| (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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Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Mid-Week Training UpdateMonday After riding centuries on Saturday and Sunday, one would think that I would take Monday night at the gym off. Nope. Martin and I did a light workout on the legs, but hard as ever on the core. Yes I was tired, and yes it did hurt, but I know the FC508 will hurt more if I do not work hard now. Tualatin Tuesday Miles: 17.64 September Total: 868.80 Coach Sandy says that I should begin to taper in preparation of the 508. I can only ride hard for one hour or less, if I ride longer than an hour, I must take it easy. So, I rode very hard for 1:02:51. My average was 17.0 for the 17.64 miles and 984 feet of elevation gain. Mike and the group dropped me yet again on the main hill, and I never caught up with them so I was alone for awhile. Then, due to me not knowing the route, two riders bridge up to me and we finished together. I rode some very back roads behind Wilsonville! After the ride, most of us got together for dinner as this was the last Tuesday night ride for the group in Taulatin. They do not ride during the winter (hate that word) months. I will go back to riding with the Scott's group here in Salem until next April. Wednesday Miles: 14.44 September Total: 883.24 Ah, the nice and easy Wednesday night ride with the Salem Bicycle Club. Nope! Joanne and I were on the tandem, and we were joined by Jim, John and Dale. We did the flattest route we could find and we rode it very hard. We average 17.0 miles for the 14.44 miles and we gained less than 200 feet in the calm wind. Everything came together tonight; strong legs, no wind, warm temperatures and a flat route. Too bad this was also the last Wednesday night ride. Well, not really. Next week we move into winter mode with lights and a group ride on the Windsor Island course. I hope that it does not rain on Wednesday's this winter. Sunday, September 24, 2006
Weekend UpdatePre-Peach of a Century Miles: 108.64 September Total: 851.16 Mark Janaba and I rode the Salem Bicycle Club's Peach of a Century route on Saturday. We both have done this event ride many times so the route was not new and we did not get lost. I left my house at 7:00 am to meet Mark at a coffee shop in downtown Salem. There, I had my first caffeine of the day. We started out at 8:00 am and the sun was beginning to warm the day. I started out with two jerseys, arm warmers, a light wind jacket and tights. All of this clothing was needed in the cool morning air, but this air was soon warmed by the sun and off most of it came by the afternoon. Last year, the weather was wet and rainy. But this year we had clear blue skies and afternoon temperatures near the 80° mark. Mark worked me hard and my 17.5 mph average proved it. I ended up with over 108 miles but got back to the house in under eight hours. Peach of a Century Miles: 115.05 September Total: 956.21 Ah, what a day! Joanne and I rode the tandem and had a very good ride. We left the house at 8:00 am and rode to the start of the ride. Already, the air was warm and I had no need for all of the clothing that I wore yesterday. Over 750 people joined us as we rode toward Jefferson. There were people everywhere, which maybe the reason we came upon one accident. Luckily, the fallen rider was treated and release at the local hospital. We slowed down just a bit on the way to the Roaring River rest stop, but not by much. We continued our quick pace to the Stayton rest stop. But leaving Stayton, we rode into a fierce head wind, so we picked up our effort and lead a train of Portland Velo riders to the foot of Aumsville hill. There they passed us, but we turned on the heat and reeled them in one by one. It is so much fun to drop singles on a hill when we ride our tandem! We had a 17.5 mph average back to the starting location but it dropped to 17.2 going back to our home. I felt strong in the second half of the second century of the weekend. This gives me more confidence for the 508. Mid-Week Update I had a difficult week. Monday, I worked out in the gym with Martin, and I did work hard, but I felt tired and weak. Tuesday, because I was just so plain tired, I took the day off. I did not exercise at all. Wednesday, I had a migraine and missed work and the evening ride. Thursday, I made it to work, but the migraine pain prevented me from working out with Martin. Friday is usually a rest day, but I met Martin at the gym at 5:30 am and we had a quick workout before I went to work. Friday, September 22, 2006
RandonneuringOregon Cycling Magazine has a story on randonneuring this month. It is a very good story that explains what randonneuring is all about. But, if you read the story, you may notice my picture. It was taken during the DART that Del organized. The photograph is of Del and me studying a map. Sunday, September 17, 2006
A Non-Restful SundayMiles: 76.13 September Total: 742.52 I was supposed to take a day off today. But, the Salem Bicycle Club was riding to the Mt. Angel Octoberfest, and it is a tradition for all of the Salem tandems to do this ride. So, Joanne and I rode to Mt. Angel. There were five tandems on the ride - John and Karen Poole were on there new Co-Motion, Mike and Grace McCabe rode their Co-Motion, Keith and Pat Lippy rode their Lippy as did Doug and Nancy Hewitt. We were on our Meridian. And it was a fast ride! We hung on all of the way to Mt. Angel, but we found a reason to stay and not ride back with the hammerheads. Instead, we joined Keith and Pat and walked through the arts and crafts and then the food aisle (Apple Strudel - good!). The speed on the way back was more relaxed and we had lots of conversation between the two tandems. Then, at home I read my e-mail and remembered that I had made arrangements to drop my van off in lake Oswego so my coach and prepare it for the 508. Since Joanne was busy, I loaded up my LeMond and rode it home from lake Oswego. I took the straightest route I could and rode hard. I was pleased that I felt none of my soreness from the Ring of Fire. Looks like I have now recovered. Saturday, September 16, 2006
Saturday Century - The Short VersionMiles: 76.31 September Total: 666.39 My first long ride after Ring of Fire was very interesting. First, just a few miles into the ride, I had a flat in the rear. Brian List, who came down from Portland to join me, had an easy time finding the cause. The largest piece of glass I have even seen in a tire was embedded in the tire and the tube. I used my only spare tube to fix the flat. The weather was much cooler; it is certainly fall. We rode south toward Turner and then Jefferson before doing the Deaver/Connor loop. Back in Jefferson, it was Brian's turn to have a flat. While he fixed his, I noticed that my rear tire was low on air. I used one of my three remaining CO2 cylinder to fill it. As Brian need to be back in Portland for a commitment, and I was still sore from the Ring of Fire, we headed straight back using Jefferson Hwy (fast traffic with no shoulder). In Salem, my rear tire was low again, so I used another co2 cylinder. Then, as we neared my home, it was low again and I used my last co2 cylinder. The hole must have been getting larger as this time the tire began to go flat almost immediately. I barely made it back to the house! In the Deaver/Conner area, we stopped at the Millersburg Market, where I was pleased to learn that they serve sandwiches. I must stop there during my long winter rides. Thursday, September 14, 2006
Back in the GymMartin and I worked out together for the first time in quite a while. I worked hard and it felt good. But the best part was coffee at Steamed Heat afterwards. Afterward, I got on our "new to us" Schwinn Spinner. I intended to ride for 55 minutes and do four sets of intervals. However, this plan was beyond my capabilities and I got off the Spinner after 25 minutes. Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Wednesday Night in the WindMiles: 13.38 September Total: 590.08 Since I did not do the Torture Tuesday, and as I was feeling much better, Joanne and I rode hard on tonight. Five of us left Hollywood Park and braved the blustery wind and the clouds that showed the threat of rain. The route was only 14 miles and we did it in 45 minutes (17.4 mph average). Fall is coming. The temperatures were much cooler and I was cold in my long sleeve jersey. I should have added a wind jacket. I am already missing summer. Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Not a Torture TuesdayMiles: 8.86 September Total: 576.70 I am still recovering from the 307 miles I rode last weekend during the Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial. I did ride down to my automobile mechanic to pick up the van. It is now certified for the Furnance Creek 508. In terms of pain, the only part of my body that is still somewhat sore is my right Achilles tendon, but it is getting better each day. How many miles do I have to ... In the early morning hours of the Ring of Fire, I finished my fifth lap of the 26 mile night loop. I knew that I did not have enough time to ride a sixth. I asked my coach Sandy Earl how many mile did I have to do to reach our goal of 300 miles. She looked at me and said 19. Looking