| (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, October 04, 2006
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".
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