Chillin at the lake today, oh yeh, 165 miles in 3 days

Feelin pretty good with the riding and recovery.  Did 89 miles Friday, 45 Saturday and 33 today in worm weather.  Not quite like the blistering heat of Nevada but I think it will be ok for me, I have always enjoyed riding in the heat (started riding in 1986 in Phoenix). 

I can't wait to get going, talking to Holly this morning about how I will get to the airport with all my stuff without leaving a car there.  The airports are kind of stressful driving in and out of so she is not real keen on driving in there.  We'll figure it out.  Anyway, can't wait to see you guys and take lots of pictures and videos of leg one of our cross country trek.

Let's all get on the phone one more time before we go, when Doug gets back from Africa.

I did a training century on Friday, June 15.  All went well as I was extremely cautious.  Temperature started climbing so I made more stops and hydrated constantly.  Made the 101 miles in a little over 10 hours.  This included the stops.  One valuable reminder to myself is how heat affects my energy.  Wow!  I got a late start so finished the last two hours in the dark.  The last 20 miles felt so much different than the time in the sun.  It was almost like the previous 81 miles never happened.  Just kidding because I definitely was feeling the pain, but the difference was so noticeable.   The next day I went on my ususal 25 mile training ride just to gauge the feel of the saddle.  Felt okay, even though it was still 95F.  I am planning to do another century, if not this weekend then next Friday. 

Learning more lessons that I hope will be useful to deal with the Nevada desert.

Another Century - Yeh Baby

Well I learned from last time and stopped frequently, about every 20-25 miles, and ate and drank like crazy.  It helped, I did not hit the walls like last time but guess what...100 miles is still a long frickin way and I am exhuasted.  Great ride up near Kent and Litchfiled CT and back, some hills, lots of flats.  The temp was about 90 and average speed for 105 miles was 14.5 MPH, not bad for me.  Good job Steve. 

Riding in Africa and gettin ready

Glad to hear everyones words and deeds here.  Ive been back and forth with Gabe, who sits in his final finals this week and will be free as a bird to ride next week.   He will be doing his first century on the 30th!  Good luck to him man.   Im pounding the streets here in Africa but I miss my road bike and the open roads of California.   Something about alway trying to "fit in" rides over lunch and too and from work that just isnt as satisfying.  But the weather here is lovely and I find myself looking to enjoy the pace of the equitorial fall.   The light yesterday was pink transitioning to orange and as I was climbing up the hill here in camp (about a mile and change) late in the afternoon, it reminded me of those dreamsickles of orange sherbert and vanilla ice cream.  A windless day, which is also unusual here.  Normally, there is an offshore breeze blowing but yesterday, there was nothing but stillness.   Waves so lazy they looked like they were falling over rather than rolling ashore..  everyone was sleepy yesterday.  And amidst the beautiful day, I got in 45k and 2000 feet of climbing.   Just feels different, but saddle time is saddle time I guess.    Missing you all and looking forward to doing a 100 k on Sunday afternoon around the camp..  Till later..    D

Joy Ride #1: Route: Map Overview: SF - Panguitch Utah

Workin in the Rain - 104 miles, 9 hours later in this

The video camera works pretty well, the audio is killed by the street noice but may be able to get a mic so that the clever commentary we want to add does not get missed.  Very important as I am sure we will all have thoughts, last praires that we will want to share with others just before the desert gets the best of us.

Happy trails

Century video

First Century - yeh baby

104 miles today in the pouring rain for the first 60 miles then dry (except for me, carrying extra poundage in my wet jacket, soaks through but very comfy).  Used the camera on the bike for the first time and discovered the road noise kills the audio.  I had some very clever things to say during the ride but you really can't hear much.  I need to figure out how to edit/combine videos so posting and viewing is a bit more simple.

It became very clear to me today that frequent stops for food (something other than powerbars) will be required to avoid hitting a wall like I did a couple of times today first at 60 then again at 92.  I guess going for the first 5 hours without stopping is not a good idea, live and learn (9 hours out today, about 7 on the bike).  Subway stop for a full sub, bag of chips, 3 cookies and a large coke at the 92 mile mark just before I passed out.  The last 8 miles were good (one final small climb).

Overall a good day, learned a lot and the gear was tested and passed (foot covers are a life saver).

Staying focused, good job Steve (remember that one Doug??)

test video

Quick video, need to work on settings...seems like the camera is in a bubble??????