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, February 28, 2006
Death Valley Double - Thoughts before the Ride
Last week, my coach worked out a plan that would enable me to finish in 13.5 hours. Please note that the time noted is the time to leave the checkpoint.
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When she was creating the plan, it seemed aggressive, but after some consideration on my part, I believe that it is doable.
We leave this morning for Death Valley so I will be out of blog-range until next week. There is no wi-fi in Death Valley, no cell service and a single telephone line.
The weather forecast is for partly cloudy and temperatures in the mid 70s. The low temperatures should allow me to have a good ride. But, I must remember to drink. The air is so dry, I will be losing moisture with each breath. The late time I rode Death Valley in these conditions, I did not hydrate and did not finish.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Jack Frost Time Trial
The Jack Frost Time Trial is 12.4 miles long on a nearly flat course in Vancouver, Washington. We have never ridden it before, in fact, we have never ridden a time trial before.
We woke to clouds and wet roads, but no rain and no wind. We loaded the tandem up in the van and headed north, keeping our eye on any flags that we could see from the freeway. In Salem, they were hanging limp, but as we got closer to Portland, the flags revealed that there was a northernly wind.
"So, what is our strategy going to be?" Joanne asked on the drive up.
"Well, there are two right hand turns near the start and then it is straight and flat. Let's be conservative on the turns and then ride as hard as we can. If you need to slow down, bang on my butt and I'll get the message."
We arrived at Vancouver Lake Park at 8:30 and drove the course. It is a simple out and back with two right hand turns on the way out and one on the way back as the finishing line is before the starting line. We saw some slight rises, a bit of gravel and lots of cows.
We parked near two other teams, our friends Scott and Angela McCanna from Salem and Time and Georgia from Vancouver. I expected both of them to have better times than us, but I held a hope that we might be able to come in before Scott and Angela.
After a few words from my coach, Sandy Earl, we warmed out on the road for just a few minutes. Sandy had picked out our starting gear and we tested and confirmed it. We pulled into the starting area a couple of minutes before our 9:50 am start. Richard and Nancy Seton were starting 30 seconds ahead of us, and Scott and Angela 30 seconds behind us. Tim and Georgia were starting 30 seconds behind Scott and Angela.
When the official yelled "Go!", we hammered on the pedals. After just ten strokes, I shifted to the big chain ring and we were at speed. My heart rate rose quickly up to 165 beats per minute and beyond. I could see the Setons ahead of us, and it seemed that we were already gaining on them. The first corner came quickly and we took it at speed; we did not shift down. Now, there is a short straight before the next, sharper corner. Again, we took it at speed and blasted out of it. I turned to look behind me and saw that Scott and Angela had already nearly caught us. They were close!
I focused on my peddling and hopefully picked up some speed. We slowly pulled up toward the Setons, but it was an effort. My lungs were bursting, my legs screaming and still we applied more effort. We caught them just approximately one mile before the turn around and heard their shouts of encouragement as we passed by.
At the turn around, I swung wide and tried to make the turn as fast as we could. Looking up, I saw that Scott and Angela were just in front of the Setons.
The day was nearly perfect. The temperature was cool, but not cold and I could not detect a wind. We raced back toward the finishing line with our lungs gasping for air. After a bit, Joanne advised that Scott and Angela were gaining. I tried to hold them off, but after a few moments, they pulled up along side and move up in front of us. I yelled encouragement as the Setons had and fell in behind them but off to the side.
Scott and Angela pulled up to about 30 yards in front of us, and then we kept pace with them for a while. I thought that perhaps we might be able to catch up to them if we worked just a bit harder. Not knowing where the strength came from, we slowly inched up toward them. We came along side and with an extra effort, we passed them by! We put everything we had into putting some distance between us and them, but they stayed just behind us as we had stayed just behind them earlier.
The final corner was approaching and I had visions of two tandems coming out of the corning and racing side by side to the finishing line. But we went into the corner first and came out first. From there we sprinted and crossed it line in 31:05.37. Scott and Angela were less than 4 seconds behind us but as they started 30 seconds after us, there total time was faster than ours.
We rode side by side cooling down reliving the race. They had taken off nearly two minutes from last years time and they were really pumped! We were very happy with our performance; we could not have ridden any harder.
Joanne and I did the Jack Frost Time Trial yesterday. The results for the tandem divisiona are:
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We had fun and we worked very hard and are pleased with our results. A complete write up will follow.
