25 April 2011 Fast America Day 2

Palm Springs, CA to Blythe, CA

Mileage:                      137.50 miles

Riding Time:              7:50

Total Time:                9:27

Climing:                     2572 ft.

Flats:                           1

http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=1374254

http://app.strava.com/rides/477390

The morning was beautiful, and instead of the mass start of yesterday, I set out with four others. The first twenty or so miles were through the neighborhoods of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage (??) and La Quinta. To give you an idea: the bike paths had icons of golf carts on them.

But today I think things sunk in: the little things are going to accumulate over the next month. Note: this post won’t go out tonight, because the motel wireless doesn’t work, and I left my computer charger in Costa Mesa. After a number of phone calls and messages that didn’t get passed from one shift to the next properly, it will rejoin me in Winslow, AZ on Thursday.

Mile 7.5: Another flat. This one for no reason at all so I am sure that it came from a poorly done repair on the road yesterday. Hey: it is hard changing a tire in a 30 mph wind on the side of a freeway after riding 100 miles. But doing it in a park the next morning while fresh is a piece of cake. Speaking of winds: I did not make up the wind yesterday. There were Extreme Wind warnings out, and I believe that some roads were closed.

Mile 17: An embarrassing pratfall. Where I live, near the ocean, people are familiar with looking to the horizon and not being able to tell where the sky ends and the water begins. The desert has a similar phenomenon: you can’t tell where the road ends and the sand begins. So I took a little trip into the sand; thinking that it was the same hard packed dirt I was used to at home. After the tires dug in to slow me from 20 to 5 mph, I did an Arte Johnson imitation (if you are too young to understand the reference, ask your parents about Laugh In). I could pretend that it did not happen but Jim (one of the ABB Mechanics) caught up to me just as it happened. He stopped, allegedly to help, but perhaps to laugh. Note: Jim was riding sweep, which means that at this point I was probably the last rider on the road. I ended the day, however, 11^th of the 25 riders at the motel. I thought that the fall was no big deal, but my knee won’t bend. It is fine while spinning but, for example, I can’t raise my foot high enough to cleat in the way I normally do, and I couldn’t stand up after sitting on the toilet earlier. I just spent 20 minutes icing it.

After all this, I found myself with four riders and we were hammering. I tried not to take a turn at the front, but when I did, I found myself riding away from them (no sudden acceleration, which would be bad form unworthy of an experienced cyclist) but the next strongest guy couldn’t hold my wheel. After slowing and waiting a couple of times, I said the heck with it and just rode off.

About mile 45, after the town of Mecca, we started the one 2,000 ft. climb of the day. It was only 2-3%, but went on forever; through the most incredible scenery. I did not stop for pictures (but took a few from the bike) because Mike (tour leader) took many (note: he will take about 3,000 pictures, which will ultimately be on a DVD and his web site, which I will link to this blog. Most everyone caught me by the lunch stop at Chiriaco (sp?) summit. From that point it was all downhill with a tailwind to Blythe. I averaged well over 20 the rest of the way; 60 of the 70 miles were on Interstate 10.

Rumble Strips: These are probably a good invention, and they delineated a clear spacing between the giant trucks and us. Most of you have probably ridden over one of these in a car; trust me; the experience is amplified 10 fold in a bike at 30 mph. After one freeway entrance, the rumble strip machine must have gone berserk, and the strip was the entire width of the shoulder. We’ll all remember that experience. And there was a 6 mile stretch where the freeway pavement was beautiful but the stress cracks on the shoulder (perpendicular to the road every 5-10 ft.) were left to grow. We were all longing for the Flanders pave instead, and we actually had to drop our speed about 10 mph to make it bearable.

