... More Colorado River

Colorado River in Marble Canyon. Digital Photograph. 9/18/2005. © 2005 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

I believe this image include smoke from a nearby fire. The waters are now muddied from the entry of the muddy Little Colorado.

Colorado River

© Shawn Kielty 2005. All rights reserved.
This was the second night on the Colorado River. 2005:09:16 16:37:16. Above the junction of the Little Colorado. I just thought I would post this so that we wouldn't have to change the title of the blog to "Bicycle Propelled Camera."

On the Ipod: Fleetwood Mac. Black Magic Woman. "Don't turn your back on me baby ... You got your spell on me baby ..." Wow.

Date: 30 March 2006 AM
Mileage: 15.62
Mileage for March: 330.47
Weather: 67°F.
Average: 13.7
Daily Mileage: 30.60

Date: 30 March 2006 AM
Mileage: 15.08
Mileage for March: 314.85
Weather: Breezy, and 65°F.
Average: 13.7

Ok, so the commute this AM was a bust. I got to the cafe and realized I had forgotten the lock ... double drat. Went back and threw the bike in the truck, and drove it and the lock in so that I could make my afternoon fitness ride. I got more miles, but was later than usual.

Ride to Work!

Look here for the original source..

It's Just a Box of Ice Cream

I sure can identify with this.

Me: How big is the NY strip?
Her: 14 ounces.
Me: cool -- medium, with a baked potato, everything.
Her: Everything?
Me: yes, everything. Plus a salad with blue cheese.
Her: Do you want to start out with some wings?
Me: Yes.
Her: Do you need anything else?
Me: Water. What do you have for dessert? ...

Let's eat.

This Must be Looking a Bit Like a Training Blog

Date: 28 March 2006
Mileage: 10.71
Mileage for March: 299.77
Weather: God Beams, Breezy, and 72°F.
Average: 13.6

That's nearly 300 miles.

You Were Saying.

Really just straight away lifted from bikecentric. I stole it -- I admit it.

Don't get your shorts in a bunch if you missed the latest World Naked Bike Ride because the next one happens on June 12. Time to do sit ups! BTW, both those links include lycra, nudity, and behavioral anomolies.

The Salt River

Date: 27 March 2006
Mileage: 10.12
Mileage for March: 289.06

Ripped this little ride out right after spending about an hour looking for my sunglasses (I had planned a longer ride). I am remembering now what it's like to take a gnat in the eye. So I am glad it wasn't a June bug. Went the short five miles down to the Salt river and then back out via Kong, that hill which is allegedly hard. I inadvertantly reset my trip meter right after reading the mileage -- but I think it all went down in about 35 minutes. Which is over 16 miles an hour. It must be the shorts.

Maybe on Thursday I will take my camera. The Salt river looks something like this, which you can see is remarkable less beautiful than Annie's pictures of the same river from her comment on my post yesterday. What I can't figure out is why Annie always has a huge smile, before, during and after riding a bike. She must like it.

Abandoned Bicycles

Here.

This Guy's Pretty Good!

So -- ok -- I am checking the bird chick who claims her blog is about birds, when actually it is more about pet rabbits, which make me gag. Never mind that, while I was there I found an item of note. I have to share this with my usually happy hiking buddy, who is trying to learn to juggle. This guy Chris Bliss is very good.

I particularly like the two balls behind the back trick, and the behind the back cascade. But, honestly, do you think maybe this guy spent too much time hanging out at the "Day on the Green," or out with the guys that have dogs that chase the frisbees? I have to find that picture I took in Colorado Springs in 1977 back in the day, of the guy riding his bike with a large white shepherd on his back, same shepherd having his back paws in riders back pockets, and front legs wrapped around riders neck. I'll post it -- if I can find it -- and get a scanner that works ... Someday.

In all fairness to Chris Bliss, I am sure he trained hard to be a juggler this good. Cheers. There's an interview here which I haven't watched.

Just incidently, I have added a few of my friends to the blog -- and these guys can do some cool tricks too.

Hair of the Dog.

Date: 25 March 2006
Mileage: 19.89
Mileage for March: 278.94
Weather: Sunny 82°F.
Average: 14.1

Chainring Challenge -- It's an Uphill Thing.

Tunitas Creek Road photo stolen from here

Here's a description of part of my May ride in CA. The climb up King's Mountain Road is a major feature in this 120k ride and described in this document, along with what promises to be a good warm up ride. The additional and perhaps harder climb will be the climb up Tunitas Creek Road (from the beach -- one picture, here, shown above) to the exact same spot. Alledgedly, it's an average of 9% grade over some 3.6 miles. Perhaps, Alice's Restaurant has an internet connection and I'll be able to stop and post my progress and condition after both climbs. That would be fun. The link map also includes some of the other parts of the ride like stage road -- and this says "The very steepest parts of Tunitas Creek will make you wince if you've only got a 23-tooth cog though!," and the map clearly says there is three miles of it.

Since the new bike is not designed for wimps, only insane crazy people like myself, I'll be doing this without the benefit of alpine gearing. So there may be either heroic reports of feats of sheer physical brilliance, or tales that include the distances walked. So maybe I should bring a pedometer as well. Or do some hiking in my new biking shoes.

I know I am definitely bringing cab fare. But you may be able to find me in one of the local clubs (I'll be the one eating), and listening to Neil Young, who just happens to drop in to play live acoustic, because he knows I'm in the hood.

While I was shopping around for some good places to practice, ride, sweat, pee, show off, get off, stand on a soapbox, stump, I found this page describing some great road climbs that you can find in Arizona -- along with top times and grades, and tales of cycling heroism.

I may join these riders (not the record breakers, the bike shop breakfast eaters with Arlo on the Group W bench) the Thursday before the big ride -- as my last warm up run, but the in meantime, I'll be considering some weight training. I need to find someone to show me how to do that.

A recipe from paradise:

To one new bike, add one old victim, new shorts, pedals and shoes, thirty five miles in the saddle, several hills and one river valley. To the result add some pints of carbohydrate and protein liquid, 2 alleve, and 2 cod liver oil tabs. Then roll in Bengay™ and roast in sleeping bag overnight with the Pearly cat. Repeat.

Tomorrow is Sunday, and you know what they say about Sundays. I'll be stumping my shorts up to the Pearly Gates.

That Felt Pretty Good

Date: 25 March 2006
Mileage: 37.61
Mileage for March: 259.05
Weather: Sunny 82°F.
Average: 14.6

I should mention that I traded in my clips for some spd pedals. I haven't crashed -- thank God -- and find them ok. There's no leather, which bothers me, but they are ok. This ride included both climbs of Las Sendas Mountain and the back of Usery Pass, and the less than famous Power Road climb into the Salt river.

I also bought some Pearl Izumi attack shorts. I have an aversion to spandex, lycra, elastic, latex and people calling foam padding a chamois (In the day -- that was reserved for the skin of a goat kid). I am not entirely sure these shorts and I are going to get along. The elastic is leaving a ring around my thigh. Is that what the attack part meant, that they would attack me? Despite all of this the shorts did make it a bit easier in the saddle.

The tag on the "Attack Short" shows a picture of a Saguaro cactus next to the dryness indicator. Does that mean that they can absorb and hold several tons of water in a virtually moisture free environment? I hope not. Maybe, they are impenetrable by thorns. That would be wishful thinking.

They also have a padded seat like an easy chair. I hope I don't turn into a wimp.

I did see a blooming hedgehog cactus today in a well irrigated garden. It is just a small indicator that spring is indeed starting in the sonoran desert. More to come.

