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
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday Night Ride
My lovely wife had other commitments, so I was scheduled to lead the Wednesday Night Salem Bicycle Club ride. Driving home from Portland, it was raining, and it was not a light rain, a rain any Oregonian would be proud of.
I did not want to ride.
But, I had a responsibility, so I got dressed, loaded the bike up in the van and went down to the start. I was a bit late, and I guess I was hoping there would be no one there, but Roland was.
The rain had stopped, but I was sure it would be back. I quickly unloaded by bike, put on my helmet and gloves and we were off, just the two of us.
Roland set a good pace, and I did not have too much trouble matching it. The roads were wet, and there were a few drops falling, but soon the pure joy of riding a bicycle infected me and I started to smile. We the the usual loop counter clock wise. Traffic was light and curtisous. It was fun!
Posted
9:24 PM
by John Henry
Podium Café Virtual Directeur Sportif
Announcing my 2010 Virtual Directeur Sportif team - the Hoary Marmots. May they go out and win races (and not drug).
You can follow my team at PodiumCafe.com.
Country Team Rider
1. NOR SKY Edvald Boasson Hagen
2. GER THR André Greipel
3. AUS SKY Simon Gerrans
4. SWE SKY Thomas Lofkvist
5. CAN GRM Ryder Hesjedal
6. NED GRM Martijn Maaskant
7. AUS SKY Chris Sutton
8. ITA GCE Marzio Bruseghin
9. AUS THR Matthew Goss
10. GER THR Bert Grabsch
11. NZL SKY Gregory Henderson
12. USA BMC George Hincapie
13. USA RSH Chris Horner
14. RUS KAT Vladimir Karpets
15. GBR GRM David Millar
16. BEL RSH Gert Steegmans
17. BEL GRM Johan Vansummeren
18. USA GRM David Zabriskie
19. CAN SKY Michael Barry
20. FIN SKY Kjell Carlstrom
21. USA GRM Tom Danielson
22. NZL GRM Julian Dean
23. GBR SKY Chris Froome
24. USA GRM Danny Pate
25. AUS GRM Jack Bobridge
Posted
6:18 AM
by John Henry
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Jack Frost Time Trial Results
As expected, we were last in the division...
Tandems
1 Ellis / Hatfield Gerry / John Bicycling Northwest 0:33:29.5
2 Ripp / Ripp David / Sue Specialized RCB 0:33:53.9
3 Hogan / Medlin Christopher / Kyle - 0:34:30.3
4 Winestorfer / Winestorfer Tim / Georgia Ironheads 0:35:15.9
5 Godfrey / Hughes Godfrey Mark / Lynn - 0:35:47.2
6 Maurice /Heilinger John Henry / Joanne Capital Velo 0:38:49.2
Posted
5:51 AM
by John Henry
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Jack Frost Time Trial
Joanne and I rode our Meridian Tandem at the Jack Frost Time Trial. This is a 38 minute, ripe out your lungs ride on a very flat course in Vancouver, Washington. This year, the race was slightly altered. A new starting location was needed as the usual starting location, a park, was closed due to budget cuts. So, we started at the Port of Vancouver, where no photographs were allowed due to National Security concerns.
This year, we brought our stationary trainer for us to warm up on. And we did need to warm up as the morning was very cold and very clear. We "rode" the tandem on the trainer for 20 minutes before heading out onto the road. Experience has taught us that OBRA time has no relationship to reality. This year was no exception. But instead of OBRA time being in the future, it was about 20 minutes in the pass. Joanne and I found ourselves waiting at the start for a long period of time. At least it was in the sun.
Tandems took off every thirty seconds, and the only team that we beat last year was our 30 second rabbit. But, it soon became apparent to me that due to my lack of conditioning (due to my broken leg), we had no hope of catching them, and we watched them slowly ride away from us.
None the less, Joanne and I put forth our best effort and we did ride hard. My heart rate was about 10 bpm below prior years, but we did not lose that much in speed - only 0.5 miles per hour when compared to 2009.
