I was all set to ride 100 miles on Saturday, but with the temperatures heading up towards the 90's last week, I went to bed Friday night sick to my stomach from heat stroke. Rather than injure myself 2 weeks before the ride, I slept in Saturday, and made a more mild 33 mile jouney from San Francisco to Fairfax.
I am learning at this stage that it is more important to learn to listen to my body and know when to quit, than to ride through adversity, with the possibility of injury. I have had to come to terms with the fact that I might not ride all of the 545 miles, taking advantage of the sweep vehicles to take me and my bike forth on the course, if necessary. But I will ride every mile I can, with a goal of riding 100% of the 545 miles. But if it comes down to a decision of health versus statistics, I've decided to take a break where necessary.
So this Saturday was good practice. I got to feel the effects of extreme heat around mile 25 and it was very uncomfortable. By the time I made it to the end of my ride, I was sick to my stomach and light headed. I think 100 miles in those conditions would have been debilitating. And I got to practice saying "enough." Perhaps just as important when it comes down to completing the ride and remaining healthy.
Showing posts with label feelings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label feelings. Show all posts
Monday, May 19, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Mind over matter. The turn of the century is near.
A "Century" is a slang term for a 100 mile ride.
June 1st is right around the corner. That is the day that I will be amongst 2,500 bicyclists rolling away from San Francisco on our seven day, 545 mile journey towards Los Angels.
I am ready. Almost.
I sent out my final fund raising letter to my email list, and it resulted in a massive final outpouring of funds that pushed me well over my $5,000 fund raising goal. At this point, the pressure of fund raising is off.
I think between now and June 1st, my strength and endurance won't change much, so it's just a process of preparing mentally for the exertion and fatigue that will ensue during so many consecutive days of riding.
So towards the goal of mental preparation, this Saturday am going on my final intense training ride. I will be starting at my house at 5:30 am, and joining a group near the Golden Gate Bridge for a ride to Petaluma and back home. All together it will total about 100 miles! I have decided that if I can pull an unsupported century in relative comfort, then I am as ready as I need to be for the actual event, which will involve massive group energy, and staffed rest stops every 10 to 15 miles.
Whether I am with a group or not, I no longer feel that I ride alone. I am coasting on the support and encouragement I have received from countless people. I am grateful.
June 1st is right around the corner. That is the day that I will be amongst 2,500 bicyclists rolling away from San Francisco on our seven day, 545 mile journey towards Los Angels.
I am ready. Almost.
I sent out my final fund raising letter to my email list, and it resulted in a massive final outpouring of funds that pushed me well over my $5,000 fund raising goal. At this point, the pressure of fund raising is off.
I think between now and June 1st, my strength and endurance won't change much, so it's just a process of preparing mentally for the exertion and fatigue that will ensue during so many consecutive days of riding.
So towards the goal of mental preparation, this Saturday am going on my final intense training ride. I will be starting at my house at 5:30 am, and joining a group near the Golden Gate Bridge for a ride to Petaluma and back home. All together it will total about 100 miles! I have decided that if I can pull an unsupported century in relative comfort, then I am as ready as I need to be for the actual event, which will involve massive group energy, and staffed rest stops every 10 to 15 miles.
Whether I am with a group or not, I no longer feel that I ride alone. I am coasting on the support and encouragement I have received from countless people. I am grateful.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Plastic and the Marin Head Lands.
With the revelation of the plastic soup in the Pacific Subtropical Gyre, and the number of birds and aquatic animals dying from a diet of plastic, why do we need any more information to make a rapid and complete changeover from plastic to biodegradable vegetable based products?
I have just completed over 1500 training miles since the end of November'07. As June draws near, I am noticing a feeling that no matter how much I ride, I don't quite feel like I'll be quite ready for the rigor of 545 miles in 7 days. Helpful advice from prior riders includes the fact that even if I can't finish a particular day's miles, I can always grab a spot on the "sag wagon" and be driven to the campsite for the evening. While it's not my first choice in how to participate in the ride, it is comforting to know that doing my best will be enough, and someone's got my back.
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, I've gone on 30 mile rides to uncharted areas in the Headlands and back. The feeling of exploration and discovery has been inspiring, reinvigorating, and healing. As the weekends between now and the ride continue to be packed with events that often preclude long training rides, I've found the ability to go out riding on a weeknight most reassuring that I will be able to continue to increase my strength and stamina and hill climbing tolerance.
The Headlands create a pleasant micro-climate which blocks the intense wind coming off the ocean at night this time of year. In the silence of the setting sun, with only the sound of clicking cogs and heavy breathing in my immediate vicinity, the space opens up to reveal the natural treasures of the land. The evening light shines hard upon the blooming spring flowers and jagged rocks. And the sound of birds of prey cut through the descending evening in a manner inviting presence and awareness. I think of it as the Head Lands for its mentally soothing rejuvenating potential
Last night, I rode past the Marin Marine Mammal Center, which takes in distressed ocean animals, rehabilitates and releases them. I thought about my friend who works there as I rode past, and on my way returning to The City, passed him on the road as he was driving towards his weekly evening volunteer shift! He flagged me down with a flash of his headlights, and we stopped to talk for a moment and he revealed that there were less animals than usual in the center, so it was likely to be less busy than usual.