Some Humble Pie

Date: 24 March 2006
Mileage: 15.84
Mileage for March: 221.44
Weather: Sunny 80°F.
Average: 13.7

This was a ride filled with hill climbs, at least as I could find near the cafe of the beautiful people. On one particular climb I passed a young woman. About two minutes later she passed me and rode away from me like I was going backwards. Despite that, it appears I may have caught up with Jill, which of course would depend on whether she is actually on her bike this early in the Alaska day, or not,

This is not to take away from the kudos that Jill deserves, as she is riding a 33° slippery snowy mud slime with a cold, while I am riding on clean broken glass covered roads, in eighty degree sunny weather. It's no wonder I was able to catch her, unlike that grrrl on the hill today. Now that I have overtaken Jill -- it's on to catch ladyvelo.

I did ride for a bit today with a guy named Terry, and we made a few short hill climbs on Las Sendas Mountain. This was the first somewhat sweaty trip out so far this year, and I forgot to fill the water bottles. One hour, no water, 80 degrees. I have to think ahead better -- because in July that will be dangerous.

Half-Naked Thursday

Here's me in the Palm Colors. Enjoy.

Date: 23 March 2006
Mileage: 14.92
Mileage for March: 205.60
Weather: Sunny 80°F.
Average: 11.6

Today's ride included some climbing. Mostly on the higher ring. I like the new bike.

Cruising the Blogworld

So my training is going along ... and I am trying to get enough food in my body. During my travels lately, it seems that I am growing a huge preference for the meals that include large plates of rice. Potatoes take too long to eat. The Thai Corner Basil Beef -- The Shiskabob -- down the road a bit at Bellagio's. I am always hungry these days. Maybe I should try this suggestion by mistress julie from the dark side.

It appears (according to Jill) that I have gone over to the dark side; I am now on the dark side of the planet. This is really ok with me. Here in the Valley of the Sun it is better for the days to be shorter. Despite that, the weather is now promising to heat up, since winter is actually over. In fact the desert is starting to bloom. I think I saw the teddybear cholla's with buds in the valley here. Just 2 days after the rain. Today was perfectly like coastal California in the summer. 78 degrees. Sun shining. I am actually looking forward to the searing heat, and the delight of (the equivalent of) a great workout in the sauna. Vigorous hydration -- copius amounts of sweat -- total purification. I think I have definitely gone over to the dark side.

Gilby mentioned having a Deli boyfriend. She has a "The Boyfriend" Boyfriend too. I was thinking that there have been a lot of times that I have had a coffee shop girlfriend. I never knew what to call her. Now I do. I once went to a million szechuan lunches with a woman I worked with. Lunchtime girlfriend. The Barmaid when I was married (we never) -- illegal girlfriend. Late night coffee shop girlfriend turned into my ex wife ten years later. Girlfriend Girlfriend. Who knew? I never did. Now I do. Grocery store clerk girlfriend.

Internet girlfriend. Phone girlfriend, adventure girlfriend. Travel girlfriend. Ex girlfriend.

Coffee shop girlfriend took a break with me the other day. I think that might have been our first date. I hope she's not is reading this. Maybe she'll do that again tomorrow.

I should be cleaning my house.

An Explosion Out to the East

I was just reading this post by skibby and thinking how obnoxious people can be. Out in front of me to the east there is a stream of light going in a circle, up and down, accompanied by an ATV/motorcycle like roar. Now I live in paradise here. You all might not agree, but it 50 ish degrees out at 10 PM, the Sonoran desert all around me. Coyotes yipping. Serenity. Except right now. Buttwipe yahoo, riding in circles on his one acre strip of paradise.

There was a fairly large explosion noise off in that direction, and the ATV noise stopped. It is with guilty delight that I imagine what might have happened. I hope one of my serenity loving neighbors hasn't ... done anything drastic.

It's a Dry Rain

Date: 21 March 2006 P.M.
Mileage: 10.14
Mileage for March: 190.68
Weather: Dry Rain and 59°F.
Average: 15.2

A dry rain is when it rains and doesn't really wet the ground, and the ground might become leopard spotted with wet. You can still get pretty damp riding in it. Wearing the Palm Jersey and arm warmers and a couple of extra layers ( a grey running shirt over the top) helped a lot. Yes. Never mind about the arm warmers. I mean it, don't ask.

Cool Breezy Cruise

Date: 21 March 2006 A.M.
Mileage: 10.14
Mileage for March: 180.54
Weather: Scattered Sun and 51°F.
Average: 17.5

I don't know if you notice this, but my average is a tad higher than it was before the new bike. That's more like it. All I need to do is hold that pace for 500 miles and I'll be able to keep up with LadyVelo, and some of the other Hell Weekers. We'll see if I can hold that pace on the way home too.

When You're in Hell, Do as the Hellians Do.

One of the serious troubles here in Hell, is just how hot it gets in the summer, One doesn't really want to plan a century ride on the fourth of July unless one can manage to arrange for a hydration IV and portable on the bike air conditioner. This is not to suggest that it can't be done, but could I please have/get someone else to carry all the water I will need.

Last year on the 2nd of July, my normally happy riding buddy and I did an eleven mile hike. Our first hike together ever, methinks, during which I swear, he was trying to kill me. Honestly, something, exhaustion, heat, falling on my a**, was killing me; let's just say it was memorable, and I never had the pleasure of waiting for him. He wasn't responsible, however. We started at 6:00 AM. It is normal to start anything here in Hell at or before dawn, also known as dark o'clock, which is just unGodly freaking early in AZ. It might be better to start right after dark, the ground is usually too hot to walk on for several hours after dark. By the time we had finished this hike it was 4 liters of liquid and 5 hours later and 109 °F.

Since I missed the Santa Fe Century ride on May 21 -- due to scheduling the Palm Ride for the Cure in CA, and since no one in this entire valley does any exercise in the summer, I'll be trying to ride my century Apr 08, 2006, during the Desert Classic, which starts and ends at a pizza joint in Glendale, meaning 2 things; some of the trip will be flat, and there will be food, and I won't be ready. Some of the trip may be very hilly too, which I am sure I deserve, since I signed up for a hell hilly for many miles hilly ride in a few months and then bought a very tall set of gears.

Since I know that the century is indeed too early in my training -- I signed up for one of the century or metric, and I will do whichever I feel like based on the training plan and map. One thing I don't want to do is come home in a cab.

Palm is going to give me my first piece of riding specific clothing ever. You must be wondering what kind of pedals I have on that bike -- if I don't have any riding clothing. I rode my Centurion enough so that I ripped the bottom bracket out of the frame -- and I never had any riding shoes or shorts. I did have toe clips, which is what I currently have on the Ferrari (the new bike has a name!). This morning when I was over at the cafe of the beautiful people, the cute coffee mommy asked me, "What are you doing?"

"I am going for a ride", says I.

"On your motorcycle?" Everyone here in Hell has a powered something or other or a desert destroyer vehicle.

"No on my bicycle, 20 miles."

"Wow, that's a long way, are you going to wear all those clothes?," she says, pointing outside where all the gayly dressed roadracers will all sit later. "And be a dork?," I add to the sentence in my head.

"No, that shit is really expensive." I don't want to spend like that just now, is what I am thinking.

So, what do you do with a leg warmer when you remove it? Where do you put it? I am not getting this quite yet. Do I need padded shorts? You put chamois butt'r -- where? Does the stuff (not the chamois butt'r -- the clothes) have to be so gayly colored? Can I get in grey? I want to wear the little CSU Hayward pioneer T in grey -- some cheap REI shorts -- shoes that don't have wheels on them or any lights, a pair of socks, and an off-white coffee stained oxford shirt with cab fare in the pocket. I think I need to be the art student sitting in the back row on the desk again; can I stay an outlaw here?

