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."
Mario Cipolini
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
John F. Kennedy
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
The first words I heard this morning was my wife saying "It snowed last night!".
I woke up to six inches of snow. This means no work! So, what to do? Ride the rollers!
I did 50 minutes on the rollers during the mid-day while listening to Queen's Greatest Hits. Then, I went to the gym with Martin and did my normal workout (20 minutes on the stair climber and then lifted).
Sunday, December 28, 2003
The rain continued today.
We left the red lot with just cloudy skies. But soon, the rain started falling and it continued for the rest of the ride.
Did 30 miles of mild climbing. My average heart rate was just 100 bpm, but then we were riding the tandem. I took the afternoon off, but Joanne did the afternoon ride.
Training update: with the days off this week, I managed to get some serious riding in. I feel I'm on track, but the milage increases on the Death Valley Double gets closer. According my my training schedule, my next long ride is 75 miles in lenght.
Saturday, December 27, 2003
I have been lucky with the weather lately. While there have been showers, I have not had to ride through rain, that is until today.
I left the house at 7:45 am and rode by myself for 30 miles. As there was a very strong wind from the south, I did not want to ride into it, or have to retrun by riding into it, so I headed east. The sky was cloudy, but no water was falling. I took State St. all of the way to Cascade Hwy, and then turned around and headed back into town. I met Rod Coakly who was riding into town and joined him.
We arrived at the red lot with 30 minutes to spare, so we went to MacDonlds to warm up. While we were there, it started raining, and it rained for the rest of the day. I did another 31 miles with the club, all of it in a very cold rain. My fingers got cold, my toes got cold, and my nose got cold. But, I did not let it get me down. I kept my thoughts on my goal, the Spring Death Valley Double, now just over two months away.
In total, I rode 61 miles, which was ten miles short according to my training schedule but with the strong wind, I will call it even.
Today's weather...
Friday, December 26, 2003
Post-Christmas Ride
Al D, Joanne and I did 36 flat miles north of Salem to Willamette Mission Start Park and back.
Today, I learned something very important: Never, never, ever go on a bicycle ride in the month of December without wearing your booties! By the time we got back to the house, my toes were in pain.
Rode my Cannondale and it started making popping sounds. We stopped twice to investigate, but we could not find the cause.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Christmas Eve, and we go for a ride!
The weather was not that bad - showers and 44°. Whenever the weather is poor, there is a strong wind from the south, and today was no exception. We headed toward Aumsville straight into the wind. The going was slow, but fun none the less. Once we obtained Aumsville, the ride back was very quick and fun. We got in 30 miles today.
Monday, December 22, 2003
Worked out in the gym tonight.
I did twenty minutes on the stairclimber, then lifted. It was leg night.
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Sevety miles today.
It was not raining, but it was misty, foggy, wet and cold when I got on the bike today. The forecast was for clearing in the afternoon, but it did not.
I rode my Cannondale in the morning. The club headed up to Sublimity and then to Stayton. Since I had ridden hard yesterday, I tried to take it easy, but no, I just could not control myself. I worked on the rollers and tried to stay with the lead group. This wore me out so I did take it easy coming back into Salem.
But, five miles out, I broke a spoke in the rear. I opened up the brakes by the rim still would no spin freely. None the less, I rode it home.
So, I had wanted to do the afternoon ride, but my Cannondale was broken. What could I do? Ride the Lemond!!!
The roads were mostly dry so I decided to take my new ride out for a spin. The bike is sweet. Light, responsive, yet stable on the corners. Comming down Jordan, I took the corner without braking, if fact, I did not even feel the need to brake. Fun.
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Back on the bike after a death in the family.
Took the tandem out to Helmick State Park and back at 17.5 mps. The roads were wet, it did shower on us, and the bike got dirty but we had a great time. It was so nice to be riding!
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Jetting to Gervis.
It was raining, so there was no reason to ride slowly. My aveage for the ride was 16.6 for the 47 mile ride. Not too bad considering that there was a very strong south wind we had to fight all of the way back to Salem.
Friday, December 12, 2003
We had unexpected sad news tonight. My wife's mother passed on due to a sudden major heart attack. I will miss her.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Took the weekend off due to illness.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Rode the rollers tonight, on my Cannondale (did not want to sweat on the LeMond!).
I did 21 miles while listening to Delierium "Odyssey: The Remix Collection".
My average heart rate for the 1:00:45 that I was on the bike was 150 bpm.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
My new bicycle is ready!!!
2004 LeMond Victoire Classic Frame
Durace Triple Groupo
Bontrager Race X Lite wheels
Deda Newton handlebar
Deda Blackstick seatpost
Selle Italia SLR Gelflow saddle
See it here: 1, 2 and 3.
Now I have to wait till the rain stops before I can ride it.