Today I asked him how his shift went, and he reported that it was business as usual. I asked him if he saw any animals that were suffering the effects of eating plastic. He said a sperm whale which recently washed up on a local beach was cut open, and a few hundred pounds of plastic fishing line and netting was found balled up in its gut.
It probably "costs" less to produce a plastic fork than one made out of biodegradable potato or corn starch. But how could it cost less to drill and refine oil into plastic, than to grow and process a vegetable from the earth? Simplified: it doesn't. Oil is so heavily financially subsidized, that it costs the producer less to use the material that has very great cost (economic, as well as flesh and blood. Iraq? Hello?) than to use something sustainable, easy to grow, that won't end up as plastic beach sand in the Pacific after being photo-degraded into progressively smaller bits. But seeing the photos of our polluted oceans, and the suffering animals of the earth, why do we need any more information to make a change?
He said, "Things are starting to change slowly, but it will take time."
I replied, "We don't have time."
"No we don't . . ." he said, walking away.
I have just completed over 1500 training miles since the end of November'07. As June draws near, I am noticing a feeling that no matter how much I ride, I don't quite feel like I'll be quite ready for the rigor of 545 miles in 7 days. Helpful advice from prior riders includes the fact that even if I can't finish a particular day's miles, I can always grab a spot on the "sag wagon" and be driven to the campsite for the evening. While it's not my first choice in how to participate in the ride, it is comforting to know that doing my best will be enough, and someone's got my back.
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, I've gone on 30 mile rides to uncharted areas in the Headlands and back. The feeling of exploration and discovery has been inspiring, reinvigorating, and healing. As the weekends between now and the ride continue to be packed with events that often preclude long training rides, I've found the ability to go out riding on a weeknight most reassuring that I will be able to continue to increase my strength and stamina and hill climbing tolerance.
The Headlands create a pleasant micro-climate which blocks the intense wind coming off the ocean at night this time of year. In the silence of the setting sun, with only the sound of clicking cogs and heavy breathing in my immediate vicinity, the space opens up to reveal the natural treasures of the land. The evening light shines hard upon the blooming spring flowers and jagged rocks. And the sound of birds of prey cut through the descending evening in a manner inviting presence and awareness. I think of it as the Head Lands for its mentally soothing rejuvenating potential
Last night, I rode past the Marin Marine Mammal Center, which takes in distressed ocean animals, rehabilitates and releases them. I thought about my friend who works there as I rode past, and on my way returning to The City, passed him on the road as he was driving towards his weekly evening volunteer shift! He flagged me down with a flash of his headlights, and we stopped to talk for a moment and he revealed that there were less animals than usual in the center, so it was likely to be less busy than usual.
Today I asked him how his shift went, and he reported that it was business as usual. I asked him if he saw any animals that were suffering the effects of eating plastic. He said a sperm whale which recently washed up on a local beach was cut open, and a few hundred pounds of plastic fishing line and netting was found balled up in its gut.
It probably "costs" less to produce a plastic fork than one made out of biodegradable potato or corn starch. But how could it cost less to drill and refine oil into plastic, than to grow and process a vegetable from the earth? Simplified: it doesn't. Oil is so heavily financially subsidized, that it costs the producer less to use the material that has very great cost (economic, as well as flesh and blood. Iraq? Hello?) than to use something sustainable, easy to grow, that won't end up as plastic beach sand in the Pacific after being photo-degraded into progressively smaller bits. But seeing the photos of our polluted oceans, and the suffering animals of the earth, why do we need any more information to make a change?
He said, "Things are starting to change slowly, but it will take time."
I replied, "We don't have time."
"No we don't . . ." he said, walking away.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Bicycling - natural link to thrills and adventure.
I achieved my lifetime maximum single day mileage this weekend. 65 miles on Saturday, the 1st of March, 2008. It has become a wonderful feeling (as I wasn't feeling so wonderful at the time.) But, a couple days later, refueled through rest, ingestion of protein and carbohydrates, and lots of fluid replacement, I am feeling a mixture of accomplishment and doom. It was a difficult ride, and my capacity is about two thirds the way towards an average day on the seven day AIDS/LifeCycle ride. Oy.
The ride was undertaken with a crew of about 15 riders of varying experience, starting and ending at the Orinda rapid transit station, which is about 20 miles from San Francisco. I had been getting bored of riding to Fairfax, where the local rides were heading, and wanted to branch out to see territory unexplored, for which these training rides have been a fantastic motivation.
