Oh La La -- Follow that Motorcycle.

Date: 1 April 2006
Mileage: 43.6
Mileage for April: 43.6
Weather: 70°F.
Average Speed: 14.9
Number of falls: 1
Number of near death experiences: 2

Despite an early start to try and join El Tour de Phoenix this AM -- they denied me. No registration on the day of the ride; the reason -- can't add you to the computer. I am left wondering the usefulness of the computer relative to the ride. And shirtless (meaning no yellow jersey to wear), but 65 dollars richer.

So I rode the route I might have normally ridden, which just happened to be roughly the same as the 26 mile ride. I did however leave quite a bit earlier than they, so I figured I wouldn't see them.

Turns out I was precisely at the intersection of the Bush Hwy and Usery Mountain Rd, when the 75 milers showed up, with three clear leaders in front of a motorcycle and a pack of about 75. Since I didn't feel like waiting for the thousands of riders to clear the trail, I challenged a few folks as I found my way up heartbreak hill (I am the first person to call it thus -- the backside of Usery Pass), that 4 mile slog, in a serious crowd. It was fun and I got a round of applause from the sag crew when getting up after I fell straight over while putting on one pedal. My picture was taken many times by professional looking photographers, so look for my Team Palm™ jersey on the cover of the Sun-Republic (you and I are the only ones who will know I was looking like a pirate). Apparently the Republic does have a story about this guy Steve Bauer (who has worn the yellow jersey). The Republic story fails to mention he is an Olympic medlist:

Retired since 1996, Bauer makes his way to El Tour for the first time at the invitation of tour president Richard DeBernardis. From what he has seen and heard so far, Bauer thinks the race will be "a good participation event."

Although he won't be racing for any records or even the win, Bauer could providea thrill for hundreds of El Tour riders, who will be able to say they rode with one of the world's best cyclists and a former teammate of Armstrong and Greg LeMond.

"To check it out," Bauer said of his motivation for riding in El Tour.

There are some pictures to post in a bit, just as soon as I find the decoder ring. I may even have that Bauer guy in the first frame. I can say I didn't get to ride with him.

Did I mention that I had a great ride -- maybe my personal best. And that now I will be taking a nap with Pearl the Cat.

These are Nice

I remember looking up a really scary scree covered hill in the grand canyon and seeing Wendy way up on it with her camera. Shooting at some barrel cactus, I walked way up there, but I was really scared.

Here

Shinumo Creek

Shinumo Creek. Digital Photograph, Canon Powershot. © Shawn Kielty 2005. All rights reserved. I mean it.

Unless you get a little closer. Many thanks to the river gods and a million years work. And Captain Ed.

"You don't have to live like a refugee ..." on the radio.

... Shinumo Creek

Shinumo Creek Falls in the Grand Canyon. 9/20/2005 Digital Photograph. © 2005 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.

There's not a lot more to say. Hard to find a better place to be.

... 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.