(Long Distance) Ramblings

Woke up this morning to a clear sky!

Today's ride was very nice. We enjoyed clear blue skies, mild temperatures and a healthy wind out of the south.

I rode with Tom Tilque all day today. We brought up the rear (we were off the back) of a large group that left the red lot together. Soom, Tom and I dropped off of the back and slowly made our way to Silverton.

The Silveton Bakery is a special place. I ordered an Italian Quiche and a Latte. Both were very good.

The ride back took us into the wind more than the ride out so we slowed down a bit. I was feeling slow and tired anyway so the speed sutied me just fine. We rolled into Salem without ever seeing any rain which is unusual for this time of year!

This will be my last ride of the year. In 2002, I accumulated 6820 miles, my wife and I rode our tandem in the Ride the Rockies, I finnished five double centuries - including one with my wife on our tandem, and rode 14 centuries (or longer). In short, 2002 was a very good year for me.

Now, what to do for 2003. Of course, I am riding the Oregon Coast packed down in January, but after that, I do not know. While I thought I would not do as many doubles as I did this year, I sorta have the Double bug. I may work toward the Spring Death Valley Double.

Posted 8:40 PM by John Henry

The cold is still hanging on, but I went for a short ride today. When I looked out of the window this morning, it was raining. When I got the bike out of the garage, it was raining. It rained for the entire ride, all 35 miles of it.

Wore my new Pearl Izumi AmFIB Tights and they worked well. They kept my legs warm and dry.

The forecast for tomorrow is for rain, so it looks like I'm getting some good training in for my January Oregon Coast Bike Route ride. However, I'm having second thoughts about this ride. Perhaps just a little bit of dought is good for me. I know I can do this ride, it is just a matter of riding in the rain!

Posted 11:19 PM by John Henry

I have been ill all week with a cold. I even took today off of the saddle and when Christmas shopping instead.

I am planning a long cycling tour in January so I have been riding alot lately. In the cold, in the rain, in the fog it doesn't matter; I have been out on the bike every weekend for the last five. However, I took today off as it was wet outside and I am still coughing and feeling a bit weak.

About my planned tour. Everyone I tell thinks I'm a bit crazy. "The Oregon Coast in January, you're nuts!" I begged to differ. Traffic is down, you don't have to worry about if its going to rain (it will), and I have booked heated yurts! I will have a warm and dry place to sleep every night!

Posted 8:54 PM by John Henry

Well, it's only been two month's since my last posting.

I finished the Death Valley Double and I didn't even come in last! Joanne and rode the first 150 miles on our tandem, then I did the last fifty on my single. We started in the mas s start at nearly 7:00 am. While it was not warm, it was not cold either, but there were lot's of cyclists wearing some very heavy clothing - I even saw one woman wearing booties!

We stopped at the first reststop at Badwater, mainly to use the restroom. The next stop was Ashford Mills and we used the restroom again. Note: we were drinking lots of fluids!

The next portion of the course was the toughest for us. We climbed nearly 3500' out of Death Valley by way of Salsbury Pass and then decended into Shoeshone. The climb was hard, but the desent was even harder as we knew we would be returning this way. The climb back was one of the most difficult things we have ever done. We we finally reached the summit again we were beat!

However, the desent back into Death Valley was one of the best! Ten miles of 5% - we rode the entire way without peddling at 35 to 40 mph! Life was good again.

Now we needed to get back to Furnace Creek in time for me to finnish within the 17 hour time limit. We rode hard and fast. I knew that Joanne was hurting, but she never complained. It was well past dark when we reached our campsite at Furnace Creek. There, I jumped onto my single and headed off into the darkness.

There was no moon, only the light from my headlamp and the stars. It was weird and I didn't like it. None the less, I pressed on into the night. I pretty much had the 175 mile rest stop to myself. I ate some noodles and was now heading back toward Furnace Creek and the finnish. Like most of the Doubles this year, I felt stronger the closer I came to the finish. Soon, I saw the finninsh line and posed (poorly) for my photo.

Posted 7:30 PM by John Henry

It's the weekend and I have no where to ride. That is, I have no firm plans as of yet.