My training partner through the this ride seemed to be in her early 60's, and had previously ridden the ALC, and had ridden various bicycle touring events around the West Coast. I started up a conversation early with her regarding her custom bicycle frame, and ended up riding most of the day with her, as she maintained a slow, patient pace up hills. She had said to me several times, "feel free to pass me." And I replied, "I'd like to keep the pace slow, and I'm well aware of how many more miles we have to go." Which I can now call the voice of experience. I've learned that feeling good for 20 miles has nothing to do with feeling good for 40 miles, and absolutely nohting to do with being able to maintain comfort and stamina for 60 miles. So, a 4 mph uphill pace was plenty fast for me. At the end of the ride, I still felt very tired, but my knees were not injured, and the soreness to follow was minimized compared to rides where I had kept up a higher pace.
I felt like I had been let in on a Cycle Jedi secret when, after 10 or 15 miles together, she said, "Alex, I'll tell you something. The people who don't pace are the ones who end up filling the medical tents in the evenings during the ride." Tell it true!
Following are some pictures taken during a short training ride I took earlier in the week in preparation for my 65 mile day. These were taken at Fort Funston, in the southwest quadrant of San Francisco. The area includes a cliff overlooking the ocean. Hang gliders congregate there to float on the thermal updrafts.
The ride was undertaken with a crew of about 15 riders of varying experience, starting and ending at the Orinda rapid transit station, which is about 20 miles from San Francisco. I had been getting bored of riding to Fairfax, where the local rides were heading, and wanted to branch out to see territory unexplored, for which these training rides have been a fantastic motivation.
My training partner through the this ride seemed to be in her early 60's, and had previously ridden the ALC, and had ridden various bicycle touring events around the West Coast. I started up a conversation early with her regarding her custom bicycle frame, and ended up riding most of the day with her, as she maintained a slow, patient pace up hills. She had said to me several times, "feel free to pass me." And I replied, "I'd like to keep the pace slow, and I'm well aware of how many more miles we have to go." Which I can now call the voice of experience. I've learned that feeling good for 20 miles has nothing to do with feeling good for 40 miles, and absolutely nohting to do with being able to maintain comfort and stamina for 60 miles. So, a 4 mph uphill pace was plenty fast for me. At the end of the ride, I still felt very tired, but my knees were not injured, and the soreness to follow was minimized compared to rides where I had kept up a higher pace.
I felt like I had been let in on a Cycle Jedi secret when, after 10 or 15 miles together, she said, "Alex, I'll tell you something. The people who don't pace are the ones who end up filling the medical tents in the evenings during the ride." Tell it true!
Following are some pictures taken during a short training ride I took earlier in the week in preparation for my 65 mile day. These were taken at Fort Funston, in the southwest quadrant of San Francisco. The area includes a cliff overlooking the ocean. Hang gliders congregate there to float on the thermal updrafts.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Unleashing (or maybe leashing?) the inner Dalmation.
I biked about 85 miles this weekend! And while I am feeling a little weary today, my inner experience of qi is that it is full and freely flowing.
Something that I have realized about myself through training for the AIDS LifeCycle ride in June, is that physically, I am rather like a dalmation. Typing "dalmation exercise" into google yielded this page which yielded information such as:
This comes as good news to someone who, as recently as a month ago, was laying awake with anxiety about how I was ever going to generate the motivation to train to the point that I'd be ready to ride 545 miles in 7 days, come June 1st.
Something that I have realized about myself through training for the AIDS LifeCycle ride in June, is that physically, I am rather like a dalmation. Typing "dalmation exercise" into google yielded this page which yielded information such as:
- If you are unable to exercise your dog, then you will have to find someone who would love to, daily. Walking alone may not be enough exercise for your Dalmatian - - they need to run.
- Given the right diet and the right amount of exercise, Dalmatians can live to 13 to 15 years. Without this, their life expectancy is in the range of 7 years (according to the Dalmation Research Foundation).
This comes as good news to someone who, as recently as a month ago, was laying awake with anxiety about how I was ever going to generate the motivation to train to the point that I'd be ready to ride 545 miles in 7 days, come June 1st.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
As I was saying in my last post...
"... tomorrow's bicycling journey from San Francisco to Petaluma to spend the night at the farmhouse of one of my oldest bestest friends."
Here she is!
(on the right: Sadie. To the left: her sister Mish mish.)
Oh yeah . . . I was pretty happy to see their Momma, too.
And now presenting, the ride show slide show. Including: the debut photos of the Surly Long Haul Trucker in action:
For the 'detail oriented', I have prepared a list of everything I carried on my overnight journey.
A thought I had while riding, "I wish I could take people with me to see how beautiful this is." The best I can do with the available technology is to share these two videos taken with my camera mounted on my handlebars.