Photo
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Training Update - Week 7
Today was a 55 mile recovery ride. we rode with the Salem Bicycle Club on thier President's Day route; we rode every street named after a President for miles around. First, we crosssed the Willamette River and headed north to the small town of Lincoln. Then we headed to Washington Street in Dallas. We stopped for pie in Independence before returning to Salem. The pace was slow and there was less wind than yesterday. But, we had the same bright sunshine!
The weeks goal was 150 miles, but I did 172 miles (23 on Wednesday, 94 on Satuday and 55 on Sunday). In addtion, I lifted on Monday and did intervals on the rollers on Thursday.
Next week I begin to taper in preperation of the Death Valley Double. I will lift on Monday, intervals on Tuesday, recovery ride on Wednesday, lift on Thursday (and perhaps intervals also), and rest on Friday. Saturday will be a short and slow ride and Sunday we race the Jack Frost Time Trail.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Saturday Century #6
After waiting for anyone else to show up (no one did), Joanne and I headed south on the tandem in 25 ° F weather. Yes it was cold but the skies were blue and the sun shining on us warmed us. However, the first few downhills were cold on the face.
Once we got pass Scravel Hill, the north wind pushed us along at 26 miles per hour. As we were traveling with the wind, we did not feel the cold. It was a good day to ride. The fields were vibrant green in the bright sunshine. The sheep must not be used to a bright yellow tandem flying down the road as we cause more than on stampede.
We reached Browsville at 11:30 and had a nice lunch at the Corner Cafe. It was nice of them to have the heat turned up.
On the return, the friendly wind became a fierce headwind. Our speed drooped to 12 miles per hour in the wind and it was a very long ride home. We took Brownsville Rd north to Sand Ridge Rd toward home. We were along the foothills on the eastern side of the Willamette Valley and enjoyed nice views of the fields to the west. We saw Mary's Peak on the far side of the valley and it called to me. Someday soon I will climb it.
On Lickskillet Rd, a pickup truck passed us just before a rail road crossing and blew the stop sign at 60 miles per hour or more. It was quite a sight as the truck nearly lost the rear end as it bounce over the tracks. We are seeing more and more blatant running of stop signs as we ride out in the countryside.
Joanne wanted to return through Marion, but I wanted a break from the head winds, so we took the hilly Parrish Gap Rd. back. We returned home at 4:45 pm very tired. But all in all, it was a very good ride. This made the tried weekend long ride in a row that we have had no rain.
HAC4 Analysis
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Training Update - Week Six
I am taking a rest day today. My morning heart rate was 53 bpm, over 10% higher than my RHR and coach dicates a rest day when that happens.
This week's mileage goal was 190 miles and I did 167. But, I had two sessions on the rollers and one session of lifting, so I will call it even.
The training plan says I should start tapering as the Death Valley Double is now just three weeks away. Next week, the long ride is scheduled to be just 80 miles long. I am inclined to do more and coach does not disagree. But, the long range weather forecast calls for rain. Funny, two long rides without rain, and I have lost my interest in riding in rain. I will not make a decision today, but I will wait till later in the week to decide how far I will ride on Saturday. Meanwhile, I plan on two sessions on the rollers and two trips to the gym and either a yoga session or a night ride.
Saturday Century #5
After last week's high wind warning, the weather gods were gracious and offered up mostly clear skies! Mark J. and I took advantage of the weather and did a hilly ride. First, we climbed up and over Orchard Heights before we took King's Valley Highway to Philomath. There, we enjoyed a quick lunch before reversing our route and returning to Salem. The ride totaled 103 miles, but I was feeling good so I did Orchard Heights one more time. I finished with 123 miles and over 6500 feet of elevation gain. And, it was only due to the coming darkness that I headed home. Basically, I had ridden my bike from daylight to sunset, and I could have done more.
Life if good.
Mid-Week Training Update
This has been a very tough week. Monday, I suffered on the rollers, but Tuesday was a nice quick ride with the folks from Scott's Cycling. We did the Keizer/Windsor Inland loop. The nice weather brought out nearly 30 riders.
On Wednesday, I rode in the Salem Bicycle Club night ride. We did the same area, but in reverse and at a much more relaxed pace.
Thursday night was a quick workout at the gym with Martin and then another hour on the rollers at home.
Finally, Friday was a rest day.
I got in 48 miles during the week - half of them at a quick pace and the balance at a recovery pace.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Monday Night Rollers
I did just about an hour doing intervals on the rollers. While I really believe riding the rollers is helping me, I must say that it would be hard for me to devise a torture more ugly than an hour on rollers.
My butt hurt, my hands hurt and sweat drips into my eyes. It this sounds like fun, then please explain it to me.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Sunny Sunday!
