Going the Distance For the Davis Phinney Foundation

12 Hours that passed like a blur...

2008-07-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

4a is too early for Tom Petty, but he provided an effective wakeup for those camping at Turtle Rock Park. We had been there for 3 days getting used to the altitude, taking in some good warmup rides, and doing a few hikes: now it was showtime.

530a: the earliest start without lights, I slowly got myself together and prepared for the long day. Crowded start, and I waited a few minutes for some friends before anonymously setting off solo. Chilled mountain air...hard time controlling the front wheel...wobbly, shivering, what is wrong with me?! Did I undertrain these weeks leading up, or overdo it the past few days - less than a mile into the 129 mile route and genuinely worried I would crash. Navigated to the side, cinched the Mavic Ksyriums tighter: problem solved (only my 3rd ride on a borrowed Italian rocket - a million thanks Joe & Jay!).

Settled into a gear and reserved pace heading up Monitor, past my Turtle Rock compadres. Beautiful morning light, excitement & nervousness in the air, colorful jerseys and the beautiful sound of gears turning. Passing through the meadow at the top, anticipating the sweet descent, free of cars, on roads I'd driven plenty on family roadtrips and when I eventually lived in Mammoth. Amazing speeds on the near perfect pave, seeing a few heading the other way already. Lucky. Wanting to get going and cover ground before the heat, although this day appears the best of the last few for temps and air quality. Quick turnaround from the bottom rest stop: hit the green room, fill the bottles, and pockets bulging with bananas, fig newtons, and whatever my hands could grab. Back up, stuffing the calories and swigging the fluids...see my Santa Cruz friends in a blur heading down...and soon over the top and going the other way...a long descent...peaceful. You seeing this Grandpa? Spin the relative flats to Ebbets, and feeling good. Stong. Thinking about the accident and time off the bike. The mixed feelings I had going into this thing, and the sport in general. So little time, so much going on, and so hard to find the balance. Focus. Breathe. Spin. Repeat. Simple.

Clean the ascent quickly, down the back. Pickup someone on my wheel, he says we'll pass 40 at this pace. He is dropped after he counts off 27. No stopping at the summit, over the top and down the face - confident and fast. No risks, plenty of road to go...quick lunch and back on the road. matchup with a few and initiate the paceline through Markleeville and approaching Woodfords...feeling the heat, maybe pushing a bit much? So far to go, hard to know how much to save. Past Turtle Rock, no thought of turning in. Man on the sidelines yells "68...69...70, you guys are top 100!" Out of 3,000 that feels pretty good (reminder: endurance ride, not race).
Been a good motivator to see Monet at the Woodfords rest stop - she's a medical volunteer - and its a quick kiss and back on the bike with my paceline partners. Only...feeling tired. Hot. Uncomfortable in the saddle. The climb to Pickett's Junction is exhausting. I peel off the bike into the shade. Something is missing: salt. Pretzels, goldfish, cytomax. 30 minutes and plenty of riders pass.

Feeling better - lets get this done. Back on the bike and climbing Carson decently. Tagged onto a small group, standing to move to the front and...is that a rear flat? Noise and commotion as a rider behind me goes down - he contacted my back wheel and went over. The others continue, I circle back, he brushes off and we continue, catching and passing the others.
Clouds have moved in, making for a cooler climb. Some had mentioned a chance of rain, which seemed laughable 2 days ago. Thinking of Colorado and reliable 3pm showers. The climb continues. Remembering the drive down, past Kirkwood, and this descent seemed to take forever. No tough pitches, but no real relief. Down to the lowest gear, and churning - no smooth spin, just determined effort.

And then its over. I'm at the top. I cruise to the rest stop. Many others are here already. An ice cream? Yes please, haven't had a ChocoTaco in ages. First bite delicous, can't eat the rest. Tired. A 5 pass pin? Sure, thanks. Sign the board, linger a few, and urged to get down before the grey clouds break. Carson's pavement is cracked coming down & I share the road with cars. Exhaust from tailpipes and overall fatigue. But I've done it. Don't know what this proves, but its the longest I've ever been on a bike. Think back 3 months to the Stanford ER, the flight nurses, the paramedic stablizing my cervical spine, sharing a hospital bed with Monet, its all too much. Feeling grateful, alive, and wanting to be done. Ready to get off the bike. Quick celebratory kiss at Woodfords. Its just after 3p and going to rain soon. Round the corner for Turtle Rock...and...my sister & Alasdair, visiting from England! Quite a surprise, we catch up but I'm too tired to talk, just want to finish. I direct them to Monet, who is wrapping up at the aid station, and pedal the last few miles to camp.