First video: Riding across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Second video: Riding along Nicasio Valley Road, right after turning North off of Sir Frances Drake Blvd outside of Fairfax.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Off to sleep before a big ride...
... if that's even possible.
I've just finished packing and preparing for tomorrow's bicycling journey from San Francisco to Petaluma to spend the night at the farmhouse of one of my oldest bestest friends. And I'm pretty excited. So should sleep come soon, I'll be grateful to bank the hours of rest that I'm most certainly going to extract tomorrow. The total distance of my ride, as calculated on googlemaps, should be around 60 miles! This will the be longest recorded single day of riding in my life.
Against published advice, I'm raising my current maximum from 40 miles to 60 miles, a 50 percent increase. The reason I'm making such a bold leap, is that the previous miles were logged on the back-breaking, calf-crunching machine known as my Marin Novato which I ride daily around the city.
Tomorrow's ride will be undertaken on my plushy new steel steed, the Surly Long Haul Trucker! I consider the distances to be comparable, when considering "body miles" versus "road miles." Wish me luck!
**update 2/11/08: The actual recorded mileage, per my bicycle computer, was 50 miles. As I had mentally prepared for another 10, it felt like I arrived "early" and had a lot of energy to spare! Is that why some people set their clocks fast on purpose?**
(More Surly Long Haul Trucker Pictures forthcoming... I'm bringing my camera on tomorrow's ride.)
I've just finished packing and preparing for tomorrow's bicycling journey from San Francisco to Petaluma to spend the night at the farmhouse of one of my oldest bestest friends. And I'm pretty excited. So should sleep come soon, I'll be grateful to bank the hours of rest that I'm most certainly going to extract tomorrow. The total distance of my ride, as calculated on googlemaps, should be around 60 miles! This will the be longest recorded single day of riding in my life.
Against published advice, I'm raising my current maximum from 40 miles to 60 miles, a 50 percent increase. The reason I'm making such a bold leap, is that the previous miles were logged on the back-breaking, calf-crunching machine known as my Marin Novato which I ride daily around the city.
The Marin Novato:
Tomorrow's ride will be undertaken on my plushy new steel steed, the Surly Long Haul Trucker! I consider the distances to be comparable, when considering "body miles" versus "road miles." Wish me luck!
**update 2/11/08: The actual recorded mileage, per my bicycle computer, was 50 miles. As I had mentally prepared for another 10, it felt like I arrived "early" and had a lot of energy to spare! Is that why some people set their clocks fast on purpose?**
(More Surly Long Haul Trucker Pictures forthcoming... I'm bringing my camera on tomorrow's ride.)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Thank you Superbowl Sunday - what a day to ride!
Superbowl XLII was only the 2nd football game I watched this season. I would usually rather spend my Sunday afternoons being outdoors, and my Monday night's resting. But, the cultural lure of watching the Superbowl was greater than my usual momentum away from watching football. I enjoyed watching the game with my Dad who was visiting. And I feel a responsibility to say that I found the commercials repulsive.
My summary of the dominant advertising angle: single out any thread of the cultured, refined, educated, intellectual, or non-traditional masculine, and beat it with your fist. Nay, attack it with violent force, and don't stop until it's reduced to a smoldering pile, or a bloody wreck.
Whether it was watching someone threatening to run over Richard Simmons with a car, smashing Justin Timberlake's genitals on a parking meter, or sending a giant mouse borg through the drywall to pummel an effeminate guy eating doritos, I saw it as various flavors of the same poison.
And while all that was running through my head, my body was enjoying a feast of barbequed delicacies, in recovery mode after riding 30 miles along roads normally choked with traffic. It felt like early morning on Christmas or New Years day. An atypical calm falling over the chaos of the cities. Where was everyone? Oh yeah, gathering to watch sports and commercials.
One particularly memorable stretch of the ride was the 4 miles of Cañada Rd that were shared with a couple of riders from the area who caught up to me to chat. We rode three aside, only passed by 2 cars over the entire time we rode together. While we rode south, the road was gently hilly, overlooking a gorgeous reservoir to the West with mountains in the background. Waves of clouds passing overhead, blue sky peeking through, made the whole scene dream like. I found silent pleasure in watching the guy on the titanium Independent Fabrications bicycle huff and puff to keep up with me on my proud steel frame. As my friend and cycling mentor Sean said in response to me telling him about that, "There you go, even $8000 doesn't matter if you don't put the time in."
Whether watching the "state of the union" through advertisement, or experiencing a state of bicycling bliss, life is a mixed bag. And on this past Sunday, I blame it all on the Superbowl. Giving thanks!
My summary of the dominant advertising angle: single out any thread of the cultured, refined, educated, intellectual, or non-traditional masculine, and beat it with your fist. Nay, attack it with violent force, and don't stop until it's reduced to a smoldering pile, or a bloody wreck.