My Achilles Foot: My Achilles Heel is my Foot (sorry for the pun). Because of the bloot clot after my foot operation about 5 years ago, my foot/leg are prone to swell on hot days (it was 90 today; without a hint of shade). When it swells, it causes a phenomenon called “hot foot”. In other words, my foot feels like it is on fire. I have learned that if I lie down with my leg up for five minutes, I can make it go away for about an hour of riding; so that is how I spend my SAG stops (there are 2-3 per day, including lunch). But I am sure that I caused some rubbernecking, when I just had to stop to elevate my leg lying on the desert sand beside the freeway at about mile 105.

Motel: Checked in to my room, unpacked and spread stuff all over the bed, got ice for my knee, started to undress to shower, etc. and looked around for a spot to sit down to take my compression socks off (a difficult task). Where did the luggage on the couch come from? Turns out someone was already in the room. Took 25 minutes to sort out; because the front desk person wisely decided not to move me into a smoking room, which was available.

Words of encouragement: At the evening session to go over tomorrow’s ride; which finishes at Wickenburg, AZ; 2,000 ft. + higher than Blythe Mike gave a little speech, saying that we were the best matched group that has ever done this tour. His point was that maybe there had been a better rider or two in the past, but we were well matched. There is no one who doesn’t belong on this ride (the staff responsibility for keeping track of someone 30 miles down, must be horrendous). We’ve all finished within about 30 minutes of each other the first two days, there are no out of control egos, and everyone is helping everyone else.

24 April 2011 Fast America Day 1

Mileage:                     114.26 miles

Riding Time:              6:50

Total Time:                 8:45 (with wheel dipping ceremony and flats)

Flats:                           2

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/81355882

http://app.strava.com/rides/470011

Well, the start couldn’t get much better than this. We rode to the Pacific Ocean, dunked our wheels, and took pictures. Then it was 32 miles along the Santa Ana River bike and equestrian path (didn’t see any horses). I am not a big fan of bike paths, but 32 miles of grimy LA streets isn’t so nice either. In many places, there were separate paths for pedestrians, dogs, etc. We kept a steady tempo, almost single file, and generally stayed together. One guy went off the front and someone went with him, only to drop back complaining that Mr. Hot Shot didn’t communicate (bicycling etiquette is to point out potholes and pedestrians, both verbally and by pointing). But EVERYONE else was someone I’d really like to ride with. Yesterday’s safety lesson had sunk in and no one did anything dumb. I remained at the front (but not actually setting the pace) and very attentive.

After the path (which seemed flat, but had an elevation gain of 500 feet) there was a little climbing, and I drifted back, only to catch back after the climb. We began to break up into groups of four or so. At the first real climb, I fell behind the lead group by about 5 minutes and we hit lunch at 60 miles. After lunch we motored 14 miles to the major climb of the day behind the Norwegian giant, Lasse, who is my size (or would be if I gained 25 pounds). But he can hammer (fitting – he trains by riding from Lillehammer to his home in Oslo). There were four of us, and we caught another group of 3 just before the climb.

And then a miracle happened: the lone female rider, Shelley, went off the front for a mile but then slowly I reeled her in. And then: I was all alone? I had dropped everyone else! The others told me later that they had stopped to take pictures, but regardless, I just motored the 6 miles to the top of the grade (at about my PR Old La Honda pace). Lasse joined me briefly, and at the top one of the other riders caught me but from that point it was all downhill.

Has anyone reading this ever ridden Interstate 10? I do not recommend it. It is usually bumper to bumper trucks, but on this Easter, it was almost empty: but the shoulder wasn’t, it was filled with crap. I learned a lesson: don’t follow another rider at 30 mph on the freeway shoulder. I hit something, flatted both wheels, and lost my water bottle (I discovered later). But there was a downhill tailwind and I averaged 27 mph for the last 24 miles. Question: when is a tailwind not a tailwind. Answer: when it is a crosswind. We had been warned, but a 30 mph crosswind carrying stinging sand particles, while you are going 30 mph is very difficult. It took all my strength to stay on the shoulder; and when I hit the sand that had blown across the road (probably about 3 inches deep) I prayed.

