| (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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Friday, October 01, 2004
An illness has gotten me down, but I'm feeling better now. I finished the Knoxville Double in 17 hours and with an 14.5 mph average. This was the hardest double so far this year. The elevation gain was over 12,000 feet and nearly 2000 feet more than the next hardest double - Eastern Sierra. My plan was to leave at 4:45 am, but at 4:44 I discovered that I had left my helmet at the motel. I had to drive back and get it so I did not leave until 5:15 am. None the less, I soon fell into a group of quick riders and rode with them to the base of the first major climb of the day. descending into Napa Valley, the air became cold and nearly bone chilling. Both my fingers and toes were complaining as I peddled toward the first rest stop. There, the sun finally come over the ridge line and began to warm me. By the time I reached the second major climb of the day, I was warm again. This climb was fun, but not easy. Soon, I reached the top and began the "... Extremely fast, twisty, wicked descent!" The Quackcyclists do not lie. Now comes the third and longest climb of the day, Knoxville Rd. When I last did this ride, this climb was very difficult and I really suffered. I was please to find that I did much better this year, but I did suffer. Just before the start of the climb, during a short descent, I hit a bee with my face, my lip in fact. While I do not believe that the bee stung me, some venom must have been released as the right side of my tongue went numb. This cause me some concern, but I could only keep peddling and after several miles, I regained feeling in my tongue. Just in time for the lunch stop in fact. After a quick lunch, I did the fourth major climb of the day and then descended on Big Canyon Rd. The name of the road must be in reference to the size of the pot holes. Will someone please fix this road? The rest of the ride went well as most of the climbing was now over. I rode mostly by myself but hooked up with Ron from LA once darkness fell. He was completing his 49th double, and he started riding doubles once he retired from motorcycle racing when he turned 60 years of age. Yes, he could out climb me. I finished at 9:20 with five more miles than last year due to course changes. If I ride this double next year, my goal will be to get beyond Highway 128, and all of the pickup/boat trailer traffic, before dark. Scary.
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