Whether it was watching someone threatening to run over Richard Simmons with a car, smashing Justin Timberlake's genitals on a parking meter, or sending a giant mouse borg through the drywall to pummel an effeminate guy eating doritos, I saw it as various flavors of the same poison.
And while all that was running through my head, my body was enjoying a feast of barbequed delicacies, in recovery mode after riding 30 miles along roads normally choked with traffic. It felt like early morning on Christmas or New Years day. An atypical calm falling over the chaos of the cities. Where was everyone? Oh yeah, gathering to watch sports and commercials.
One particularly memorable stretch of the ride was the 4 miles of Cañada Rd that were shared with a couple of riders from the area who caught up to me to chat. We rode three aside, only passed by 2 cars over the entire time we rode together. While we rode south, the road was gently hilly, overlooking a gorgeous reservoir to the West with mountains in the background. Waves of clouds passing overhead, blue sky peeking through, made the whole scene dream like. I found silent pleasure in watching the guy on the titanium Independent Fabrications bicycle huff and puff to keep up with me on my proud steel frame. As my friend and cycling mentor Sean said in response to me telling him about that, "There you go, even $8000 doesn't matter if you don't put the time in."
Whether watching the "state of the union" through advertisement, or experiencing a state of bicycling bliss, life is a mixed bag. And on this past Sunday, I blame it all on the Superbowl. Giving thanks!
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Steel Horse Rides Strong!
Oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy-oh-boy!!!!!
I got my new bike! I ordered it on January 22nd, and was told it would take 7 buisiness days, which would have been around the end of this week, hopefully in time for the weekend's training ride.
To my surprise, I got a call on Friday that my bike was in, assembled, and ready to ride a week early!
When I called Mike's Bikes to order it last week, I dialed their 800 number which routed me to their store in San Rafael. Many shops don't carry SURLY bikes in their stores, but can special order them. I asked if they would apply the 10% ALC bicycle discount to a special order. I was told that was unusual, but he'd make an exception since I was buying it for the AIDS ride! Again, the support pours in from all directions. I asked if he could have it delivered to the San Francisco store, but realized that could created complications with regards to the unusual discount, etc. So, since I was talking to the service manager at that store, I just decided to zip my lip and said, "Great I'll see you up there when it comes in." It was the perfect arrangement. Not only did I get a great discount, but my trial ride was laid out for me.
I took the bus to San Rafael on Saturday afternoon, and went to Mike's Bikes. I found the sales manager, who rolled the bike out with a hearty, "This is a Long Haul Trucker!" It was beautiful to behold, but the looks are nothing compared to the ride.
I went west to Fairfax for a piece of pizza, before retracing the route of my first group training ride back to SF. Saturday was an unusual break in the rain we've been having lately, and provided an ideal window to be outside without rain gear. The reinforced steel frame is built for strength and durability, and has all the necessary pieces for attaching racks, fenders, and pannier bags for bicycle touring. That makes it a little bit heavier than a standard road bike. But the feel of the steel frame/fork was dreamy. I am used to bracing myself over potholes and debris. The steel frame felt amazingly cushy and comfortable. I rode all the way back to SF and hardly felt tired upon return. My back was a little sore, but the saddle and bars still need to be properly fit for my body.
Considering I had just rolled out of the store and put 30 miles into the frame, I can't wait to get it adjusted and just haul. I've bought maps of the North and South bay regions, and am ready to put on some miles! I didn't want to bring my camera on the ride Saturday, as rain was likely, but I'll put the Long Haul Trucker through a photo shoot soon. Pictures forthcoming!
**update 2/6/08**
The 'Trucker leads the pack on Caltrain:
Close up of the non-molten Steel Glory:
I got my new bike! I ordered it on January 22nd, and was told it would take 7 buisiness days, which would have been around the end of this week, hopefully in time for the weekend's training ride.
To my surprise, I got a call on Friday that my bike was in, assembled, and ready to ride a week early!
When I called Mike's Bikes to order it last week, I dialed their 800 number which routed me to their store in San Rafael. Many shops don't carry SURLY bikes in their stores, but can special order them. I asked if they would apply the 10% ALC bicycle discount to a special order. I was told that was unusual, but he'd make an exception since I was buying it for the AIDS ride! Again, the support pours in from all directions. I asked if he could have it delivered to the San Francisco store, but realized that could created complications with regards to the unusual discount, etc. So, since I was talking to the service manager at that store, I just decided to zip my lip and said, "Great I'll see you up there when it comes in." It was the perfect arrangement. Not only did I get a great discount, but my trial ride was laid out for me.
I took the bus to San Rafael on Saturday afternoon, and went to Mike's Bikes. I found the sales manager, who rolled the bike out with a hearty, "This is a Long Haul Trucker!" It was beautiful to behold, but the looks are nothing compared to the ride.