Posted
7:56 PM
by John Henry
Friday, February 19, 2010
Climbing South Mountain
When I lived in Phoenix in the very early 90's, I did train on my bicycle. After work, I would ride a training loop - 33 miles around Strawberry Mountain between Phoenix and Scottsdale. If I was feeling friskier, I would add some hill climbing on the south side of Camelback Mountain. But, I was not really into hill training. As such, I rode South Mountain only one in the two years that I lived there.
Now, I embrace the hills.
I was sent to Tempe for a Educause Event. Spring time in the Valley of the Sun! I just had to ride.
My broken leg is healing well, and after conferring with my Doctor, I was given permission to ride. I rented a bike from Tempe Bicycles and decided to see how many times I could climb South Mountain. I flew in on Sunday afternoon which did not give me enough time to ride, I on Monday, I got in two climbs, one on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday night. The five climbs totaled 86.66 miles with 9,229 feet of elevation gain.
I parked my rental car near the park's entrance on San Juan Road. San Juan Road gently climbs for the first two miles to the intersection of Summit Road. San Jaun Road drops down into a valley while Summit Road takes you up to the summit and TV Towers. From my car to the top is an even seven miles.
The real climbing begins on Summit Road. After leaving the intersection, the road points upward at a constance rate of climb for the next two miles. It is not terribly steep (that comes later) but it is respectful. You get a bit of a break as the road follows a side canyon where you cross the National Trail, but then it heads upward again, but at a leg breaking rate for about 1/2 mile. This ends at the side road to Dobbins Point viewpoint.
Dobbins Point
Rollers rule the next mile of Summit Road, but when you make the right turn towards the TV Towers, be ready for some very short but steep sections of 12% or greater! The climbs tops out at a view point just north of the TV Towers which fill the western sky. To the north are the lights of Phoenix, and to the south you see the freeway heading toward Tucson.
The descent is excellent. It is technical enough to keep it interesting and challenging. But it is not all down hill. Remember those rollers? Well, your legs feel like lead as you creep over them. However, the last two miles are pure descending enjoyment!
Posted
6:34 PM
by John Henry
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Friday, February 05, 2010
Friday Lunch Ride in the Sun
It was so nice outside, that I just had to ride a fast bike so I chose the Colnago CT2. The riding was so nice I wish I had the time and energy to ride till sunset (and beyond)
Posted
2:18 PM
by John Henry
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
SBC Wednesday Night Ride
My first night ride since I started riding again after the accident.
I really enjoy riding at night, and I really do not know why. Perhaps I am more focused due night hiding distractions. Perhaps it is because the aromas are much more intense. Perhaps it is because the night hides how far I have to ride. I don't know, it is just fun.
Posted
7:59 PM
by John Henry
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Blogger Abandons FTP
From http://buzz.blogger.com/2010/01/important-note-to-ftp-users.html...
"For that reason, we are announcing today that we will no longer support FTP publishing in Blogger after March 26, 2010. We realize that this will not necessarily be welcome news for some users, and we are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible."
The reason I use FTP is that I host my blog on my own server where I can use the PHP scripting language. Hey, I'm a trained Server Administrator. It is what I do.
Gotta find a new service.
Posted
9:01 PM
by John Henry
Monday, February 01, 2010
Lunch Ride
Elise and I rode the Windsor Island loop. I listened to the weather forcast early this morning - "Some fog, clearing late morning with mostly cloudy skys". Based upon this, I sent Elise an e-mail saying I could get away for a short lunch ride and asked her to join me. She responded almost immediately with emphatic "Yes!"
Later, I looked out the window. I did not see fog, but I did see wet. Drops were falling and the roads were wet. Oh well, I was committed.
At noon, there was nothing falling from the sky, but I was prepared. Long sleeve base layer - check. Long sleeve jersey - check. Rain jacket - check. Heavy duty tights - check. Booties - check. Long fingered winter gloves - check. I was ready to ride.
Windsor Island road was busier than I expected. I almost never ride it during the week day, so I saw surprised to see the amount of truck traffic. Then I remembered, there is a rock quarry on this road. That would explain all the dump trucks filled with gravel.
We returned via River Road and there the light rain began to fall. I was almost home, but Elise had another ten miles to ride. I hope she did not get too wet!
Posted
6:07 PM
by John Henry