The Death Valley Double is coming up and I really should do some very long distance this weekend, perhaps 140 miles or so on Saturday and then a recovery ride on Sunday. Hopefully the weather will be OK - cool but no rain.

Two weeks ago, we did the Peach of a Century on the tandem. It rained. It rained hard. At one point in time, Kurt and Erica were beside Joanne and I going down old Mehama Rd at 23 mpg in a very hard rain. Kurt looked at me and asked, "Can you see where you are going?" I responded, "No, but I'm not going to slow down."

However, the last twenty five miles were dry. Life was good.

Posted 3:53 PM by John Henry

Well, now that I have recovered, it is time to begin talking about my next ride - The Death Valley Double. Sounds kinda friendly, doesn;t it?

Actually, if you remeber to drink lots of water, it is not too bad. I did it last year. This year my wife wants me to join her on the tandem for the first 150 miles, and then finish on my single. I'm trying to talk her into doing the entire ride on the tandem, but since I can never talk her into anything, it looks like I need to bring both bikes.

Posted 3:47 PM by John Henry

I have earned my pain!

I finished!

I left at 4:40 am, did 14 miles per hour for 195 miles with 11,500 feet of elevation gain and finished at 10:pm.

This was a very hard ride for me. The temperature was well over 90 degrees; I heard over 100 degrees on the longest climb of the day.

The support was great! Each reststop (after the first) had ice for waterbottles and camelbacks. This really helped.

And the post ride dinner was great; boneless chicken breasts and two(!) kinds of pasta!

The only mechanicals I had were one of my tail lights shifting into the spokes of my real wheel. I had no flats and saw only two.

Posted 3:36 PM by John Henry

I have been taking some time off - both from this blog and the bike.

Last weekend, I rode on Sunday only. Joanne and I rode the tandem to Mt. Angle and back, a ride of just 40 miles. I intended to keep the pace slow as I was thinking that I was catching the flu, but three other tandem teams show up - Dave and Shirlee, John and Tonya and Kurt and Erica. So, off we went at a blazing speed. We reached Mt. Angle with an average speed of 18 mph and only increased it on the way back.

I felt good; it was a good ride for me.

Last night, I rode with Kurt and we hit the south Salem hills as hard as we could. By the end of the night our average was 17 mph for 26 miles with over 1500' of elevation gain.

These last two rides have given me some confidence. The Konxville Double is this Saturday and I have been feeling some seft doubt. But, with my recent good performance, I'm know I can do this ride.

Also, I received the light I ordered two weeks ago. It is a Cygo Lite. I choose this model due to a six(!) hour runtime and it's low cost.

Posted 8:11 AM by John Henry

Well, I see it has been some time since I have been here.

Joanne and I rode our Meridian Tandem on Monday, and we rode as fast as we could for 100 miles. At the end of the day, our average was over 18 miles per hour.

Tuesday was not a rest day. Instead, I rode my Trek520 touring bicycle. I took it easy, especially since the Trek is not known for being a light bicycle (30 pounds). Wednesday was more of the same, but I did a few hill sprints, but nothing serious. These two rides were 25 miles each in lenght.

Thursday was my first rest day after five straight days of riding.

Satuday was day one of a two day credit card tour. Tom Tilque, Keith & Pat Lippy, and Joanne and myself started from Cougar Dam off of HWY 126 to Oakride following the Aufderheidie Scenic Route. Sunday was the return back to our cars at Cougar Dam. Each day was 60 miles with 3000 feet of elevation gain.

I'm feeling good about the ride coming up in two weeks. My legs are strong and I'm climbing better than any poing in my life. None the less, the Knoxville Double does have 12,000 feet of elevation gain, an average of 3000 feet for every 50 miles.

I have ordered an additional headlight for my bicycle. This will now give me a total of six hours of light. The ride director wants people to start very early in the morning - 4:30 am. To start this early, I need a light. However, I may also need a light to finish after dark, which explains the second light (and battery).

This week I will ride hard on Tuesday and Thursday, and then begin to taper so my legs are fresh on Saturday, September 21.

Posted 11:32 PM by John Henry

Saturday was indeed a hard ride, but it was not flat. It seems I took every side hill I could find, including Summit Loop.