I went west to Fairfax for a piece of pizza, before retracing the route of my first group training ride back to SF. Saturday was an unusual break in the rain we've been having lately, and provided an ideal window to be outside without rain gear. The reinforced steel frame is built for strength and durability, and has all the necessary pieces for attaching racks, fenders, and pannier bags for bicycle touring. That makes it a little bit heavier than a standard road bike. But the feel of the steel frame/fork was dreamy. I am used to bracing myself over potholes and debris. The steel frame felt amazingly cushy and comfortable. I rode all the way back to SF and hardly felt tired upon return. My back was a little sore, but the saddle and bars still need to be properly fit for my body.
Considering I had just rolled out of the store and put 30 miles into the frame, I can't wait to get it adjusted and just haul. I've bought maps of the North and South bay regions, and am ready to put on some miles! I didn't want to bring my camera on the ride Saturday, as rain was likely, but I'll put the Long Haul Trucker through a photo shoot soon. Pictures forthcoming!
**update 2/6/08**
The 'Trucker leads the pack on Caltrain:
Close up of the non-molten Steel Glory:
- Check out that gear cluster! Enough combinations to ride up (or down) a mountain with ease!
- Room for another (yes one more) water bottle under the downtube.
- Bar-end shifters!
- A lugged steel fork!
- Frame pump on the top tube. (So Euro!)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
The Steed Rolls Forth!
If I haven't mentioned it already in any previous posts, I have been facing and overcoming some major long-term fears about my bodies capability to handle the experience of training for and executing a 545 mile ride in 7 days.
Coincidentally (or not), the organizers and ride leaders for the ALC have already heard about this problem from countless prior participants, and are prepared with a slew of remedies.
One of the most basic and helpful steps a participant can take is to have a professional full bike fit. Which I had done a couple of weekends ago. I went to a shop for a 2 1/2 hour full fit and evaluation of my riding style and ideal bike size. The pretense was that I was going to order a full custom frame and components. And at the time, I did believe that would be my best route to have a safe, properly fitting frame. Of course, after ordering, I ended up with a fabulously detailed sketch of my proper frame size. Using that, I was able to compare stock frames to my custom size, and realize that I had a lot more options than I had previously believed.
My custom bike frame was going to cost between 4 and 6 thousand dollars based on components. Yep, that's bike as in bicycle. Not motorcycle. I couldn't believe it, either.
Enter the Surly Longhaul Trucker:
I ordered it and it will be ready around weekend. I'll be picking it up in San Rafael and riding back to San Francisco for my first test ride. Can't wait!
I'll post more about it soon (the main point being, it's a killer complete bike package, and a lot lot lot less expensive.)
I ordered one in 'Utility Blue' as pictured below.
Here it is in the optional 'Olive Green' frame color.
Coincidentally (or not), the organizers and ride leaders for the ALC have already heard about this problem from countless prior participants, and are prepared with a slew of remedies.
One of the most basic and helpful steps a participant can take is to have a professional full bike fit. Which I had done a couple of weekends ago. I went to a shop for a 2 1/2 hour full fit and evaluation of my riding style and ideal bike size. The pretense was that I was going to order a full custom frame and components. And at the time, I did believe that would be my best route to have a safe, properly fitting frame. Of course, after ordering, I ended up with a fabulously detailed sketch of my proper frame size. Using that, I was able to compare stock frames to my custom size, and realize that I had a lot more options than I had previously believed.
My custom bike frame was going to cost between 4 and 6 thousand dollars based on components. Yep, that's bike as in bicycle. Not motorcycle. I couldn't believe it, either.
Enter the Surly Longhaul Trucker:
I ordered it and it will be ready around weekend. I'll be picking it up in San Rafael and riding back to San Francisco for my first test ride. Can't wait!
I'll post more about it soon (the main point being, it's a killer complete bike package, and a lot lot lot less expensive.)
I ordered one in 'Utility Blue' as pictured below.
Here it is in the optional 'Olive Green' frame color.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
It's not about the Gas Prices, it's about the Fuel.
Somewhere between ages 20 and 30, intense exercise started to hurt. It crept up slowly and gradually, seemingly overnight. But I can't deny it, my 60 training miles over the weekend took more out of me than I expected.
This weekend I stacked two consecutive training rides that totalled just under 60 miles. The shortest day of the actual AIDS LifeCycle ride will be around 60 miles, so that gives me some sort of gauge of what kind of toll the ride will take. I must admit that I still have some fears about not being up to speed when the actual ride comes around, but I simultaneously see that by June, I will have many more training miles under my saddle, and my body will adjust accordingly.
Since my last post, I started joining organized training rides. It has made an immense difference in my mental state towards the ride. For one thing, when riding in a group, the miles seem to roll by relatively effortlessly. I have taken it upon myself to chat with people about their bikes and equipment at every chance I get while riding.
