Mark's Cycling Adventures

Tour de Blast

2010-07-11T23:28:00.000-07:00

On June 19th I rode the Tour de Blast with some buddies from my Pacific Power/Blue Sky team. It rained all day and it was cold! The organizers set up a warming fire at one of the rest stops! Still had a good time. The spaghetti dinner at the end was a nice touch. I'll be back next year!

Interesting climbing camp in the Santa Monica Mountains

2010-06-12T11:55:00.001-07:00

Santa Monica Mountains - Climbing Camps

5 Days • 345 Miles • 37,000' Elevation Gain

$395!

Sept 5-10
Nov 7-12
Dec 5-10

in reference to:

"Sept 5-10 Nov 7-12 Dec 5-10"
- California Bicycle Camps - Training Camp - Bike California with Cycling Escapes (view on Google Sidewiki)

Sandy Earl, RAAM 2010

2010-06-12T11:51:00.001-07:00

Photo of Sandy Earl in RAAM 2010

in reference to: VeloNews.com - 2010 RAAM, Sandy Earl (view on Google Sidewiki)

Our TTT team

2010-05-29T21:18:00.001-07:00

Our Pacific Power / Blue Sky team for the state TTT.

L-R: Kenny, Joe, Mark and Scott

2010-05-09T12:05:00.001-07:00

Finally reached 20,000 miles on my De Rosa Primato!

This picture was taken with Camera One

Sent from my iPhone

2200 Mark Newsome

2010-04-26T14:24:00.001-07:00

2200 Mark Newsome, originally uploaded by raoterri.

On the 50 mile TT up Bakeoven Road near Maupin...

Hillclimb TT

2010-04-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

(photo by Billy Ramsey)

Raced the 3 mile Twilight HillClimb in Eugene on Tuesday. Rode the red De Rosa, probably the oldest frame out there! ;-)

Recorded the route on my iPhone (Started it minutes before the start -- cyclemeter doesn't have auto start/pause yet.)

Route: http://j.mp/bl3qRx

Tejas 24-hour TT

2010-01-17T16:55:00.001-08:00

I'm considering entering the Tejas 500 RAAM Qualifier. See http://www.tt24tt.com/

Ought to be a fun race!

Mt. Lemmon

2009-12-31T00:30:00.000-08:00

I'm arriving a day early for camp so I can do the "assault on Mt. Lemmon".

Signed up for Pac-tour camp in AZ

2009-12-29T12:32:00.000-08:00

I signed up for a Pac-tour training camp in Arizona. Can't wait! I'll fly into Tucson a day early so I can climb Mt. Lemmon. Then it's off to Sierra Vista for "coaching" week. See www.pactour.com (This will be my 4th camp with Lon and Susan.)

I'll be riding my Ritchey Breakaway Bike!

Furnace Creek 508 in about 10 minutes!

2009-10-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

Trailer for "Bicycling Dreams", the story of RAAM

2009-10-12T14:41:00.001-07:00

Too much work, too little cycling

2009-09-05T12:41:00.001-07:00

Because of work and last-minute travel, I missed the following events this year:
1) 3/4 Coburg TTs
2) Shasta Training Camp
3) Alpine Century (prepaid)
4) Lighthouse Century (prepaid)
5) Eugene Celebration Stage Race
6) Tour of Southern Utah

Better luck next year.

I have about of month of vacation accrued and the sad part is that we're no longer allowed to carry leave between years. Perhaps I'll do a month long tour in a warmer place in December!

Interesting article on how ibuprofen inhibits healing

2009-09-03T23:17:00.000-07:00

javascript:void(0)

Covered Bridge Bike Tour

2009-08-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, I rode the Covered Bridge Bike Tour. Rode better than I did on the TT the day before. This time I rode my Cervelo with a Hed Alps front wheel. (Rear wheel is in the shop.) Averaged 18.1 over the course and seemed to ride well. Only a couple of people passed me, but I stayed with them and eventually got away on the rollers.

Met up with Jim Lofgren a couple of times. He rode superbly and we took turns pulling each other and managed to keep away from a paceline he had passed. After the Crabtree stop, I caught up with the group again, and instead of passing, I moved to the front and pulled them into Albany. We had a good time! ;-)

2nd place in "retro" division TT

2009-08-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

Rode my Colnago in the Willamette "Epic" TT (42K). I rode it what it came with in 1993 -- 36-spoke box rims and Campy 8-speed components. (If I race this division again, I'll put on lighter wheels and aerobars and perhaps warm up better.)

