I just talked with a member of Sandy's crew via phone. They are in Kansas, just outside Greensberg. As expected, there have been some tough times and some not quite so tough times. They have been having some stiff headwinds and some torrential rains and hail. Sandy was struggling to stay fed and hydrated. The crew has been doing their job and believes that they've turned the corner on those issues. I brought up a weather forecast for them that shows drying and warming over the next few days, a welcome change for them. Amy Xu had recently passed Sandy, but they have her in the sights again and feel that Sandy can catch her.
Keep the good thoughts flowing.
Go Sandy Go!
And while I'm a fan of Sandy Earl's, I can't help but marvel at the woman who's in first place in the women's division, Barbara Buatois from France.
Watch her set a new world's speed record on a pretty fancy bike:
She's shown she can ride FAST, and now is showing that she can probably ride LONG as well.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Two days in a row!
like Summer that is.
Not quite as warm as yesterday, and a bit windier by afternoon, but still a great day.
I began the day with a ride of the Snoozeville Populaire route. It was a nice metric century route that began at the same location that I needed to be at for a social group ride at 10AM. Perfect timing. I started early and traffic wasn't a concern.
Our social bike group had a ride today to honor Paul J's birthday. 10 of us rode a 40 mile route that climbed up to Skyline via Springville Rd then followed Skyline out to Rocky Point.
We didn't tarry long as we had to get back to our start point shortly after 1PM to lead a group of less experienced riders. The nice weather brought them out in force. We divided up our original group a bit to make sure that no "newbie" would end up with any problems with no one to help point them in the right direction.
The wind was picking up a bit as the day progressed and as we pedaled back even our less experienced riders saw 20+ mph on their speedometers as we blasted down Evergreen Rd.
We retired to a local pub for our "post ride debriefing." Carol had brought a bag of HUGE pink and white marshmallows.
No one was quite sure what to do with them. They were stacked like children's blocks:
They were used as sunglasses:
And finally they were even tried as seat cushions:
Oh, and a few were eaten also!
It was a good day and a great time was had by all.
All tallied, my Snoozeville preride, Paul's birthday ride, and the newbie ride gave me 116 miles for the day. I didn't ride it hard, but rode it none the less.
It was a nice weekend on the bike.
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......116................0.............0.........116
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......527...............0..............0.........527
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4631...............0..............5.........4636
Not quite as warm as yesterday, and a bit windier by afternoon, but still a great day.
I began the day with a ride of the Snoozeville Populaire route. It was a nice metric century route that began at the same location that I needed to be at for a social group ride at 10AM. Perfect timing. I started early and traffic wasn't a concern.
Our social bike group had a ride today to honor Paul J's birthday. 10 of us rode a 40 mile route that climbed up to Skyline via Springville Rd then followed Skyline out to Rocky Point.
We didn't tarry long as we had to get back to our start point shortly after 1PM to lead a group of less experienced riders. The nice weather brought them out in force. We divided up our original group a bit to make sure that no "newbie" would end up with any problems with no one to help point them in the right direction.
The wind was picking up a bit as the day progressed and as we pedaled back even our less experienced riders saw 20+ mph on their speedometers as we blasted down Evergreen Rd.
We retired to a local pub for our "post ride debriefing." Carol had brought a bag of HUGE pink and white marshmallows.
No one was quite sure what to do with them. They were stacked like children's blocks:
They were used as sunglasses:
And finally they were even tried as seat cushions:
Oh, and a few were eaten also!
It was a good day and a great time was had by all.
All tallied, my Snoozeville preride, Paul's birthday ride, and the newbie ride gave me 116 miles for the day. I didn't ride it hard, but rode it none the less.
It was a nice weekend on the bike.
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......116................0.............0.........116
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......527...............0..............0.........527
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4631...............0..............5.........4636
Saturday, June 12, 2010
It's the weekend
I must be biking!
I finally had time to get back on the bike. I joined quite a few other folks in riding the Strawberry Century. Less than 10 miles into the event I came across cousin Becky along the side of the road with a flat. I stopped to help and ended up putting the spare tire I carry on her wheel as her tire had a pretty bad gash. I rode along with her the rest of the century ride.
There are many covered bridges in the area and today's ride passed by (or over) two of them. Here's Becky at the Larwood Bridge about 25 miles into the ride today.
We pedaled along under mostly clear skies and the temperature eventually climbed into the mid 80's. After the recent weeks of mostly rain it was quite a change.
