Thursday, April 29, 2010

Day 7 Safford to Silver City New Mexico

Distance:  117 Miles
Elelvation gain: 8,816 feet

What a ride.  Major climbing and I am exhausted.  About 5 miles outside of Safford I ran into Neal  a retired Marine  from Indiana who is also riding from San Diego to Florida.  Another 25 miles up the road we ran into Dennis a civil engineer fromk Phoenix who spent the night camping in a place called "three way".  We had heavy and consistent 30 mile an hour winds with gusts up to 50 mph.  Luckily we had a tail wind while on the 191 and then the 78..  Once we turned onto the 180 we hit head winds and crosswinds that made staying upright a challenge.   The maps said that there were no services along the way.  The map was wrong.  In a town called Buckhorn, there is the "Last Chance " liquor store. We thought the store was closed as the lights were off, but the door was open so we escaped from the winds and went inside.  An older couple ran the place and told us that the electric had gone down due to the winds.  They made us some sandwiches and gave us some cokes.    The guy was telling us a story about how his grandmother couldnt stand living in Buckhorn.  When she died, they had to take her body on a train back to Indiana to bury her.  She said that Buckhorn was a god frsaken place and she refused to be burried there.  I think Grandmom was onto something.   But that reat stop was a perfect break for 3 ragged, wind blown and bonking riders and gave us the strength to ride the next 45 miles.

I left Safford at 5:50 and arrived at the Continental divide, just about 3 miles outside of Silver City at around 6:30. (Of course we lost an hour at the New Mexico border so it was actually 7:30.)  For those that dont know the Continental Divide is the ridge that seperates the flow of rain water.  Any water that falls on the eastern side of the divide will drain into the Gulf.  Any water that falls on the western side will drain into the Pacific.

Silver City is buzzing this week with the Tour of Gila.  This is a professional bike racing event around the mountains here.  Apparently Lance Armstrong came in 3rd today.  Tomorrow I plan on riding out in the morning with Neal and possibly going as far as Hatch.  Temps tomorrow in the mid 50s with winds coming out of the Nothwest.  The challenge tomorrow is a peak about 22 miles out of town called Emory Pass topping out at 8,228 feet.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Day 6 Globe to Safford, Az


Distance: 78 Miles
Riding conditions:  Fast and Flat

The day started off with bad news from Morton, my cycling partner from Denmark.  He apparently got food poisoning from the "Country Kitchen" last night.  ( I told him to stay away from the iceberg lettuce with the brown edges)  When I saw him this morning, he described his night of vomiting and cold sweats.  He didnt feel strong enough to ride on to Stafford so we parted ways after 3 days of riding together.   Shortly after leaving Globe,  I turned off from the 60 and headed southeast on the 70.  The wind was coming from the southwest at about 10 mph and was coming from either just behind or  just in front of my right shoulder the entire day.  Great riding conditions.  About 20 miles East of Globe lies Apache Nation.  My first stop was at a market near Ft. Apache.  Everyone in and out of the market was clearly ethnic Apache.  Was talking to an old man standing outside of the market tyying to sell an old potable air compressor for $15. He told me he had 3 cars but they are all broken down now and he has no more need for it. Someone came up and offerred him $10.  The discussion quickly moved from English to Apache but he wouldnt come down on his price.  Afterward I told him he should have negotiated but he had no desire to do so..  About a mile down the road I regretted not taking a picture of him and almost turned around to go back.

Another day, another flat on the rear.  That's 2 in 6 days.  It's not changing the tire that's the issue, it's taking off the rear bags that are time consuming on the side of the road with trucks whizzing by.  Lets hope for a run of good luck and no more flats on the rear.  Arrived in Safford at a nice early 2:30 and lounged by the indoor pool before dinner.  Tomorrow will be a rough day.  There are no services on the route that I'm taking for 117 miles and no motels between here and Silver City, New Mexico.  Went to the market to stock up on food and fluids.  Starting at daybreak around 5:30 with 3 cycling bottles full of gatorade, a 50 ounce camelback with gatorade, 2.5 large bottles of powerade and a 1 gallon jug of water.  I could barely carry it all back to the motel.  Hoping that will get me through the day.


WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY !!!
Only 21 miles to Safford while the snow capped mountains lie ominously in the distance.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Day 5 Phoenix to Globe, AZ

Distance: 94 miles
Elevation gain: 4,354

Yet another day of blistering heat.  Of course I am lugging 2 sets of arm and leg warmers and jackets, a wool jersey,  a fleece jacket, hats, wool socks, etc. and I havent seen temps under 90 degrees since leaving San Diego.  Rode out through Tempe past Arizona State, into Mesa and then breakfast in Apache Junction before picking up the 60 (aka "the old west Highway) for the rest of the day.  Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the daily bike riding or maybe it was too much wine last night, but I found today the most challenging since Day 1.  There were essentially 3 climbs of over 1300 feet mixed with trucks and no shoulder.  Fluids ran low during the second climb but made it to a Circle K for a 44 ounce coke, a Monster and 2 liters of gatorade.






A new world record:  San Diego to Miami in 5 days!!!!!!!















Finally made it to a Motel 6  in Globe ($42/night).  A quick dip in the pool, dinner at the Country Kitchen and a Dairy Queen soft vanilla, dipped in chocolate (my favorite) before heading back to this motel which has the first internet connectiion since Blythe.

Day 4 Aguila to Phoenix

Distance: 89 Miles
Riding conditions: Hot, flat ( getting a great tan)

Forgot to note that on day 3, after riding about 20 miles on I 10, the route picks up SR 60 and from there the 60 takes you all the way to Phoenix.  The day started off with a flat on my rear tire,  A ver small piece of glass managed to lodge itself in a groove in the tire and slowly scratched the tube causing a very slow leak..  After a quick repair, headed into Wickenberg for breakfast and then down to Phoenix in the afternoon.  Stopped at a bike shop and bought a liner that sits in the tire between the tube and prevents glass and thorn punctures from penetrating the tube.  From the western side of Phoenix to the eastern side was a traffic filled 2 hours.  Finally found a 7 or 8 mile bike path that rides along the Arizona canal.  After checking in to my motel, my buddy Adam picked me up in a motorized vehicle.  Commonly referred to as a car, it was a real treat sitting on the passenger seat and then the car just tr3ansported me rapidly thru space.  After being on a bike fo 10 bours a day for 4 days, it was a strange sensation,   We ate at an excellent.steak house and split a bottle of Charles Krug cabernet.  Great time.  Then back to the room to do laundry in the bathtub. 

Day 3 Blythe to Aguila

Distance:  90 miles
Riding conditions:  Hot, flat, plenty of sun

Left California bright and early.  Rode over the Colorado River and within a few miles I was on I 10, which in Az is not bad riding.  Wide shoulder and only 2 lanes heading Eastbound.  While stopped on the shoulder and taking some2 photos, along comes another cyclist.  You know, just when you think that you are doing something reasonably difficult, along comes Morton.  He is a 43 year old letter crrier from Denmark who started his trip in Orlando on 3/4 and rode unsupported to Big Bear and is on his way back to Florida. Pretty amazing.  Rode the rest os the day together and since I am writing this post on day 5, I can tell you that we've been riding together for3 3 days now.  In a couple of days, after Silver City, he is taking more of a northern route while I will be heading further south.



Pulled into Aguila around 5.  A quick word about Aguila.  Its about 20 miles outside of Wickenburg, which is a really neat town that looks like something out of a western movie.  But since I didnt feel like riding an extra 20 miles, Aguila will have to do.  There is one motel, the Buro Jim.  One restaurant, Mama's.   But the room was only $45 and Mama made some pan fried chicken with mashed potatos and then brought some apple cobler pie.  Slept really good, even if I did have to move the night stand in front of the door since there was no dead bolt. 

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Day 2 El Centro to Blythe

Miles: 108
Elevation: 1,750
Conditions: Clear, hot and flat

Beautiful ride through the desert.  Started heading North 15 mil,es to Brawley and picked up the 78 for 85 miles into Blythe2.  No traffic lights for 85 miles.  Plenty of sun and sand.  was running low on fluids and came to Glamis, famous for dune buggying.  trecked 500 feet over a sand dune to get to Krazy Kevin's shop.  He had 3 propels in a cooler whbich was perfect.  This got me to Palo Verde, 40 mil,es up the road for a coke and some grandmas cookies.  The woman working the counter had me look at her jeep tires.  One had a huge bubble coming out of the sidewall.  My expert advice: Drive 20 miles to Blythe and get a new tire.