I wish there were a "Merckx" division -- no aero nothin'!

Decker #35

2009-08-04T23:11:00.001-07:00

Rode it on the Colnago. Felt exhausted before the ride, but came alive on the second half of the course!

Decker #34

2009-08-03T22:28:00.001-07:00

Rode the Cervelo on Decker #34. It was a bit windy, but cool!

Decker #33

2009-08-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

Rode a windy Decker. It was really howling out there this evening! Rode the Cervelo.

Decker #32

2009-07-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

Rode the Decker loop for the 32nd time this year. Took out the '93 Colnago Master Light. Sure was good to get out after not riding for 5 days. (Had to go to L.A. to visit a customer.)

Rode the 104 mile Marcola Loop today

2009-06-27T22:48:00.001-07:00

Earnest Bridge (near Marcola), built in 1938 (top)

View of the McKenzie River (middle)

Rode my '93 Colnago (Main Stree Cafe, Brownsville) (bottom)

Great Grand Pac Masters at the finish of RAAM!

2009-06-27T22:47:00.001-07:00

Robic vs Wyss!

2009-06-21T21:01:00.001-07:00

(From the RAAM website)

A video of "Fuzzy" in RAAM 2009!

2009-06-20T17:02:00.000-07:00

Go Grand PacMasters! I met Lee at the 1997 Pacific Crest Tour.

You know "good enough"...

2009-06-20T08:29:00.001-07:00

I miss watching Jan Ullrich

2009-06-18T23:12:00.000-07:00

Weather Cam at Death Valley

2009-06-16T18:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.instacam.com/InstaCAM/imagelist_by_week.asp?id=DTHVL

Another day, another Decker

2009-06-13T20:50:00.001-07:00

Seems my favorite ride these days is the Decker Loop. And for some reason, I'm not riding my carbon bike, but my oldest (and classiest) steel bike -- the Colnago.

Last night I put its original wheels on it and a 11-25 cassette. I had planned to do the Strawberry century on it, but it was pouring down rain this morning. I just can't get that bike wet -- it'll rust.

All said, the Decker loop was just fine. Totally peaceful!

My '93 Colnago MasterLight (Campy 8-speed)

2009-06-03T08:37:00.001-07:00

I bought it new in '93 (at the now defunct O'Neil's in Worcester, MA) and rode it up the east coast the next day in Boston-Montreal-Boston.
It's equipped with Campy Chorus 8-speed (straight-block, 11-19) and Mavic CXP-30 wheels. Gotta love those chrome lugs!

(I've since leveled the saddle -- the photo clued me in that it had slipped!)

Hay fields near Philomath, OR

2009-06-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

On the way out to do the Decker Loop!

Climbing techniques

2009-05-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

SPORTIVE SURVIVAL GUIDE 1 - Climbing from CYCLEFILM on Vimeo.

This just in -- sleep counts!

2009-03-11T22:05:00.001-07:00

See http://www.usms.org/articles/articledisplay.php?a=181

Rode 400+ miles at PAC-Tour Coaching week (Feb 28 - March 7th)

2009-03-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

Here I am at the top of Mule Pass (near Bisbee, AZ). Rode my Ritchey Breakaway -- great bike!

See my camp photos.

I'm at PAC-Tour training camp in AZ

2009-03-03T18:15:00.001-08:00

Here's a photo David Rowe took of me as I pulled out of the first SAG stop on the way to Mule Pass...

Itinerary:

Day 1 Sat Feb 28 Arrive in Tucson 33-50 - On Your Own Ride
Day 2 Sun Mar 1 Tucson to Sierra Vista 84
Day 3 Mon Mar 2 Coronado Loop 46-60
Day 4 Tue Mar 3 Mule Pass - Tombstone 45-62
Day 5 Wed Mar 4 Elgin or Sonoita Loop 60-75
Day 6 Th Mar 5 South Bisbee Loop 45-60
Day 7 Fri Mar 6 Sierra Vista to Tucson 88
Day 8 Sat Mar 7 Fly home and depart Tucson Ride on own

Tour of California video

2009-02-22T23:31:00.001-08:00

Bike fit & new orthotics

2009-02-22T13:12:00.001-08:00

Went over to Bend to see Scott Peterson to get fitted with new orthotics and shims for my cycling shoes. Seems that my Breakaway was set up properly, so no fit was needed. (I simply set it up like another bike that I was fitted on.)

The new orthotics are very light. Just an added bonus because materials have improved!