We reached Foster Reservoir and stopped for a moment to take in the view.
The route had a bit of climbing but nothing real serious. Though if you are trying to hang with Desert Coyote in hills you best bring your "A" game!
(just kidding around, Becky did well today, her first century of the season!)
If you keep your eyes open you are never sure what you might find along the way.
After making a trip around Foster Reservoir we came to our second covered bridge of the day. (The Crawfordsville Bridge)
The sky continued to clear and the temperature continued to climb. We picked up a bit of head wind as the day progressed but it wasn't much more than just an annoyance.
Before long we made the last turn and were back at Lebanon High School, our start/finish location..........and the location where a strawberry shortcake desert was waiting for us!
With the nice weather......and the memory of all the recent rain.........I decided to go for some bonus miles. I had planned on riding another 25-30 miles but as I shoved off I began following the pavement markings for the ride thinking it was a good way to get out of town. Before long I found myself exploring the 53 mile course. It follows the Santiam River a bit more closely than the 101 mile route did. By this time of day I had the course to myself.
I rode a bit faster without other cyclists to be concerned about as well as the end of the day approaching. Official sunset today was nearly 9PM so I didn't have to worry too much, but I pedaled quickly none the less.
Before long I reached Lebanon High School again, but by this time the volunteers,....and the strawberry shortcake were long gone!
That was okay by me. I still got a 150+ mile day, and this time the weather just about couldn't be beat!
Tomorrow I'm hoping to get another hundred miles in. I'll be doing a little pre riding before joining my social bike group for some miles in Portland's West Hills.
While I'm riding strawberry desert rides Sandy is still riding across the country. She's just over 1000 miles in, about half way across Colorado.
Go Sandy Go!
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......155................0.............0.........155
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......411...............0..............0.........411
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4515...............0..............5.........4520
I finally had time to get back on the bike. I joined quite a few other folks in riding the Strawberry Century. Less than 10 miles into the event I came across cousin Becky along the side of the road with a flat. I stopped to help and ended up putting the spare tire I carry on her wheel as her tire had a pretty bad gash. I rode along with her the rest of the century ride.
There are many covered bridges in the area and today's ride passed by (or over) two of them. Here's Becky at the Larwood Bridge about 25 miles into the ride today.
We pedaled along under mostly clear skies and the temperature eventually climbed into the mid 80's. After the recent weeks of mostly rain it was quite a change.
We reached Foster Reservoir and stopped for a moment to take in the view.
The route had a bit of climbing but nothing real serious. Though if you are trying to hang with Desert Coyote in hills you best bring your "A" game!
(just kidding around, Becky did well today, her first century of the season!)
If you keep your eyes open you are never sure what you might find along the way.
After making a trip around Foster Reservoir we came to our second covered bridge of the day. (The Crawfordsville Bridge)
The sky continued to clear and the temperature continued to climb. We picked up a bit of head wind as the day progressed but it wasn't much more than just an annoyance.
Before long we made the last turn and were back at Lebanon High School, our start/finish location..........and the location where a strawberry shortcake desert was waiting for us!
With the nice weather......and the memory of all the recent rain.........I decided to go for some bonus miles. I had planned on riding another 25-30 miles but as I shoved off I began following the pavement markings for the ride thinking it was a good way to get out of town. Before long I found myself exploring the 53 mile course. It follows the Santiam River a bit more closely than the 101 mile route did. By this time of day I had the course to myself.
I rode a bit faster without other cyclists to be concerned about as well as the end of the day approaching. Official sunset today was nearly 9PM so I didn't have to worry too much, but I pedaled quickly none the less.
Before long I reached Lebanon High School again, but by this time the volunteers,....and the strawberry shortcake were long gone!
That was okay by me. I still got a 150+ mile day, and this time the weather just about couldn't be beat!
Tomorrow I'm hoping to get another hundred miles in. I'll be doing a little pre riding before joining my social bike group for some miles in Portland's West Hills.
While I'm riding strawberry desert rides Sandy is still riding across the country. She's just over 1000 miles in, about half way across Colorado.
Go Sandy Go!
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......155................0.............0.........155
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......411...............0..............0.........411
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4515...............0..............5.........4520
Friday, June 11, 2010
another zero mile week for me
but looks like a good weather weekend on tap. I'm off to ride the Strawberry Century in the morning. I'm hoping to pick up some bonus miles too. It would be nice to log another 250 mile weekend since that seems to be the only way that I'm going to break a 1000 mile month anytime soon.
