| (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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Sunday, November 30, 2003
The day began cloudy but the sky cleared for us. We rode 39 fast miles on the tandem today. Life is good! So, we did the afternoon ride also! The ride amounted to 21 additional miles, but we did not finnish before the rain started. Saturday, November 29, 2003
Woke up to the sound of rain. But by the time the ride started, the rain had stopped leaving wet roads. Rod Coakly had a flat early in the ride so Joanne and I stopped to offer moral support while he fixed it. As such, the three of us rode the balance of the ride together. We stopped at a coffee shop in Mt. Angel for a quick lunch before returning to Salem. While Rod had one flat, I had two. The second was on the way in and I kept filling the tie with CO2. It got me home without stopping to fix the flat! But it stills needs to be fixed. Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Tuesday night at the gym. Worked on my legs and then joined my wife for yoga. Monday, November 24, 2003
Back on the rollers again. Essential equipment for a roller session... 1) Tunes - I listened to Zero One tonight. 2) Fan - but I did not use one, which is why ... 3) Sweat band - is important. I did 21.67 miles at 21.6 miles per hour with an average heart rate of 144. No crashes and the kitty name Simone (after Gilberto Simone) watched me for a while. Sunday, November 23, 2003
Yesterday was our anniversary - nine years in the saddle with many more to come. I had just moved back to Oregon from Arizona and I was single (again). I met Joanne on a Salem Bicycle Club ride, and we have ridden together ever since. Even got married at a SBC meeting! So, we spent the night at the Flying-M Ranch - in the Honeymoon Cabin! But, we made sure we got back into town for the afternoon ride to Turner. Coming back into town, we saw this: 1 & 2. The ride was still cold, very enjoyable none the less. Saturday, November 22, 2003
Forty one miles in the cold. We joined the Salem Bicycle Club and we rode as a group, the chase group that is. The lead group was too fast for us, but none the less, we rode hard hoping that we could catch them. It did not come to pass. Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Driving to work this morning, my cell phone rang. "Someone stole the bikes!" said my wife. My heart stopped. Our bikes were gone! Wait a minute, I had not left the garage open. In fact, was did not even open it! Then, she explained that the bikes in question were our flower pot bikes in our front yard. These were two old cruisers that we retired and converted into yard decorations. Well, someone took them last night, leaving the baskets and pumpkins. We are sad. Sunday, November 16, 2003
Sunday's ride was a challenge! We left Salem into one of the strongest headwinds I have encountered in a while. In less than five miles, we had decided to change direction - away from the head wind! Instead of 50 miles, we rode just 25, but it was a very tough 25 miles. At one point, Kurt Haas commented that the weather was so terrible, that this could be considered a training ride for the Monster Cookie Ride. Saturday, November 15, 2003
The weather forecast was correct - wind and rain. We left Salem and in an hour and 10 minutes, we were in Woodburn because of a strong tailwind. We stopped for a quick lunch at the Artic Circle and then headed back toward Salem. The tailwind was now a strong headwind and it dropped our speed down to 15 miles per hour. Then the rain began. Now the best day for a 50 mile ride, but it was fun none the less. After the ride, I started building my bicycle. See 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. I still have work to do but I can't work on it till next Saturday. Friday, November 14, 2003
The weekend is upon us, and the nice weather that we have been enjoying will turn to rain. Oh well, good thing I bought that long sleave jersey this week. But I have some good news! My frame arrived. I would not let Steve Lewis of Scott's Bicycles open the box till I went home and got my camera. Take a look at my new beauty. Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Vetran's Day! Al D called and we went for a ride. He choose the route, and it was not flat. Al is stronger than I and I worked very hard today. 55 miles and very sore legs later, I went to yoga. Yoga still hurts. Found this along the route today. Yes, it had just happened. Monday, November 10, 2003
Another migraine forced me to come home from work early. I manage to make it to the gym, but life in not good. Sunday, November 09, 2003
Feeling much better and went for a ride. We enjoyed a quick ride to Monmouth and back on the tandem. I'm working on the Cannondale - installing 53 and 39 tooth chainrings, and I did not finish it in time for today's ride. Saturday, November 08, 2003
Stiff suffering. Not riding today. Friday, November 07, 2003
Friday at noon I got a migraine. Came home a sleep with ice on my head untill 4:00 pm. Thursday, November 06, 2003
Another Thursday night at the gym. But this time, we did something different - yoga! Since my wife is the yoga teacher, and she has been trying to get me to take her class for three years, and since Martin was interested, I went. I hurt. Yoga is work! Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
The long dark nights of Winter, part two. OK, while rollers are fun, I'm also going to workout twice a week at the gym with Maritn. Tonight was the first night and I took it easy hoping not to be sore the next day. Only time will tell if I was successful. Tuesday night rollers. An hour on the rollers and no crashes! Woohoo! I took it easy tonght as I worked hard in the gym last night. Felt good to be on the bike. Monday, November 03, 2003
Another Monday night at the gym. Sunday, November 02, 2003
Snow in Silverton! The weather has taken a turn for the worst. This morning, the roads are wet, the sky is theating, and I don't want to ride my bike! But I do. Three of us leave the red lot toward Silverton. Only Randy, Joanne and myself are foolish enough to brave this cold day. I ride hard trying to keep warm. I am thankful I remenbered my booties! We take a short break in the coffe shop in Silverton. After a small lunch, we head back. The air is getting colder and soon snow starts to fall. It does not stick, but we enjoy a ride in the snow back into Salem. Saturday, November 01, 2003
A cold, clear ride up north to Bauman Farms (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). I wore a long sleeve jersey, cycling bibs, tights, jacket, but no booties. As such, my toes got cold. So cold that I was in pain! Note to self: better to wear too much than not enough!
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