In Germany, the holiday tradition of St. Nikolaus is where children out a shoe on December 5th and if they were good would receive a treat from St. Nikolaus. Often times the treat would be small (had to fit in a kids shoe afterall); but if you were not so good, you would recieve switches. These switches were a signal that St. Nikolaus knew you weren't being good. For me it was a signal to get my acttogether before Santa found out.
This past week, I planned a ride for sometime this weekend. It had been a while and I really needed to get back in the saddle. It was decided that Sunday morning would the best time to go. Terri got to do some things on Saturday so Sunday worked out better.
It has been cold in the mornings lately and I knew that riding this morning would be no different. I planned to wear the long sleeve jersey, full finger gloves, my vest, and ear covering headband. No problem. What i hadn't planned for was last night's rain. Well, either it rained last night or some jerk wet all the roads that I rode this morning. I think it rained. It didn't rain on me while I rode; at least not from the sky. The spray from my tires was enough to seem like it was raining from below. My back had a very nice "skunk stripe" from the dirty water coming off my rear wheel. It was 43 degrees when I left and I was plenty warm in the gear I had on...Until I really started going. The spray from the road was heavy at times and in 43 degress moving at 20mph...You can do the math for the wind chill. Overall it was a good ride today. Only about 30miles in 1:40:06. I averaged 17.5mph and didn't have any incidents.
One new thing for my ride is an application I found for my phone. It's called "BiMActive" and it's free. What it does is use the GPS in my phone to calculate my ride info. It was accurate within 1 mile or so to my bike computer and the speed was a little off. What is cool about it is that it syncs up to a website and one can track all their training there. I will rely on my bike computer for cycling; but if I'm going for a walk with the kids or riding scooters with them, it would be cool to know how far we've gone.
I'm really likeing the route I did today too. I rode all the way up Lindsay to McDowell and over to Power back to the house. Lindsay is probably my favoride North/South road in the east valley. The traffic is light, the road is smooth, and the bike lane is frre of debris. What more could you ask for?
So back to St. Nikolaus, what he left in my shoe this morning was a lot of cold & wet. When I got home. I couldn'r feel my toes. I thought to myself as cars were next to me at traffic lights and the driver sipped coffee. "Yeah, but this is fun"!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Cave Creek Bike Festival
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!
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!
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Great Cycling Weekend
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.
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:
Opening ceremonies
Starting out
Not the most flattering
Ghost Bike
Heading back
My next Jersey
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The Chase
Yesterday's ride started out COLD. 50 or so degrees at the start of the ride. Brrr. I'm glad I wore my full length gloves and new vest. Once my arms went numb, I was good.
Once we got to our turn aroung point at the end of Pecos Road, Kate & Ron decided not to take the hill loop and head straight down Pecos and back to the cars due to time constraints. I mentioned that I would take the loop and try to catch them on the way back. Here's where my plan falls apart; When Kate mentions that they are not doing the extra loop, I state that I am going to try to catch them after doing the loop. Now KAte is competitive by nature and I'm sure she was bound and determined NOT to let me catch her. Well, I didn't. I got to the cars about 15 minutes afetr they left. Oh well. It wasn't for lack of trying that's for sure.
The other "chase" yesterday was me chasing "Kid Rocket" again for most of the ride. I have figured out a way to keep ahaed of him. If we don't tell him the route, we will keep making wrong turns and have to double back to get on route! Poor guy did just that yesterday. He was so far out ahead of me, I didn't even realize he turned wrong. Of course he caught me.
I've decided that after my Cave Creek Bike Festival ride, I am going to list my mountain bike on Craigslist. I don't ride trails that much and I'm certainly not going out eploring alone. My only real options are to get a riding partner that can ride on my screwy schedule or get a road bike. I think the road bike is the better option. We'll see, it could take a while to sell the bike. What will probably happen is once I list it, and go out of town, I will get all sorts of inquiries. That's what usually happens.
Next week, the whole family will be participating in the Ride of Honor sponsored by the Not One More foundaation honoring injured or fallen cyclists. I'm really looking forward to this event as this is a cause that is very near to my heart. I think Kate is doing an event next week so the group won't be riding.
