October Rides

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Miles: 18.0
October Total: 526.8

Joanne and I rode the tandem on the Salem Bicycle Club Wednesday Night Ride. And we rode it very slowly as I was no where close to being recovered from the 508.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Miles: 34.61
October Total: 561.41

I rode with the folks from Scott's Cycling. Again, this was a recovery ride.

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Miles: 93.33
October Total: 654.74

Yes, just one week after the 508, I'm doing a Saturday Century. Peter Davis gave me a call and said he wanted to do a Saturday Century with me. I did not have the heart to tell him no, I was not up to it. Instead, I said yes and we made plans to meet at the local coffee shop Saturday morning.

Luckily, Peter is a touring cyclist, not a Cat-1 racer. So, I had an enjoyable, long, slow ride on a very flat course. He started off by riding to Jefferson where we stopped for breakfast. Then, we took in the Dever/Conner sights before stopping at the Millersburg Market. Finally, we headed home by retracting our route back through Jefferson.

The weather was good enough, fog turning to low clouds, but I did miss the warm temperatures and clear blue skies of the Californian deserts.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Miles: 33.55
October Total: 688.49

Another ride with the Scott's Cycling folks. I'm feeling better and even contested MacLeay Hill. I stayed with the lead group (of the not fast riders) letting a solo rider attach half way up the hill. Earl got 100 feet on us but could not extend his lead. We slowly worked our way up to him and as we approached the summit, I came around and attached. He heard me coming and jumped out of the saddle. We were side by side as we reached the summit! My maximum heart rate was 184!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Miles: 23.18
October Total: 711.57

A quick ride, but a recovery ride none the less.

The evenings are getting cooler, but only after the sun goes down. Do I dress for the start of the ride when it is 65° or for the end of the ride when it is 55°? Sweat early or freeze late?

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Miles: 82.52
October Total: 794.09

I intended to ride another Saturday Century, but I came up short. I started out alone and headed north along the Willamette River. My first stop was at Champoeg State Park before riding to the (very) small town of Barlow. Then, I headed to Aurora where I met my wife and rode back home with her.

I was very tired the second half of this ride. I was really glad to reach home and I had no intention of riding an additional eight miles to reach a UMCA century of 90 miles minimum.

Will I ever recover from the 508?

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Miles: 16.18
October Total: 810.27

I took Tuesday off, but joined my wife for the Wednesday night ride. Feeling better, I rode well, but I'm not completely recovered yet.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Miles: 27.32
October Total: 837.59

I joined the group from Scott's Cycle and we headed north to do the Windsor Island Loop. I had two flats tonight. The first I found as I was getting ready to leave the house. The second came early in the ride when I pinched when hitting something in the bicycle path.

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Miles: 93.24
October Total: 930.83

Another Saturday Century! Mark joined new century rider Jerry and we headed up around Silver Creek Falls State Park.

This ride had a couple of firsts for me.

1) The first time I rode down Timber Trail, one of the steepest hills around Salem. I was doing 40+ mph without trying, but had to slow for a hairpin turn. My brakes did the job, but I was wishing for my Redline with disk brakes.

2) For the first time in my cycling career, I had a migraine attack while I was on the bike. I rode thought it, and it was painful, but I think that climbing helped the pain. Perhaps my heart was sending blood to my legs instead of my head. Anyway, but the end of the ride I was feeling much better.

Posted 7:35 PM by John Henry

I did it!

I have been meaning to post a complete write up of my 508 adventure, but writing about the adventure is taking much too long, so here are some facts and impressions.

Miles: 508.8
Time: 41:23:02
Average MPH: 12.3

I started Saturday morning at 7:00 am and finished Monday morning 12:23 am for a total time of 41:23:02 and an average of 12.3 mph (including time off of the bike). I was 28th of 60 male starters, of which 39 finished.