The training rides also impart something thatsolo training never will, which is the etiquette and procedures for riding in the AIDS LifeCycle. That includes:
According to a rider who has participated in the ALC (AIDS LifeCycle) before, there are safety monitors on the ride who hand out tickets to scofflaw bicyclists. Enough tickets equals ejection from the ride. I also heard this comes as a mandatory response to the CHP threatening to pull the permits for the ride after witnessing too many reckless, life endangering acts. Thus have I heard!
This weekend I stacked two consecutive training rides that totalled just under 60 miles. The shortest day of the actual AIDS LifeCycle ride will be around 60 miles, so that gives me some sort of gauge of what kind of toll the ride will take. I must admit that I still have some fears about not being up to speed when the actual ride comes around, but I simultaneously see that by June, I will have many more training miles under my saddle, and my body will adjust accordingly.
Since my last post, I started joining organized training rides. It has made an immense difference in my mental state towards the ride. For one thing, when riding in a group, the miles seem to roll by relatively effortlessly. I have taken it upon myself to chat with people about their bikes and equipment at every chance I get while riding.
The training rides also impart something thatsolo training never will, which is the etiquette and procedures for riding in the AIDS LifeCycle. That includes:
- Stopping at every stop sign (actually coming to a complete stop, touching a foot down).
- Stopping at every red light (regardless of cross-traffic).
- Riding single file (Regardless of road width).
- Using hand signals for every turn or stop, as well as pointing out road hazards.
- Yelling out "car back" every time a vehicle approaches from behind.
- And more . . .
According to a rider who has participated in the ALC (AIDS LifeCycle) before, there are safety monitors on the ride who hand out tickets to scofflaw bicyclists. Enough tickets equals ejection from the ride. I also heard this comes as a mandatory response to the CHP threatening to pull the permits for the ride after witnessing too many reckless, life endangering acts. Thus have I heard!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
When you fall off a horse . . .
You've got to get right back on.
But sometimes you have to go to the hospital and the bike shop first.
Yep, crashed last night. Lost control while moving from the bike lane to the sidewalk. Brought the bike upright and would have been fine. Except for that pole to keep cars from driving onto the sidewalk. Hit that, hit the ground. Confirmed that the phrase "seeing stars" is true. Laid on my back and spoke with some passers-by, confirming that I could breath and move everything. Got up quickly, felt alright, except must have banged my head after my body hit the ground. This is an advertisement for bike helmets. If you don't wear one already, please start now. That's not the first time my bike helmet has probably saved my life, or my future mobility, and there wasn't even another vehicle involved in the accident. Good Samaritan biker walked with me for a while to confirm I was alright. I've fallen before, and I could tell I'd be a little sore the next day, but that's it. I just felt so confused, and since I had bumped my helmet on the ground and saw stars, I went to the E.R. just to be safe. They checked me out quickly and sent me home to take some tylenol. My employer encouraged me to stay home from work today. Slept 5 hours this morning/afternoon and feel like a new man. Now off to the bike shop to have my front brake repaired. It got mashed in the process. Just goes to show, you can never predict an accident, and I'm grateful for recovering so quickly. And the bike repair time gives me some time to just relax and get back to 100% before riding again.
**update - photos added 12/10/2007**
I passed by the site again yesterday on my training ride.
And here's a close up of the lip and grit that knocked me out of control:
But sometimes you have to go to the hospital and the bike shop first.
Yep, crashed last night. Lost control while moving from the bike lane to the sidewalk. Brought the bike upright and would have been fine. Except for that pole to keep cars from driving onto the sidewalk. Hit that, hit the ground. Confirmed that the phrase "seeing stars" is true. Laid on my back and spoke with some passers-by, confirming that I could breath and move everything. Got up quickly, felt alright, except must have banged my head after my body hit the ground. This is an advertisement for bike helmets. If you don't wear one already, please start now. That's not the first time my bike helmet has probably saved my life, or my future mobility, and there wasn't even another vehicle involved in the accident. Good Samaritan biker walked with me for a while to confirm I was alright. I've fallen before, and I could tell I'd be a little sore the next day, but that's it. I just felt so confused, and since I had bumped my helmet on the ground and saw stars, I went to the E.R. just to be safe. They checked me out quickly and sent me home to take some tylenol. My employer encouraged me to stay home from work today. Slept 5 hours this morning/afternoon and feel like a new man. Now off to the bike shop to have my front brake repaired. It got mashed in the process. Just goes to show, you can never predict an accident, and I'm grateful for recovering so quickly. And the bike repair time gives me some time to just relax and get back to 100% before riding again.
**update - photos added 12/10/2007**
I passed by the site again yesterday on my training ride.
Here's the brigade of poles that took me out. Specifically the last one in the row:
And here's a close up of the lip and grit that knocked me out of control:
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
How we travel.
I took a day off yesterday to recover from the weekend training rides. Am feeling so much stronger today than yesterday.