Once we got to our turn aroung point at the end of Pecos Road, Kate & Ron decided not to take the hill loop and head straight down Pecos and back to the cars due to time constraints. I mentioned that I would take the loop and try to catch them on the way back. Here's where my plan falls apart; When Kate mentions that they are not doing the extra loop, I state that I am going to try to catch them after doing the loop. Now KAte is competitive by nature and I'm sure she was bound and determined NOT to let me catch her. Well, I didn't. I got to the cars about 15 minutes afetr they left. Oh well. It wasn't for lack of trying that's for sure.
The other "chase" yesterday was me chasing "Kid Rocket" again for most of the ride. I have figured out a way to keep ahaed of him. If we don't tell him the route, we will keep making wrong turns and have to double back to get on route! Poor guy did just that yesterday. He was so far out ahead of me, I didn't even realize he turned wrong. Of course he caught me.
I've decided that after my Cave Creek Bike Festival ride, I am going to list my mountain bike on Craigslist. I don't ride trails that much and I'm certainly not going out eploring alone. My only real options are to get a riding partner that can ride on my screwy schedule or get a road bike. I think the road bike is the better option. We'll see, it could take a while to sell the bike. What will probably happen is once I list it, and go out of town, I will get all sorts of inquiries. That's what usually happens.
Next week, the whole family will be participating in the Ride of Honor sponsored by the Not One More foundaation honoring injured or fallen cyclists. I'm really looking forward to this event as this is a cause that is very near to my heart. I think Kate is doing an event next week so the group won't be riding.
Monday, October 26, 2009
"Eric & the Skins"
While riding with the usual weekend group yesterday, I rode alongside Kate for a while and we chatted a bit. She told me she was calling our ride that day 'Eric & the Skins'. I nearly crashed when I heard this name because of how funny it struck me. Turns out the entire group, other than me, were Native Americans. I received permission to use the name. I thought it was pretty catchy.
Yesterdays ride took us around the Usery Pass loop twice again. I hadn't ridden with the group in a few weeks and figured that my first ride back would be this one. This is by far our hardest ride. Lots of hill work, but very scenic. For a little extra torture, I threw in the Las Sendas mountain loop as well. Normally, this ride wouldn't kick my ass as much as it did yesterday. Saturday night, I went out with some friends to watch the UFC fights and had a couple beers. No big deal except that is was a couple more that I normal have the night before our rides. The first half of the ride, I was really feeling sluggish.
We had a couple new participants this weekend. Derrick, who is a 3rd year law student and Jake who is a 1st year. Derrick had just gotten his bike the day before and probably hadn't had time to have it fitted properly. He hunk in there and rode the whole ride. Once he gets his bike fitted to him, he's going to kick butt! Speaking of kicking butt, there's Jake (aka Kid Rocket). This "kid" is built like a cyclist; tall, thin, & lean. I rode with Jake for a while and talked to him and all of a sudden, he was gone. He started pulling away from me and I don't think I ever caught him except when he stopped for me. Oh sure, I could make all kinds of excuses; the beers, the age difference, the bike, this kid is just fast. I felt like I spent the first half of the ride "chasing the rocket". Once we reached the 1/2 way mark and headed back out, I decided I was going to do my best to keep pace with him. We started up Usery (the easier side) and I suddenly felt pretty good. I cranked! I pulled away from the group and saw Jake trying to catch me (for a change). I told myself that I'd be OK if he didn't catch me until the top. After the top of the hill and as we started the long descent, he caught me. I felt good knowing that I was able to hold him off as long as I did. Once we got to the bottom of the hill we rode together again for a while. Next up came the biggest, steepest hill of the ride (I call it King Kong). Suddenly, the rocket takes off again. WTF? Wasn't this the same kid who was saying after we came down that hill that he'd probably be walking up it? He absolutely flew up this hill. I wish I could hate him for it, but he's a pretty nice guy and that wouldn't be right.
We all finished the ride separately but within minutes of each other. Kate & Ron hung back with Derrick which was cool of them. Suzanne, Jake, & I pulled away from them on the return Usery climb. Since Jake was so far in front of me, he missed the turn to go up Las Sendas but still made the climb once he turned around.
It seems that I have inadvertently recruited Kate & Ron to join me on my century ride. Kate mentioned it while we chatted. It would be great to have some company! I think we are shooting for December sometime. Hopefully before the end of the year!