Indoor cycling -- observations....

2009-02-10T20:50:00.000-08:00

Indoor cycling instructors often say they are "teaching class". Usually there isn't a theme -- just a random workout set to music. What I hate the most is the routine where we rapidly and seemingly randomly transition between positions 1, 2, and 3.

It's interesting to see some people pedaling at a zillion rpm (with practically no resistance). What's up with that?

One of our class leaders is also the club owner. I don't necessarily agree with all the routines (like what's referred to as "freezes". He even pulls out his "favorite" DVD and has members balance it on their head. For a long time.)

However, he does a *lot* of things right. He knows all of our names and he calls us out. He thanks us for coming. He has mini competitions between rows or between the "boys and girls" that seems quite effective. (Sometimes he picks on someone and sends them "up the road", only to be "chased down". He's loud too -- and we really work hard in there!

One of my favorite instructors, the "Helenator" (my nickname for her), no longer works at the gym. She was the 80s disco queen and you knew you were in for a good workout when she says to "turn it up 6 turns!!!"

Social networking

2009-01-26T22:18:00.001-08:00

I'm all over the place!

Follow me, "Ultracylist" on Twitter!

Another spinning class

2009-01-26T21:47:00.000-08:00

I sat in the back today so I could observe the styles of different participants and make mental notes of the instructor's program.

There's the mad-spinner who thinks that you don't get a workout unless you're pedaling a zillion rpm. (It doesn't help when the leader thinks that the best riders are the ones who pedal so fast they're nearly out of control.)

The leader doesn't vary his program very much. Today he proudly proclaimed that the "cyclists" in the class aren't going to like these moves very much. He had us do some "hovers" where we had to alternate placing a arm behind our backs.

Then of course there were the "freezes". He takes a DVD (his "favorite" one or a book) and places it on some poor rider's head to see how long they can keep it up there. I think it's really a chance for him to get a rest because he's off the bike for a while. I'm not sure the "burn" from this maneuver his worth it -- see Jennifer Sage's e-book, See "Keep it Real".

My favorite contraindicated move was a tie between "backward hovers", and alternating between pedaling forward and backwards. (I didn't pedal backwards; this puts too much force on the knees and I'm trying not to provoke my left knee, the one on my "expensive" leg.)

All in all the instructor is quite good. He engages us in mock competitions between the various rows. The music is good too and he encourages us to make suggestions. And he knows every student by name and makes sure to establish "touch points".

Review of CycleFilm's "Road to Mt. Ventoux 2009" video

2009-01-26T19:51:00.001-08:00

As the 200th follower of CycleFilm on Twitter, I was the (unexpected) winner of one of their recon films of the climb up Mt. Ventoux for L'Etape Du Tour 2009.

L'Etape Du Tour is a ride for the "rest of us" (well those who are very fit) where we can experience a stage of the tour -- in this case Stage 20.

The DVD is professionally produced and the next best thing to climbing Mt. Ventoux yourself. The narrator, a rider, takes you up the mountain, explaining strategy you should consider if you ride the E'Tape.

Even if you're not going to do E'Tape, the video is an excellent preview of the ride, one which you could do yourself or with some friends. (A nice touch was the glimpses of local life and a short tour of the Nugat factory.)

The video is 90 minutes and is "zone free". (I played mine on a Macbook.) While I got my sample for free, I'm considering purchasing a few more of these. (I'd love to see Alp D'Huez, for example.)

See http://www.cyclefilm.com

First ride of the year -- 23 miles

2009-01-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

Did the old standby, the Peterson loop. Would have done Decker, but I was seeing frost in the shadows, so I took the bypass to Peterson.

Test out my new Castelli Espresso jacket (red) and silver Rudy Project RB3s. Both are winners. (I have other Castelli products and they're stellar. I have older pairs of RB3s as well. The new ones have an updated prescription insert.)

Thanks Sandy for recommending the Castellis!!!

Cool stop motion video!

2009-01-01T16:34:00.001-08:00

Music Condenser - Stop Motion from Promesto on Vimeo.

Accidental mileage leader for 2008

2008-12-10T22:21:00.001-08:00

Somehow I managed to have the most mileage in the MVBC this year. My hat's off to Lyle for putting in 76 rides this year (to my 54). We were separated by less than 100 miles.

Not sure if I can pull this off again next year! Go Lyle go!

Overheard...

2008-12-01T22:24:00.000-08:00

If Jens Voigt was a country, his principle exports would be Pain, Suffering, and Agony.

