| (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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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
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.
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