Four folks from Oregon participated and all four finished. Kenneth Philbrick (the 2005 Race Across Oregon winner) finished seventh in 32:30. Del Scharffenberg finished in 40:20. He suffered stomach problems and could not keep any food down. He rode the last 120 miles without eating. Lastly, Michael Wolfe, who I do not know, rode a
recumbent and finished in 35:49.

A ride of this nature can only be successfully done if the rider has a strong crew. My crew chief was Sandy Earl. In addition to being a 508 finisher herself, she hold several 24 hour records. She kept me on fed, happy and hydrated. And when I started to hallucinate, she had the right stuff to get ride of my visions. Mark Newsome
(Corvallis) and Ron Faris (Inyokern) worked very hard at keeping me ready for the road. I could not have finished without these folks.

I will add a full ride report once I have it written.

Posted 7:15 PM by John Henry

Keizer men conquer toughest 48 hours in sports at Furnace Creek

Published: October 27, 2006


By CHRIS COHOON
Of the Keizertimes

McNary graduate Kenneth Philbrick and Keizer cyclist John Henry Maurice achieved the unthinkable on Oct. 8.

Out of 61 entrants in California's Furnace Creek 508 bicycle race, they were two of just 39 to finish the non-stop 508-mile course.

The Furnace Creek 508 is unlike any other bicycle race. It's a nonstop event that attracts people from all over the world, and some even call it the toughest 48 hours in sports.

"It's just a massive endeavor," said the 28-year-old Philbrick, an accomplished cyclist who was a rookie in this race. "Just getting to the end is a big deal."

The race began in Santa Clarita, traveled through the Mojave Desert to Death Valley, and on to Twenty-nine Palms. It featured a variety of terrain.

"Every mile is a new mile," said Philbrick, who finished in seventh place, riding the course in 32:30:13. "Luckily it wasn't too hot. I think it was only in the 80s in Death Valley, which made hydration a non-issue."

Maurice finished in 28th place, at 41:23:02. He made his debut in the race at age 51.

"My goal was to finish, and my secondary goal was to place well," Maurice said. "I finished well, so I'm happy."

Riders were supported by follow crews – generally two to three people following behind in a car.

"It would be next to impossible to do the race without support," said Philbrick. "The support crew tracks hydration. They pretty much give you water whenever you finish a bottle."

Training for the event is almost as grueling as participating in it. Maurice was on a year-long training plan, while Philbrick began training in June after school was out at Oregon State University.

"I began preparing seven months in advance," said Maurice. "I was given a training plan and a nutrition plan by my coach, and we communicated once a week."

Participating in other races was essential to the preparation for the Furnace Creek 508. Both Maurice and Philrbrick rode in this year's Race Across Oregon.

With the race now more than two weeks behind them, recovery remains an issue.

"I haven't recovered 100 percent yet," said Maurice, who nonetheless was on his way out to ride his bike.

Posted 10:00 PM by John Henry

The 508 - The Night Before

All is ready. The crew are putting the final touches on the van and purchasing the final supplies. I am in the hotel and will be in bed soon. Tomorrow, the fun begins.

Plan for the race: in a word - finish. But let me expand on that. I want to finish within 40 hours and have only 90 minutes off of the bike. That means I should cross the finish line at 11:00 pm on Sunday.

I am ready for this race.

I completed the Spring Death Valley Double Century.
I completed all four climbs of the Mount Shasta Super Century.
I completed the Ultimate Oregon Double Century.
I rode 307 miles in the Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trail.
I can do the 508.

Posted 9:22 PM by John Henry

The 508 is this weekend!

I did not ride last night as the bikes were not done at the shop. The RedLine needs a new rear derailleur. Instead, I learned how to operate the new CD Player in the Van. You see, Car Toys installed the audio out cable in the console glove box, but this caused the glove box light to be constantly on. So, this drained the battery and I had a no start environment in the van yesterday.