A few others are there. A tired victory. Handshakes and smiles. "We'll see you next year". Shirt is removed, walking to showers, and the sky breaks open. Sweet precipitation. It feels wonderful, natural, cleansing. Lucky to be done, greatful for the timing and great ride - for 3/4 of it probably the best I've ever riden. Happy & fortunate, clean from the shower, catchup with family then a great BBQ feast. Pack the blue Subaru and on the road home driving up Carson. Cheer those still going: amazing resolve. Inspiring determination.
What a ride.

Next Stop: Death Ride!

2008-07-08T21:41:00.000-07:00

We leave tomorrow for some camping in the high Eastern Sierra, with the Death Ride on Saturday! Already this has been quite an adventure, I'm grateful for many things like good friends and good roads, and a little bummed about other things (mostly my disappointing fundraising efforts - it proved to be quite a challenge getting back on track after my accident). Overall hoping for a good ride on Saturday, and will continue with future efforts to benefit Parkinson's and other causes. Happy trails!

New (Italian) Wheels

2008-07-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

So...set out with my DR crew for a nice easy spin of the wheels...we were ascending Granite Creek when things started to feel a bit...weird. Loose even. And then my crankarm fell off the spindle, still attached to my shoes.
We tried to tighten it and I started back down towards home, when it slid off on the first curve. Without cell service, I did the next logical thing and hitched a ride in a minivan with some kindly trail runners and their friendly dog to De Laveaga (thanks), then asked my sweet fiance for a pickup (thanks again).
A little bummed, but this whole adventure has been a roller coaster: from not getting a lottery bid, to my accident April 9th, to my bike falling apart.
Took my Giante' to 3 local shops, and no prospect of a fix. Enter Joe, Jay, and sweet Italian carbon to the rescue. The ROI Antares is just a loaner, but what a loaner she is! Will give a report as soon as I learn to shift the Campy gear :)
http://www.roibikeusa.com/products_detail.php?pid=29

Freedom is an open road...

2008-07-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

Got out for a great ride this morning on some of my favorite roads - Rodeo Gulch to Laurel Glen, up Glen Canyon to Bean Creek to Mt. Charlie, Summit to SoSJ back to Laurel Glen and over Rodeo Gulch. A little over 50 miles with about 3500' of climbing...feeling good. Happy 4th!

Breakout Day

2008-06-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

Whew, tough ride! First time back on the road since finishing some Army training, and met up with 2 other DR participants for a wild one: Soquel San Jose to Summit, around Lexington Resevoir to Soda Springs, back up Summit to Mt. Bache, Highland and So.S.J to home. Around 6 hours, 80 miles, and 8200' vert. Whoa. I'm smoked :)

Great Morning Ride!

2008-06-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

Variation on "Margie's Birthday" ride: up Rodeo Gulch to Branciforte, Glen Canyon to Bean Creek, Mt. Charlie to Summit, Highland to Soquel San Jose and then Laurel Glen to Rodeo Gulch the other way. Felt awesome - picked it up a couple times rather than backing off. Totalled about 55miles and 4600' vertical. Heading off for some Army training in the shadow of Mt. Diablo...maybe if time permits...

Big Weekend!

2008-06-01T15:35:00.001-07:00

Finally got out for some good training: on Saturday 59 miles and 5800' (Soquel San Jose to Stetson, on SSJ to Summit & Mt. Bache, then added Vine Hill on the way back). Today was 48 miles and 1100' - a loop out to Swanton and returned with a nice tail wind accompanied by AIDs Ride and Sequoia Century participants.

Rebuilding Strength & Confidence

2008-05-03T15:25:00.000-07:00

Got out for about 25 miles and 2,500" today over & backs on Rodeo Gulch. I'm planning on making the most of my borrowed trainer - it's a lot safer than cycling on the road - and may have to substitute until the semester wraps up.

Good to Be Back

2008-04-27T19:49:00.000-07:00

We didn't climb many mountains today, but a beautiful 40 mile ride along the pedestrian bike path to Monterey and along 17-Mile Drive.

Feeling Thankful

2008-04-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

The CHP report says that on April 9th as I was cycling in my bike lane towards Cabrillo College to take my physiology exam, a car stopped in traffic to my left opened a passenger door, clipping my handlebar and slamming me into a parked vehicle on my right at 15mph. I was airlifted to Stanford, and was discharged the following morning after clear CTs of head and neck with a diagnosis of traumatic concussion.