I am checked in my cozy hotel room, had a great meal at a Mediterranean café, and all is well with the world. The ride leaders  have promised us however, that every day will not be like today!

Good night, all. Breakfast at 5:30 tomorrow. It’s a 133 mile day to Blythe.

Fast America Day 0 23 April 2011 - Costa Mesa, CA

I woke up at 7:00 (i.e., I slept in) and had a leisurely breakfast. I returned the rental car to the airport and rode back; I used Google Maps for Bikes to find a route and was pleasantly surprised; it was good streets and no traffic. But I could not resist turning it into a 20 mile easy spin. I found myself on the Pacific Coast Highway. Lots and lots of weekend cyclists but it made me very thankful to live where I do. If I had to ride here all the time I would live in constant fear of being doored. At one point, I found myself in a paceline with about 8 cyclists; when we slowed for a turning car, one guy went around the car and used it as a blocker to attack, which shredded the paceline; I was very proud of myself for resisting the competitive urge to join in. Note: I took the last three days off, but since I kept today below 20 mph I rationalized that it didn’t count and I really took today off too.

We all met for a get acquainted session at 3:00 this afternoon. There are 21 riders (plus 4 going just as far as Albuquerque). Most of the riders are in their 40s and 50s; I am the oldest – the next oldest is three years younger. The group is very diverse (except only one female) but they all have one thing in common: this has been their dream for some time.

There are four support staff, including two very good mechanics, in two SAG Wagons. They are extremely well organized and extremely safety conscious, which is good. The get acquainted session lasted 3 ½ hours, which just left time for dinner at Outback Steak House, finishing this blog and getting packed for tomorrow. I’ve been to a number of bicycle safety lectures and this one was head and shoulders above the rest; summarizing everything with VAPOR. Here are the guidelines for cycling:

Be:

• Visible
• Assertive
• Predictable
• Observant
• Responsible

Note: The safety instructions included very good guidelines for how to navigate on/off ramps on Interstates. We’ll spend some time on them. Tomorrow’s route takes us from the Pacific Ocean to Palm Springs, with only 1.6 miles on I-10.

04-17-2011 Special Need Childrens Center Foundation Pedal to the Metal

I returned today to the San Jose Hellyer Park Velodrome; riding on it for the first time since I was taken away in an ambulance with a broken collarbone 32 years ago. The accident was all my fault and it led to my son Brian’s first two word sentence: “Daddy Hurts”.

The event was put on by the Special Need Childrens Center Foundation and it served as the Prologue for my Fast America ride. A good time was had by all, as you can see in these photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/hoeberc/2011_04_17SpecialNeedChildrensCenterFoundationPedalToTheMetal?authkey=Gv1sRgCKuZz9bnvI2ScQ#

04-16-2011 Tierra Bella Century

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/79606946

http://app.strava.com/rides/437442

Today was the final long ride in preparation for the trip. Tierra Bella features 6700 feet of climbing in two large chunks, the most serious of which is the 2500 foot slog up to Henry Coe State Park above Morgan Hill. I rode most of the route with Mike Moore, and portions with several people from SS/L and Tom Stanis and Alexander Komlik of SJBC.

The Good:        Finished in 7:32, almost a half hour better than last year. The 10 mile interval from 90 to 100 miles averaged 20 mph, aided by a good tailwind and slight downhill most of the way (but that tailwind had been a headwind earlier).

The Bad:          My foot hurt towards the end, including a bruise which is developing on my right heel. I have neuropathy in my feet, which means that I cannot feel what is going on down there, so I need to check every day for blisters, etc. I will use a bandage on the bruise to try to protect it.

03-26-2011 Solvang Double Century

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/75281840
http://app.strava.com/rides/368604

I rode this last year – the spring weather was gorgeous; not so this year. I watched the weather forecast all week; it was rainy down south but Saturday was supposed to be in the 60s with a chance of showers.

My wife Mary and I drove down on Friday. I forgot my water bottles, but we got there in plenty of time to find a bike store and buy two new bottles.