I have a huge amount of resistance to the riding specific clothing. Have you noticed?

It is About the Bike

Date: 19 March 2006
Mileage: 19.55
Mileage for March: 170.40
Weather: Cloudy and 55°F.
Average: 12

Today's ride was much nicer. I know, I know, "It's not about the bike", but today's ride was all about the bike. My usually happy riding buddy remarked on several occasions (from behind me) how easy I made it look as I was effortlessly pulling away from him. "Ferrari", was one word he used. The effect of reduced drag, light weightedness, and an all together smoothly smooth ride, was more than clear. I have never been able to wait for him before today. Although the average isn't much higher than previous rides, I definitely enjoyed the ride a lot more. I felt like I could adjust my pace, have conversations, and just generally felt more road worthy, which is much more delightful than to constantly hump just to keep up.

Today's ride was two hours, which was the perfect way to start a Sunday, At the finish it was just trying to rain and about 55 degrees. Chilly and threatening toward the end of the ride.

New Bike Day for Me

My Uncle Ralph passed away recently. I could wax along and remind everyone of all the classic Ralphism's, like, "Anyone that would eat this, would eat woodpecker eggs," or talk about how he put olives in his beer, but the purpose of this post is not to eulogize Ralph. It's to talk about the bike he just bought me. You see Ralph always bought us the greatest baseball glove, bat, pigskin football, skateboard, whatever the new snowboard of the day was. He bought it for us. Well he just bought me a new bike.

All the road folks riding in Hell Week and racking up hundreds of miles each,

EclectChick
LadyVelo
The S.S. Blog
Recreational Reading
UltraRob

and one or two of my friends at work have inspired me to buy a new bike, and of course Gilby, with her new bike. I have never had a new bike in my life. Not only is this bike new -- it is very light. I want to ride it around the gravel velo, but gosh, it's a road bike. They have inspired me to buy a road bike.

For those that don't recognize this bike, it's a Marin San Marino vintage 2004. It weighs somewhere near 20 lbs. It is well outfitted with some Shimano ultegra gear, on a steel and Carbon frame. 9 cog 12-24 rear cassette, and 53,39 chainwheels, has aluminum rims and high pressure, slickery smooth clinchers.

I may need to practice my hill climbing a bit, but the near 20 lb weight should eliminate some of the demand. I may have to stop jumping curbs too!

"I licked it so now it's mine!"

The Training Plan

Ok -- the 120K ride is May 21 -- that's 78 miles of California's finest coastal hills. It's promising to be a bitch -- I think I need to head my rides toward the rim of the grand canyon -- so I can get some altitude into them. Wes (my last boss) suggested that I ride to Payson and back. -- No Effing way-- that's like seventy miles one way -- uphill in a big way ... but he makes a good point. That's more than I ever signed up for, but I need some real hill in my practice run. The ride's about 8 weeks away. So here's the plan: build a base out of two rides a day at 9.5 workday miles (each) and increase my normal Sunday ride until it reaches 50 at least. and try to ride 16-25 on Thursday afternoon. Ramp the Sunday rides at about 5 miles a week to acheive 55 in six weeks -- then roll back the base to about 50 miles a week and rest up for the ride. Then go like hell on race ride day.

Develop a food strategy -- and stay hydrated.

The Elder Brother suggested practice tires.

So, what do you think of my plan?

Date: 16 March 2006 P. M.
Mileage: 16.25
Mileage for March: 142.85
Weather: Cloudy and 72°F.
Average: 11.8

Total for the day: 25.75

I'll have a Tall Coffee with Two Shots and Room

I never thought I would make it to the coffee this morning. Seven miles is just a long way to go. Fortunately over at the cafe of the beautiful people, they see me running the red light crossing the intersection on my way in and have it ready as I pull up. No cup holders though, so I have taken to taking my feet out of the clips (and putting them up on a chair) to stop and drink it. It's a sweet gentle downhill into the computer cube helicopter parking lot farm from there. Rain coming -- so say the weather wizards..

Date: 16 March 2006 A. M.
Mileage: 9.5
Mileage for March: 126.6
Weather: Sunny and 48°F.
Average: 13.6

The Local Bike Shop

This was inspired by a post of the old bag's today, and a few young men I have met in my life. The Old Bag has a lot of bikes.

30ish years ago there was a guy named Robert that helped me put together a Centurion -- that would still kick some ass today (if I could just be 16 again and ride it.) He helped me learn to build and ride a bike and how to fix 'em. He was a young guy like the kid over at the local bike shop near me today. Enthused, and happy to share his enthusiasm. I spent a lot of time at that shop.

In Mesa there are local bike shops everywhere. I treat them well and try to patronize them in a good way. I have my favorites, and it's sort of like buying a pizza at Ray's, it's tough to decide where to go. The other day I was in the shop and the young guy, the kid was fixing my oh so frequently flat tire while he was busy helping an even younger man start to make decisions in his life. I think a lot of a young man named Robert who taught me a lot about bikes, a lot about tools, and helped me make many wise decisions about a bike I was building, and shared my youthful passion. He helped me build a 20 lb bike in 1976, on my high school salary. And he taught me enough, so I don't feel stupid 30 years later. He was one of my first mentors outside of my family. And he did a good job. If he reads this -- I think he should turn his cub scout pin upside right.

I don't want to ignore the Elder Brother -- who also did a lot to help and inspire me. Although my sweet little bike was stolen several years later -- his gitane was not. I may get to ride that for my Ride for the Cure. If that's true I really need to get in shape, because it just has ten gears, and none of the ones in the back are very big.

There's hopefully more going on in the local bike shop than just fixing flats. I say, spend your money wisely, and support the community that supports you.

And did I mention Sascha yesterday at 257 for the week.

Date: 15 March 2006
Mileage: 11.8
Mileage for March: 117.1
Weather: Sunny and warm.
Average: 11.7

Commuter

Date: 14 March 2006
Mileage: 8.5
Mileage for March: 105.3
Weather: Sunny and 66° F.
Average: 12.9

Ok -- So I squeezed in a little ride just before total darkness. I have a ways to go if I am going to keep up with all these girls. Gilby 135.5 miles since Friday. Jill 138.2 for March and Annie 251.88 in the last four days. Holy guacamole. But then again -- who's counting.

I better get to work if I am going to be in racing riding shape by May 21. I need to build a faster bike, get better shoes, file my taxes, and set my butt into the saddle a lot more often. Rumour has it that those are real hills out there in coastal California (unlike these wimpy mountains out here in AZ) and that I might actually need to use the lower gears. Here's the route map and ride profile. Any one else notice how steep that looks? It's going to take quite a bit of gatorade to get up that, twice.

Extra nice bike guy fixed up my broken cassette by replacing the cassettte hub with a 9 speed one and spacing my seven cogs to fit in. He suggested I might need a pair of bike shorts for a 75 mile ride -- and that the shorts might make quite a difference. I was thinking that a flip flop hub with coasters and no derailers might make a big difference too (this is where my buddy Foster suggests I will probably want all those gears). Strip off the rack and the lights and change the tires to road tires -- change the steel bars to aluminum down bars and go. I should really do all this to a different frame -- since this one isn't really suitable.

I suppose I could just give about a grand to the organization and stay home. That wouldn't be as much fun, though.


I am a commuter, what kind of biker are you?