To correct the problem, I ran the audio out cable out beneath the glove box. But, I found that I also had to disconnect the light in the glove box. Finally, as the CD Player lost power I had to reconfigure it. Yes, I had to get the manual out and read it.

Below are the final instructions from my crew chief/coach - Sandy Earl. I include them to give the reader an idea of the complexity of doing the 508 and how important it is to have an experienced crew chief"


"Final approach:
Sandy will drive down to the Marmot warren (marmots do live in warrens, right??) tomorrow, aiming to arrive somewhat after 11AM on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5.

After we load up the things I'm bringing to this party, we'll motor down and pick up Mark in Corvallis. Estimated time of arrival: 1:00 - 1:30 PM.

Mark - I've been to your house, or at least past it, assuming you've not moved in the past 5 years. Directions???

The three of us will drive south until it makes no sense to continue; optimally we'll clear Sacramento before kicking it in so as to avoid being on I5 during that rush hour.

Early Friday AM we will continue and we aim to be at the start line hotel (Hilton Garden Inn 27710 The Old Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91355, 661-254-8800), where we have two rooms reserved, by early afternoon. I'm saying 2PM (that's 1400 to you, Ron) to be on the safe side; that would let us deal with the vehicle checkin before hotel checkin. We will meet Ron there, get the van organized and make a list of last-minute shopping things before the banquet/prerace meeting. (RON - if your passage south with Fast Rabbit isn't securely booked, let us know; we can swing over and get you.)

Wakeup call is 5AM. This seems like overkill but there really is barely enough time. Order of operations:
1) Feed the Marmot
2) Find coffee
(or perhaps the other way 'round)
3) double-check bikes while the Marmot fusses about which armwarmers to wear
4) preload and prechill about 6 hours' worth of food/drink - he'll be taking two hours' worth with him on the bike at the start as we can't provide direct support for the first 25 miles....From there, the rest is easy.

Once he gets on the road we'll make a quick segue to the local Safeway (there's one on the Old Road, actually a Von's but it's all the same) to pick up last-minute provisions, crew food, and more coffee.

BTW - Sandy's pet peeve: Excessive photo-ops at the start line are for people who aren't certain that they'll get to take pictures at the finish line. We aren't bringing John here to start a race.

Return trip, we drive out on Monday via 395 shortly after breakfast. We drop off Ron, then head northward. I'd guess we'll be home sometime Tuesday afternoon.

Marmot - I'm putting you in charge of having the necessary tools for bike repair, etc, including a floor pump. If there's anything you need in that regard let me know!

Game on."

On a different note, below is a short movie of a robot riding a bicycle up a 25° grade. I hope to move just a bit faster than the robot as I climb Townes Pass, but it appears that I have an advantage - I an not riding a "fixie".

Posted 8:43 AM by John Henry

Weekend Update

Miles: 31.54
September Total: 900.34

This is the weekend before the Furnace Creek 508 so taper is the word.

On Saturday, I did the short ride with the Salem Bicycle Club - just 31.54 miles, but this put me over 900 miles for the month! I did take it easy, well sort of. I rode with the fast group out to Silverton where I stopped for a long 45 minute break before returning to Salem with Jim and Jim. For the day, I average 18.9 miles with just 571 feet of elevation gain. Essentially, I did two short and fast rides with a long break in between. Fun!

On Sunday, I did not ride at all. Instead, I installed a Yakima bicycle rack to the top of the van and purchased a CD Player with audio in and audio out for the van and had it installed. Then Joanne garbed me and I got to do yard work for a short time before hauling yard debris to the dump.

The next few days will be very light. I will work out with Martin at the gym on Monday but I think that we will cut it short and head for coffee early. Tuesday will be my first ride with Scott's Cycling since I started heading toward Tualatin and I am looking forward to riding with these guys again. On Wednesday, Joanne and I will lead our first night ride of the season. This will be a short and easy route north of Keizer.

Posted 7:05 PM by John Henry