Feeling a little cloudy and sore today - a few cuts & scrapes, but thankful that it wasn't worse. My fiance Monet stayed with me at the hospital, and my dad just wrapped up a brief visit. Life is good and feeling very grateful in general. Thanks for the phone calls & emails of encouragement.

Hill Repeats on Empire Grade

2008-04-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

Got out today for about 50 miles and 5K vertical feet with members of the Bicycle Trip crew - 3x20 minute hill repeats up Empire Grade. Same formula as before: consistent effort climbing out of Felton, winding through the redwoods, and then dropped on the flats coming home on Hwy 1. Beautiful day for bicycling, and good to stay humble.

Parkinson's Awareness Month

2008-04-01T21:42:00.000-07:00

April is Parkinson's disease awareness month, and there has been lots of news lately - new studies reporting progress related to treatment of Parkinson's in laboratory animals using stem cells and a possible causative link to pesticide exposure.

Spring Break

2008-03-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday: Got out with some friends for 3x 20 minute hill repeats on Mt. Madonna - a beautiful spring day through the rural farmland of Hazel Dell/Browns Valley/Corralitos area. Cyclometer says about 58 miles and altimeter says about 5600 vertical, which would be pretty sweet except thats less than half the distance and one third the climbing of the Death Ride! Still, pretty happy with the effort - felt good on the climbs, got smoked on the flats, and thankfully recovered pretty quickly.

Monday started well - cruised out to Wilder for my favorite Zane Grey/Enchanted/Old Cabin/Wildboar/Engelsmans loop, was feeling pretty good through the first 2 climbs - spring day with golden poppies, butterflies, and...what was that sound? Popped the chain on the 3rd climb. Quick fix and rode home gingerly along West Cliff, past the Boardwalk and through Seabright - about 3hrs and 1600 vertical feet. To top it off, got in a good afternoon session at the Seacliff stairs with Monet.

The rest of Spring Break was awesome - a needed rest form work & school, good times catching up with friends, and a good combination of relaxing and being active in the high elevation around Mammoth Lakes.

Bring it on!

2008-03-12T22:53:00.001-07:00

I'M IN! #3084!! Through the kindness of a good friend, I've got a legitimate transfer entry to the 2008 Death Ride

Bonny Doon Hill Repeats

2008-03-08T21:23:00.000-08:00

Tough Saturday training with the Bicycle Trip crew - easy paceline North on Hwy 1 to Bonny Doon, 4x 15 minute hill repeats, fast 3-man pacelines back to be followed by sprintwork for total of 52 miles and 4k vertical feet. Was pretty happy with consistent effort - within 0.1 mi. each ascent, but the workout sent me straight to the fridge...then the shower...then the couch.

Commutin'

2008-02-21T17:44:00.001-08:00

I've taken the pledge to Go Green! to Cabrillo College - transportation by bike as much as possible, at least once a week for the next month. This program compliments Sutter's Trip Reduction Incentive plan through which I've logged over 60 commute days to work since mid-September. Bit of a challenge with the recent wet weather, but with work & school its the best chance I have to train consistently.

VO2 Max

2008-02-14T23:48:00.000-08:00

I don't think Lance will lose any sleep over it, but I posted some pretty decent numbers during my Bio 5 Human Physiology McArdle-Katch bench stepping lab. My VO2 max, or aerobic capacity, was calculated to be 71.01 and my heart rate returned to pre-exercise levels after 1 minute of rest (Lance boasts about an 85 and has a scary-low resting heart rate).

Training

2008-02-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

Early February is a good time for training - got worked by Monet at the Seacliff stairs on the 7th and a fun, social 4.5h ride with the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz on the 9th - with the poison oak to prove it. My Nike watch puts the elevation at 2200". The poor nurse hands also got a good workout at the Pacific Edge rock climbing gym...

Into the Death Ride Lottery!

2007-12-13T11:07:00.000-08:00

Yup, it's official (at least as official as a lottery can be) - I'll find out March 12th if I'm one of the lucky 2800 chosen from random selection for the 2008 Death Ride. In the meantime, I'll be commuting to work & school and starting to ramp up the training (hoping for trails with MBOSC @ Wilder on Saturdays or club rides with the SCCCC). Gonna be out most of January with Army Reserve commitments, but check back soon for more posts...