It has been a couple of years since I have ridden Summit Loop, and it was as bad as I remenbered. There is lots of 10% - 14% grades, just the kind of hill that makes you glad you still have a triple!

After that joyfull experience, the ride was mostly flat. However, that was that strong North wind to contend with as we returned to Salem.

Sunday was suposed to be a recovery ride on the tandem, but Joanne wanted to ride her single today and the tandem tomorrow (on the long ride). So, I did take it easy on the way to Silverton, but I worked really hard on the 16 miles back to Salem. Sometimes, I just can't controll myself!

Posted 11:23 PM by John Henry

Well, I was working on totalling my mileage for the year, when I discovered that I have ridden over 5000 miles as of last weekend!

I have completed three double centuries, with Knoxville coming up on September 21.

After Knoxville, I will be doing the Death Valley Double. This will be my second Death Valley Double. You can see a picture of me at the finnish line of last year's ride here. I'm on the far right.

But, this weekend is a three day weekend. On Saturday, I plan a hard and fast 75 miles, Sunday will be a 50 mile recovery ride, and on Labor Day I will do a hard century. This will give me 225 miles for the weekend.

Posted 9:04 PM by John Henry

On Wendesday night I had a very good training ride. I rode with Craig Beavers. We did 20 miles at 18.5 mph into a stiff north wind. My heart rate was above 85% for the majority of the ride.

Posted 4:00 PM by John Henry

I had a very good weekend of traning.

On Saturday, I did the Torture 10,000. My average was just 13 mph, but there was 10150 feet of gain in 105 miles.

The worst part was going out toward the George Loop. While not steep, it was a climb and my legs were very tired.

The best part was the last ten miles. This section was flat and I feft strong. I pasted many riders and was only passed by one at the very end of the ride.

On Sunday, my wife and I brought out our Meridan tandem and did 60 slow miles.

Today will be a rest day. Tuesday is the Salem Bicycle Club meeting so I will ride on Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday will be hill night.

This weekend is Labor Day weekend. I'm not sure where I will ride on Saturday. I'm thinking about a long, mostly flat but with hills at the end ride. Sunday will be a recovery ride and Monday will be a flat century at speed.

Posted 8:15 AM by John Henry

Well, I'm feeling better today, so the Torture 10,000 is a go! Woohoo, I get to climb Larch Mountain!

Posted 3:36 PM by John Henry

Saturday was a very good ride.

I left my house at 6:30 am and headed toward Corvallis. It was a bit cool, but a wind breaker was all that I needed to keep warm.

By the time I reached the base of Mary's Peak, I had already gained 1300'. In the next 11 miles, I gained an additional 4000'. I felt I was climbing well, at least better than the last time that I did this climb (in May).

With four miles to go, a mountain biker came down a gravel road and said "Hi, John". I was suprised to see Pat on his one speed mountain bike. I stopped and we talked for a while.

I decided to do some addition hills on my way back to Salem, so I took King's Valley Rd. I ended up with 132 miles and 7800 feet of gain.

When I got home, I took my lovey wife out to dinner as I was to tired to cook!

On Sunday, we broke out the tandem add did 54 miles with more hills!

I took Monday off as a rest day.

I did not ride on Tuesday as I was still tired and my Cannondale was still in the shop.

On Wednesday, we rode the tandem again, but very slowly. I maybe getting ill.

If I'm feeling well, I will do the Torture 10,000 Century on Saturday. (Please forgive the webmaster, the intend is there.)

Posted 3:37 PM by John Henry

Thursday was much cooler than earlier in the week. When I left on the ride at 5:30 pm, it was just 90 degrees F.

I did the same route as last Thursday - 30 miles and 2800 feet of gain.

This was the first ride with my new Look pedals (which replaced some SPD pedals). The new pedals are lighter and have a larger platform. However, they did not solve my hot spot problem on my left foot. I am amazed by the amount of float these new pedals have. It will take some getting use to.

Posted 12:25 PM by John Henry

Monday was a hard ride. First of all, the temperature was in the upper 90's. Secondly, I chose a very hilly route in West Salem, And lastly, I worked as hard as I could.

Remenber, the hills will make you strong.