Flats

Date: 13 March 2006
Mileage: 0
Mileage for March: 96.8
Number of Flats: 1
Flats for March: 6

I had to go to the bike shop to get a new tube. I asked what to do about all these flats. "There's 49 other states," was the advice from the shop. Hmmm. I got some heavier rubber.

And She Said, "What's an Anorak?"

It's still cold. After the ride to get coffee today -- I went to the Big Five (it's like a Tri-State only not as good) and said -- I'd like this Anorak in a large. Ugly JanSport fleece thing just warm enough to get me home, olive drab mixed with lime green, so for sale I thought I was at the Goodwill. "What's an Anorak?," 20 year old cash taker girl asks.


Anorak.

I'll take this sweatshirt instead. Where am I? At the grocery store today they had a rack with the hats and mittens and umbrellas. One day of rain in 144 -- and they roll out the umbrellas. Wow, that should sell about like movie rentals at the grocery store.

I never thought of that, I could Pirate a ride. The former lover of my ex inadvertantly received an email announcing my ride for the cure -- on May 21 in Palo Alto CA, and actually complained, claiming that there probably would be a fundraising requirement for the ride and that I was just trying to meet that. Whatever. "I gave at the office," is very similar to what was said. I'll donate some money to my own ride. I just want to ride the 78 miles of serious California hillclimbing.

I could have just pirated the ride. I am so inspired by the idea. That means I can do what I want and I don't have to follow all the rules. Dang -- that's like being a hacker self-trained computer scientist.

I read this post by Harlot and man -- I learned two things. One can pirate a ride and two, I heard this quote:

The next day was even better when Aaron's picture appeared in the Seattle PI as the one representation of the CH (Chilly Hilly -- my comment) ride. So not only was a Pirate representing the ride, but he's riding a tall bike and not wearing a helmet. Those Kaskaders had their lycra in a wad over that one. Go Aaron...let's all just ride bikes.

Oh my, "(They) had thier lycra in a wad over that one." I wish I could have said that first. I would have liked that. I could have so said that with JOY!.

Like the pink bike girl, I like the steel frames. I want a double butted steel road frame in about a 53 cm (By the way -- I am with those bike advisors that say if you want power you'll need to extend your legs all the way, it's part of a big power triangle. You need to get your legs out.). I love the old steel road bike. I got to find one of those.

I was wearing a pink shirt the other day and my coworkers were interrogating me about it. Maybe I need a pink bike. I like pink. Especially, my oh so pink toes.

A Two Flat Tire Day

Superstition Mountains, Digital Photograph. © Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved.

I hate those fixing two flat tires in a day days. I figured out why all these people are all out taking pictures of the snow. There hasn't been this much snow anywhere near Phoenix since anyone the Barista at the cafe of the beautiful people can remember. All this riding and I am still under a hundred miles for March. Hmmm ... Right now I need a seriously huge Italian food dinner.

Date: 12 March 2006
Mileage: 22.9
Mileage for March: 96.8
Weather: Sunny and 48° F.
Average: 10.9

So, my feet hurt today, and itch weirdly, and burn occasionally. They feel a bit less coordinated than yesterday, and less willing to flex. Not good, but I still have everything. I still have a flat to fix too. I went out early to look at the snow and get the coffee. A lot of other people had the same idea -- in fact, I think someone was selling coffee over at the intersection of Lost Dutchman and Meridian.

Images and content © Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved.

Brrrrr. Rainy Rain. The Rain Dance Worked.

The gravel drive.



Date: 11 March 2006
Today's Mileage: 10.2
Weather: 37° F. Rain
Mileage for March: 73.9
Average: 11.1



Welcome to Arizona. When there is weather here, it can be interesting. There's snow on the hills out the front window glass. It's cold and it's raining. I think my toes are suffering from a bit of exposure. They were cold and very numb when I got in; now they are engorged and extremely warm. Is it possible to get frostbitten at temps above freezing? I think I need a waterproof riding boot. The snow level is now about 2000 feet and the weather wizards expect 3-6 inches tonight at that level. Mesa is at 1200-1300 ft. It's imaginable that we may see snow on the floor of the Valley of the Sun before dawn. I saw snow falling here today.



There was water in a lot of the washes running across the roads and the gravel edges were pretty boggy. From my place the first mile is a swamp of washes and all gravel, so that was a bit of a challenge, with me at times in the sand up to my axle spokes, and dodging cholla. One wash (the distant one in the picture) sent me off into the desert to find a crossing. This ride was enough of a workout so that I didn't notice I had a flat on the way back.



It was fairly warm in the rain gear and although I haven't been able to find a rain cover for my helmet, it was reasonably ok. I was supposed to try thirty miles or so tomorrow, but I won't be doing that in this weather. It is fascinating to see the desert take a well needed drink. One can literally see the plants changing color as they restore themselves. It's amazing.

All images and content © Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved. I am quite serious.

Lousy Seat

Today's ride was a bit brutal. The trekkie seat on the borrowed MB sucks for me. Ouch!

Date: 10 March 2006
Miles: 9.5 miles
Total for March: 63.7 miles
Temperature on Departure: 46

As if That Wasn't Enough

Now the bike. I just ordered a pizza for dinner. No truck, no bike with lights. I am stuck here till daylight. A more than remarkable event has left me with a job tomorrow. For most of you
I am sure that is quite unremarkable, but for me on this day, it was pretty spectacular.

This afternoon I went for a ride -- on *my* bike -- which blew chunks. serious chunks. It doesn't go forward when you pedal. It stopped at Chris's house. SO I rode his Trek mountain bike for our ride and also then tomorrow to work. I was out of daylight though at the end of the ride. No lights. I conquered the big hill -- the hill of the bike stopping cramping, kong -- with just a few gears, too -- since the MB has no low gears due to a derailer mis-adjustment.

Today one of my coworkers (you probably don't know him) called me a scumbag. He said your boss "asked me for a recommendation, and I said you were a scumbag, but you'd get along with the rest of the scumbags." I guess that's better than being a dirtbag. I am not sure I would have gotten the job without it.

This afternoon's mileage: ~15
Today's Toatal: 22
Mileage for March: 54.2

The Trek MB had shocky shocks and a leather saddle with anatomical cutouts. I got scared and tried to figure out how to get the Brooks saddle on there -- but it wouldn't go easily. That Trek holy saddle was fair -- but still left my well trained a** in a state ... of pain. It was ok but the spot that the cutout was designed to avoid got beat anyway, and my hands got really numb. After a recent conversation with Gilby, I think I will always think of her when I see a saddle, especially if it's "rock hard and unforgiving" -- I mean easy to push against.

Carless, bikeless, but not jobless, which is a good thing.

Still Fixing the Car

Date: 09 March 2006
From the New Mechanics to Work: 7.2 miles
Total for March: 39.2 miles
Average Speed: 14.4 miles per hour

The Broken Car

Date: 08 March 2006
From the Mechanics to Work: 13 miles
Total for March: 32
Average Speed: 14.7
Temperature on Arrival: 60* F.

There was a quichey like eggy thing with potatoes waiting for me when I arrived at work this morning -- thanks to one of my co-workers. Pepsi and quiche, breakfast of champions. That beats goo all to h*ll.

A Remarkable Turn of Events

Due to today's unlikely turn of events, I'll be free to join this man in his quest to ride the tour de cure. I'll be riding on behalf of my friend Paul Meyers, an avid cyclist, who died, untimely and in his early twenties, of juvenile diabetes. The ride is a 120k hilly ride and is the best perhaps that my homeland has to offer, both in terms of scenic beauty, and in terms of cycling challenge. There are two other lengths, but I will be riding the longer, just because I'm so into the painful bliss.