Bever Fever Duathlon

2008-10-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

Flo, Connie and I participated in the Bever Fever Duathlon as Team Pacific Power. Flo & Connie were the runners and I was the cyclist. The 18-mile loop is one of my favorites, the Decker loop. It was 34F when we left the house and I was worried it would be too cold or foggy up on Decker ridge. Turns out the weather was just right.

Most of the cyclists had taken off before I took to the road. Didn't get a chance to warm up, but I was firing on all cyclinders once I hit Fern road. Riding the Cervelo, I caught a load of cyclists and managed to avoid being passed. (Passed a few Cervelos too. ;-)

I wore one of those Casteli wool base layers that Coach Sandy picked up for me. Perfect! At the start of the ride I abandonded the jacket and went with a windbreaker and arm-warmers...

Had a good time -- thanks to Flo for coaxing me out. I even won a gift certificate for the Corvallis Cyclery! Woo-hoo!

Fork Recall

2008-08-24T23:23:00.000-07:00

My Cervelo SLC is in the shop waiting for a new 3T fork. Seems that the Wolf SL fork has been recalled by Cervelo. Interestingly, the manufacturer, True Temper, is not participating. (WTF?) (Luckily I didn't have an incident at RAO -- that could have been messy at night or day!)

Go Pacific Power/Blue Sky!

2008-08-24T23:19:00.000-07:00

Oregon State TT

2008-08-10T19:10:00.000-07:00

Rode my Cervelo at the State TT Championships as a Cat 4/5. Time: 1:03:39.

Shasta Camp 2008

2008-08-04T22:37:00.001-07:00

Shasta Camp 2008, originally uploaded by RTFB.

The smoke from the California fires is clearly visible from Mt. Shasta (city). Most people I talked to were in denial that the air was sort of, well, bad. (Most often heard quote -- "it's better than it was yesterday.")

Shasta Camp 2008

2008-08-04T22:35:00.001-07:00

Shasta Camp 2008, originally uploaded by RTFB.

Al and Mark, preparing to get underway on the Mt. Shasta Century. (Note: The second new chain held up!)

Mt. Shasta Camp

2008-08-02T21:35:00.000-07:00

I'm at the AdventureCorps Shasta Camp. It's been a little smokey from the fact that most of CA is on fire. We've been lucky and had fairly good air for the last couple of days.

Seems I'm one of the few that came with standard gearing. Others have compact cranksets and cogs as big as my wheels -- and rightfully so. Going up Mumbo, there's a stretch of road at 12-13% that's in-your-face!

On the climb to Castle Lake, my chain started to check out. The Base Camp shop installed a new one, but it broke 4 miles into my next ride, on the first real hill. The powerlink checked out. The group left me to my own devices and I couldn't raise anyone on the cell phone. Fortunately I found that I could coast most of the way to town, except for the part where I walked though a construction site on an I-5 overpass.

I have another new chain. They used a master-link this time instead of the crazy "special" pin. I suspect Tulio is punishing me for riding ShimaNO. (Sorry, but I'm a Campy guy.) Interestingly enough, the bike shop told me these Ultegra chains as good for only 500 miles. (WTF, over). That's 5 rides for me. I'll try a SRAM chain next time, thank you.

Chris Kostman puts on a first class event. His SO, Elizabeth Jefferson, leads Yoga-for-cyclists every afternoon after cycling. I'm afraid I'm the "reference implementation" of a non-Yoga person. (I couldn't configure myself for some of those poses.)

I rode my Ritchey Breakaway at this camp. It more than holds its own. Part of this test was to see whether I would want to take the BAB to the 508 this year. It's a really good fast bike. But I think I will take the Cervelo Soloist. ;-)

Team Varmint crosses the finish line!

2008-07-24T22:44:00.001-07:00

HPIM4631, originally uploaded by raoterri.

Photos of Team Varmint on Flickr

2008-07-23T16:28:00.001-07:00

See http://www.flickr.com/photos/14346502@N04/

RAO 50+ relay team: first place & course record

2008-07-22T21:18:00.001-07:00

John Maurice and I participated in RAO this last weekend as a two-man 50+ team. We managed to finish officially, coming in first place. OK, we were the only ones in our division -- but we did beat the course record by 9 minutes! We covered the 536 mile course in about 36 hours... See http://www.raceacrossoregon.com.

On the way to Dufur, OR

2008-07-22T20:24:00.001-07:00

HPIM4309, originally uploaded by raoterri.

Mark "Nutria" Newsome descending to Dufur.

Mark "Nutria" Newsome

2008-07-22T20:05:00.001-07:00

Mark "Nutria" Newsome, originally uploaded by raoterri.

Another RAO shot.

Got game?

2008-07-22T19:54:00.001-07:00

HPIM4272, originally uploaded by raoterri.

How's that for "game face?" (Mark in RAO '08, climbing up to Government Camp.)

107 in 102

2008-06-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

I was the only taker today for the MVBC Marcola Century. Others went short because it was going to be "hot". And that it was. It reached 102 on my ride.

Came across some riders from Eugene at the Mohawk store. They couldn't tell me where they've been or where they were going! Seems they were playing "follow the leader". (Not so good if you get dropped and stray off course!)

Had a flat on the way to the Beanery, our meeting place. A small chunk of rock had penetrated the casing on my front tire. I'm going to replace the tires anyway; they're a bit worn...

Return of the Breakaway

2008-06-17T21:55:00.000-07:00

I assembled my Ritchey Breakaway last night. It sat in its travel case since our trip to Phoenix/Sierra Vista a couple of years ago. Great bike -- rode well. I had no trouble shifting STI considering that I'm a Campy guy.

Took it out for a Decker loop. Practiced doing leg presses on the climb and making the "expensive" (left) leg do its share of the work in pedaling.

Sure is a nicer ride than the Air Friday I used to have. The AF is a fine bike, but the Ritchey is in its own class IMHO.

Kings Valley + Albany + Brownsville

2008-06-15T17:12:00.000-07:00

Rode 101 miles, mostly on my own after leaving the group in KV. Rode the Cervelo and got some valuable time on the TT bars. Came across an old friend, Don, on Springhill Rd and merged with the Strawberry Century riders on the 70 mile route. Stopped at the nice Shedd store and had a "custom" turkey sandwich -- highly recommended.

Hinault, Paris-Roubaix '81

2008-06-15T17:11:00.001-07:00

Neuvo Record!

2008-06-04T20:42:00.001-07:00

Dehydration not necessarily the cause of cramping

2008-05-11T19:01:00.001-07:00

http://www.marinij.com/sports/ci_9217358

10 year anniversary

2008-05-05T21:40:00.000-07:00

It's been 10 years this week since I got smacked by a car in a record attempt across Mississippi, which took a long time to recover from. I'll spare you the story....

This just in...

Hello and congratulations!

You have been selected to compete in the 25th Anniversary Furnace Creek 508 on October 4-6, 2008, “the toughest 48 hours in sport.” You are part of a select group who will participate in this world-famous spiritual odyssey through Death Valley and the Mojave Desert. We look forward to sharing the experience with you!

Woo-hoo!

TT tomorrow

2008-05-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

My blog has gone "dark" for a while -- I've been extremely busy at work and teaching three classes for LBCC. *However*, I have been riding.

A friend of mine told me that "I'm not a better climber, just stronger." Probably so. I do have a little evidence that I'm a little rough on the drivetrain -- I broke my 12-tooth cog on the Saturday ride. The blasted thing was skipping all over the place and I thought it was the chain the whole time. Not a broken tooth, but a clean break around the circumference. (Most likely it was simply a defective cog.)

Two years ago I broke a cassette body -- split clean along one of the splines. Perhaps this 10-speed stuff isn't so durable after all....

Tomorrow I'm off to my first race as a member of WVCT/Pacific Power... a solo TT in Coburg.

Team Varmint does RAO! (Nutria + Hoary Marmot)

2008-03-17T22:59:00.000-07:00

Official theme song!

Climbed Jubilee Pass at the 2008 Death Valley Camp

2008-02-18T22:40:00.000-08:00

Rode 106 miles that day.

Furnace Creek 508 - two-man team in 2008

2008-02-12T23:30:00.000-08:00

If Malamute and I can get in, we're going to race the 508 as Team Tibia. We're bringing back Team Tibia! (We were part of a 4-man team in 1999.)

Why the bit about "Tibia"? Three members of our old team had suffered broken left legs from accidents. Malamute and I both had car-bike collisions in 1998 and met on the internet to stage a "comeback".

It'll be great to be back on the 508 course, participating in yet another category! This will be my third 508...

-- Nutria

Race Across Oregon -- two man team in 2008!

2007-11-15T00:51:00.001-08:00

I'm racing in the Race Across Oregon with the Hoary Marmot -- we're team Varmint. (I'm the Nutria.)

What's all this about rodents? These were the totems we used in the Furnace Creek 508. You see, they don't use race numbers. And you earn the right to keep your totem if you're an official finisher...

World famous Crew Chief (and Ultra champion) Sandy will be leading our crew...

This will be my 4th RAO. I rode on a 5-person team with Team GT, a 5-man team with Team HP, and on a 4-person team with Total Carnage... Now it's Team Varmint, a two-man 50+ team.

MVBC mileage leader for 2007

2007-11-13T21:11:00.000-08:00

I racked up about 4500 miles in 63 rides with my local club, the Mid Valley Bike Club (see http://www.mvbc.com).

Presentation of the finisher's medal

2007-10-24T13:35:00.001-07:00

Here's Chris presenting me the finisher's medal at 620am. I looked trashed but it was a good feeling to be an o-f-f-i-c-i-a-l f-i-n-i-s-h-e-r! (Photo by Chris Kostman. Well, it was *his *camera!).

Another photo from the 508

2007-10-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to John Henry Maurice who took the photo and helped me cross the finish line!!

Bike commute mileage leader

2007-10-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

I was informed yesterday that I was the bike commute mileage leader (for my workplace) for the month of September! (I logged 800+ miles commuting in 2007.)

I was quite surprised! I won a one-year membership to the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. (www.bta4bikes.org)

Yippee!

Climbing Townes Pass

2007-10-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of me climbing Townes Pass during the 508. Notice the "trendy" glasses. My crew was able to help my blurry eyes by duct taping the sides of my glasses to keep the cold air out. Thanks for the tip Chris!!

(Photo by Chris Kostman, www.the508.com)

The finishers medal

2007-10-13T21:29:00.001-07:00

Photo by Chris Kostman

Official finisher of the 508!

2007-10-09T22:38:00.000-07:00

See http://www.the508.com/2007web/shows/show20/pages/DSC03129.html for photos

I had only 1.5 hours to spare!

It was a difficult ride -- I nearly melted down on Townes Pass. I had blurry vision from the cold air and puked a couple of times, which made me feel better

My fearless crew, led by the legendary Sandy Earl, John Henry Maurice and Caneman patched me up and send me on my way. Yes, I wanted to bag it a couple of times, but as I got to feeling better it looked like we had a chance!

The strange thing is that I had a "negative split!"

More later!

FeistPlayer! (Created it on YouTube!)

2007-10-02T22:04:00.000-07:00

Cervelo Rocks (Here's a report from Interbike)

2007-09-30T00:59:00.000-07:00

A note on my Crew Chief posted on my windshield during our nighttime training ride...

2007-09-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

And so does Feist!

2007-09-29T11:39:00.001-07:00

Ipods rock!!!

2007-09-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

Vince Lombardi

2007-09-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a quote that I think is quite true:

Fatigue makes cowards of us all.

Forty-seven: Jefferson night loop + part of a Peach

2007-09-24T22:33:00.001-07:00

After taking a low power nap at 9:30, I woke up at 10:30, feeling, well, horrible.

I drove over to Jefferson and tried to catch a wink in the car. Sandy arrived and got me underway. I did a short loop, making a wrong turn onto Wintel. After getting back on track I rode the longer loop about 4 or 5 times. Sandy had me riding until sunrise, sometime after 7am.

We set up a pit area just after some railroad tracks. Sandy made up some hot mash potatoes and refilled my bottles with Powerbar Recovery drink. Yup, we're using it as *fuel*. Works well!

On the loops, we saw a skunk (twice), a deflated snake and possum, a live possum that went for my front wheel, an owl, a cat, and a deputy sheriff who pulled Sandy over quite briefly to see what we were up to.

After letting me ride back to J-town, I set back out to ride halfway to Salem (or so). Sandy shuttled me to the starting line of the Peach of a Century and I rode the first leg back to J-town. Surprisingly I had enough legs to pass a lot of riders, except for a couple who pulled away from me.

Distance: about 130.6
Averaged 17.2 on the night loops
Bike: De Rosa with Cateye Opticube and Vredestein tires at 130 lbs

Special thanks to S-A-N-D-Y! Who do *you* know would volunteer to follow you around all night to make sure you get some night training for the 508????

The loop I'll be riding tonight...

2007-09-22T22:47:00.000-07:00

Night loop from Jefferson
Find more Bike Rides in Jefferson, Oregon

Forty-six: Harrisburg + Decker

2007-09-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

Couldn't find the MVBC riders. Met up with Bruce and Jim from Corvallis who made fine riding buddies. One of them bought all our goodies in H'burg and at the Mennonite bakery on Peoria Road. (Thanks!!)

Got in 60 miles because all that was what Sandy would let me ride. Rode easy!

After getting home, I went out for another short and very easy 30 mile ride to shake out the De Rosa.

Mileage for the year

2007-09-17T19:16:00.000-07:00

Road miles: 6097.7
Commuting: 750+
Total: 6847.7+

Platinum status reached!

2007-09-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

As of my last ride, I now have 5,088 miles in ultracycling.com's mileage challenge.
That means I've earned the "platinum" medal. When I race the 508 next month, I'll also have earned the "year-rounder" medal.

It's a long-shot, but I might have a chance at being in the top-5 in one of the mileage categories. A top-5 finisher also gets a plaque.

Now to focus on the 508! (See www.the508.com)

BTW, here's a photo of me after the Lighthouse Century in Newport, OR (19 August). (I was threatening rain, so I rode my old Specialized Sirrus, which weighs a little over 30 pounds. I bet I was the only one out there using downtube shifters. Retro, yeah!)

Forty-five: Kings Valley + Decker + Llewellyn = 110 miles

2007-09-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Bike: Cervelo
Energy: 4500 calories
Distance: 110 miles

Hardly anyone wanted to go long on the club ride today, except Erica. She and I did the Kings Valley ride, followed by a Decker Loop. After stopping at home for a little chow, I went back out for a Llewellyn loop.

Consumed: two Tiger Milk bars, two bottles of Powerbar Recovery, one bottle of Pertuem, one Gatorade and some water. Took about 4 Endurolytes today -- though it wasn't hot today, taking the tabs helped. (Note: I didn't lose any weight today from fluid loss; at least not after I downed some food and fluids.) Took a Recoverite after the ride; doesn't taste all that great, but it went down ok...

Forty-four: 186.3 miles

2007-09-12T16:48:00.000-07:00

I only rode 13 hours of the 24hr TT held in Maupin, OR for a total of 186.3 miles.

Rode the Cervelo which reduced the shock of the rough roads.

Energy: about 8600 calories
Ascent: 14,000+ ft. (yeah, it wasn't exactly flat!)

Forty-three: Triclub ride on Labor Day

2007-09-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

Rode 60+ miles with the OSU Tri-club, then ventured on my own to do Decker and a ride up to Airport Rd. and back.

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 90.2 miles (I'm "tapering" for the Ring-of-Fire TT next weekend ;)
Ascent: 2355 ft.
Energy: 3965 calories

Forty-two: Alsea Falls, Decker Lp, Peterson Lp

2007-09-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 108.2 miles
Ascent: 3475 ft
Energy: 4778 calories

Forty-one: Knox Butte, Decker++

2007-08-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Took the Cervelo out for a 104 mile ride.

Did the first 60 with the MVBC (www.mvbc.com). Nobody wanted to go long today.

After arriving back at home, I grabbed a snack and went out for an assault on Decker. On the way back, I met up with the legendary Griz, *the* Ironman, and rode a few more miles.

Energy: 3690
Distance: 104 miles
Ascent: 1750 ft.
Bike: Cervelo SLC

Forty: Lighthouse Century

2007-08-19T21:01:00.000-07:00

Hello from Newport, Oregon!

Yaquina Wheels put on a ride today called the Lighthouse Century (See http://www.yaquinawheels.org). Since it was supposed to rain, I brought "the truck", my '91 Specialized Sirrus, which weighs over 30 pounds. The rack, CXP-30 wheels and pannier loaded with clothes made it even heavier.

It used to be a Shimano 7-speed bike, but after wearing out a third rear wheel, I decided to graft on some classic Campy 8-speed components. (The crankset is still Shimano -- they work just fine together.) In 1991 I rode my first cenury on this bike in Montgomery, AL.

I think I had the only bike on the course with downtube shifters. Had a good time passing all the carbon -- tee hee! (Of course I too have a carbon bike, but today was retro day!) You know, it's amazing how simple and reliable the old downtube shifters are!

At the rest stop on the Siletz highway I met RAAMster Ish Makk! (His RAAM hat and T-shirt have it away.) He was working at the SAG.

Distance: 101 miles
Average speed: 17mph
Energy: 4344 calories
Ascent: 3015 ft.
Food: ate lots of stuff (potatoes, boiled eggs, chips, etc.)

