Whew!

Date: 29 April 2006 P.M.Miles: 55.96
Average Speed: 16.2
Max: 28.6
April Mileage: 407.21
Weather: 82°F. sun.

So I went over to the REI in Tempe to look at sunglasses. I had no idea it was 25 miles away. How wasteful I have been. So I get to the REI and it's been 26 miles and the average speed is 19.2! Screaming fast (for me) to start out. I cruise into the store maybe to get some power food and some gatorade and water. Things get seriously delayed when the printer for the credit card doesn't print the receipt. ... I realize that I am a bit depleted and may be starting to become incoherent, so I am trying to encourage the problem to go faster, because I am nearing babledom. It got somewhat hilarious as she realized my state was extremely needy. "Do you need some food?," as if she was absolutely ready to provide it. "Yeah, probably."

The balance of the ride went well, however the trip out across Tempe Town Lake was full of lousy roads and I was slowed and delayed on the return. Overall it was a good ride. I must eat breakfast every day.

Interested parties should notice that the Saguaro bloom is on, starting today.

Buckwheat for President!

Story in the NY Times. It says:

G.O.P. Senators Hurry to Quell Furor Over Gas

By CARL HULSE
Published: April 28, 2006
WASHINGTON, April 27 — Senate
Republicans tried on Thursday to get the upper hand in the escalating political battle over high gasoline prices by proposing a $100 rebate for taxpayers and by suggesting that they might increase taxes on oil-industry profits. Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, took questions from reporters after announcing a legislative plan to combat high gasoline prices.

The Republican proposal also called for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil production, a provision sure to draw opposition from many Democrats and even some Republicans.

"The American consumer is the one that needs the break today, and we need to be taking steps to make sure that they aren't emptying their wallet every time they fill their tank," said Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, as the leadership unveiled its legislative response to an issue quickly taking over the Congressional agenda.

The Republican plan includes a provision that could levy a significant tax on oil company profits, a provision that President Bush promised to veto when a version appeared in a Senate bill last year. The proposal came on a day when Exxon Mobil reported a 7 percent gain in its first-quarter earnings ...

I agree with Squirrel -- except it's the republican Senate. If the republicans think I am dumb enough to let a $100 make me start thinking it's OK to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, they must be possessed. I spend that on gas in no time -- and if they are dumb enough to think that that is going to stop my wallet from hemorrhaging due to the price of gas, they better go back and take math again.

I say we should all give that stupid money to Buckwheat, so that he can help improve the clinic in Skagway. Buckwheat is changing his own life, and working in a big way to help his community -- go dude. Maybe he also needs a new bike -- You know -- Aim High. I say Buckwheat for president. We've made worse decisions.

Leaf Storm

Date: 27 April 2006 P.M.
Miles: 23.19
Average Speed: 13.8
Max: 26
April Mileage: 351.25
Weather: 67°F. Partly Cloudy, 23 mph wind.

And dust everywhere, dust and pollen. Inch worms and other foul tasting bugs. All on the wind.

One Missing Shoe

Date: 27 April 2006
Miles: 10.00
Average Speed: 16.2!
Max: 25.7
April Mileage: 328.06
Weather: 67°F. Partly Cloudy.

Commuting must have some merits. I managed to haul a change of clothes, drink hot coffee on the bike, and not really get to work on time. I showered at work and changed, and forgot one critical shoe. So i am hiding my feet under my desk. The coffee girl is wondering if I ride because of the price of gas. No -- I am thinking -- I am just crazy.

This picture comes from the archives and was taken near Tucson in December 2004.

Prickly Pear in the Sun. Digital Photograph. © Shawn Kielty 2004, 2005, 2006. All rights reserved.

Windy-Wind.

Well -- so today's ride was a vigorous workout prompted by a strong headwind. I added a couple of miles on each end as I am trying to extend the base a bit. My route is full of construction and obstacles; ultimately I'd like the loop to include 2 hills and 20 miles, and a headwind in only one direction.