A contribution of a classic 70's era road bike to ride would be so cool. I have decided to fix one up, if I can find one. I would just love to have a lime green gitane super corso to ride ...

The man above will be riding for team Palm™, as well as his daughter, I hear, all allegedly competing with team Google™, which is my real motivation. He invited me -- but I know secretly he knew I would come if I could compete with Google™ -- but we will have fun. I want to beat them just to show that they really should have hired me. If you look it's clear now that the Palm team is up in the fundraising. Ha! Here's my page, where you can donate if you'd like. I think you can join the team, too. and ride your 25k 120k on the trainer if you want.



Let's get it on for the cure.

Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

The West Side

Santa Monica Ocean Avenue. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

It's Saturday again, go figure. It's nice to be somewhere moist. I am back in the hotel after the morning coffee and crumpets. So I'm sitting in this room contemplating a shower and finding lunch. The motel is nice enough. It's one of those formerly sleazy sort of places that become almost retro cool after becoming a quality comfort inn. There's a perfect iron shaped mark right in the middle of the floor, an arrow pointing out.

This morning I went out to the edge of the world and shot black and white film of some folks on the beach. It feels strange to be in a place where people actually go outdoors to exercise. Maybe a thousand people jogged by me in organized groups of about 100. There were groups around the center there -- with loud speakers and it felt like a real city for a minute.

I need to look at a map, because unlike San Francisco, or Phoenix for that matter, this town actually has freeways that go different places. I walked over the Pacific Coast Highway -- the PCH -- to get down to the beach. I need to figure out where these roads go so that I can get lost more effectively.

P.S. I shot this photo two weeks ago.

Oh That

Date: March 2, 2006
Mileage: 14
Total for March: 33
Average: 12.3
Temperature on Arrival: 68 F.

A quick ride after work with the boys. They always push me harder. I think today is the first ride with no saddle sores. Yeah!

The Way Home

Date: March 1, 2006
Mileage: 9.5
Total for March: 19

Date: March 1, 2006
Mileage: 9.5
Total for March: 9.5
Average: 14.0
Temperature on Arrival: 67 F.

It Smells like Rain - Does That Count?

But it's not raining. It's just not raining. 132 days and no rain. I shot some film over the break for the holidays. This is the Little Colorado canyon as seen from Hiway 89. Above is the beach in San Mateo County, California, at Pelican Point I believe.

The Death Ride and the Kiss of Death Ride

I am not sure I could ever be ready for this Death Ride. or it's junior companion The Kiss of Death Ride

Is There Life Before Coffee?

Ok, so I made it to work, but to do this I had to ride four seven miles without coffee, and then retrain my friends at the Cafe of the Beautiful People to put the drink into this fancy multi-colored politically correct thermos, which earned me a 10¢ discount. Jeepers, I remember when the entire cup of coffee was 10¢. So here I am at work with the coffee, trying to drink it so I can end this life before coffee feeling.

Date: February 27, 2006
Mileage: 19
Average: 12.2
Total Mileage in February: 211.7
Temperature on Arrival: 57/70 F.

I also made it home.

Tall Saguaro Near Pass Mountain

Tall Saguaro Near Pass Mountain. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Today I hiked around the backside of Pass Mountain, ~3 miles. After yesterday's haul I was really hungry and am still eating -- right now it's a Haagen Daas™ bar. I think I need to get some goldfish and pepsi.

I got a new deck bag and rack today -- so maybe starting tomorrow I will take on the Brown Cloud -- i. e. commute to work. Put all the new gear on the bike and rode it around the Gravel Velodrome (my driveway) a few times. Is starting to remind me of a sailboat.

It's a Dry Heat

Hell, it's a Dry Heat. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. Digital Photograph. All rights reserved.

The Pearly Gates

"It's all in the journey," the mystery biker states as he rides away from our conversation climbing up the "backside" of Usery Pass. I had remarked that at 7 miles an hour, it was going to some time to get up that 4 mile incline. He had a cool seat mounted holder for two water bottles. I'll need one of those in a month or so. Notice the temperature of today's ride is over 80 degrees. Today's ride was quite thought provoking. I guess there's some advantage to spending 3 hours in the saddle. Gilby will be happy to note that my love affair with my Brooks™ saddle has started. Maybe I won't be so lonely from now on.

Date: February 25, 2006
Today's Mileage: 34.12
Temperature at Departure: 83 F.
Average Speed: 11.7
Total for February: 192.8

One thing that it wasn't today is lonely out on the road. I had conversations with several people today, including one interesting group of hikers over at the drinking fountain at the base of the Wind Cave trail. I don't know if this is just because I spent more time out, or as a result of the rather outstanding weather. The hikers were talking about a 50 mile ride tomorrow. So I asked them what the thing I just climbed was called -- "The backside of Usery Pass" was the definitive answer. It seems this is one of the more notorious climbs in the area. Another -- namely "King Kong," or just "Kong," was responsible for last weeks cramping incident. During this conversation -- I learned of a third, The Pearly Gates. "That will break your hump," says the elder hiker.

The Pearly Gates was a nice ride. I don't know how far it was, but it actually required me to use all my gears. The ride requires that you one, trespass, and two, avoid the copious amounts of coyote crap on the road, and three, work. I can just hear her saying it now, "Coyotes do not prefer to crap in the road. I know you say you've seen them, but it just isn't true." Coyotes and foxes, both share this desire (perhaps wolves too). They would really rather do thier business in the middle of the road. I have seen them more than once, me slamming on the brakes to avoid killing them, trying to take their picture, them, hobbling off so as not to soil themselves, and me again -- failing to get the picture. I want to show it to my friends, and say "See, if you spent any time outta the house you would know this. I secretly suspect they like to do this because it is warmer in the road (you know how you like it warmer in the john than anywhere else). The other possibility is that they know that this is one part of the world that is pretty much screwed, so no one (none of the other critters - except maybe the crows who eat off the road) will mind if they take a squat there.

Anyway, the road to the Pearly Gates is closed (go figure, eh?), which means all those instances of Coyote squat, aren't getting run over, so there are many there to prove my theory, which finally may become a law. It is interesting to note that coyotes seem to urinate and deficate in the same place, leaving two kinds of evidence to both prove my theory, and prove that they are not dogs. The ride, as a result of the road being closed (not the coyotesquatsi) was very nice. With the exception of the automatic machine gun fire from the neighboring shooting range, the ride was oh so quiet and worry free.

Out on the road I was reflecting on this article I read last night, and thinking yet again that I have too much stuff (she -- the woman from above -- said that too), and wondering if I could change my life just by cutting down on the stuff I have (not that I want to suffer a fire), when I remembered the end of that article, which reminds me of what inevitably happens as we force ourselves to dig deeper:

I've learned to recognize a particular moment on a backcountry trip. It's the moment when I can't remember what I'm doing there. It usually comes after some grueling slog, after the pack mysteriously gains weight against all rules of fairness and physics. Everything rubs against me-the shoulder harness, the salt of my sweat, the relentless weather, the earth against my feet.

It's like pushing through a membrane, that instant when misery transforms into surrender. Nothing becomes lighter, faster, easier. Now I can keep on, just for the power, the quiet ecstasy, of keeping on, discarding burdens as I go, growing lighter and lighter with every step, because this-this freedom, this moment, this willingness to trust myself in an untrustworthy world-this is the one thing I cannot do without.

Meanwhile, Pearl the Cat is out the window trying to catch a cottontail. It's hysterical. It's all in the journey, kitty. Look for that quiet ecstasy. Discard your burdens.

The Hotel California

Date: 23 February 2006
Temperature on Arrival: 67 F.
Mileage: 4.2
Mileage for February: 158.6
Average: 11.8

Looky, it's the Hotel California. It looks kinda like this guy is leaving, doesn't it? We know better-- he's just checking out. You can never leave.

The Brown Cloud

Bicycling in the Brown Cloud. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Today there's yet another hazardous day in the Phoenix metro, with unhealthy levels of PM-10, which you will all recognize as particulate matter with a size of 10 microns or smaller. I like to think of that as smog, but it could really just be dust. Frankly, it's ugly. They recommend alternate transportation to work, but not bicycling. Exercise outdoors is possibly not a good idea. Sensitive groups should reduce heavy breathing.

Evening Commute

Date: 22 February 2006
Temperature on Arrival: 67 F.
Mileage: 7.6
Mileage for February: 154.3
Average: 15.6

Cool Guy

Collared Lizard Male, Usery Mountain Recreation Area. Digital Photograph. © Shawn Kielty 2005. All rights reserved.

The Morning Commute

Date: 22 February 2006
Temperature on Arrival: 45 F.
Mileage: 8.1
Mileage for February: 146.7
Average: 11.9

So Here I am ...

In Pasadena. Rain. Wow -- I remember. I am having an unusual trip. Seeing old friends in a place I have rarely enjoyed. Strangely, it feels remarkably like home; it is, after all, coastal Califonia. I am surprised to find these places in Los Angeles to be so friendly, so homey, to have so much history and charm. All this time people have been telling me that Phoenix is turning into LA. Well, Phoenix has a ways to go before it can turn into LA.

Go Jill

Kick some butt!

Off to a Veritable Paradise

Gosh, I'll be in LA -- that mecca of Smog and the wisdom of film. I'll be picking up one of these and some of those ... I think there's a dinner and a darkroom -- and friends of all ages. I never knew so many in LA.

I'm Not Talking ....

Date: February 14
Today's Mileage: 10.0
Average: 11.9
Mileage for February: 138.6

Mondays ... I Like

Date: February 13
Today's Mileage: 10.70
Average: 11.7
Total for February: 128.5
Temperature on Arrival: 70 F.

Today's ride went up the hill to the entry of the Usury Mountain Park. I actually passed another rider. Now I am going after some carbs at the Thai place.

Pearl the Cat

The static electric cat. I am watching Jill (the "are people crazy in Alaska" Jill) because I want to cheer her on. She showed a picture of her cat -- so I thought I might show off Pearly.

Arizona Fire Season Starts Early

This is a haboob (pronounced haboo -- no giggling). It's a phenomena that occurs in the Sahara Desert and in the Southwest of the US. It is a duststorm proceeding a squall line in a thunderstorm as a result of the downdraft. It can be blinding and scary. I shot this photo on August 7th 2005. It rained hard on me that day -- I had to run with camera for about a mile to sanctuary in the truck, out of fear of a lightning strike. It's been hard to remember it raining here and I miss it.

I think the fire season has actually officially started here in Arizona. Over the last few days it has been fairly windy, with strong winds at night and in the morning coming from the norht and east. These winds have made riding a tad miserable. Today when I was sitting here playfully at my desk gazing out at the view to the east of the Superstition Wilderness, when I saw a plume of smoke. Panic was my immediate reaction.

You might wonder why would that guy panic, it's the middle of the winter. When you spend a lot of your life in the west -- and a lot of your time out doors -- an innate sense develops that tells you when it is dangerous, a mistake, to light a fire. The forest and the desert smell different (more like firewood, and less like a salad). They look different. The sonoran desert can be extremely lush and green. Right now the plants have sucked in all their moisture and sealed themselves against a serious dry spell. The desert is grey and dull and flat. It is so dry that when I pet Pearl the cat, it is a continuous electrostatic discharge. This doesn't phase her at all, in fact I think she likes it. I have never experienced this, and have discovered that other cats do this as well, so it can't be attributed to my formerly feral cat.

News reports have talked about the fact that it hasn't rained in forever, longer in fact, than in the entire recorded history. Normally things are more like this Wikipedia entry for Phoenix:

The normal annual rainfall at Sky Harbor International Airport is 8.29 inches (211 mm). March is the wettest month of the year (1.07 inches or 27 mm). Rain is particularly scarce from April through June. Although thunderstorms occur on occasion during every month of the year, they are most common during the monsoon season from July to mid-September as humid air surges in from the Gulf of California. These can bring strong winds, large hail, or tornadoes. Winter storms moving inland from the Pacific Ocean occasionally produce significant rains but occur infrequently. Fog is observed from time to time during the winter months.

Now 8.29 inches isn't really very much rain at all, especially considering that one day last year it rained between 3 and 5 inches in just a few hours here in Mesa. That means it really doesn't rain very often. According to this statement from the National Weather Service:

THE LAST TIME ANY RAINFALL WAS RECORDED AT PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIRPORT WAS OCTOBER 18 OF 2005. THROUGH SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12TH...THAT IS 117 CONSECUTIVE DAYS WITHOUT MEASURABLE RAIN...0.01 INCHES OR MORE...OR EVEN A TRACE. THE PREVIOUS RECORD FOR SKY HARBOR WAS 101 CONSECUTIVE DAYS WHICH OCCURRED SEPTEMBER 23 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 1 2000.

I believe that we might have had a few drops fall the other night here in Mesa, with my only clue being the interesting pattern of circular shapes in the dirt on my windshield, proving clearly that not very much of it got wet. The absence of rain for so long clearly explains why children ask their Mothers questions like "Why is there water falling from the sky?," or run around trying to catch a raindrop on their tongue.

According to this in the Arizona Daily Star, a fire has gotten started near Payson, as of few days ago. The northern sky tonight had that wonderful red glow that frequently accompanies a fire up on the Rim. If the wind stops then Phoenix's infamous "Brown Cloud" will return. The contributions that a fire burning might make to the brown cloud could be severe. The easterly wind is currently blowing the cloud toward Los Angeles. If I were there -- I might consider blaming Phoenix for the pollution.

The fire out to the east went away as fast as it started. I am sure it was someone using the day (no burn ban, because of the wind) to burn off some trash. SO there was no reason to panic after all.

It's Sunday Again

Date: February 12
Today's Mileage: 14.60
Average: 10.6
Total for February: 117.7
Temperature on Arrival: 78 F.

The New Lights

The New Lights, Digital Photograph. © Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved.

Oh the wind

It's been windy here, and although this is a joy when it's behind you, there's is always the revenge of the wind. Riding in this morning, I had a max speed of 30 and an average of 16+. Look what happened on the way back.

Date: Feb. 11
Mileage: 16.4
February mileage:102.9
Today's average: 11.3
Temperature on arrival: 62

The MD has instructed me to massage my prostrate, leaving me thinking, how am I supposed to do that?? The new saddle is good -- my sit bones are sore in a much more appropriate place and the gentler massage on my prostrate (as opposed to the previous hammering) could probably meet with the docs approval. The adaptive process has started.

Moonlight Ride

Ohhh-la-la. My new Brooks™ saddle came in the post (how British can I make this sound?). It's very firm and I am sure it's really going to hurt to break in. A masochist, I must be. I took it for a spin around the gravel circle (my driveway), and it already feels better than the stock Bianchi™ saddle.

I bought some additional lights. So now I have a redundant system. I rode over to the friendly guy's bike place for them and rode home in the moonlight.