This morning, a relative wrote me to say:
I have been thinking about that a lot lately. I already feel a difference in my body/mind/spirit. It's an amazing thing, and it's largely in part of the positive and supportive response I've received from people when they've found out I'm undertaking this. We can truly fly on the winds of other people's support. And we can surely sink on their discouragement. I'm grateful to be feeling the positive effects of community support through this undertaking.
This morning, a relative wrote me to say:
Congratulations on your decision to do the AIDS ride. A worthy cause and challenging undertaking that will only make you stronger both in body and spirit.
I have been thinking about that a lot lately. I already feel a difference in my body/mind/spirit. It's an amazing thing, and it's largely in part of the positive and supportive response I've received from people when they've found out I'm undertaking this. We can truly fly on the winds of other people's support. And we can surely sink on their discouragement. I'm grateful to be feeling the positive effects of community support through this undertaking.
Monday, December 3, 2007
That hurt.
I had a hard time sleeping last night. My legs were twitching and I had wild visuals when I closed my eyes. Endorphins?
I just completed my first weekend of training since signing up for the AIDS LifeCycle. This morning, I feel exhausted and dehydrated and sore. I can feel the fatigue in my heart and lungs. And I feel like I could easily sleep for another few hours. I have to admit I feel a little scared. By the end of the ride yesterday, I figured I had ridden about 30 miles. Upon mapping my route and computing the distance, it was a meager 22.5 miles. The average day spent riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles will be three to four times that long. And there will be seven of them. In a row.
I suppose what I've got to keep in mind is: I need to drink even more than I have been while riding. I need to remember that 7 months is a long time, and my fitness level will change accordingly. I'll probably take the rest of the day off from training to give myself a chance to recover. Off to work I go... ouch.
I just completed my first weekend of training since signing up for the AIDS LifeCycle. This morning, I feel exhausted and dehydrated and sore. I can feel the fatigue in my heart and lungs. And I feel like I could easily sleep for another few hours. I have to admit I feel a little scared. By the end of the ride yesterday, I figured I had ridden about 30 miles. Upon mapping my route and computing the distance, it was a meager 22.5 miles. The average day spent riding from San Francisco to Los Angeles will be three to four times that long. And there will be seven of them. In a row.
I suppose what I've got to keep in mind is: I need to drink even more than I have been while riding. I need to remember that 7 months is a long time, and my fitness level will change accordingly. I'll probably take the rest of the day off from training to give myself a chance to recover. Off to work I go... ouch.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Why I tremble, and what brings relief.
I'm humbled and amazed by the way support appears in after I set my mind to a task. Yesterday was the first time I had mentioned to anyone that I had signed up for the AIDS LifeCycle ride. It was a particularly social Saturday, and so I had a chance to mention it to a lot of people. Responses included:
*That's great. I know people who have done that and had an amazing experience.
*Good for you!
*How many miles is that? (545). In how long? (7 days) Jaws drop...
Yep, even though I've considered myself a cyclist since I was in high school, this event will match any mileage and endurance records I've ever set on a bicycle, and surpass them by a long shot.
My longest ride in one day ever, to this point in my life: 60 miles in December, 2002. It was during a bicycle tour around the Big Island of Hawaii. Here are some statistics for comparison:
| Ride | Total Miles | Days to complete | Miles / Day |
| Hawaiian Ride | 350 | 30 | 12 |
| AIDS LifeCycle | 575 | 7 | 82! |
Why I am not worried: I did the ride around Hawaii alone, unsupported, and in frequent torrential downpours of rain, with all my belongings, including tent, clothing, and equipment, strapped to the back of my bicycle. The AIDS LifeCycle, in contrast, consisted of over 2,300 riders, raised over 11 million dollars, and was supported by a crew that carries luggage and sets up tent camps for each stop along the way.
Also, friends and family have already come forth saying they would contribute to my stress-inducing goal of raising at least $2,500 in donations. I've never enjoyed asking people for money, but by necessity, I'm ready to get over that. It's easier in some way, since the money isn't for me, but is donated to the LA and SF AIDS foundations to provide funds for HIV/AIDS support programs.
I've also been getting a lot of advice as to how to get my body in shape for this massive undertaking. I'll write a separate post about that.
So, in conclusion, I think that even though I've previously spent 30 days in the saddle, I haven't done anything like this...
Hello, World!
It's official. As of November 29th, I'm officially signed up for the 2008 AIDS LifeCycle ride! How do I feel? A blend of: excitement, exhilaration, and dread. It's amazing to join such a well organized team, with such experienced people. My biggest fear at the moment: how will I prepare my body to ride 545 miles between June 1-7, 2008? Stay tuned as I write about my experiences, trials, and tribulations, over the next 7 months in this blog. I look forward to sharing the ride with you all!
Sincerely,
Alex
Sincerely,
Alex
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