Blake suggested I write a bathroom book with interestng stats from this trip.  Here"s one:  There is more road kill in Brawley than banks and restaurants, combined!  Here's another one:  While riding your bike in the desert, you are more likely to swallow a bug than see a Starbucks. 

Day 1 Mission Beach to El Centro

Miles: 128
Elevation: 7,850

What a day!  e'xpecting rain, woke to find only San Diego sunshinme.  Had a send off party at 8 at Belmont Park.  Thanks to all who took time off from their Friday calendar to come out and see me off.  It was inspirational and has me motivated!  A special thanks to those who rode with me on day 1.  James and Harve who rode out the first leg.  Jeff and Blake who rode to Alpine. (thanks Lauren for the ride support) Jimmy who met us in El Cajon and then rode all the way to Jacukmba.

The riding was hard with the weight of  the bike.  It's now about 95 lbs.  The climbs to Alpine and then Guatay anjd then Golden Acorn wreacked havoc on my contact points with the seat, if you get the picture!!!  Once I got to the top of Jacumba I entered the 8 and took a quick 3,500 foot descent on the freeway to Occotillo.  by that time it was dark and rode the last 2 hours with lights into El Centro.  Tami met me there.  Exhausted we went to Dennys and devoured 8 pancakes and then passed out.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

A few last words

The final warm up for the upcoming cycling tour (or the "tour de tony") was last weekend's Mt. Laguna challenge.  What a ride!!  3 loops up Laguna mountan from 3 different directions with each climb around 3300 feet.  The last loop up Pine Creek was undescribably hard.  Midway up this climb featuring 9 miles of climbing with some 18% and 20% grades, the race organizers posted a quote from Winston Churchill which I though was apropo.: "When you are in Hell, keep going."  Made sense to me at the time, so I did!   Tami spent the day providing some extra sag support and some much needed encouragement and we all survived to ride another day!!

The last of the pannier bags, lights, odomoters, handlebarbags, bungie cords, pumps and even an American Flag have been attached to the Surly Long Haul and it is ready to roll as planned this Friday.  The plan is to leave from Mission Beach at 8:00 a.m.  The forecast is for some rain on Friday morning but hopefully the predictions are wrong, as usual,  and we can have a nice send off with some San Diego sunshine (or at least a nice marine layer).  I'll upload a picture of the bike and the final weight a little later in the week..  I am really tring to keep the total weight low but the bike is taking on a life of it's own.  It's almost like pedalling a Harley Davidson.  Well maybe not quite that heavy, but I feel like if I add one more pound I might need to apply for a special operator's permit.

For those new to this blog (assuming anyone is actually reading this far), I am riding across the U.S. to raise money for 2 charities.  The Fundraising has so far hit $2,000 in donations and pledges. Thank you to all of you who have donated your hard earned money.  It is truly appreciated and is a source of inspiration for me.  For those who haven't pledged or donated please check out the posting below on "fundraising".   The Arthritis Foundation and Do Something Now are both charitable non profit organizations that provide amazing sevices to those of us who are far less fortunate.  I think that we can all afford to pledge a couple of cents for each mile that I ride.  Of course we can.  (and you'll be happy you did next April 15 when you get to deduct your contribution!!)

Sunday, April 11, 2010

training is complete: riding on tired legs

Before talking "bike" a quick note to Dr. Harve Meskin, organizer of Do Something Now, one of the charities that I'm fund raising for. He has loaned me a small personal computer weighing just a little over 2 pounds with the charger. Should be a good addition to the trip; I'll have access to the internet when there is a hot spot. I was worried about the witdrawal symptoms of no internet for weeks on end!! Thanks Harve.