While I'm trying to find a thousand mile month Sandy is going to ride that in just days. She passed through Durango, CO about an hour ago. She's in 3rd place of the solo women riders, 5th over all.
857.68 miles so far, "only" about 2150 left to go.
Go Sandy Go!
While I'm trying to find a thousand mile month Sandy is going to ride that in just days. She passed through Durango, CO about an hour ago. She's in 3rd place of the solo women riders, 5th over all.
857.68 miles so far, "only" about 2150 left to go.
Go Sandy Go!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
A milestone
I met with some members of my social bike group tonight to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of our little group of riders.
While we were hoisting a brew or two Sandy is still riding.
As I type this she is nearing Flagstaff Arizona.
About 500 miles in, 2500 miles to go.
Go Sandy Go!
While we were hoisting a brew or two Sandy is still riding.
As I type this she is nearing Flagstaff Arizona.
About 500 miles in, 2500 miles to go.
Go Sandy Go!
Nearing the edge of the world
While we slept Sandy continued to ride her bike. She's through TS 4, Parker AZ. I was through Parker in January. Parker is on the Colorado River and at marks the eastern edge of my travels in that part of the country. It's pretty, it's hilly, and it's hot! She's now in second place...........and only ~2500 miles to go! ;-)
Go Sandy Go!
Go Sandy Go!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Biking
Seems everybody biked today but me. :-(
Brother-in-law Dave bike commuted to and from work today, a nice 50 mile route under nice weather.
Sandy Earl rode from Oceanside to Lake Henshaw
(RAAM time station 1)
53.47 miles
4 hours 5 minutes
and then she rode to Brawley, CA
(RAAM time station 2)
141.94 miles
8 hours 53 minutes
and moved up a position in doing so!
As close to anything bikey I did was to bring my Zipp wheel in to get a new tubular tire installed.
Over this last weekend I flatted and my can of quick fix foam didn't do the trick. After dissecting the tire I found a very small wire had worked it's way through the tire and lodged in the tube. Since I could not/did not see it I didn't remove it and having that little wire wiggle around caused the foam to not seal. The tire had enough miles and the attendant nicks and slices I thought it best to just get a new tire before riding the big races of summer and fall. I took my spare tire off and brought the wheel in to get a new Gatorskin installed and some slack in my cogset tightened up.
So all I can do from here is join many others in saying,
"Go Sandy Go!"
Brother-in-law Dave bike commuted to and from work today, a nice 50 mile route under nice weather.
Sandy Earl rode from Oceanside to Lake Henshaw
(RAAM time station 1)
53.47 miles
4 hours 5 minutes
and then she rode to Brawley, CA
(RAAM time station 2)
141.94 miles
8 hours 53 minutes
and moved up a position in doing so!
As close to anything bikey I did was to bring my Zipp wheel in to get a new tubular tire installed.
Over this last weekend I flatted and my can of quick fix foam didn't do the trick. After dissecting the tire I found a very small wire had worked it's way through the tire and lodged in the tube. Since I could not/did not see it I didn't remove it and having that little wire wiggle around caused the foam to not seal. The tire had enough miles and the attendant nicks and slices I thought it best to just get a new tire before riding the big races of summer and fall. I took my spare tire off and brought the wheel in to get a new Gatorskin installed and some slack in my cogset tightened up.
So all I can do from here is join many others in saying,
"Go Sandy Go!"
Monday, June 7, 2010
The journey begins for some
The Race Across America (RAAM) begins in 13 hours. Join me in sending positive thoughts, prayers, good mojo, heck, even holy smoke if that's what you've got to Willamette Valley's own Sandy Earl. Wishing her the very best on this amazing test of human spirit and endurance.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Welcome to the tropics
I guess what else would you call it? We rode through Keizer at midday and the time and temp said 69 degrees..........and it rained nearly all day!
OK, back to the beginning.
Three of us from the social bike group had plans to leave from Wilsonville at 6AM and ride a 150 mile route that would cross all three Willamette River Ferries and toss in a climb up to Silver Falls State Park just for giggles. With the copious rain the last several weeks the Willamette River looked like a pot of boiling hot cocoa and all three ferries were closed due to high water.
We made last minute change and decided to ride the recently established "Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway" We still hoped for 150 miles so we decided to ride out 75 miles and return. If successful it would be a new one day mileage record for both my riding partners and the longest I've ridden in one day since last October.