Thirty-Nine: 91.1

2007-08-18T14:52:00.000-07:00

Rode the MVBC ride to Monmouth, Kings Valley, Philomath; followed by a Decker Loop.

Distance: 91.1 miles
Ascent: 3470 ft.
Energy: 3899 Calories
Temp: 70F
Avg speed: 17.9 mph
Bike: Cervelo

Had a bagel in Monmouth, a bottle of Perpetuem, two breakfast bars, a Tiger Milk bar, and a can of V8 (at the Kings Valley store).

Tuesday evening ride: Decker ++

2007-08-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

Pulled out the 1993 Colnago Master Light (Team Word Perfect bike) and rode Decker. (It's Campy 8 speed and has a straight-block cassette: 11-19. Turns out it was perfect for Decker.)

The Colnago has CXP-30 wheels and overall weighs about 24 pounds. It still rides like a dream. The ornate chrome lugs and the straight steel fork (before it was popular) are nice touches.

(I have a Terry saddle on this bike -- sometimes it's nice to ride with a different saddle; most of my other bikes have Arionnes or Flites on them.)

Averaged: 18.2 mph
Distance: 36

Thirty-Eight: 100 .1 miles

2007-08-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

Rode the Covered Bridge Bike Tour, put on by my club, the Mid-Valley Bike Club (www.mvbc.com).

Bike: Cervelo
Distance: 100.1 miles
Average: 18.3 overall (19.1 to the lunch stop @ 50 miles)
Ascent: 2950 ft.
Calories expended: 4257
Food: bottle of Perpetuem, turkey sandwich, pretzels, chips, tomato juice (tiny can), two Diet Lime colas, one Grapefruit drink
Max temp: 81F

Thirty-Seven: 97.2 miles

2007-08-11T20:00:00.001-07:00

Rode to Bellfountain, Alpine, Monroe (via Coon Rd.), Harrisburg, the Decker loop and the Airport loop.

Bike: Cervelo SLC
Distance: 97.2 miles
Ascent: 2445 ft.
Calories expended: 3776
Food: Bottle of Perpetuem, can of tomato juice, Tiger milk bar, bowl of Raisin Bran (at home before Decker/Airport loops)

Tuesday/Thursday miles

2007-08-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

Tuesday: Took the red De Rosa out for the Tuesday night ride. Only Eric and I showed up. I rode about 36 miles. (10 commuting)

Thursday: Went out with the triclub. Got in a total of 37 miles today. (10 commuting) Took out the Cervelo. It's fun keeping up with riders who are not only much lighter, but whose parents are younger than you. I thought one strong rider was going to drop me on Highland, but when he shifted down and slowed a bit, I came around and kept plodding for the summit. I suppose endurance counts!

They were repaving Walnut -- we avoided recrossing the fresh, but oily pavement but cutting through a mobile home park.

Commuting -- I topped 500 miles for the year a couple of days ago. I commute on a '97 Stumpjumper equipped with slicks and yellow fenders...

Best route to coast from Eugene, OR

2007-08-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Best route from Eugene to Florence.

1. Take the West Eugene Wetlands bike path to the very Western end. About 5
miles from downtown Eugene.
2. Take Green Hill Rd. South across Hwy 126, it turns into Crow Rd. About 1
mile
3. Take Crow Rd west to Territorial Hwy. About 8 miles.
4. Go south (turn right) on Territorial Hwy. for ~3/4 mile to Crow Vaughn Rd.
5. Go west (turn left) on Crow Vaughn Rd. till it ends in the town of Noti at
Old Hwy 126. About 8 miles.
6. Go west (turn left) on Old Hwy 126 through Noti till it intersects with
New Hwy 126. About 1/2 mile
7. Go west (turn left) on Hwy 126 to Poodle Creek Road. About 1/2 mile.
8. Go north (turn right) on Poodle Creek Rd till it ends at Hwy 36. About 8
miles.
9. Go west on Hwy 36 (left turn) and continue to the town of Mapleton where
Hwy 36 intersects with Hwy 126. Not sure how far this, but I guess about 20
miles. Through the towns of Blachly, Triangle Lake, Deadwood, and Swiss Home.
10. Take Hwy 126 to Florence. 15 miles.

(source: OBRA forum)

Thirty-six: Roaring River

2007-08-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

Rode the MVBC Roaring River ride (+ a litle extra) on the Cervelo.

Very few riders wanted to go long. Most of the pack turned back at Waterloo (OR).

Distance: 99