The light I got was a Cat Eye rechargeble halogen. It seems very bright. Hopefully I can see better than tonight when I was coming up my driveway with the Cat Eye LED headlamp and my streamlight LED headlamp strapped to my helmet (I haven't decided if this is a good idea yet -- but it works ok). I added an additional tailight so I can have one flashing and one solid.

Date: Feb.10
Mileage: 20.5
February mileage:86.5
Today's average: 12.2
Temperature on arrival: 62

I only had one small indication I was going to cramp up the way I did yesterday -- and it passed after a few minutes. Today's average speed was higher than yesterday's. I find this surprising, because the return trip in the dark was for the most part less than 10 miles an hour.

Something Wrong Here.

This is ... well, what it is. Found at the Bike Refugee.

UPDATE

I just read a bunch of the comments on the link referenced above. That article has been viewed 365954 times in the last 2 weeks, so there are a lot. The story goes something like this, according to the photographer. Driver throws some trash out the window of his vehicle. Courier picks it up and throws it back in the open window. Driver throws a cup of coffee onto courier. Courier assaults vehicle with key or something else. Driver gets out and grabs courier. From here the pictures are somewhat explanatory. After that the photographer follows driver back to car to photograph the license plate. Driver pulls a base ball bat out of vehicle and chases photographer -- who -- wisely -- flees.

So where's the line? The line gets crossed when you actually intend to physically harm another person. In a civilized society that's a crime. Her throwing his trash into his car might be defined as a political statement -- in the crafty mind this could be protected by the first amendment, perhaps not. Damaging his property (keying his car) may be both insulting and vandalism (also a crime). But it doesn't compare to trying to hurt some one.

Attempting to cause physical damage to another person is bad. Pouring coffee on someone -- maybe. It is absolutely assualt, if it is scalding hot. Throwing someone to the ground against a car -- is definitely assault. It's clearly a life threatening attack. In Arizona ... you could easily (and quickly) die for much less. Were a man like that to attack me, I would want to disable him very quickly, in a way that he would remember. Stepping on his running gear comes to mind.

Where I grew up -- Men didn't beat up on women. It is just wrong. It's bad -- I hope that guy never gets on a bike. There's a lot of instant karma that might show up there.

Road Rage Kindness

This morning when I went over to the cafe of the beautiful people, I was pulling in to park in the way I do every morning -- occupying the opposing lane with my truck and targeting a spot directly across from the front door. Gloria (we're total strangers at this point) -- coming directly at me -- is coveting the very same spot. We simultaneously turn on our blinkers, and then both decide to relinquish our claim on said spot in favor of a spot behind Gloria. And both immediate drive toward it. So busy were we being nice to each other, Gloria (we never actually met -- I picked up her name out of her conversation with the barista) and I, that we almost collided. An imaginable world where I was trying to be nice to someone and ran into their car appears before me. We laughed a bit about "Road Kindness" and the kind of trouble that can get us into. Too bad we all always aren't so busy being nice to each other.

Date: Feb. 9
Mileage: 11.0
February mileage: 65.8
Temperature on departure: ~68

For some reason today (so that I would bring the bike in to work) my riding/hiking buddy decided, at about 6 in the morning, to call and change today's hike plan to a ride plan. I am better that it was a ride.

Today's ride wasn't exactly uneventful. I rode up past Red Mountain and into the Salt River canyon for a round trip total of 11 miles. I think this is the spot where the water mongers hijack the entire Salt River and put it into a canal. On the way up to Red Mountain I seriously cramped up, but I tried to just ignore it and push on. The cruise down into the Salt River went okay, but the trip back up out of there was tougher. On the way up the cramps in my calves were so bad I had to stop and walk for fear of just falling over.What the heck causes this to happen? I didn't think Tums™ were a required part of my diet. Maybe I could combine Tums™ and dried papaya to make an interesting gorp for riding. This is the first time I have been stopped from riding by this. On a more positive note the average speed for the ride was 11 miles an hour, up slightly from the other day.

Despite a somewhat painless day, I did order a Brooks™ saddle, which I hope will arrive soon. The promised pain from breaking it in will make me feel like I am riding a bike again, which seems good. There should be some measure of paradise immediately following.

Grumble - More from the Archive

Mohave Desert. Digital Photograph. © 2005 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Mileage today: 0. I've been asked to go for a three mile uphill there and back hike tomorrow. I am a little nervous; I haven't been up a hill since the hike of the serious downhill pounding aka the hike of the injury. I was just starting to feel comfortable that hauling my (sore) tail around on a bike wasn't going to damage my knee. I'd prefer it if it was downhill first ... but there ain't much of that around here.

Pick from the Archives

Mono Lake Rainstorm Clearing. Digital Photograph, © 2004, 2005 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Lights.

Date: Feb. 7
Mileage: 4.0
February mileage: 55.2
Temperature on departure: 65

All my lights work! It's just now dark so I really didn't need them to see. I think I'll be buying that Brook's Saddle.

A Century to Ride

Ok -- so i have decided to try to find a century to ride in. I was looking at one from St. George to Zion -- which would be cool. Except that they have an eight hour cap on the ride, "All riders must be off the road by 4:30." I am not sure I can complete 100 miles in 8 hours. I know, that makes me a bit wimpy. But, at my current pace of ten miles an hour, I either need to better make a road bike or get busy riding faster.

TNF

Date: Feb. 6
Mileage: 2.3
February mileage: 51.2
Temperature on departure: 68

Total, not far, Tonto National Forest, or tushy ... Today's ride went ok -- I had to struggle a bit to bring myself to Saddle up. A short ride helps to get my sitter in better shape.

Push Myself

Date: Feb. 5
Mileage: 25.6
February mileage: 47.9
Temperature on departure: 62

So today's ride was supposed to include pictures of an overcast day here (maybe tomorrow I can figure that out). I thought I could do something like this woman with the pictures. I could be like her if I was tough enough to ride 60 some odd miles through the snow. That's almost unbelievable after my little ride today. I am impressed.

Today was our first real overcast since I can remember in a while. It hasn't rained here in over a 100 days. It took me a while to make today's ride, with an average speed of about 10 mph. I tried to push myself early in the ride when I was running up the hill into Tonto National Forest. But toward the end I was mostly just trying to cruise back.

I stopped for a sandwich and made a stop at the cafe of the beautiful people. The regular aged road bike crowd at the cafe looked at me so overly thoughtfully when I said "Hi", perhaps because of my ugly old bike and ever so bleu jean grundgy appearance. Not exactly road racer chic. I just think they were suprised to see me on a bike. I didn't much mind; I had just ridden 18 awesome miles. My friend was there and his gf bought me a coffee. We laughed at my old ugly bike -- and enjoyed the coffee.

Everything worked really well, except my seat, which needs a bit more of a break in period, or I need one of those donut shaped butt pillows to sit on. Rumours that a hard day in the saddle might make me impotent are probably a bit far fetched, but nevertherless a possible good excuse for some. I'll be ok in a couple of days, I reckon; I shouldn't need to sit down 'til then anyway. I'll be dreamily admiring those Brooks^TM saddles over at the friendly guy's bike place, and hope that the ongoing pain of breaking one in won't damage my virility.

Saddle recommendations are more than welcome.

Riding and Ranting: Windy Day

Wow -- nice shot Brian Parker. Riding and Ranting: Windy Day

Ice Storm

No silly, not here. In this cool stuff here, I don't see anyone on a bike either.

Google Saturday Morning Coffee

I took a ride to practice getting the morning coffee.

Date: Feb. 4
Mileage: 19
February mileage: 22.2
Temperature on departure: 60

That's right -- I am contemplating riding 8.5 miles in to get the morning cup at the cafe of the beautiful people. I need a rack I suppose so I can carry the newspaper home, and cart my camera around.