at my watch, I though I may have just enough time to do it, if I left right then. So I jumped onto my bike and started climbing the hill for the last time. However, my legs were toast and I could not climb as fast as I could earlier in the night. Before, I was doing 9 to 11 miles per hour, but now I could only do 5 mph. This was not good. I needed to pick up the speed if I were to do 19 miles. I tried, but it was hard. Soon, I reached the top of the hill, and now the terrain was flat. I could pick up the speed and soon I felt I was flying along toward the morning light. Descending into Tye Valley I tried to go as fast as I could. Turning right toward Shearers Bridge, I saw that I had passed the 13 mile mark and I had just a few minutes left. I worked hard going up the last small hill and then descending toward the Dechutes River I saw I was getting close to mile 19. But, I was running out of time. When I passed mile 17, I had just three minutes left and I knew my cause was lost. But, I did not quit, I increased my efforts and sprinted for the 18 mile mark. I make it, but just as my time ran out. I did not do the 19 miles that Sandy said I needed for 300 miles. She picked me up and I explained that I was close, but I had failed. She smiled and said "No you didn't. I lied. You really did 307 miles! Good job!". I must admit that at that point, I called her a bad name. But I was glad that she did what she did. It made me work hard at the end of the time trial. But, can I ever trust her again? Monday, September 11, 2006
Monday, The Day AfterMiles: 9.49 September Total: 567.84 I did not go to work today. I did not go to the gym today. I did not mow the yard, as I promised Joanne. Why, because I was just too sore and tired. I spend the day lying or sitting; I was in rest mode. I did ride the Redline home from my automobile mechanic. I took the van in for it's Furnance Creek 508 check. The Twelve Hour Race Kenneth Philbick, winner of the 2005 Race Across Oregon sole and member of the winning two-person team in the 2006 Race Across Oregon, was my pick to win the Ring of Fire 12 Hour Time Trial. However, he ran into some tough competition by the name of Chris Hopkinson. After twelve hours of racing, only 4 miles separated the two riders, with Chris edging out Kenneth. Man, I wish I had been able to watch the competition!
Ring of Fire - Night Loop TimesThe night loop Using data collected from my Ciclo HAC4, I have created the following table:
As you can see, the slowest loop was my first. I had just come off of the Bakeoven Rd. climb and descent and I was not feeling well. My stomach felt bloated. I had taken a Gas-X pill before the descent, but it had not taken effect as of yet. The second loop was 13 minutes faster, but my third loop was the fastest of the night, over 29 minutes faster than my first loop. I slowed down on the fourth loop, but picked up the pace on the fifth loop which was my second fastest. Concerning rest times, only two were under 5 minutes and one as close to 15 minutes long. This long break was due to a major adding of clothes due to the cold night. I added wool socks, tights, and a wind jacket. None the less, Sandy did a great job of keeping me on the course and not in the rest stop. Sunday, September 10, 2006
Ring of Fire - Success!Miles: 307.0 August Total: 558.35 Goal - 300 miles: Accomplished, I finished with 307 miles. Goal - Less than 45 minutes off of the bike: Accomplished, I was off of the bike just 48:34. But this includes four stops to fix equipment. Rest stops were well below 45 minutes. Goal - Last full night loop be my second fastest. Accomplished. Pre-Race Issues: The weather was perfect! The skies were clear, the temps moderate and the wind next to nothing. A perfect weather day. I had several medicals, but not that defeated me. My left foot did bother me, but I found that foot massages helped. During some parts of the ride, my left foot hurt so much that I could not stand. But a simple and quick massage helped greatly. During the ride, my right Achilles tendon became sore, but it did not hinder me. On a positive note, I found that switching bicycles and bicycle saddles after 160 miles helped that content point. In addition, my hands and neck gave me no problems. Lastly, my coach Sandy Earl was of great help. She took very good care of me during the night. Each time I came in after a loop, she gave me food, filled my water bottle, switched my headlight battery and got me what every clothing I needed for the next loop. Then she told me to get on the bike and ride! She was awesome and enable me to accomplish my goals. Out of nine starters, I finished fifth.