Date: 26 April 2006
Miles: 18.15
Average Speed: 14.2
Max: 25.4
April Mileage: 318.06
Weather: 87° F. and 18% humidity, 17 mph wind.

Went to get some food after, but forgot my wallet. These delays don't seem really critical. Went back for the wallet. Sat down to dinner and bonked. Since my riding time was just 1 hour 15 minutes, I was surprised.

Fly By

I detected more than a smattering of pride out in the parking lot as the Arizona Air National Guard did a fly by over at Spaceley Sprockets (AKA -- the widget factory) the other day.



Photographs © 2006 Joe Chott. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Mountain Bike One

San Jose Mercury News reports that the president had a bit of a mountain bike ride during his visit to California. I particularly like this bit:

A long convoy of SUVs and off-road vehicles rumbled behind the group,
carrying medics and security agents with machine guns.

What? No mechanics. Now thats a SAG crew -- security and guns.

Thanks to George for the link.

Date: 25 April 2006
Miles: 17.65
Average Speed: 14.7
Max: 28
April Mileage: 299.91
Weather: 82° F. and 16% humidity, 6 mph wind.

So with the 12-27 I can climb Las Sendas Mountain on the big ring. Which pretty much means I don't need the front derailer here in Mesa. Tap tap tap -- what to do. Go test it out on the pearly gates.

Over at the Skate Thing

So -- That woman invited me out Sunday after my ride -- to the Whole Foods in San Mateo CA, to check out some skate expo, live band, "Excuse me -- is he famous?" -- thing.



This young man caught some air!



She caught some air too, but I missed it.



I can't shoot a camera -- but she could ride a bike in a pipe. It was fun to watch.

Photos © Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved. I love you too.

The Practice Ride

The Palm Crew after the climb up King's Mountain Road; who said that was steep?

Date: 23 April 2006
Miles: 33.50
Average Speed: 11.8
Max: Over 33.8
April Mileage: 282.26
Weather: 50ish and overcast. John -- it's so undesertly.

This was a good climb and a good workout. Aside from a few spots where I had to stand, it was swell. More than a few riders broke off after the first ascent to cut the ride short, there were 8-10 of us riding down Woodside road. but Foster and I and oh who? were late behind the rest. We managed to catch the others in the group on the way down.

Despite stopping to take this:



It was cold on the downhill from King's Mountain road to the junction of 84 and Skyline -- and frankly -- I was underdressed. I was cold. We toured downhill and picked up some degrees.



Foster and I approaching the road closure on Cañada road.



The view of Skyline from Cañada road. We climbed that hill off in the distance.



Than we got to eat and chat with these people. And met Bike Dave. A bicycle ambassador. It was cool. He was with a group on a Multi-day ride for the Greenbelt Alliance.

It's Really About the Food

I love that I can eat. Unchecked eating; because I need the carbs, the fuel. I had breakfast with my folks this morning -- some eggy omelet with vienna sausage which could remind me of scrapple. With potatoes. Then I put off lunch -- repeatedly dreaming of a great huge burrito at La Cumbre. Then I had dinner at about 6 with my parents. Big meatloaf and baked potato. I used to do this when I was a kid. Have dinner at home with Bruce Williams, and then go to his house and have dinner. Right after dinner with my parents, I had sushi with Jane at Tomokazu. Finished with green tea ice cream.

I love to eat like this. I am sorry I don't have any before and after pictures like the S.S. blog. Maybe tomorrow.

Changes

I changed out my 12-23 rear cassette for a 12-27, which shouldn't make me a wuss.

Date: 21 April 2006
Miles: 3.1
April Mileage: 248.76
Weather: 63° F. Clear and Undesertly.

Tokie's

Miso soup.



This is a Shannon roll and the tuna tatake.


Sashimi.


Gyoza.



Raj filling up.


Baked Salmon Roll.

So I didn't ride yesterday afternoon -- I just ate. And ate.

Parrot Drive

Date: 21 April 2006
Miles: 11.31
Average Today: 11.2
April Mileage: 245.66
Weather: 63° F. Overcast. Moist.