All in all, a great day to ride. A little chilly to start, but ended with perfect weather. The rest of the day I spent with the kids and massaging my legs from trying to catch "Kid Rocket".
Yesterdays ride took us around the Usery Pass loop twice again. I hadn't ridden with the group in a few weeks and figured that my first ride back would be this one. This is by far our hardest ride. Lots of hill work, but very scenic. For a little extra torture, I threw in the Las Sendas mountain loop as well. Normally, this ride wouldn't kick my ass as much as it did yesterday. Saturday night, I went out with some friends to watch the UFC fights and had a couple beers. No big deal except that is was a couple more that I normal have the night before our rides. The first half of the ride, I was really feeling sluggish.
We had a couple new participants this weekend. Derrick, who is a 3rd year law student and Jake who is a 1st year. Derrick had just gotten his bike the day before and probably hadn't had time to have it fitted properly. He hunk in there and rode the whole ride. Once he gets his bike fitted to him, he's going to kick butt! Speaking of kicking butt, there's Jake (aka Kid Rocket). This "kid" is built like a cyclist; tall, thin, & lean. I rode with Jake for a while and talked to him and all of a sudden, he was gone. He started pulling away from me and I don't think I ever caught him except when he stopped for me. Oh sure, I could make all kinds of excuses; the beers, the age difference, the bike, this kid is just fast. I felt like I spent the first half of the ride "chasing the rocket". Once we reached the 1/2 way mark and headed back out, I decided I was going to do my best to keep pace with him. We started up Usery (the easier side) and I suddenly felt pretty good. I cranked! I pulled away from the group and saw Jake trying to catch me (for a change). I told myself that I'd be OK if he didn't catch me until the top. After the top of the hill and as we started the long descent, he caught me. I felt good knowing that I was able to hold him off as long as I did. Once we got to the bottom of the hill we rode together again for a while. Next up came the biggest, steepest hill of the ride (I call it King Kong). Suddenly, the rocket takes off again. WTF? Wasn't this the same kid who was saying after we came down that hill that he'd probably be walking up it? He absolutely flew up this hill. I wish I could hate him for it, but he's a pretty nice guy and that wouldn't be right.
We all finished the ride separately but within minutes of each other. Kate & Ron hung back with Derrick which was cool of them. Suzanne, Jake, & I pulled away from them on the return Usery climb. Since Jake was so far in front of me, he missed the turn to go up Las Sendas but still made the climb once he turned around.
It seems that I have inadvertently recruited Kate & Ron to join me on my century ride. Kate mentioned it while we chatted. It would be great to have some company! I think we are shooting for December sometime. Hopefully before the end of the year!
All in all, a great day to ride. A little chilly to start, but ended with perfect weather. The rest of the day I spent with the kids and massaging my legs from trying to catch "Kid Rocket".
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Ride of Death
Yesterday's ride was a great ride except for all the death around us.
Because of today's triathlon, most of our group was absent. It was just Ron & I. We started out both pretty strong (Ron was stronger) heading into the wind. We noticed it on the way to the starting point and figured it would eventually be a factor. Just didn't think it would so soon.
As soon as we came to the bottom of our first downhill, boom! Dead racoon. Bummer. We pedalled on and came across a dead possum, dead birds, and a dead snake. It seemed strange that with all the dead animals around that the morning was so beautiful. Seeing the sun rise over the mountains through a bullet riddled road sign really takes the breath away!
So we did our Usery Pass loops (19.5 miles each way) with plenty of hill. Some moron (me) decided it would be fun to climb Las Sendas mountain 38 miles into the ride. Well, we did and the workout was awesome! Which brings me to another "dead" fo rthe ride. We were cruising down Hawes Rd (at 35+mph) to meet McKellips and head back to the cars. Dead end. Hawes was closed due to construction. We went through the "road closed" signs to see if we could squeak through. No way. A huge hole in the ground and plenty of fencing made us have to turn back and go around. We looked at this as an opportunity to add mileage instead of a bad thing.
The last "dead" of the day was how I felt. I was wiped out! I don't think it was as much the distance as it was the climbing. All in all we rode 46.94 miles and climbed 2008 feet. Our average speed was 15.3mph and our max was 41mph. Our route is here.