I planned to start at 5:00 AM on Saturday so as to be sure to be back in daylight and in time to go to dinner with Mary. As often happens on the night before, I awoke at 1:30 AM and every thirty minutes thereafter until the alarm rang at 4:00. The day seemed cold but beautiful so I opted for arm and leg warmers and my SS/L vest. FIRST PROBLEM: couldn't find my right arm warmer. Oh well, I figured I'd just be cold for two hours but one less thing to stuff in my jersey pocket in the afternoon. But looking for the arm warmer cost me some time so I started about 5:10, which was good, because there were a lot of riders in front of me that I could follow - and of course I followed about 20 of them off the course. The 1 1/2 mile steep downhill was great, until we realized that we had to climb back up to find the course again.

The ride is uphill for 30 miles. I was going great; I ended up with 6 guys from Utah and I had no trouble keeping pace to the top. After 80 miles I was on pace for a 5:30 century. And then: the great fire hose in the sky opened up and shortly afterward I had my first flat of the day. Little could I imagine what was in store for the rest of the day.

I finished the first 100 miles in 5:36 (not counting time for fixing the flat) which was 1 minute faster than the MegaMonster TTT. And in spite of the incessant rain, after about 140 miles I was still on pace for finishing in under 12 hours.

But the second flat after 105 miles took a little longer to fix; and I discovered that the valve stem of one of my three spare tubes had broken off. The SAG wagon stopped and the driver sold me three new tubes.

By the time I had my third flat at 125 miles, the temperature had dropped to 53 from 56 and I had learned to drink from the rooster spray of the wheel in front of me - I kid you not! The water was good, except for the grit that now lined my lips. My fingers no longer worked, so in order to get the tube from my vest pocket, I had to remove my vest.

Up until mile 140 I had not been passed by anyone all day, and I had been picking off people right and left. I was still riding strong. But then we hit a stretch of Southern California cobblestone equivalent. It was basically an agriculture access road. At the end of it another tube gave up the ghost. Fixing this one took a good 20 minutes; the first five of which were spent trying to unscrew the Presta valve to let the rest of the air out. I finally did it with my bloodless gray fingers on the 10th try. All this time spent playing with my wheels in the pouring rain had taken its toll. From the Garmin record of the ride I can see my power output plunge and my speed slow. My left hand was no longer capable of shifting to the large chain ring; but I had no trouble reaching over with my right hand to pull on the lever (as opposed to pushing with my left hand).

Thankfully, I was never out of sight of other riders, so I prayed that they knew the route; my route sheet had turned to mush and most of the turns were not marked. The good news is that I had no trouble with the 1500 foot climb that started at mile 160. By this time, everyone was riding their own pace and about half the time someone passed me and half the time the other way around. I thought that I should call Mary and tell her that I would be late, but that would have taken me 15 minutes to fish the phone out of my pocket and figure out how to push the buttons so I decided to just press on. In spite of the weather and the flats, I finished in 12:45, about 45 minutes less riding time than last year, with the last 120 miles were in a freezing downpour. Note: it was also 8 ½ miles longer than last year.

Here are some post ride pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/hoeberc/AfterTheSolvangDC?authkey=Gv1sRgCObUsY_WhIPSxwE#

The first picture must be what I looked like (it's actually a still from a video; I don't think that I was really that blurry); and as you can see in the second picture, I could still smile. And after a shower and a plate of pasta carbonara, I watched the Stanford B-Ball women win their game in the bar with Mary.

Some other miscellany:

• • The huge pothole that was under water. I was with about ten people and water bottles, tail lights and tool kits flew everywhere. Oncoming traffic saw what was happening and stopped, but the idiot in the pickup behind us thought that was an invitation to speed up and pass us.
• The stalled car on the hill with its flashers on. There was lots of room on the right to pass, until the passenger opened the right hand door right in front of a guy on a fixie, who ended up in the ditch. He told us when he caught back on that the driver got mad at him for not volunteering to push it up the hill!
• I am sure I am now famous for my one armed fashion statement! Got lots of funny looks and sarcastic comments. I also had fingerless gloves, but I don't think that it made a difference after a certain point.
• The evening before was beautiful and the drive back was under powder blue skies and fluffy clouds until we got to Gilroy.
• Mary was looking for me to arrive and tells me that I was in the first half of the group; I did see people still streaming in at 10:00 when we left the bar.
• I developed a bruise on the back of my left heel, and I could hardly walk Saturday night and Sunday morning.
• And finally - I wondered what the noise from my rear brake was the last ten miles - no brake pad.

100 Mile Time Trial - Qualifying Ride

Low Key Hill Climb MegaMonster 100 mile Time Trial

http://megamonster.lowkeyhillclimbs.com/2011/

As I looked out at the cold damp fog rolling in on Sunday I couldn't believe how lucky I was that an April day found itself transplanted into February on Saturday, February 12th.

This was the first of what will be many centuries for me this year; organization that runs the Fast America ride (America by Bicycle) requires that I send in proof of having ridden a sub 6 hour century. Three of my friends volunteered to ride with me in this event to qualify. Somehow that 4 man team grew to 9

From work (Space Systems/Loral – SSL)
Me, Phil Alne, Mark LaForge, Jonathan Sheffield and Jim Wheeler

From my racing club (San Jose Bicycle Club – SJBC)
Me, Phil Alne, Don Grijalva, Richard Hanke and Alexander Komlik

And one unaffiliated friend – Mike Moore

I was worried - would the SSL and SJBC people get along, would we be compatible riders, how would we deal with the differences in strength between riders, etc.)? To prepare, most of us had participated in one of two training rides over the previous two weeks, but there were still riders who had not ridden together before.

I need not have worried. Phil organized us into 3 three man sub-teams, with each sub-team taking 10 mile turns rotating at the front. Even our jerseys blended well; with blue and gray being the dominant colors of both teams. No one asked me if I had dressed in the dark; with SJBC bib shorts and arm-warmers, and an SSL jersey.

We executed the first 51 miles flawlessly. The first 30 miles were basically uphill, and they were into a headwind from about the 10:00 direction, so those of us at the back practiced our echeloning. I slowed us down on the two short steep sections, but I never became detached (except when I dropped my chain, but Andy Schlek would have approved of my recovery). Besides my chain, there were two other minor problems, Don had to stop and adjust his brakes, and Mike had some foot problems. But everyone was able to get back on without our having to stop.

The 51 mile return was a different story - I was impatient to start, and didn't realize that I had left my team behind. So I soloed at 90% effort the first 4-5 miles. My heart sank when Mark finally caught up to me and said “Chris, you fractured the team!”. We never regained the efficiency of the first half, splitting into two and sometimes three subgroups. The wind had changed and the final 30 miles (downhill) were into a strong headwind; but we regrouped by the end.

This is the second time that I had ridden this stretch of road. 102 miles without a single stop sign, traffic light, or even cross street. Easily the most beautiful stretch of road that I have ever ridden.

We finished in 5:55, good for second place in the Team Division. I hit the 100 mile mark in 5:48 (5:37 of actual bike time, and 11 minutes stopped at the checkpoints). I was satisfied, given the wind and 4800 feet of climbing.

Here are pics from checkpoint volunteer Lane Parker and teammate Richard Hanke:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lane.parker.53/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhanke/sets/72157625910142837

And here is the ride:

http://app.strava.com/rides/301546
http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=596782

Thank you everyone on the team! One would think that a 9 person TTT team would be stronger than a 4 person team, but it is a lot more complicated. Everyone accepted that the goal for the day was to get me back to where I had started in less than 6 hours and each and every one contributed mightily to that goal. It’s a day that I will remember for a long time.

UPDATE: America by Bicycle cashed my check and accepted this as my qualifying ride, with the admonition to please do it again closer to the departure date! WILL DO!