On Tuesday, it was hotter but I took it easiler. I did the same mileage as Monday (27 miles) but instead of 1600' of elevation gain, I gained only 644'.

I can not ride on Wednesday as I must attend the Salem Bicycle Club Board meeting. But, it back to the hills on Thursday.

As to this weekend ride, I have decided to do Marys Peak and it should take me all day. I am glad that the temperatures will be much lower than the last few days.

Posted 1:15 PM by John Henry

I took it easy on Sunday, August 11. I did just over 45 miles with less than 1000 feet of elevation gain.

I got my Knoxville rider comfirmation e-mail today. It pointed me to an un-linked URL which Mozilla did not render correctly as the page was composed with M$ Word. I had to open it with IE. Anyway, there is lots to read and understand.

This week I plan on riding Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with Tuesday and Wednesday being recovery rides. This weekend is open. Perhaps I will climb Mary's Peak again.

Posted 9:45 PM by John Henry

Friday was another one of those rest day. I went to dinner with Martin and Carol.

Saturday, I did not ride. There was a family wedding I attended that took place in Seattle. Seattle is one of those towns that proves you can not build your way out of gridlock!

Posted 9:40 PM by John Henry

I was back on the bike on Thursday, and I choose the West Salem hills! I did 30 miles with 2800 feet of elevation gain. You know, even when you thing you are improving, the hills will always put you in your place!

Posted 9:36 PM by John Henry

Monday was a scheduled rest day.

Tuesday was to be a Salem Bicycle Club ride, but as we let the starting location, I got a migraine headacke - a strong one. I sat on the side of the road for 25 minutes, and then slowly rode back to my car.

The next morning, it prevented me from going to work.

Posted 6:50 PM by John Henry

It maybe August, and it maybe California, but it can still rain when you travel from Oregon.

My wife Joanne Heilinger, Pete Richards and I drove down to Mt. Shasta on Saturday. The weather was clear and warm, except for the smoke from the forest fires in southern Oregon. At Mt. Shasta, the wind was blowing from the south, keeping the smoke at bay.

However, when we awoke on Sunday, the wind had changed and was from the north, where the forest fires were. I started at 6:00 am and headed north to the first pass - Parks Creek Summit. I had climbed this pass last year so I knew that it was steep, rough and long. The smoke was not a problem, execpt that it obscured the view.

The next pass was Mumbo Summit. This was the first time that I have climbed this hill and I was impressed. It was the steepest and longest climb I have ever done! But, I made it to the top!

But, on the desent, it started to rain! It was just a few drops at first, but soon a full-fledge summer rain was comming down. By the time I had decended back into Shasta City, it was comming down hard. So, I had to leave the third climb - Mt. Shasta - for another day.

None the less, I got in 96 miles and 9600 feet of elevation gain, but only at 12.5 miles per hour.

This was my second ride of the Mt. Shasta Summit Century, and I must say that the ride was well supported, the routes were challenging, and the after ride feed was great!

Posted 6:46 PM by John Henry

This weekend I will be travelling to MT. Shasta for the Mt. Shasta Summit Century. I will be doing as much climbing as I can. My goal is for three passes of the Super Century.

This week I rode on Tuesday and Wednesday, both hilly routes (each with 1000' of elevation gain).

Remember, the hills are your friends!

Posted 3:32 PM by John Henry

Well, I'm back!

I'm still need to write up my Davis Double experience, but I have decided not to hold up my blog anymore.

Next is the Knoxville double. Should be fun as it has a bit more hills.

Posted 12:47 PM by John Henry

Well, I finished!

The weather was perfect - highs in the mid-seventies with some wind. I left Davis High School at 4:30 am and returned 199.14 miles later at 8:30 pm. My average was 15.9 miles per hour. I never really suffered, but climbing the last two major hills (Top of the Davis Double and Resurrection) was a challenge.

I did not cramp, nor did my feet or knees give me any serious pain. All in all, this may have been the best double I have ever done! And I own it all to training!

I'll post more, including a link to a more complete write-up later.

Posted 10:24 AM by John Henry

Mary's Peak has been conquered!

I left my home at 5:45 a.m. and joined Mark Janeba in West Salem. It was very cold out and Mark was supprised to find me without leg warmers or long-fingered gloves. But hey, the forecast was for the mid-seventies and I was dressed for that.