Last week was Palomar Mt. Yesterday was Mt. Laguna.   Starting on 3/27 I've ridden every day for 15 straight days, usually to and from work with longer rides on the weekend. Yesterday's ride from my home on Soledad Mt. to Laguna spanned 150 miles with total elevation gains of 10,500 feet. The daily riding causes each ride to start off with tired legs. The course yesterday to Laguna essentially took me through Mission Valley, El Cajon, Lakeside, Alpine, Japatul Valley, Guatay and into Pine Valley at around mile 65. Finally in Pine Valley I noticed that the pre ride fatigue wore off and the normal fatigue of 65 miles set in. In other words, I couldn't really tell the difference between the effects of daily riding and my normal weekend rides at that point. A carb boom goo in Pine Valley also helped with the next 9 miles and 2,300 feet of climbing. A flat front tire on the way back was only a minor set back to an otherwise beautiful day of riding in East County. I feel as though the pre ride training is now complete. I hope to ride 3 or 4 days this week. Next Saturday is an organized ride; the Laguna challenge. For more infomation: click here With the training complete, the goal now is just to maintain, stay free of injury and finish up the mapping and equipment selection for the ride.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Training

It's already April and the kick off date is now less than 3 weeks.  One of the questions that I get is if I'm ready for the upcoming ride which is now less than 3 weeks away with only 2 weekends of training rides left.  Of course the answer is really, "who knows".  The closest event that I've done to riding day after day is the Arthritis Org. event that goes from S.F. to L.A.  They ride about 60 to 70 miles a day and the ride is fully supported with a gear truck and maybe the best part: a fully catered breakfast and dinner.  This is a great ride and experience that I've done in 03, 05 and 08.  So what training will best prepare my legs ready for the day after day pounding of riding 100 miles with a fully loaded and very heavy steel bike.  The answer is; I don't know!!  If anyone has any suggestions, posting a comment would be appreciated.  I did start last week riding at least 1 hour of either hill repeats or cycling class, trying to get the legs used to a hard daily workout without a rest day.  The weekends are reserved for longer, more grueling rides.  Yesterday, Felipe at Break A Way Training invited me to ride with his group climbing Palomar Mountain.  I think that I have pretty much climbed all of the significant mountains in California including Mt. Tamalpais, Mt. Diablo, Mt. Hamilton, Mt. Nacimiento and Mt. Whitney (the last on foot of course).  But living in San Diego and never having climbed Palomar just didnt make sense, so I jumped on the chance to finally take on this challenge.  At 5,600 feet high, Palomar gives you outstanding views of East County.  The climb is around 13 miles and gives you 4,600 feet of elevation gains usually at 6% to 9% with some 11s and 12s mixed in.  The weather was perfect and this turned out to be a great training ride up the South Grade and down the East Grade.  A quick word about breakaway training which is an outstanding training group in San Diego consisting of  some very elite athletes and a broad range of competitors including us weekend warriors; all of whom are very friendly and easy to spend time with.  Out with my pinarello I was hoping to keep up with the faster riders, but no such luck.  A group of 3 or 4 riders dropped me after about 4 miles, never to be seen again!! Coach Felipe is himself an elite athlete who if you are looking to improve your time in biking, swimming or running or just wanting to get in better shape, I would recommend contacting him at http://www.breakaway-training.com/.

After the climb I logged another 60 miles circling around the 76, SR 6, Lake Wohlford, Lake Henshaw, Valley Center Parkway and finally up to Stone Brewery.    The plan was to cycle from Palomar Mt. to Santa Ysable and Ramona and down to Poway and back to La Jolla.  That was the plan but I learned an important lesson along the way.  Equiped with a "tom tom" GPS device set for bicycle routing, I figured this would be a good test of the tom tom's capability to lead me through remote areas across the country if the maps that I have happened to fail me.  Relying on this GPS at times against my better judgment, I ended up riding a figure 8 around Palomar Mountain and Escondido! I did get to see Lakes Henshaw and Wohlford for the first time.  Beautiful countryside. Needless to say, I am now in the market for a better GPS and looking at the Garmin Edge 705.  If anyone has any better suggestions on GPS units, I'd like to hear from you.  Total riding yesterday 74 miles with 6,400 feet of elevation gain.  Next weekend will be the long ride, hopefully putting in 135 to 150 miles on Saturday.