* Completed the long day loop and at least one night loop, but did not ride the entire 24 hours. More to come once I recover! Friday, September 08, 2006
Ring of Fire - Notes before the rideI am now in Maupin for tomorrows Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial. This is a "reality test" for the Furnace Creek 508. The goals for this ride is: 1) Finish the ride; no "DNF". 2) At least 300 miles. 3) No more than 45 minutes off of the bike. 4) On the 25 mile night loop, have the next to last loop be my second fastest. If I accomplish the above, then I have proven to myself that I am ready for the 508. If I have difficulties, then I must reconsider the 508. I believe that I am ready for this ride, but as I have never done a 24 hour time trial before, there is a bit of uncertainty. It is going to be a long day. Things that could defeat me: 1) The weather is forecasted to be less than perfect. We will have lower temps, but we will also have some strong winds. I hope that the wind is not too bad, or at least helps me climb Bakeoven Rd. 2) My left foot could get so painful that I would have to get off of the bike. There is a lot of climbing on this route, and that is what causes my foot the most problems. But, the night loop has just one hill, about 800 feet of gain as you leave Maupin. 3) When I have DNF on rides before, it is generally due to me over thinking. I need to think about the next 25 miles only, not about what comes after. Sandy, my coach will help me here. She will keep me on the bike. Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Wednesday East Salem RideMiles: 17.10 August Total: 251.35 The days are getting shorter so are our Wednesday Night rides. Joanne and I took the Meridian tandem out for an easy ride through the hills of east Salem. We spun up the hills and coasted down the hills. This is my last ride before the Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial and we had more fun than training. Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Tualtin Tuesday - Senior RideMiles: 27.33 August Total: 234.25 I decided to take it easy tonight and ride with the Senior Group. Due to traffic, Lloyd and I got off behind them and we spent most of the ride by ourselves. I have known Lloyd for years; I rode with him on my first Watermelon Double years ago. It was a nice, easy ride for me, but Lloyd was working hard. But you must understand, he is 73 years of age! Monday, September 04, 2006
Riders in the NightMiles: 79.50 August Total: 206.92 I woke up at 2:00 am and started riding in the night. After fixing some minor equipment problems (loose lights), I met Mark Janaba at his house. Together, we did 60 miles of hills in the darkness. We did the rollers of Spring Hill Road to Walnut Hill. Then, we followed a portion of the Watermelon Double Century Route to Amity, where we took a short break. Then, we climbed Eola Hill, cresting it at sunrise. However, due to the smoke and haze in the east, the sunrise was not remarkable. To add to the elevation gain, we did Bethal Heights before returning to West Salem where we stopped for breakfast. My average for the night was 14.7, slow due to the 3681 feet of elevation gain. Sunday, September 03, 2006
Dahlias, Part TwoMiles: 54.41 August Total: 127.42 Joanne and I joined the Salem Bicycle Club ride to Frey's Dahlias Farm, east of Jefferson today. However, we decided to ride our singles today rather than our tandem which we rode yesterday. I stayed with the "fast" group all of the way to Frey's where I stopped and let the rest continue on while I waited for Joanne. She stopped for a moment and then continued on while I visited with Kurt and Erica Haas. This allowed Joanne to get a lead on me which I worked hard to catch her on the way back to Salem. However, this effort was short, just five miles or so. Again, this was an easy ride due to the Ring of Fire next weekend. Saturday, September 02, 2006
Slow SaturdayMiles: 73.01 August Total: 73.01 Joanne and I lead the Salem Bicycle Club ride today: Dahlias from Mt. Angel. The ride started in the small town of Mt. Angel and went north to Canby and the Swan Inland Dahlia Farm. Since we were the ride leaders, and the Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial in next weekend, we took it very slow and stayed at the back of the pack. Our average for the day was just 14.9 miles per hour on a very flat ride. My heart rate average was 85 beats per minute. The day was hot, over 90° F during the afternoon, but it was only hot when we stopped for traffic. The 15 mph wind chill was enough to keep us cool.
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