We choose a flat route to the base of the mountain. There, we began the 3300 foot climb to the peak. We found inclines that averaged 9% and reached 10% for some streches. After less than 15 miles, we had acheived the peak and found snow! We rested for a few minutes and then began the desent which was quick and cold.

We stopped for lunch in Philomouth and then searched out the flattest way home. I arrived at 4:30 pm after doing a total of 135 miles.

This should have been a taper ride, but I'm too stupid to taper.

Sunday was an easy 48 mile with Joanne on the tandem. We had some hills, but most of the ride was flat.

While we were returning on 12th St., the sidewall of our new (less than 150 miles) Vredestein Fortezza suffered a blowout. :-(

Current forcast for Davis is 78 degrees F.

Posted 12:40 PM by John Henry

I rode two nights this week.

On Tuesday, I rode 27 miles with the Salem Bicycle Club. These were somewhat hilly miles, but nothing extreme. Wednesday night was the Salem Bicyle Club broard meeting night. Thursday, I rode with Scott's Cycling and we did 25 flat miles north of Salem.

With Sunday and Monday, I felt strong on Tuesday and rode just about as hard as I could. Thursday, I felt good, but I did not have the spring in my pedal stroke that I did on Tuesday.

Now, I plan a hard ride on Saturday - 120 hilly miles to and then up Mary's Peak, the highest point in the Coast Range of Oregon. I should be in taper mode, but I can't resist one more hard ride before Dave on May 18.

The current forecast for Davis is 74 degrees F, not the 100 degrees I have seen the last two years...

Posted 11:16 AM by John Henry

Another productive week - 190 miles.

I rode three weeknights for a total of 90 miles. On Monday and Wednesday, I rode with the Salem Bicycle Club while on Thursday, I rode with the group from Scott's Cycling. During that ride, I attempted to suck the wheel of a strong tandem team, but they dropped me at 25 miles per hour.

On Saturday, Joanne and I took our Meridain tandem to the Ride Around Clark County presented by the Vancouver Bicycle Club. While there were no substained climbs, we did gain over 5600' of elevation in 100 miles. This ride was not flat! Clark County is not flat!

Near the end, we just got into granny and spun up the hills, not caring who passed us.

On Sunday, I worked the lunch rest stop of the Monster Cookie Ride put on by the Salem Bicycle Club. It was a good day not to ride as it was very wet and very cold. I must admire all to rode that day, a real hardy bunch!

Posted 1:07 PM by John Henry

A productive weekend - 180 miles.

On Saturday, I rode to the beach and back - 144 miles.

The weather was better than the forecast. Most of the day I was in sunshine or mostly sunny. However, a stray shower found me both going and returning. I took the Reach the Beach route through West Salem, Lincoln, Amity, Sheridan and Grand Ronde to Pacific City. There, I has a great lunch and returned via the same route (more or less). Surprisingly, there was over 4000 feet of elevation gain, so it was not the flat ride I was expecting.

The ride went well. My right hand did not trouble me (because of my fall on Thursday). I felt good for most of the ride, but I did suffer between mile 115 and 135. At mile 135, I stopped at the Lincoln Store and ate the "miracle" macaroni salad. I felt much better after eating.

Sunday was a rest day. I did a short and flat 36 mile ride to Nusom's and back.

Posted 8:48 PM by John Henry

OK, I know crashes are a part of cycling, but I don't like them!

On Wednesday, I did the Salem Bicycle Club evening ride and got in 27 miles. The pace was good - hard but not all out.

On Thrusday, I was heading toward the West Salem Hills when I failed to clip in and crashed at low speed. This time, I did not break any bones, but my right hand is badly brused. As to the bike, I rode to Scott's Cycles and they fixed it on the spot by bending the rear derailleur back into place and straigting the right shifter. I then joined them for their evening ride, but my right hand grew painfull so I cut it short and headed home.

Today (Friday) it is feeling a bit better, but is still sore. The training plans calls for 140 miles on Saturday and 20 on Sunday. It could be painful. I plan to ride to Pacific City and back on Saturday. This should be about 150 miles, but not that much elevation gain.