The forecast was for a decent day with an increasing chance of showers towards evening. As I stepped out the door at 5:45 AM it was raining. I went back in and swapped my tyvek jacket for a goretex "real" raincoat.
It was a good call. Out of the 157 total miles today it rained hard and it rained harder for 125 of those miles. Luckily it was reasonably warm so it wasn't all that bad.
The route is marked, but not all that good in all locations. If you decide to ride it please print off the map and cue sheet from the State Parks website so you have an idea of where you are supposed to be going.
The vast majority of the roads we covered today were low traffic rural roads. It was indeed very scenic, following the Willamette River for much of it.
No real issues today. Ken did have a tire that developed a slow leak. We found a nice picnic shelter to take refuge in while replacing the tube.
If there is such a thing as having a good day even with that much rain, today was it.
We had a good day, 2 personal bests set (66% of the riders!) and no serious issues.
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......157................0.............0.........157
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......257...............0..............0.........257
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4360...............0..............5.........4365
OK, back to the beginning.
Three of us from the social bike group had plans to leave from Wilsonville at 6AM and ride a 150 mile route that would cross all three Willamette River Ferries and toss in a climb up to Silver Falls State Park just for giggles. With the copious rain the last several weeks the Willamette River looked like a pot of boiling hot cocoa and all three ferries were closed due to high water.
We made last minute change and decided to ride the recently established "Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway" We still hoped for 150 miles so we decided to ride out 75 miles and return. If successful it would be a new one day mileage record for both my riding partners and the longest I've ridden in one day since last October.The forecast was for a decent day with an increasing chance of showers towards evening. As I stepped out the door at 5:45 AM it was raining. I went back in and swapped my tyvek jacket for a goretex "real" raincoat.
It was a good call. Out of the 157 total miles today it rained hard and it rained harder for 125 of those miles. Luckily it was reasonably warm so it wasn't all that bad.
The route is marked, but not all that good in all locations. If you decide to ride it please print off the map and cue sheet from the State Parks website so you have an idea of where you are supposed to be going.
The vast majority of the roads we covered today were low traffic rural roads. It was indeed very scenic, following the Willamette River for much of it.
No real issues today. Ken did have a tire that developed a slow leak. We found a nice picnic shelter to take refuge in while replacing the tube.
If there is such a thing as having a good day even with that much rain, today was it.
We had a good day, 2 personal bests set (66% of the riders!) and no serious issues.
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......157................0.............0.........157
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......257...............0..............0.........257
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4360...............0..............5.........4365
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A new month
That's not so new anymore! I've just not had time to get on the bike during the week so today was my first riding in the month of June. What a nice day it was too! Our Race Across Oregon crew chief Dave and I rode the Pioneer Century today. I hadn't ridden my Scattante carbon bike since the OBRA Team Time Trial and had forgotten that I still had the tubular Zipp wheels on the bike. As I made preparations in the early morning I realized that I still had them on the bike. Since I was running a bit late I didn't want to take the time to swap them out so did a quick check of the backpack to make sure I had tubular supplies instead of clincher and just went with the "race day wheels". We had planned to commute via bike to the ride but as we neared the Canby Ferry the sign said it was closed, we presumed it had just not been changed since the normal night closure but didn't want to take a chance. We rode back and loaded the bikes in my pickup and drove around via I-5 and Knight's Bridge Road. We arrived at the Canby Fairgrounds about 7:20. 
Before long we had checked in and were ready to ride.
Our plan was to ride the 100 mile option. We choose to ride the hilliest loop first.
It was a beautiful day for a ride and we followed a decent path out of Canby.
As we climbed up Sawtell Rd I felt the rear tire go squishy. I took out my Vittoria Pit Stop (aerosol foam inflater) and gave it a shot of foam, then took out my CO2 and topped it off to the 170psi that the tubular tires run at.
I pedaled another 20 miles or so then felt the tire go soft again. Gave it another shot of foam and inflated to pressure with my Crank Brothers two stage pump. This time it lasted only a couple hundred yards. I had foam leaking out all around the rim. Decided that this called for doing my first tubular tire change and removed the damaged tire. I reached into my pack to grab the spare and to my horror, in my haste this morning, I had mistaken my clincher spare for my tubular spare. Dave rode on to the next rest stop, not more than a mile or two up the road and sent a SAG vehicle back for me. I had called my sister and she was bringing my tubular tire to Canby for me. (remember that she had saved my bacon before during the start of the 2008 Race Across Oregon)
Dave rode on and we all met at Canby where I installed the new tire, aired it up with my floor pump ;-) then Dave and I had lunch before taking off on Pioneer Century part 2.
