A recovery ride

I joined Paul today on his weekly "Scholls Sunday Summits" ride. The Worst Day of the Year Ride siphoned the rest of the regulars off so it was just us two today. Paul has been a bit under the weather lately and suggested a "recovery" ride. It was raining as we discussed this and it seemed like a good idea!

Note to folks, Paul's idea of a recovery ride may not be your idea of one. We rode 33 miles, a nice little route that included 3002 ft of climbing of some of the Scholls' area summits.

We weren't out to set records today. We planned on a nice Sunday ride and that was what we got. Though drippy when we started the weather improved as the day progressed. After our little hill climbing sojourn Paul and I visited and snacked a bit at Metro Perc.

As we went our separate ways I looked at the now mostly sunny skies and decided that this was the best day of the last several and since I've got big bike plans for the summer that I should probably ride a bit more.

In keeping with the recovery ride theme I didn't push hard, just base miles. I rode out to the Lake Stop Store near Hagg Lake and back. It added 45 miles and another 682 feet to the day's total.

............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......78................0.................78
Jan........618...............0................618
Feb........375...............0................375
_________________________________________
TOTAL......993...............0................993

introducing..............

my Race Across Oregon partner! But first a recap of the day.

I led my Training Series again today. 11 of the 18 that were affirmative RSVP's last night showed up. I suspect that the first rainy day of the training series had something to do with it. No problem, we shoved off on time and rode anyway. It wasn't too bad, ya a bit wet, but most were prepared and it wasn't cold. We rode from Forest Grove out around Hagg Lake and back. With "rolling regroups" for faster riders I ended up with 35 miles with a 17 mph average. Most of the "class" did well today. While missing the "clock time" 15 mph goal they were close. Not bad at all considering the hills and the rain.

We had a short post ride lunch at Grand Lodge then my Race Across Oregon teammate and I were the only ones to opt for the bonus miles today. We rode another 35 miles out to Woodland Loop and back. A nice route, no rain on us this afternoon and a good climb up the backside of Woodland Loop.

When we got to the top my partner took advantage of the photo op.



After she got the picture with her phone, I got a picture of her with MY phone!
Introducing my 2010 Race Across Oregon teammate on a 2x adventure.......... Lauren!



She is a strong rider and more importantly has the same loose screw that all endurance cyclists do. "I'm tired, I'm sore, I'm hungry, I'm hot, I want to go home.....but for some reason only fathomable by those who do these things.... you ride on...and on....and on.

I am proud to have her join me in the RAO adventure.


Today's combined trips, mileage 70, elevation 3737 ft, 16.3 mph "on bike" average.


............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......70................0.................70
Jan........618...............0................618
Feb........297...............0................297
_________________________________________
TOTAL......913...............0................913

even shorter!

The rain was falling heavily this morning. It was one of those days where it would have been easy to find something else to do besides ride bike. Alas, I had told Frank I'd join him on a little hill workout today. I ran windshield wipers nearly the entire way to his place. Almost like magic the rain stopped as I got about a half mile away. We geared up for a wet ride and shoved off on a climb up NW Springville Rd to Skyline. We rode west on Skyline out to Logie Trail. We discussed riding down Rocky Pt road then along Hwy 30 with a climb back up to Skyline via Newberry Rd but time constraints convinced us to save that adventure for another day. We had a bit of rain on the ride today, nothing real serious. The wind was more of an issue, it was really blustery on the ridge top today.

Only 27 miles today, but 2784 ft of climbing!

Towards the end of the day the skies began to clear. It looks like my "Training Series" ride tomorrow may be dry........for the 4th week in a row!

............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......27...............0.................27
Jan........618...............0................618
Feb........227...............0................227
_________________________________________
TOTAL......843...............0................843

Mid week ride

Luis, Marcie, and I rode a short ride today. The forecast was for 80% chance of rain so we were pleasantly surprised (and overdressed!) when we only had one very light shower on the ride today. Temperatures were in the mid 50's, winds light, and sky overcast. Not bad weather wise for winter in Oregon. With the prediction of rain I brought my steel bike that's equipped with fenders. As it ended up I really didn't need that. I guess chalk it up to training. Heavier bike and less favorable gearing. I put my XeroLite wheels back in this morning saving my Bontragger RaceLite wheels from the wear and tear of winter road grit. I've got a new IRD 11-28 9spd cogset to put on this set of wheels but didn't get it switched over yet so I was still on the 12-25.
We had some hills on today's route. Mapmyride said 728 feet in 34 miles but that seems a bit short on elevation gain. I managed to get my bike to the top of the hills a bit quicker than my partners today. Rather than waiting at the top I practiced what our group likes to call a "rolling regroup". I'd reach the top then turn around and ride back the way I came, passing my still uphill riding partners as I whizzed by. After an "adequate amount of distance" I'd turn around and climb the hill again, hopefully arriving at the top about the same time as the others. That little method ended up giving me 39 miles today with 2128 ft of climbing to my partners' 34 miles with 728 ft.

I felt good today and held a 15.3 mph on bike average even with the climbing.

Luis didn't have such a nice day, he had 3 flats, 2 rear and 1 front. The two on the rear may have been related. The last one came close enough to the end that he just walked his bike the remaining distance.