Next Saturday is the Ride Around Clark County - 103 miles. Joanne and I will ride the tandem and I will try to ride it very fast. The following Saturday, I plan a 140 mile ride up Mary's Peak and back to Salem. This should give me my long distance with climbing training ride.

The following weekend is Davis.

Posted 12:30 PM by John Henry

On Sunday, my wife Joanne and I took our Meridian tandem out on the Salem Bicycle Club ride - The Hills East of Sublimity. This includes the infamous Flypaper Hill, a 22% grade! Our lowest gear (30x32) allowed us to get up the hill, but it was a chore! Fifty miles later, we were glad to be home.

Posted 11:28 PM by John Henry

Saturday was a long ride - 111 miles. I rode north into a slight headwind thinking that I would enjoy the tailwind on my way home. I rode all of the way into Portland to my job at Portland Community College. This was my first experience with urgan cycling since I left Phoenix ten years ago. I didn't like it. Turning around, I head south but found that the wind had changed, it was now a cross wind from the west. Oh well. I intended to get something to eat at the Butteville store, but it was closed. As such, I bonked at mile 101 and the last nine miles were very hard. Gotta remember to bring the power bars!

Posted 11:25 PM by John Henry

Three rides this week - Tuesday was at medium intentisy and 31 miles long. Wednesday was cold, wet and easy - only 20 miles. Thursday was Gibson Hill (23:33 minutes) and then Scott's Cycling. The total was 45 miles at a very intense pace. So, 96 miles for the week! Thinks are looking good.

Posted 10:30 AM by John Henry

Sundays ride was only 53 miles and again, we were on the tandem. Just like yesterday, we went out with a strong tail wind and returned against the head wind. We went to the Wooden Shue Tulip Farm in Woodburn (Monitor really). However, this year we did not walk out to the tulips as it was muddy and we had to back in Salem for an afternoon appointment. This was a long weekend, and my legs feel it.

Posted 1:11 PM by John Henry

On Saturday, I did a long ride - 110 miles. I rode to Champoeg State Park and joined my wife for the Blueberry Ride (http://www.blueberryrides.com/). We did fifty miles on our tandem and then I rode back home (and into the wind for 33 miles). It was another very wet day. This was made worst by the fact that I had to remove the tandem's front fender as the IRC Tandem tires are much larger than the tires I removed. As such, my feet got very wet. Oh well. I rode my rain/touring bike (Trek520) up to the park. With the strong tail wind from the south, my pace was very good - over 19 mph.

Posted 1:08 PM by John Henry

Lots of miles last week. I only rode two week nights - I forgot that there was a Salem Bicycle Club board meeting on Wednesday night. On Tuesday, it was raining when my wife and I started, but the rain soon stopped and we did not get too wet. However, on Thursday, I rode with the gang from Scott's Cycling and we got dumped on! At least it was a warm wet. Also, they just flew! It seems some guys from Capial Velo joined in and picked up the pace. I managed to hang on, but my heart rate was way up there!

Posted 1:03 PM by John Henry

140 miles this weekend. On Saturday, I did 80 miles of which the first 45 were flat and the last 35 were quite hilly. In fact, I did 3200 feet of elevation gain in just 35 miles. On Sunday, my wife Joanne and I rode the tandem for 60 miles. She was not feeling well, and I was very tired from Saturday, so were were a bit on the slow side. The weather both days was cloudy with Sunday the cooler of the two days.

Today will be a rest day, and I plan on riding Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

Posted 11:48 AM by John Henry

Well, the weather has changed. Looks like rain on both Saturday and Sunday. The training plan calls for 80 miles on Saturday and 50 on Sunday. Oh well, it is a good thing I did not pack my booties away for the summer.

Posted 8:04 PM by John Henry

The weather has been excellant, but my local bicycle club (The Salem Bicycle Club) has started their weeknight rights. So, I have less than an hour to ride before sunset as the club rides start at 6:00 pm. I rode on Tuesday and Thursday and have about 35 miles between the two days.

It is so nice to ride in this warm and clear spring weather! No jacket, no long tights and no booties! WooHoo.

Posted 2:46 PM by John Henry