I decided (at least my butt did), that my seat is inadequate for long rides. My butt was also asking me to switch my seat. I think I will put the gel seat back on for my ride in November. Which reminds me, I am using my ride in November to raise money for the National Autism Association. If you can help me by donating, please click here. Thanks.
Because of today's triathlon, most of our group was absent. It was just Ron & I. We started out both pretty strong (Ron was stronger) heading into the wind. We noticed it on the way to the starting point and figured it would eventually be a factor. Just didn't think it would so soon.
As soon as we came to the bottom of our first downhill, boom! Dead racoon. Bummer. We pedalled on and came across a dead possum, dead birds, and a dead snake. It seemed strange that with all the dead animals around that the morning was so beautiful. Seeing the sun rise over the mountains through a bullet riddled road sign really takes the breath away!
So we did our Usery Pass loops (19.5 miles each way) with plenty of hill. Some moron (me) decided it would be fun to climb Las Sendas mountain 38 miles into the ride. Well, we did and the workout was awesome! Which brings me to another "dead" fo rthe ride. We were cruising down Hawes Rd (at 35+mph) to meet McKellips and head back to the cars. Dead end. Hawes was closed due to construction. We went through the "road closed" signs to see if we could squeak through. No way. A huge hole in the ground and plenty of fencing made us have to turn back and go around. We looked at this as an opportunity to add mileage instead of a bad thing.
The last "dead" of the day was how I felt. I was wiped out! I don't think it was as much the distance as it was the climbing. All in all we rode 46.94 miles and climbed 2008 feet. Our average speed was 15.3mph and our max was 41mph. Our route is here.
I decided (at least my butt did), that my seat is inadequate for long rides. My butt was also asking me to switch my seat. I think I will put the gel seat back on for my ride in November. Which reminds me, I am using my ride in November to raise money for the National Autism Association. If you can help me by donating, please click here. Thanks.
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Hill, 6 Dudes, & a Headwind
This past Sunday, our group decided to ride the "Pecos Road Loopx2" route. The route is fairly flat with some slight rolling hills. Last time we did this route, the hill on Chandler Blvd was taken East to West. Not too steep, but a little longer than the down side. Last time on the downside, I hit 43mph. This time we decided to do that part of the loop clockwise (West to East). Just a little steeper. Since this route is fairly flat, I rode the single speed. On the way up the hill, I was out of my saddle, and pulling my body down so that I could keep pedalling. I thought my legs were going to explode and my lungs felt as if they were going to jump out of my chest, it was great! I thought I was going to stop to rest, but somehow, I managed to keep on moving and make it to the top. Ron, has nicknamed this hill "Big Bertha". She was much kinder on the counterclockwise part of the trip (I did hit 43.3mph coming back down).
We were all dudes this trip. With the exception of Bertha, it was just us dudes. Kate and Suzanne, you guys missed a great ride. I don't know who it was that decided that Gary should lead, but he dragged us along for the first 10 miles. as mentioned in Kate's blog, Gary is "The Pro". He is a fast rider and really knows a lot about the sport. Gary finally pulled away from the rest of us, but we caught him on the hill. I hope to see both ladies back out with us soon.
We started this ride at 6:00 and finished around 9:00. I hadn't noticed until we were at the end of Pecos Road, but the wind sort of picked up. The whole 20 miles back was into the wind and slightly uphill. With the wind and the hills, the 40 miles we rode almost felt like 50.
It should be noted that Kate, Peter, & Kyle are all doing the Nathan's triathlon in Tempe this coming weekend. Good luck you guys, you'll do awesome!
We were all dudes this trip. With the exception of Bertha, it was just us dudes. Kate and Suzanne, you guys missed a great ride. I don't know who it was that decided that Gary should lead, but he dragged us along for the first 10 miles. as mentioned in Kate's blog, Gary is "The Pro". He is a fast rider and really knows a lot about the sport. Gary finally pulled away from the rest of us, but we caught him on the hill. I hope to see both ladies back out with us soon.
We started this ride at 6:00 and finished around 9:00. I hadn't noticed until we were at the end of Pecos Road, but the wind sort of picked up. The whole 20 miles back was into the wind and slightly uphill. With the wind and the hills, the 40 miles we rode almost felt like 50.
It should be noted that Kate, Peter, & Kyle are all doing the Nathan's triathlon in Tempe this coming weekend. Good luck you guys, you'll do awesome!
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