wife.
2 bottles of Cytomax mixed a little too strong.
...Fuel for Saturday's 100.5 mile road ride.
The Course was not new. From Martinez, a slow climb to Pig Farm Hill and then the rolling hills of Bear Creek Rd, up into Tilden and abruptly up South Park Rd.
(I got a "good luck!" from a passing motorist as I began my climb up South Park. If I wasn't already intimate with this climb, I would have certainly begun having second thoughts about the relationship.)
Photo from my phone looking West over Oakland and SF Bay.Taken from Skyline Blvd.
From SP the route goes south through the Berkeley and Oakland hills to Castro Valley, and then back to the Diablo valley through Crow Canyon.
I was hoping for an unseasonal "off shore flow" meaning that the warm air, assisted by a stiff breeze, would be coming from the east out of the central valley. Alas, this was not the case, though warm indeed. Head wind all the way to the foot of Mt. Diablo, and I failed at meteorology again. I did pick up a draft along this stretch though. A older gentleman caught me at a stop light, and I agreed to slow my pace, so that we could trade off drafting for a few miles, saving us both considerable energy.
I had determined early on, that riding Diablo was not optional - I would at least see the Ranger Station. I relegated the summit to an option, but after consuming the last of the energy bars, turned from the Ranger Station and ascended the last 4.5 miles.
Actually I went about 4.25 miles. The final 1/8 of a mile is an 18% death march. I had been seriously contemplating stopping short even as I approached the mountain - nearly 70 miles into the ride. Within a 1/4 mile of the top, an unbelievably obnoxious swarm of tiny flies made the decision for me. They literally covered my arms as fast as I could sweep them off. Ears. Nose. Forget it.
I was spitting bugs for a mile.
(No not like that - I can only spit about 10', and that's with a tail wind.)
I descended fast.
Not my fastest descent, as I did a lot of stretching and sitting up on the straights, but I felt very sharp on the corners, and managed to pass quite a few cyclists.
Got passed myself for the first time on the descent. He's lucky I had to keep stretching. Passed me on the flats at the bottom, where I reigned in with a long back stretch till he slid by, and then I basked in his draft till we hit some rollers. I don't think he was 85 miles into his ride.
OK, so in conclusion, full disclosure requires that I report...
I was passed by a girl on the way up. There were 3 other guys that passed me too, but the girl...
There are so many reasons why... And believe me, I rehearsed them all within the milliseconds after noticing the obvious. It would be pointless to list them here, since you would file them all under the label "excuse" any way - with the exception of the one reason, that I have settled upon. Though fatigued by many miles of riding; a far inferior bike; with no professional training (like she must have had); and weighing dozens of pounds more; I, was only passed for this one reason:
[Consider inserting photo here]
I don't shave my legs.
I'll never let this happen again.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Writing Not Riding
I am sitting at my laptop with my phone, credit card and driver's license in a plastic ziplock bag. I've been waiting an hour for the rain to let up so that I can get on my bike and ride to the regularly scheduled Tuesday Hike / Run event. My plan was to leave 2 hours early and ride the mountain bike as a training ride. The rain has gone from steady, to torrential with thunder and lightning. The thunder and lightning is actually pretty cool, since we almost never get it here in the SF Bay Area. However, I just got a call from Vince pulling out of the run, leaving me with a decision. So here I sit all dressed up with nowhere to go. I went out and took these pictures so I would have something to put in this post.
4 hours later...
Never mind, we went.
When the thunderstorm blew over, we decided to dodge rain drops and give it a go.
I changed plans on Pastor - who was going to come and pace us on his bike - a few times via text message...
Me (3:16 PM):
Don't necessarily have to bring your bike.
Mine will be there and you could ride it.
I plan to ride to the hike - rain or shine.
Me (3:17 PM):
Vince is looking at closer to 5, so don't wait too long or you may need your bike to catch up.
Me (4:23 PM):
Vince bailed out. (legit Swintonism - I just realized the play on words)
It is POURING!!!! And lightning.
May just wish I was riding instead.
Me (4:45 PM):
Nevermind we're going.
Yeah we're fickle.
Snow, Brent (4:47 PM):
ok ill see u there
So yeah he was there a little late and had to catch up - Not that it was all that hard for him. We ran the 7 miles and he rode it. We still got wet, 'cause the rain wasn't really gone.
Bec opted out of today's adventure. No complaints here, because I'm now dry, showered, and fed: Bean burritos, and chicken stuff (not sure what it's called - but sure is great to have waiting for you after riding and running in the rain).
4 hours later...
Never mind, we went.
When the thunderstorm blew over, we decided to dodge rain drops and give it a go.
I changed plans on Pastor - who was going to come and pace us on his bike - a few times via text message...
Me (3:16 PM):
Don't necessarily have to bring your bike.
Mine will be there and you could ride it.
I plan to ride to the hike - rain or shine.
Me (3:17 PM):
Vince is looking at closer to 5, so don't wait too long or you may need your bike to catch up.
Me (4:23 PM):
Vince bailed out. (legit Swintonism - I just realized the play on words)
It is POURING!!!! And lightning.
May just wish I was riding instead.
Me (4:45 PM):
Nevermind we're going.
Yeah we're fickle.
Snow, Brent (4:47 PM):
ok ill see u there
So yeah he was there a little late and had to catch up - Not that it was all that hard for him. We ran the 7 miles and he rode it. We still got wet, 'cause the rain wasn't really gone.
Bec opted out of today's adventure. No complaints here, because I'm now dry, showered, and fed: Bean burritos, and chicken stuff (not sure what it's called - but sure is great to have waiting for you after riding and running in the rain).
Sunday, April 5, 2009
The Rim Trail
As noted in the Biathalon post - the Lafayette Rim trail is a 5 mile hilly loop around the Lafayette Reservoir. There is a paved trail down at water level that makes the circuit in just under 3 miles, but the more adventurous brave the hills.
The map above is a track recorded by
a cool piece of software I downloaded to my Treo. It uses the built in GPS receiver on the phone to track my coordinates and altitude during any period of time that I tell it to run.The route is known for it's abrupt climb at around 2 miles. Locals refer to it as "Cardiac Hill," climbing over 250' in under a quarter mile. Basically, it needs steps cut into it. One of these days I'll post because I have run the route twice consecutively.
This picture was taken just before our "Biathlon Run"
I'm not cold - I'm just standing like that because...I don't know why.
Quit being so critical already.
We enjoy this spot because it offers a pace for everyone.
And...it has a HUGE playground for Ella at the end.
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