Where I went to school, at the College of Arts and Letters, we put two spaces after a period, unlike Google's blogger, which for some reason thinks that it's wiser to strip them down to one. They are very smart over there, so they must know better than I. Another possibilty is that they think they are doing me a favor. I'm very happy that they haven't decided to edit any of the other characters in my text.

Does a <pre> tag help.  Look, it does.  And in a most
attractive way, too.

Short ride tonight

I am going to use the same format to report my riding as I have seen some other winter riders use. This young woman is actually riding in winter; most people refer to what I have here in the winter as summer.

Date: Feb. 3
Mileage: 2.3
February mileage: 3.3
Temperature on departure: 73

I squeezed in a short ride tonight, just before dark, out in the saguaros. If a groundhog came up here - he would say, whoa -- I think I overslept, summer has already started. It may seem a bit crazy to talk about the temperature on a ride when it is a splendid 73, but it will start wearing like a badge of honor when the milege is 20 and the temperature is 120. Like I could do that ...

Ready to Roll

The bike is up. I am ready. It's 27 lbs...too heavy. I think it deserves a Brooks saddle...

Bike Friendly Beautiful Mesa ... Mesa, AZ

Mesa Arizona is a bike friendly place. In addition to being a friendly place -- it is inherently bike positive. City planning is done with input from bikers. Every new project is done with consideration for bikers. Most major streets have bike lanes and there in no onstreet parking. You are probably thinking, "This guy hasn't been on a bike in thirty years, what does he know about planning." I just read the plan. In addition to the bike lanes there are miles of canals with bike trails or paths.

In making my plan to commute to work I found that there are 9.0 miles of bike lanes in my trip, with the only stretch without being the one from my driveway to the pavement. Some areas the bike path is very narrow, but it's still there. In the morning ther are commuters in cars traveling at high speed, in a rush trying to get to work. and they aren't very polite to other motorists. There are a lot of roadside memorials, too. I'll need to be careful because I am thinking they won't be expecting a bicycle.

One particular dick rider that I see on a regular basis on this route frequently deliberately leaves his butt out in the way of cars trying to get around him, and responds to complaints in a very negative way. This kind of militant behavior does nothing to further the cause of safe cycling, or make it easier for those of us that are actually trying to stay out of the way of from under the cars. It alienates even the most patient of drivers, and encourages road rage. Please try to share the road.

Frankly, this is Arizona, the state with the stupid driver law; it might be smarter to try to stay out of the way. "Bicyclist Wilbert Ulmer, 85, of Mesa died Tuesday (Jan. 10, 2006) when a pickup truck struck him as he crossed the street in the 9200 block of East Southern Avenue in Mesa. He was not in a crosswalk." East Valley Tribune Article. That's an 85 year old cyclist. Shame really, there aren't too many of those.

If you don't think this is serious -- try this google search and see just how many news stories there are about cyclists being run down by cars or killed. I89 since Boxing Day. That's a lot.

Bikes belong on the road here in Mesa, so you don't have to be a Dick. We should be trying to enjoy it, because there are a lot more hostile places than this.

I Blog ...

I went over to the Acidman site and looked over Another Internet Quiz -- so I took the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.



I am an old beat up 4WD truck.

I'm a classic - powerful, athletic, and competitive. I am all about surviving and getting the job done in a memorable way. While I have a practical everyday side, I get wild when anyone pushes my pedals, or yanks my chain. I hate to lose traction (or just track). I have a warm wench warn winch, and a tow strap, some power attachments, and I like to get it on in wet places. I can be started with a crank in the morning if need be, although I'd prefer it if you tried to give me coffee first.

If you are jealous, take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz for yourself and see if you can get the answer I got.

Good luck there.

I unabashedly stole the image of the Dodge Power Wagon from here.

The Rubber Hits the Road -- Literally

After an incredibly long hiatus (I think I last rode a bike for sport in 1976 -- that's thirty years for those of us that are counting), I got on my bike, and rode 6 miles today. That's not bad for a first time out. During that six miles one tire came apart and the shift lever on the bike broke, and the rubber handle on one side of the bars literally fell apart in my hands. You just can't leave these bikes just sitting around for years. I broke a sweat and barely got out of breath. I was thinking I might be able to do that for a while. It was a bit chilly and the cold against my legs encouraged me to work harder -- and I figure -- made me very hungry. I wonder how you could eat enough to stay warm and bike when it is 0 degrees.

I took the bike to the shop to have it fixed. When it comes back -- I think I will just go out and ride 25. After that maybe I will try to ride here from Flagstaff after a snowstorm (I am not really serious folks). That is if it ever snows.

After that I picked up some take out Basil Beef from the Thai Corner in Mesa and devoured it in minutes, so maybe I did manage to burn a few calories. I hear that ordering the food "Thai hot" helps maintain one's intestinal health. It was good -- and the rice helps too after a bit of effort. The satisfaction index for this meal was very high. Shortly after that I also ate a dagwood, which is a bit like dessert only bigger.

You know what they say about riding a bike? It's all true.

Protection for the Roadless Areas.

Picture stolen from here.

Ketchikan, Alaska - Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole recently signed the Emerald Bay Record of Decision, approving the harvest of approximately 16 million board feet of timber from 600 acres on the Cleveland Peninsula to provide nearly 90 jobs in Southeast Alaska. The proposed project area is located approximately 40 air miles north of Ketchikan within the Ketchikan-Misty Fiords Ranger District.

The Emerald Bay project includes the construction of approximately 6 miles of new low-impact road within the Cleveland Inventoried Roadless Area.

This, I don't much care for. I am astonished that it is possible for a single person in an un-elected position to have the power to make this sort of decision. How is it possible that a Forest Service Supervisor can single handedly destroy a roadless area, by deciding that it is in the best interest of a balanced forest management plan. Because he never asked me I guess. Once they build the roads -- I guess they can take that area out of the inventoried roadless areas. That should make it a lot easier to run the bulldozers.

The inventoried roadless areas, for those that don't know, represent the areas determined to be wilderness -- meaning free of evidence of human improvements. These are areas that have been set aside during the Clinton presidency with the intent of conservation, and the policies of the Bush administration and the Forest Service intend to undermine that intent of protection (http://www.lcv.org/president-and-congress/issues/page.jsp?itemID=28176181) despite the desire of the American public to the contrary. This q&a page claims that there are over 50 projects pending in roadless areas in the Tongass NF alone.

This appears to be a better less misguided decision -- with the key point being -- no new roads will be required.

This is what looks to be hope for the Cleveland Roadless area.

Whoa ... not.

This crazy young woman is going to ride in the Susitna 100, a 100 mile bicycle race across Alaska in the winter. It's inspiring. I'll be taking a bike ride tomorow -- my first in about a 100 years. I think I'll start out in sunny Arizona.

To Philly, From Alaska, w/love

The desire to write these weekly chirpings is replaced by wanderlust this week.

To Philly, From Alaska, w/love

Images From Zion Canyon National Park

© 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Zion Canyon Light Fall

© 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Virgin River Tree Fall

© 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Are Those Beavers? Virgin River Tree Damage

© 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Two Bucks

© 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Deer Taking a ...

© 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Way Out There on Highway 50, NV

© 2005, 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Bobcat Ranch, NV. Don't Bother Asking

© 2005, 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Middlegate, NV

© 2005, 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

Cemetary in Austin Nevada, New Year's Eve

Cemetary in Austin, Nevada. Tombstone of Agnes Wholey. © 2005 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.