Sunday was the first sunny day here in Oregon in a long time. Joanne and I celebrated by riding 102 hilly miles. We gained over 5000 feet of elevation. Our route as Salem to Monmouth to Kings Valley Highway to Philomath, and then back again. While is was foggy on the way out, the sun came out on the return and the day was glorious!
Training Update - Week Five
Well, I did not meet the goal of 200 miles. In fact, I fell quite short. I did 25 on Wednesday, 30 on Sunday and 102 on Sunday for a total of 157. But, what I missed in miles, I tried to make up in elevation.
Next week, the suggested training goal is 190 miles; forty midweek miles, a 100 mile long ride and then a fifty mile recovery ride. But, I think I can do two midweek rides that total 50 miles, a very long ride on Saturday and then the 50 mile recovery ride. But we will see.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Where's the Wind?
Woke up after a sound sleep at 8:00 am, and there was no wind. The predicted windstorm was over by daybreak. True, it was windy last night, but not that bad.
So, I did some work on the bikes; I installed new brake pads on Joanne's Co-Motion Americano, I reinstalled the front fender on our Meridian, and reassembled my BoB trailer.
Then, I went for a ride in the West Salem hills. It was not log, but I had some fun climbing in the rain.
Tomorrow, I will ride my century - we will ride Kings Valley Hwy to Philomath and back. Getting some more hills in.
Meanwhile, watch this on Google Videos.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Wind
The weather forecast for Saturday:
High Wind Warning in effect from midnight tonight to 6 PM PST Saturday...
Showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Windy. Highs around 50. South wind 25 to 35 mph. Gusts 50 to 60 mph...decreasing to 40 mph in the afternoon.
I really do not want to ride in wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph, so I am going to postphone the Saturday Century to Sunday. If the weather is bearable when I wake tomorrow, I may ride some hills, but we shall see....
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Honey, it's raining outside!
The month of January has been the wettest January in Salem since 1970, according the local newspaper, the Statesman Journal. And, during this very wet month, I have put in more miles this month than any other prior year. I have ridden 661 miles including four centuries.
Why?
Well, I am training for the Central Coast Double. I attempted this ride last year, and pulled out at mile 167. I DNFed.
So, this year I have worked harder, lost weight and I am working with Sandy Earl who is coaching me. She is a recording holding (Davis 12 and 24 Hour Challenge among others) ultra-cyclist. Her experience, knowledge and enthusiasm will be edge that I need to finish, of that I am sure.
Mid-Week Training Update
Monday, I worked out with Martin at the gym, and then attended the Spinning class. I felt good lifting, but very tired during Spinning. My perceived excursion was high, but not my heart rate. As such, I took Tuesday off. No lifting, no riding, no sweating.
Wednesday, I did a slow, easy ride with Joanne on our tandem. We enjoyed nice weather for a change. We even saw a white orb in the sky. Joanne thought it was the moon, but it has been so long since we have seen it, to be honest I just can't remember what it the moon looks like.
Tonight, I did something that I have not done in quite a while. I did intervals on the rollers. I have forgotten (seems I am doing a lot of this lately) how hard riding the rollers was. But, as with all pain, I know that this suffering will help me achieve my goal.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
JanuaryRides
| Date | Description | Miles |
| 1/4/2006 | Slow recovery ride. | 23 |
| 1/7/2006 | Long Trainingride. Headwind going out, disappeating tail wind on the way back home. | 97 |
| 1/8/2006 | Slow recovery ride. | 22 |
| 1/14/2006 | Long training ride. Very flat and almost no wind. Mostly cloudy, just two short showers. | 99 |
| 1/15/2006 | Slow recovery ride with long break in Silverton. | 46 |
| 1/17/2006 | First attempt at intervals, but cut short due to a flat. | 14 |
| 1/18/2006 | Recovery Night Ride - no rain but damp roads. | 22 |
| 1/21/2006 | Kings Valley Personal Century. Rain all day long. | 100 |
| 1/22/2006 | Recovery Ride. No rain! | 44 |
| 1/24/2006 | Tuesday Night Ride with Scotts Cycling. Route cut short due to flooding. | 26 |
| 1/25/2006 | Salem Bicycle Club Wednesday Night Ride-recovery ride. | 22 |
| 1/28/2006 | A long training ride on the Meridian tandem. Very strong southwind (Salem Airport recorded a 38 mph gust). Got wet and tired but average heart rate was low for the day (110bpm). | 102 |
| 1/30/2006 | Another wet ride in the Oregon wind and rain. Knew it was a tough ride when the wife said she stopped having fun five miles ago with five miles to go! | 44 |