Ok -- so this road is steep. I had to get off and walk. First though I went out for Coffee with my pals at Bean Street Cafe. I got some homemade banana bread which is giving my heartburn. It felt good to be home and the weather was not rainy, but damply marine like and very undesertly.

Sushi Run

I am going to take the camera out to dinner. I am so looking foward to the tuna tatake and Vic's seriously rich baked salmon roll. I am going to eat lunch and dinner with them.

After that I think I will be going out for Japanese food. I should go to Benihana then and have some Teppanyaki. Ahhh -- to be in a real city. I think I am going for a traditional Japanese bath and a shiatsu massage at the Kabuki. Life could be worse.

I really miss the miso soup and the green tea ice cream. Or better yet some mango ice cream.

Who has seen the movie Tampopo? Here's a different review.

I went to the Gym

Oh -- and I did ride

6.6 miles on a bike.

I have never actually gone to a gym by myself to work out until now. I resisted any temptation to get on a "bike" at the gym. I went about a "mile" on that machine that is like running and skiing without all the pounding and falling. 10.5 minutes. Plus climbing at max resistance for another 10 or so. I stood on the treadmill for a minute or two and then felt old and decided that maybe the next time I get on a treadmill someone should test my heart (like when I am actually old, and the person watching/testing could be a heart specialist).

I am thinking of these two different bartenders I have met -- one is J -- who runs three miles a day on a treadmill, and the other is, Carmine, who runs a marathon for kicks. J wants to start training for a triathalon, to which I say, maybe it's a good time to move the exercising outside. Carmine doesn't seem to actually train. At any rate -- I didn't find the treadmill too attractive.

So, I did some weights for the hamstrings and upper body, and about 100 sit-ups. And now I am doing some curls. I did some hammer curls, followed by some bicep curls, and some reverse curls, followed by some twelve ounce curls (just kidding). I am working on a philosophy to help develop speed and strength, so that I won't ever have to get passed by a grrl in a dress.

In no time at all I will be posting from California, after some hill climbing, and lunch at Alice's Restaurant ("You can get anything you ...," Thanks Arlo -- now would you please try to stop talking.) or maybe have green chili soup at Duarte's ... or both!

Oh look

"Joan Wilder, Write us out of this one." "Joan Wilder? The Joan Wilder? You are Joan Wilder, the novelist?" "Yes, I am." "I read your books ..."

Jack Colter: "Joan Wilder, Write us out of this one."
Juan: "Joan Wilder? The Joan Wilder? You are Joan Wilder, the novelist?"
Joan Wilder: "Yes, I am"
Juan: "I read your books ... "


... I finished my taxes. Now I pay through the nose and well. Maybe buy some some new stuff so I feel better.

I am sure they will audit me and I will have made some huge snafu. I only screamed at the cat once. Just now. If it totally blows out -- look for me in South America.

It was a great movie:

[Jack shows off his new, crocodile skin, boots, made from the crocodile he
has killed]
Joan Wilder: I like the boots.
Jack Colton: Yeah, that poor old yellow-tailed guy... developed a fatal case of indigestion. He died right in my arms.
Joan Wilder: I can't blame him. If I were to die there's nowhere on earth I'd rather be.

That's pretty sick, but -- it is like I've died and gone to heaven. I have paid my taxes, and I am free.

Desert Bloom Report

Date: 16 April 2006
Miles: 13.47
Average Today: 14.3
April Mileage: 227.86
Weather: 77° F., Still Dusty.



Roadie with the Palo Verde Trees and blooming Hedgehog cactus



Santa Rita Prickly Pear (Opuntia violacea) is a native of the Chihuahuan desert. This one has something growing on it.



Ocotillo.



Echinocereus fendleri, or Fendler's hedgehog Cactus, is a local native.



Opuntia acanthocarpa, or Buck thorn cholla. I could be mistaken though.



Ocotillo.

All images are © Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved.

My 1st Century

I'll be riding this route. It ain't easy, but it is 100 miles -- and it is May 7. Wish me luck. Here's the page if you need to contribute. Go team.