We rode the second loop without incident. Dave's got a bit of a cold and it was slowing him down today. He still pedaled pretty well as we held a surprisingly quick 16.6 mph for the 100 miles today. I had been sagged in for the tire issue and ended the Pioneer Century with not quite a full century, only logging 91 miles. I had dinner plans in Salem so couldn't just ride bonus miles to get me to 100.
However, as luck would have it (or unluck depending on your point of view!) as I was driving down to Salem my dinner quest texted me and canceled. What's a guy to do? Well, this guy looked back and noted that the bike was still loaded (was short and time and did not take the time to unload it) and I had bike clothes along. (doesn't everyone carry bike clothes with them at all times,...just in case?) I didnt' have bike shoes but since I only had 9 miles to go I figured I could ride clipless in tennis shoes for 9 miles. I did just that, rode out Corbin Rd in Salem, a road I'm familiar with as it's part of the Peach of a Century route. Out 4.5 miles and back.
100 miles! ;-)
Tomorrow I'm riding 150 miles with a few folks on a route that will cross 3 different Willamette River Ferries along with a loop up into Silver Falls State Park.
Should be a good ride, hope I have the legs for it!
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......100................0.............0.........100
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......100...............0..............0.........100
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4203...............0..............5.........4208
Before long we had checked in and were ready to ride.
Our plan was to ride the 100 mile option. We choose to ride the hilliest loop first.
It was a beautiful day for a ride and we followed a decent path out of Canby.
As we climbed up Sawtell Rd I felt the rear tire go squishy. I took out my Vittoria Pit Stop (aerosol foam inflater) and gave it a shot of foam, then took out my CO2 and topped it off to the 170psi that the tubular tires run at.
I pedaled another 20 miles or so then felt the tire go soft again. Gave it another shot of foam and inflated to pressure with my Crank Brothers two stage pump. This time it lasted only a couple hundred yards. I had foam leaking out all around the rim. Decided that this called for doing my first tubular tire change and removed the damaged tire. I reached into my pack to grab the spare and to my horror, in my haste this morning, I had mistaken my clincher spare for my tubular spare. Dave rode on to the next rest stop, not more than a mile or two up the road and sent a SAG vehicle back for me. I had called my sister and she was bringing my tubular tire to Canby for me. (remember that she had saved my bacon before during the start of the 2008 Race Across Oregon)
Dave rode on and we all met at Canby where I installed the new tire, aired it up with my floor pump ;-) then Dave and I had lunch before taking off on Pioneer Century part 2.
We rode the second loop without incident. Dave's got a bit of a cold and it was slowing him down today. He still pedaled pretty well as we held a surprisingly quick 16.6 mph for the 100 miles today. I had been sagged in for the tire issue and ended the Pioneer Century with not quite a full century, only logging 91 miles. I had dinner plans in Salem so couldn't just ride bonus miles to get me to 100.
However, as luck would have it (or unluck depending on your point of view!) as I was driving down to Salem my dinner quest texted me and canceled. What's a guy to do? Well, this guy looked back and noted that the bike was still loaded (was short and time and did not take the time to unload it) and I had bike clothes along. (doesn't everyone carry bike clothes with them at all times,...just in case?) I didnt' have bike shoes but since I only had 9 miles to go I figured I could ride clipless in tennis shoes for 9 miles. I did just that, rode out Corbin Rd in Salem, a road I'm familiar with as it's part of the Peach of a Century route. Out 4.5 miles and back.
100 miles! ;-)
Tomorrow I'm riding 150 miles with a few folks on a route that will cross 3 different Willamette River Ferries along with a loop up into Silver Falls State Park.
Should be a good ride, hope I have the legs for it!
............BIKE............LIFECYCLE.....ROLLERS....TOTAL
Today......100................0.............0.........100
Jan........618...............0..............0.........618
Feb........692...............0..............0.........692
March......940...............0..............5.........940
April......934...............0..............0.........934
May........905...............0..............0.........905
June.......100...............0..............0.........100
_________________________________________
TOTAL.....4203...............0..............5.........4208
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
