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
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Knoxville Double Century
After server rides in which I did not do well, I had some trepidation about the Knoxville Double Century. Yes, I had finished it three time before, but this was another year.
But not to worry, I finished and had a very good ride.
Some thoughts about this year's ride. First of all, due to the closure of Big Canyon Rd, the course now includes Loch Lomond Rd, and some additional climbing. To say the road is steep is an understatement. I was in my lowest gear (26x25) and turning over the pedals was very difficult. And, with each pedal stroke, I was lifting my front wheel off of the ground. Yes, it was that steep.
Secondly, ultracyclists just can't pace line. Just after I left the Lake Hennessey rest stop, I was passed by eight riders in a pace line and I managed to jump on the back. But I soon observed that this was not a well run pace line. My first clue was that riders were taking too long of pulls. When the rider who had been pulling drifted back, the rider in front of me gapped the pace line. As such, he signaled that he would not be taking his turn to pull. I began to watch the dynamics of this line. A rider near the back appeared that he should know how to pace line. His legs were shaved and he work a jersey from a double century ride, but his actions were otherwise. He could not hold a line. He drifted back and fourth and on several occasions nearly took out the wheel of the rider behind him. When I saw this, I dropped off of the back a couple of bike lengths.
Lastly, riding a double is like meeting people in a bar in that you have short conversations, but then never see them again. On the way to the last rest stop, a tandem flew by me with one single behind it. Again, I managed to jump on as we flew down a small hill and the flat beyond. When the tandem came upon a small hill, they slowed and I struck up a conversation. I learned a lot about them; they lived in Susanville and had down the Devil Mountain Double on their tandem, twice. When we reached the rest stop, I was focused on setting up my lights and they left just before me. I tried to catch them, but I never saw them again. Just like some people I have met in bars.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Knoxville Double Century - The Next Ride
Yes, I have not been riding much in the last week. In fact, I took last weekend off completely. This was due to three reasons. The first was I was not feeling well, Not really sick, just tired and lazy. The second reason is that I drove SAG for my club's Peach of a Century. Lastly, I am tapering becasue this Saturday I will be riding in my third Knoxville Double Century. This will be my fourth Knoxville; I finished in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
The published elevation gain for this ride is 12,600 ft, and it is listed as eighth hardest of the 18 California doubles. However, due to the wash out of Big Canyon Rd, I am sure that there is more gain than before and it may even be promoted from "High" difficulty to "Extremly High".
I will be riding my LeMond and beginning at 4:45 am. I hope to reach the last rest stop by dusk, as I did in 2005. Other than that, my only goal is to finish.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Under a Harvest Moon
We rode the last East Salem Wednesday Night ride for the season, and it was under a Harvest Moon.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Do I need another bicycle?
No, but did that stop me from buying one? No!
I saw a Colnago CT2 frame and fork on eBay, and decided to bid for it. No, I really do not need another bicycle, but as one ages, one does need a fine Italian bicycle, and there is no finer Italian bicycle than a Colnago.
Now, I need to buy a bike build kit. Dura Ace or Ultegra?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Riding the Rollers
I attended a seminar in Eugene today, and did not get back in time to ride before the sun went down. So, I broke out the rollers and did 45 minutes on them. As you can see, my speed was nearly constant, but my heart rate slowly increased and I lost 13 feet in altitude!?! My intention was a easy ride to reacquaint myself with rollers. I believe I succeeded.
Some people just do not know how to drive!
It takes talent to jackknife inside of a covered bridge.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday Night Under Clear Skies
We did Hibbard tonight.
The Hibbard hill strikes fear into any reasonable bicycle rider. It comes upon you almost with our warning. The road is flat, but the trees up ahead seem wrong. Suddenly, you realize that you are looking at the tops of tall trees. Looking through the trees, you can see the road beyond, and it appears vertical! Then you are descending into a steep walled ravine. You pick up speed but you have to brake to make a shape right hand turn as the road crosses a small bridge. You look up and see the road climb up the other side of the ravine. If you are lucky, you get into your smallest gear, but even so, your legs scream "Why are we climbing this wall?" It is very steep, but it is also short. When you reach the top, you are gasping for air. This is fun?
Yes, it is!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A Quick Fall Ride
Fall has fallen and it fell fast. The days of sunny skies are over and I had to check the weather radar to see if it was going to rain. The forecast was for a 20% chance of showers in the evening, but we got the ride in before the rain.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Saturday, September 08, 2007