Random Shit: November 2009

Back on November 15th, I participated in the 1st annual Cave creek Bicycle Festival. This event included a 20 mile MTB race, a 50 mile & 35 mile "discovery" ride. I chose the 50 mile ride. I'm working up to riding a century and figured this would be good training. Besides, It has been many years since doing any organized event.

I awoke on the 15th early not because I was so excited about the ride, but because I slept like crap that night. Every couple hours I woke up (after getting to bed late). Anywhoo, I staged all my gear by the front door so I'll I'd need to grab was my water and coffee. The ride started at 8 and it's an easy hour north of here so I headed out at 0515. I arrived in Cave Creek in the dark and searched for the "tell tale" start/finish line. Once I found where the event was, I parked across from a VFW post. At the VFW, an American flag was blowing in in the wind. I couldn't help but notice, it was almost sticking straight out. Not only was it windy, it was a COLD wind. My car read about 52 degrees. I figured that this wind would probably factor into my ride. I walked over to the Flat Tire Bike Shop and signed in. I got my "swag bag" and headed back to the car. I looked through the various "goodies" in the bag and studied the route map. Looks like a lot of hills I thought. Now, when I checked the route at home t didn't look that hilly. It certainly did today. In fact the 1st 9 miles will be uphill.

As the start time got closer, I decided to get ready. I decided against my jacket since it traps so much heat and sweat and went with the vest which keeps my torso warm. The vest proved to be useful last cold ride and I figured it would get warmer today. I also wore my headband that covers my ears. Last cold ride, my ears froze. I wasn't going to let that happen today. I found the (unmarked) start line and stood in the sun. Everyone was standing in the sun to try to get warm.

I was close to the front of the pack at the start of the ride. This wasn't a race, just a fun leisurely ride through Cave Creek with 200 of my closest friends. When the ride started, I was in the first 25 riders (the only on a MTB). I stayed in this group for a few miles and a couple people passed me. At the 6 or so mile mark, the 35 mile group turned off. The 50 mile group headed up. It wasn't a terribly steep hill, just long. My hamstrings were cramping a bit so I ate a few bananas and stretched. Good as new. At the 9 mile mark, we turned around and followed the 35 mile group's route. I figured at the turn, I was probably still in the top 40. Not bad. Of course there's no prize for 40th place. Once we joined the 35 mile riders, it was hard to tell where I was in the pack, although I didn't let many pass me.

We rode through the scenic areas of Cave Creek getting out little "passport" stamped along the way. The passport pointed out interesting things about the area. Kinda a cool idea. I was rolling down a stretch of the Care Free Highway and at the turn into the Cave Creek Regiostanding Natural Areal Park (right turn) and the wind hit me as if it was a truck. It seemed that the wind was always behind each turn. I know it's impossible for the wind to switch around and blow from every direction, but I swear that it blew down every hill. Every climb was into a good headwind. Ugh.

The best part of the ride is that I used this ride through a site called Train 4 Autism to raise money for the National Autism Association. Thanks to friends and family, I raised over $1500! Pretty cool! When the ride started to suck really bad and my legs ached, i thought about why I was really riding and I found the strength. I kept telling myself, I was doing this for Matthew and millions of other kids that needed the help. Seemed a little corny, but it worked.

In hindsight, I asked myself:

1. Would I do the ride again? Hell yeah!
2. What would I do differently? Cancel the winds or just train on the hills harder.
3. Best thing I brought: Headband with ear covers - saved me!
4. Worst thing to take: I needed everything.

I can't wait for my next organized ride!

This past weekend was great for me & the bike(s). Saturday started out with the Ride of Honor in north Mesa. Over 400 cyclists turned out to support those who have been injured or killed in vehicle-bicycle accidents. This event was incredible! The support form the local bike shops, SRP, elected officials, and businesses was awesome. There were all types of riders in attendance; professionals, recreational riders, triathletes, kids in trailers, kids on dirt bikes, and every type of rider you can imagine.

I was particularly touched meeting Kim Saks, whose husband was killed last October while training for the Qualcomm Million Dollar Challenge (a 7 day, 600 mile charity bike ride from San Francisco to San Diego) an organization that raises money to provide prosthetics, hand cycles, and a variety of services for challenged athletes. I met a group of Kim’s friends at the Ride of Silence earlier this year and was touched by the story. Putting a face with the “story” deeply saddened me. Brett’s accident left behind, a wife and two small kids. I know Kim struggles from day to day and it was hard for her to be there Saturday. It turns out that Arizona has a 3 feet law that requires vehicles to give at least 3 feet when passing a cyclist on the road. Unfortunately, that law is seldom enforced. Brett and far too many others have had to pay the ultimate price for this. I wish I could do more to help her family and others.

On a happier note, on Sunday, the kids decided that they wanted me to pull them around the neighborhood in the bike trailer. We have split them up in the past due to them growing and the occasional “disagreement”. They promised me that they wouldn’t argue if I’d pull them both in the same trailer. We rode for a while and Emma decided she had to potty. Once we got back to the house, the kids encouraged Terri to get her bike out and we rode up to the store and picked up a few things for dinner. It was really nice to be out on bikes as a family again. That is one thing I really missed over the summer is riding with my wife with kids in tow. I was very happy to be able to do it again!

Overall a great cycling weekend. Not many miles (20), butu it’s the quality not the quantity that count.

Here are some pictures from the event: