Winter cycling

Yes, it is true that the Denver area had a foot of snow last week.  But we get lots of sun and the highway departments do a good job of clearing snow from the major roads.  The snow ended on Thursday and by Sunday the roads were clear enough to be out on the bike.  We waited until Monday as we spent time with families on Christmas Day.

Ron snapped this photo of me, Jim, and Craig.  The temperature was 38 degrees when we started.  It was cloudy but without any wind so it made for a great ride.

Jim and I were back out again on Wednesday with the starting temperature again at 38 degrees.  The encouraging news is that I averaged 17 mph on both days, a high average as I typically cannot ride fast on cold days.  Perhaps the high- intensity core exercise classes are paying off.

I will file my CAFR (cycling annual fitness report) a few days early.  My mileage was the lowest since I retired at only 4,675.  In 2010, I pedaled 7,500 miles.  Without a tour to participate in this year, my training miles were way down and of course I then missed the 1600 miles of a typical 3-week tour that I do.

Along with Robin, I will staff the CrossRoads cross-country tour this year.  We are looking forward to it.

In the home stretch

Everyone seemed to enjoy the rest day in Savannah on Tuesday.  We were joined by several others on a bus tour of the historical district.  There are so many points of interest, it began to run together for me though.  After lunch, several of us took a river boat cruise of the Savannah port.  I did not know the nature of this cruise and was pleasantly surprised.  Savannah is the second-largest shipping port in the US behind my hometown of Long Beach-Los Angeles ports.  I learned more about shipping in one hour yesterday than in my growing up years in Long Beach.  Everything is about container shipping now and I cannot stand to take the Long Beach freeway for all the container trucks leaving the LB port.  It was not like that when I was younger.

We had a nice dinner at Belford's last night.  Several of the riders were there.  Robin and I were joined by Tracy, the Darlington's and the Walker's.  What a fun evening!

We are in the home stretch of the last four riding days.  Today was the longest day at 83 miles.  The remaining days are between 53 and 61 miles and this veteran group will knock off those days with ease.

After several days of tailwinds, we were faced by a slight headwind today.  It should be more of the same tomorrow.  The riders were greeted by a stopped train leaving town this morning.  After a 20 minute wait, they were underway only to be faced with a long string of vehicles wanting to pass them.  All went well thankfully.

A tough stretch

The past five days were difficult days.  Nonetheless, the cyclists handled it quite well.  During the first four days, they were just a few miles shy of 400 miles, averaging nearly a century per day.  The weather outlook was dim for yesterday, but everyone made it in before the rain started.  No such luck today on our way into Savannah.  Although a short day at 46 miles, the rain was present for most of the day.  The last stretch made up for the part where it was a light drizzle.  It POURED!  I was in the truck today so was not on the road and was quite glad for it.  As we drove over the Talmadge Bridge into Savannah, some of the cables were whipping violently in the strong wind.  If there was a good thing about the day, it was a strong tailwind that got them out of the rain sooner.

I pedaled 41 miles on Sunday with the big boys, averaging 20 mph for the distance.  Six of us rotated to the head of the paceline every mile, making it easier to cycle with some rest. 

The forecast called for rain through Friday a few days ago, but it appears that we will be able to ride without rain for our last four days.  The riders are scattering to the corners of the downtown Savannah area today and will be certain to do so on the rest day on Tuesday.  Robin and I had a nice lunch along the waterfront today.  The beer tasted great!

Cheers.

Jacksonville, NC

We took a nearly 2.5 hour ferry ride to get our day started.  The forecast was for a very nice tail wind today and the weather did not disappointment.  After one hour on very rural roads, I was averaging over 21 mph.  Once the busy traffic started, I became cautious and slowed down.  There was no shoulder to the SAG at 42 miles and riding the white line at the edge of the road was a necessity in the heavy traffic.  Still one driver tooted her horn at me as she passed very close.  Was I supposed to ride through the fields?  Oh well, I just give a mental shrug of my shoulders in cases like that.  I suspect that they do not see many cyclists around that part of NC.  The riders did have a nice shoulder for most of the ride after the SAG.

Jacksonville is home to Camp LeJeune, a US marine facility.  We could see young marines training at the side of the road.  They were next to what appeared to be a berm where they could practice their weapons training.  I recall from three years a bit of culture shock when the restaurant and adjoining WalMart was filled with many young and shaved heads.  Several in this bike group could fit in with the shaved heads!

We now have just eight cycling days left.  The next two days will be difficult at 110 and 119 miles.  I suspect that 119 miles will be a career-high for many on the tour.  This follows today's 87 mile day.  I am glad that I accomplished these distances already and can ride as I choose on the tour.

Ocracoke

Ever since Hurricane Irene struck the Outer Banks, we wondered if we would be able to cycle the planned route down the Hatteras island chain.  The road was destroyed in four places and a bridge needed to be replaced.  The target date for completion of repairs was early October.  Tracy had a different route planned but was earnestly trying to use the planned route.  Alas, the repairs were finished for us and the cyclists were disappointed to not ride on the highlight of the trip.

So Plan B was enacted.  We had to complete 80 miles of cycling by noon in order to catch a ferry to Ocracoke Island.  The next ferry was at 4:30 and would not arrive at Ocracoke until nearly 7:30, well after dark.  CrossRoads figured that the strongest riders would be able to pedal the entire distance well before noon.  We allowed six other cyclists to leave the hotel with them and we would monitor them.  Two vans with six cyclists in each were bumped up the road so that they would be able to reach the ferry in plenty of time.  Ten were able to pedal the entire distance, with the last of the 25 riders reaching the ferry departure by 11:45, 45 minutes before it would leave.

One of the cyclists said that it was a day that proved CrossRoads well-deserved reputation by facing adversity but making it seamless for the cyclists.  As it turned out, the largest obstacle was the mosquitoes.  As I dropped the cyclists from the van, the number of mosquitoes could have carried the van away.  I dropped six cyclists off and had perhaps over 150 insects in the car.  I had to drive with the windows open to flush them out and close them before I stopped the van.  The mosquitoes also provided an incentive for the riders to keep moving with a minimum of stopping.

The rest day on Ocracoke was fabulous.  Most of the cyclists rode to the other end of the island to experience cycling the Outer Banks.  Some took a ferry back to Hatteras and rode some of the Highway 12 that was open.  The sunsets were spectacular.  We should see a sunrise over the water when we leave on Thursday morning.

Bikes on the ferry.

Sunset view from our hotel.  It was couples night as the Dunn's, Darlingtons, and Taylors enjoyed wine, fruit, and cheese.

Another rider joined us.  The picture shows us his dinner choice.  Should I say that it was a "meal of Champ(ions)"?

The lighthouse on Ocracoke.  It has operated since 1823, the second-oldest operating lighthouse in the U.S.

Troopers

When I did this trip 3 years ago, the weather was great.  Sunny skies, favorable aiding winds, and warm temperatures.  Every day but one.  The Eastern Seaboard tour this year is a different animal.  Hank said this morning that it has rained every day but one.  We had only day of rain in 2008.  Despite the challenge of difficult conditions, they soldier on with few complaints.  I told Jack that he would remember this ride the rest of his life.  Jack is from Israel where rainfall is scarce.  He said he had cycled in the rain only twice in his life prior to this trip.

Our SAG stop was at this church today.  Fewer than ten cars were in their parking lot.  The riders spent only a few minutes here so they get warm again by cycling.

The riders are enjoying another meal at Ruby Tuesday.  This restaurant has provided the quickest service the past two nights.  Serving 25 to 30 people so we are in and out in one hour is an accomplishment.

Pocomoke City, Maryland

The cyclists pedaled 63 miles today from Dewey Beach, Delaware to Pocomoke.  We had a rest day yesterday and were blessed by the best weather of the trip.  Sunny skies and warm temperatures scattered the cyclists to all corners of Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach.  Scott even rented a boat to cruise the bay.  The skies opened up at 8 last night so hopefully all were in by then to avoid a certain drenching.

Rehoboth is a long strip of retail shops.  I attribute it to the absence of a sales tax in Delaware.  Shoppers from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey take advantage of it.  We went through Ocean City today, another long strip of retail and hotels.  I want to know the number of traffic lights on Highway 1 through Ocean City.  They are every block, perhaps two blocks at times.

The last several miles of today's ride were through forests.  The tree canopy spread over the road.  The thickness of the tree cover interfered with the GPS signal as my bike computer showed I was traveling at 8 mph one moment and a more believable 19 the next.  In any case, it was a beautiful setting.

Pocomoke is a Native American word meaning "dark-colored water."  I just love saying Pocomoke.

Al, Jan, Sam, Jack, Michel, Jim, and Stuart on the ferry crossing from NJ to DE.

A rain squall that would drench riders on the next ferry after they de-boarded.

Catching up

Sorry for not posting the last few days, but the life of a staffer is very busy.  My mornings start at 5:15 with the alarm and I am at the truck at 6 getting started on the work day.  They go until as late as 8:30 after I pay the meal bills and get the paperwork sorted out.  But I love it.

I got to ride again today, first time since Sunday.  Covered 45 miles, averaging 17 mph.  It misted, drizzled, and outright rained hard during that time.  We are in Hammonton, NJ tonight.  We head to Delaware tomorrow with a 90 minute ferry crossing from Cape May to Lewes.  Cape May is a world-class birding location during migrations.  Would love to come back and spend time spotting birds.  I missed this day 3 years ago as a nor'easter came in and ferry crossings were cancelled due to 15 foot high seas.  We had to shuttle riders 150 miles in the truck, vans, and rental cars.  More rain is predicted tomorrow.

A successful day

It was a hard day for everyone, one I remember as one of my most difficult days on a bike.  It was a 96 mile day with hills around every corner totaling over 6,000 feet of climbing.  Most of the riders made it all the way and were elated, if not tired, when they reached the hotel.  I rode to the first SAG today, 31 miles in total, covering 1800 feet of climbing with one long hill of 2.7 miles.  Twelve of our group kept an Italian restaurant in business for another day.  Only two other tables were used during our two hours there.  Off to snooze-land now.

The two percent solution

The road was wet this morning, but it was from overnight rain.  My wish last night for riding in the two percent chance of no rain came true today.  It made for happy riders today, including me.  I rode 31 miles to the first SAG.  Someone asked me if I was done for the day.  I replied that I go to work now play time was over.  And work it was as I finally got settled at 7:30.

Another rainy day

At least it held off until after 1pm today.  But most of the riders faced many miles of rain and heavy traffic toward the end of the 93 mile ride.  I think that they were relieved to get to the hotel in one piece.  Several thought that we were lucky with no accidents today.  I should clarify yesterday's comment about not riding in the rain.  I do not intend to ride in the rain but it was all hands on deck for the staff yesterday.  We are all rookies at it and need to become a smoothly functioning team.  Mac is the busiest of all with his mechanic duties as the rain likely makes the riders more aware of little things they may not notice otherwise.  Robin and Carol have become fast friends and work well together at the SAGs.

Dinner was great tonight.  One of the best bike dinners I have had.  Several riders were also very pleased.

The precipitation probability is 98% at departure time tomorrow.  Why don't the forecasters just say 100%?  For our sake, I hope that the 2% follows us all day.

In the rain to Portsmouth

Wednesday was a beautiful day with sun all day.  It started raining at 4 this morning.  The riders left in a pouring rain and had intermittent periods of rain and drizzle.  One accident less than 5 miles from the hotel, but he got back on the bike and rode to the hotel.  They were all real troopers out there today.  I am not going to get on the bike until the sun shines.  I already did this ride.

Racing season is over

I had a two-month hiatus from racing, but have had four in the past six weeks, including three in the past ten days.  The first one was a race up Lookout Mountain.  The US Pro Cycling Challenge used this climb on the last day of the tour recently.  Tom Danielson, who finished third in that race and ninth in the TDF this summer, holds the course record at 16:03 for a 4.5 mile climb.  This old guy did it in 28:16.  It makes you appreciate how fast the pros can ride (and also my long-ago youth).

My cycling club puts on a late-season TT series.  I did the first two races and averaged 20.6 and 20.5 mph for the 7.9 mile course.  I think it was superior to my spring TT efforts as the recent TT series features three 180 degree cone turns and more climbing.

The club had its member-only TT hill climb in Deer Creek Canyon this morning.  We started at one-minute intervals.  The results will be published in a couple of days.  I averaged 10.1 mph for the 5.75 mile, 1388 foot climb, an average 4.6% grade.  I had to miss last year's climb as I was touring on the West Coast.  I did it as a hard solo effort the previous week and I am pleased that I rode 2:15 faster this year.

Racing season is now over and we leave for CT on Sunday for CrossRoads training.  We drive the vehicles to Maine on Tuesday.  There will not be much rest as we prepare for the start on Thursday.

Eastern Seaboard 2011

We will be staffing the CrossRoads Cycling Adventures Eastern Seaboard ride starting on September 22.  We fly to Connecticut on the 18th for training and will drive to Maine on the 20th.

Robin supported me on an Oregon Coast ride in 1997 and helped a small group of riders for two days from San Francisco to Santa Cruz last year.  This will be her first large-scale support of a cycling tour.  She is looking forward to it.

Saving energy

This post is not about drafting in a pace line where a cyclist can save 20 to 30 percent of his or her energy expenditure by letting a group of riders take turns breaking the wind at the front of the pace line.

We have had solar thermal panels on our home for our hot water needs since 1985.  They have paid for themselves many times over since then.  They were trouble-free until earlier this year when one developed a leak.  We replaced them and hope to have another 20 plus years of service from them.

This year we invested in photovoltaic panels as well.  They cover most of the remaining portion of our south-facing roof.  They are generating an average of 200 kilowatt hours per week thus far.  The daily high production was 38 kwh while the low was only 4 kwh on a cloudy, rainy day earlier this week.  The supplier estimates that they should supply 90 percent of our annual electricity needs (we have an all-electric home).  They generate twice our current needs with the surplus rolling over to the winter months when our electric demand is higher to heat our home.  The payback on these panels is longer than for solar thermal, but in an age of global warming it seemed the right thing to do.  After six weeks, the panels have offset an estimated 1,364 pounds of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere.

The map

CrossRoads Cycling Adventures places a map in the hotel lobby upon arrival. Staff notes each day's progress on the map. It becomes a topic of conversation for other guests at the hotel. One rider will receive the map at the final banquet and the other cyclists will sign it. I am holding this year's map. Cyclists will leave South Portland, Maine on September 22 and arrive in Daytona Beach, Florida on October 15. They will cover 1,600 miles during that time with three rest days.

Colorado Pro Race

The race is finally here. It was announced about a year ago and the buildup and anticipation have been tremendous. I opted to not attend any of the racing as the crowds are large and I do not like crowds. I have been on some of the roads in the past, including all of the last stage on Sunday around Golden and Denver. Robin and I are touring Colorado by car now and drove through Vail today. It seemed that two of every three cars on the way to Vail had bikes on them. We could see hundreds of riders in Vail going up to the time trial course. Our hotel today did not have Versus so I could not see the race. Bummer.

The CrossRoads Maine to Florida tour starts four weeks from today. We are getting excited to staff the tour. I will ride part of the day, although I hope to ride a full day in southern New Jersey to Delaware. We missed that day in 2008 due to a nor'easter that cancelled the ferry from Cape May to Lewes.

Race report

Most of the people I train with are racers. That is what happens when you join a bike club. My club, the COBRAS, is known as a drinking club with a cycling problem. The men and women are all very nice, so nice in fact, that I was enticed into racing this year.

Our club sponsors a seven-race time-trial series that starts in mid-April. The races are on Wednesday night. For the first six weeks, you could count on Wednesday being the worst weather of the entire week. The first four Wednesdays were in the 40s. Week 5 saw heavy rain and 37 degrees (only 1 out of every six riders showed up and I was one of them). Week 6 was even worse and the race was cancelled. Finally, week 7 had temperatures in the low 70s. There was much rejoicing at the start line that night. Riders go off every 20 seconds from 4:30 until 7:15. That accounts for nearly 500 riders!

The competition is strong in Colorado. I typically finished around 15th of 21 in my age group. I was about 45 seconds behind the rider in front and up to three minutes ahead of the next age-group rider behind me. I felt good about my results this year. I do not ride a time trial bike whereas most riders do. That accounts for about a minute over the 9.5 mile distance. I did get an aero helmet for the last race and recorded my best result of 20.9 mph average for that race.

Today was the Rocky Mountain Senior Games, what I call the Geezer Games. Most of the top riders competed on Saturday at the state time trial championships. Some of today's riders were doubling back from yesterday. The senior games had a 5K TT and a 40K road race. I placed 3rd in each race within my age group, averaging 22.2 mph for the TT and 21.4 mph for the road race. The road race course was a double out-and-back with 3 180 degree turns. I lost position each time we turned around. I stayed with the peloton, some 25 riders in all, for the first 20K but they took off after the first lap was completed. I worked to get back into the second group, now constituting eight riders. I took off with about 12K to go and only one rider went with me. We worked together, well, it was me doing most of the work with his pulls at the front noticeably slower. I told him with 3K to go that I was going to go for it. I gained 20 seconds over this distance and placed tenth overall.

I have enjoyed my first season of racing. I plan to do two hill climb races later in the summer. Most of the races are now criteriums and I have no intention of mixing it up like that.

A quick visit to CrossRoads tour

Thomas, an Episcopal priest on sabattical, after descending the Canadian escarpment. Riders are still traveling 30 mph.

One of the roller-coaster hills on the way to Las Vegas. I hit a several-year best of 40.1 mph on one of them. (Slow for many of you I know!)

Tracy asked me a week before tour began when I would be visiting the tour. That set my thoughts to driving to Las Vegas (a five hour drive from Denver) and riding with CrossRoads for a couple of days. The original plan was to ride out to the SAG from Santa Fe and meet my good friends Jim Olsson, Jim Hall, and Rick. Jim called me on Sunday morning and said that Rick spent the day in Santa Fe being treated for altitude sickness. He asked if I would drive out 50 miles and let Rick drive my car back to the hotel so Rick could get more rest and get down from altitude. I did that and then rode to Las Vegas. Averaged 18.8 miles per hour!

Jim O. and I took turns riding and driving to Tucumcari. I rode 57 miles and averaged 18.1 mph today. I remembered Charlie as I approached the 5 mile mark and thought of what a traumatic day it was for us two years ago. I had some quad cramping just before the wall and after as well. A couple of gels relieved the problem. A truck hauling cattle was stalled on the wall (max 11 percent grade) with an overheated transmission, as I found out later. I was praying before I got to it that its brakes would hold.

Jim and I return to Denver tomorrow. Rick is better now and rode the whole day today. I am pleased to say that the tour had an aiding wind on both days with some crosswinds today. Today was the hottest day of tour with 90 degrees on arrival in Tucumcari.

I saw Hank and Carol in Mexico in late March and am pleased to report that they are doing well.

It is a cohesive group and Barbie, Harry, and Darrell will be welcomed by them when they begin riding. Tracy and staff are doing well.

Enough for one day

I was scheduled to ride a local hill climb race on Saturday but it was cancelled due to high winds. So Jim, Craig, and I went to do it today as a hard workout. I was to meet them at 10:30.

Shortly after I got on the Interstate, traffic comes to a standstill. I had passed two law enforcement cars already. I notice that no cars are coming from the opposite direction, so I figure a major accident on the other side has stopped us as people want to get a peek at the carnage. A police car comes racing toward me on the opposite of the highway. I look in my rear view mirror at the car and see it come to a stop with the officer jumping out with weapon drawn. The driver of a truck gets out but just goes to the back. Soon the officer has left the scene. Then a whole phalanx of officers are walking down the line of cars in front with weapons drawn. Not just pistols but assault type weapons. This is serious! They ask for all drivers to roll their windows down so they can look inside. This happens three more times. I tell the woman in the car next to me that I thought they found Osama last night. She laughs hysterically. It is one half hour before we can get going again. I learn later that two idiots have robbed a bank and they chose the Interstate for their escape. They are spotted and the road is shut down. Yes, they were captured. Several hundred drivers are ready to turn the keys on these idiots' prison cells and toss the keys away.

I called Craig and they have waited for me. It is 44 degrees when we leave and supposed to reach a high of 56. We finally get underway at 11. By the time we reach the top of Lookout Mountain, we have ascended just over 2,000 feet in 13 miles, with 1250 of it in the 4.5 mile race course portion. Weather is moving in it appears. We are not looking forward to the descent over the back of the mountain on the return to our cars. Fortunately, it does not really snow on us although flakes are flying. We have 8 miles of descent. I am OK for the first 5 of it but when we turn into the wind I begin shaking. It was worse when I pedaled. I could not maintain a straight line. I am so cold when I reach the car finally that I skip the planned lunch. Jim tells me later that he and Craig begin to shiver at the restaurant despite being seated under a heater. It is 34 degrees when I leave to drive home.

Yes, it was enough excitement for one day. I am going to Tracy's tonight for dinner. I have been helping a little with tour preparation The staff will be leaving Wednesday for the drive to Lost Angeles (I can say it since I lived there). For the XC09 riders, Mack will not be part of the tour this year. Given his early departures from tour over the past few years, travel insurance for him was prohibitively expensive.

I have been spending the past week cycling in Fredericksburg, TX. This is a cycling mecca. During the previous week there were 360 riders registered for Texas Hell Week. Our group was 13 for the week. Seven members from our Denver cycling club, the COBRAS (COlorado Bicycling Racing Association for Seniors), joined several previous CrossRoads Cycling Adventures riders. We had a blast. I rode 256 miles over the past 6 days. This is hill country and there was lots of climbing each day, up to 3,500 feet for me. Barbie from Crossroads 2009 was able to drive here from San Antonio on the first day and ride with us. The picture shows Barbie, myself, and Tracy, owner of CrossRoads Cycling. We had a short distance and long distance group each day and would eat together each night. Several have said that they would like to do this again.

Some of my fellow COBRAS clubmates: MeanMac (closest), Jim (left), and Dave. We are on a 56 mile ride with 3500 feet of climbing.

Craig was my roommate for the week. We are returning from visiting the Lyndon Johnson State Park, a recovery day before we get back in the car tomorrow for the return to Denver. Craig is a heck of a rider!

Finally, there are some other COBRAS in town. While walking through town today, I noticed several 427 Cobra cars. Not sure if they are originals or replicas though. We could probably get $100 for our jerseys. It is two days back to Denver and I will then be off to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico on Monday for a week. Our resort has spin classes and Pepe will be sure to work me hard. I am looking forward to dinner on Tuesday with Hank and Carol.

Snow day

The picture was taken this morning. We had a foot of snow from two storms on Sunday and Tuesday. The temperature this morning reached a low of minus 6 degrees. In addition to it being a snow day, it is also a slow day. So I thought I would take the opportunity to update my cycling blog.

CAFR stands for Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. With apologies to my friends in governmental accounting, my CAFR stands for Cycling Annual Fitness Report. I needed just 30 more miles with three days to go to reach my goal of 7,500 miles in 2010. We had a nice day of 60 degrees but social obligations kept me from riding on that day. Then frigid weather set in and the thought of back to back days on the trainer to get the last 30 miles was very unappealing. Oh well, 7500 is just another round number. I enjoyed the year in cycling and that is what counts. I got two tours in during the year and joined a cycling club making many new friends.

So what about 2011? January was a tough month. The first two weeks were good and I then got sick for the first time since early 2005. Scratch any riding for the next 11 days and then a slow recovery to fitness. I will go to Fredericksburg, Texas in March for a week of hard training with fellow club members and other CrossRoads tour riders. I think that there will be about a dozen of us. Fredericksburg is a mecca for cycling. Texas Hell Week, an intense training camp for hard core cyclists, will be held the week before we arrive.

Other than one criterium in oh-so-long-ago 1974 and triathlons in the 1980s, I have never raced on a bike. I intend to participate in a seven-race time-trial series in April and May. Our club puts on the TT and nearly 500 riders participate weekly. Riders go off every 20 seconds. I put in 3 TT efforts in November and December and it was nice to see the improvement.

I plan to do one tour this year. I have never done a tour in Colorado so will undertake my first one in August. It will be in Western Colorado and entail lots of climbing over the week of riding. The tour is sponsored by Colorado HeartCycle and should have about 30 participants. Looking further ahead, I am tentatively planning a New Zealand tour in January 2012.

That is it for now. I will write about the 2011 events as they occur.