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
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
The weather has finally become nice. After rain on Monday and clouds on Tuesday, today was warm and clear. Finally, summer has come (at least for today).
As the Northwest Tandem Rally is this weekend, Joanne and I decided to ride the Meridan tonight. We rode well and the tandem performed well. We could climb with authority and had fun doing it!
Stats:
Distance - 32 miles
Average - 16.1 mph
Altitude - 900 gain
Yesterday was the Salem Bicycle Club meeting, so it was a rest day for me. And I needed one, I was sooo tired.
Monday Martin and I worked out at the gym.
Monday, June 27, 2005
This is why you wear a helmet...
Lance Armstrong has suffered several small injuries in a crash during a training ride around Nice, France. News agency AP reported the six time-Tour de France winner to have a black eye, a cut over his right eyebrow and abrasions on his hands and knees, after the fall, which happened at low speed during the start of a training ride last week. Apparently, he lost control on his time-trial bike after trying to hit a wasp, and sailed over the handlebars, his helmet splitting in two on impact.
From cyclingnews.com.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Joanne and I finished the Mountain Lake Challenge and it was one tough ride.
After a short seven mile warm up, you climb for eleven miles the climbing begins. All in all, you gain 7000 feet in 97 miles! My average was just 13.9 mph.
Afterward, John and Karen Poole invited Pete, Joanne and me up to their cabin at Lake of the Woods. They are great hosts!
This week, I plan on going to the gym on Monday, attending the Salem Bicycle Club meeting on Tuesday, leading our Wednesday night ride and finally back to the gym on Thursday. Friday will be a rest day before the Northwest Tandem Rally.
Friday, June 24, 2005
From beautiful Ashland, Or...
I have to make some changes to my riding plans. Out is the Pedal the Pinchot but in is
a benefit ride in Bend, the Tour de Chutes. The Port to Port ride is being replace by the Co-Motion Tandem Stage Race (more on that later). Also, Joanne has advised me that back to back centuries the first weekend in August is no a good thing. A revised listing is below:
June 28 Mountain Lakes Challenge
July 1-5 Northwest Tandem rally
July 16-17 A Salem Bicycle Club sponsored overnight pack down to Forrest Grove.
July 23 Tour de Chutes
July 30 Co-Motion Tandem Stage Race
August 7 Mt. Shasta Summit Century
August 13 Torture 10,000
August 21 Yaquina Lighthouse Century
Tomorrow, I will be riding the Mountain Lake Challenge. A review of the ride elevation profile reveals that of the 7,080 feel of elevation gain, over 3,000 feet is gained in the first 20 miles. Then there are roller and minor climbs that make up the balance of the climbing. The last 20 miles is downhill back to Ashland.
Goals: undefined. This is a training ride for me and the first time I have done this ride. So, I guess my goals are (1) finish, (2) have more miles left in my legs at the finish, and (3) to work hard.
I am traveling down with me with by my wife, Joanne Heilinger who had done this ride before, and Peter Richards. While Pete is in the over 70 age bracket, I really don't think I can ride with him. Not because I would have to slow down, but because he would not slow down for me. See the results section of Mt. Washington Hill Climb.
I have taken Wednesday and Thursday as rest days. On Wednesday, my legs were sore from my lifting on Monday and my hill climb on Tuesday. They were better on Thursday and they feel find today. So, in terms of conditioning, I feel that I am ready to tomorrow's ride.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Sometimes, I just don't want to read the news...
Today, Ultracyclist Bob Breedlove was killed while competing in the Race Across America (RAAM).
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
I rode hard tonight.
First, I went out by myself and climbed Gibson Hill. I rode as hard as I could and finished two minutes faster than my last attmept and just ten seconds slower than my fastest time. Then I joined the group from Scott's Cycles and did even more hills. I hung with them till we reach the top of Waldo Hills and then dropped. I finished the evening with 52 miles.
My next goal is the fall Death Valley Double. Joanne and I have signed up; she will be riding the century and I will do the double. I have ridden the northern course just once before. It has winds and hills, everything to make me happy.
Meanwhile for the next two months I will ride some centuries and such.
June 28 Mountain Lakes Challenge
July 1-5 Northwest Tandem Ralley
July 16 Pedal the Pinchot
July 30 Port to Port
August 6 TBD - Something in Klamath Falls
August 7 Mt. Shasta Summit Century
August 13 Torture 10,000
August 21 Yaquina Lighthouse Century
Monday, June 20, 2005
WooHoo! Another ride is done!
I'm sitting here in my house completely exhausted. It is the morning after the 2005 Salem Bicycle Club's Watermelon Rides and I had to call in sick today. No, I did not ride the two hundred mile ride, not the 125 mile ride, or even the 100 or 50 mile options. Instead, I was the coordinator and I was at the start/finish line from 4:00 am to 9:00 pm yesterday. Yes, the work was hard, but the fun made it all worth while.
I would like to congratulate the finishers of the 200 mile double.
Rand Milan
Del Scharffenberg
Tonya Jeffries and Jonathan Wolf
Joe Durkee
Richard Chinn
Gregory Olsen
Ray Ogilvie
Also, our local newspaper, the Statesman Journal, wrote a story about the ride. I should mention that local news articles are available online for 7 days only.
The story mentions that Michael Carris was on the 200 mile route. However, he is not listed above as a finisher. Michael suffered several mechanical problems again this year and switched to his mountain bike. Due to the delays, he was unable to make the 7:00 pm cutoff time to start the last 20 mile loop. None the less, he continued on homeward bound with his wife and family following. He was going to ride two hundred miles one way or another. As such, I declare Michael an un-official official finisher!
Sunday, June 12, 2005
I worked on preparations for the Watermelon Rides all day today. No riding for me.
Things are going pretty well.
The food has been ordered.
The routes have been decided and the maps are being made.
But, I need more volunteers!
Saturday, June 11, 2005
No riding today. Instead, I attended my step-son's graduation from Western Oregon University. Yes, it rained as the photos document.
Kavin Everett Blanton is now a college graduate!
Currently listening to:
Friday, June 10, 2005
I had a searies of migraines on beginning on Monday afternoon and continuing on Tuesday and Wednesday. But by Thursday, I was feeling much better and left work early and did a hilly 55 mile ride. First I headed to the West Salem hills (yes, I rode Gibson) and then joined the group at Scott's Cycles. There must have been 60 of us. This ride is getting just too big!
I have now uploaded my photos from Race Across Oregon - see them here.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Graham pull out due to fatigue at 350 miles into the race. He led the race at the first three checkpoints, but during the very early morning, he was falling asleep on the bike, and weaving from one side of the lane to the other. He did not want to, but he was unable to continue.
I'll post my photos as soon as I am able.
Friday, June 03, 2005
I am going to crew for Graham Pollock on Race Across Oregon this weekend, so I do not expect to post til Monday.
Some ROA links...
2004 RAO Photos
RAO course anaylsis
Thursday, June 02, 2005
From a articale in Cyclingnews.com that exposes Lance Armstrong's training philosophy.
"In last year's Dauphiné, it was clear he was holding back - particularly on the fourth stage TT to Le Mont Ventoux, where he finished almost two minutes behind eventual winner Iban Mayo from Euskaltel-Euskadi. Mayo went on to a very lacklustre performance in July, eventually quitting the race, while Armstrong crushed his rivals in yet another flawless demonstration of measured strength, cunning and teamwork."