............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......39...............0.................39
Jan........618...............0................618
Feb........200...............0................200
_________________________________________
TOTAL......818...............0................818

practice run

I dallied away the early morning waiting for the fog to clear and temps to warm a bit. (pansy that I am!) I finally hopped on the bike and pre-rode the 51 mile route that I will be leading as Training Series ride #6 in a couple of weeks. Another nice day on a bike!

............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......51...............0.................51
Jan........618...............0................618
Feb........161...............0................161
_________________________________________
TOTAL......779...............0................779

another beautiful day, but alas, no riding

Another great day. I was just preparing to ride a 75 mile "commute" to turn in some paperwork for last week's conference when I got a call to help a member of my social bike group distribute some bike show posters. So I spent the day using my "Garmin skills" to navigate around various bike shops on a 150 mile day of driving! We talked bike, saw bikes, and advertised a bike show. I guess it qualifies as bikey enough to post it here. ;-)

great weather for a birthday ride

19 of my social riding buddies joined me on a beautiful day to ride bikes....oh, and celebrate a birthday. (that was actually Friday but I was out of town then)

My Training Series riders were on tap for 25-30 miles and I wanted to ride 55 miles for my birthday. Since I was out of town it all had to be rolled into one ride. I accomplished this by setting a 27.5 mile course. 6 of us rode 1 lap as "pre ride bonus miles" then we were joined by 13 more. (1 rider from the pre-ride had Super Bowl plans and left after the first lap and one showed up after the picture was taken)



The first lap was fast by plan. I was at a conference that still had me on the coast this morning so couldn't get back to ride until 12:30. My Training Series was slated to be riding at 2:30PM so I knew I had to be finished up with the 27.5 miles in about 90 minutes in order to be back in time to coordinate the other riders. I managed to get back in 91 minutes. an 18.1 true "clock time" average

The second lap riders got a bit of a jump on a few of us as we waited just a bit for a couple of guys that were running a bit late. We managed to catch up with the group about 6 miles into the ride. Shortly after catching them one of the women had a flat.

It gave slower riders a chance to regroup with us and all hung around as the flat was repaired then pedaled off.

The "on bike" average for lap two was 18 mph so we managed to hold a good pace today. The "class" did well too with most finishing at or under 2 hours total time, even with the flat caused delay.

About 8 of us retired to Wanker's Corner to catch Superbowl halftime festivities and restock both solid and liquid calorie reserves. ;-)

Thanks to my sis who showed up with a chocolate birthday cake complete with candles!


It was another good day for the training series. 3 weekend rides in a row with no rain, and the added bonus of one midweek after dark "homework" ride organized by a member that was also dry. I'm sure that will change, it is after all winter in Oregon, but it's nice while it's lasting!

An absolutely perfect day for biking. Mid 50's, no appreciable wind, blue sky all around, and joined by a good group of friends.

Thanks all!



............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......55...............0.................55
Jan........618...............0................618
Feb........110...............0................110
_________________________________________
TOTAL......728...............0................728

A long time off bike

I've been at a conference since Wednesday and won't return until tomorrow around 12:30PM, just in time to bike 55 miles with friends. While I've been sitting here in meetings my Race Across Oregon partner rode 80 hilly miles today. Tomorrow while I'm in my last meeting she will be riding a 40+ mile hilly ride including a ride up Bald Peak. I need to get back on the bike soon and ride hard lest she leave me in her dust regularly!

a nice day and a can of pavement marking paint

I took advantage of the sunny day and dry roads to pre-ride the route I'll be leading with my social group this weekend. While riding the route I carried a can of the non-permanent, brightly colored, pavement marking paint. The route will now be easier to navigate for those that fall off the back, or spring out in front! ;-)

............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.........TOTAL
Today.......55...............0.................55
Jan........618...............0................618
Feb.........55...............0.................55
_________________________________________
TOTAL......673...............0................673

A continuation

I met late last evening with Lauren, a strong woman cyclist who has agreed to join with me as a two person mixed team in July's Race Across Oregon. We talked about the fun and adventure of competing in this 520 mile bike racing event. Oh, and we talked a bit about the commitment required too. ;-) This is going to be FUN!

By the time that all wound down it was 12:02 AM, officially "today" and the application for this year's Furnace Creek 508 would be available. I went to AdventureCORPS website and promptly filled out the application.

Not so much that the adventure has begun as it has officially continued.


Mon, February 1, 2010 12:33:12 AM
From: AdventureCORPS race office
To: kevin

Hello Athlete-Adventurer!

Thank you for submitting your application to compete in the 27th Anniversary Furnace Creek 508 on October 2-4, 2010. This is a bold step you have taken and we salute you for the commitment it implies!

Due to the high volume of qualified applicants, it's unfortunate that it is impossible to invite every athlete who applies, including some race veterans. Thus, we appreciate your understanding if you are not invited this year. If that's the case, we encourage you to support another cyclist, or team, in the race as The 508 could not go on without dedicated and competent support crews.

According to the timeline outllined on the website, we will notify you via email whether you are, or are not, confirmed to compete in the 2010 Furnace Creek 508. If you, or you and your team, are accepted to compete, you will be emailed the two-page Entrant Contract and Personal Waiver. You will have just seven days to submit the paperwork and entry fee to AdventureCORPS in order to secure your spot on the race roster