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.