| (Long Distance) Ramblings |
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I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out). "The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget." "Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
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Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Ok, so it is new years eve. What am I doing? Searching the web for a prebuilt Bicycle Ride Log database suitable for html output. Looks like I'm have to write this one myself. We ride tomorrow! It's only 25 miles or so, but I do hope that it does not rain. Sunday, December 29, 2002
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. Saturday, December 28, 2002
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! Saturday, December 21, 2002
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 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! Thursday, December 12, 2002
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.
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