Napa Valley Tour de Wine

It was totally a delicious day for cycling -- and the scenery was enviable. The real casualty of all this sun is that I have 1/4 inch thick bracelets of sunburn on my wrists and one ankle -- compliments of the extra sun granted by the gap between the warmers and the gloves or socks.



Date: 7 May 2006
Miles: 102.88
Average Speed: 15.4
Max: 31.1
May Mileage: 132.71
Weather: Sunny and oh so delicious.

Well, that's one for the record book. My first organized ride. My first century. It included only one tragedy that I know of. One flat tire, one broken spoke. One RV driver nearly killing me.

Wow -- gas was a tad expensive, however. Especially in the Mojave desert.



Then there was this dust storm in the Palm Desert. Notice the snow -- that's just 90 miles east of Los Angeles, right near Palm Springs. Spring break anyone? Sonny Bono managed to outlaw thongs there, why, I can't help but ask? I remember when you had two choices for coffee -- the Starbucks in PS or chinese donut shop desert coffee -- tastin mostly like donuts,



Somewhere in this shot at the first break is the group I met from Queen of the Valley Hospital, and it seems they were cancer and blood experts, except Gabby, who said biking was her hobby, and she just happened to work Monday to Friday at the local bike shop in Napa. "It's nice to be able to have the weekends off." I think so too. We all climbed the only thing in the whole ride that reminded me of a hill.

I had a nice conversation with Gabby, so I was quite disappointed when I flatted out and the group dropped me. I could have used The Old Bag's pump, cause when Jim or Joe -- the type 1 Diabetic bike shop guy from a Santa Rosa shop showed up he was carrying a pump -- because I was beating myself to death with my very small pump.



The roadie early in the day -- everything is still intact.



Nearing the halfway point I met a young woman named Cindy who was going the wrong way. She informed me the I had lost my way (I had not -- but she had), and convinced me to get lost with her for a bit. We did this until we some people with a map that confirmed that I was not lost -- and helped to get us back on track. She was riding a fat tired mountain bike with pink stuff, so was traveling pretty slow. I rode with her for a bit, and helped her find her way to the next rest stop.



Then the citizen press finally got its big break. One of the CHPs (I think it was Eric Estrada) asked me to stop and take his picture while he dispatched a deer that had been hit by a car and had "bones sticking out" and stuff. I felt really important.





I updated this with a close up of the officer. To the left. I should have zoomed in more.

Here's the roadie (below) -- with a missing spoke. I hit a boulder in the road and popped a spoke. Some miles to go -- and the brake will rub before I am done. It may explain why those two guys at three miles from the finish -- were able to ride away from me like I was skating backwards.



The last important marker on the route was missing so I showed up at the finish line from the wrong direction -- leading everyone to suspect that I might have been sleeping in my car all day. I had to phone my friend Farbod (having opted out of the 50 mile ride for the 25 mile, he was waiting with his buds and the rest of the group at the finish) and ask him for directions to the finish line -- and that's where the extra mile came from.

Here I am with the riders from KLA-Tencor at the finish -- Looking maybe a tad shell-shocked.



And then I went home. If you happen looking for the Teddybear Cholla bloom in Joshua Tree this Year -- you missed it -- as did I.



When you don't miss it -- it looks like this:



All photos © Shawn Kielty, 2003-2006. All rights reserved.

Bobcat in the Kitchen

It's a first. It's getting warmer here and I frequently leave the doors open into the evening. I just heard a loud noise and got up to see what it was -- and there was a large cat in my kitchen. A bobcat. Dayamn. Come on in my kitchen (Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett with Eric Clapton and Duane Allman). We've had better lives, but I can't imagine when.

Note: I removed the image.

Large Banjo Brothers Seat Bag Review

I received a new large Banjo Brothers™ seat bag recently in the mail and I just decided to try it out for a century ride I'll be doing. Since I'll be in coastal Northern California, I'll need to be better prepared for wind and rain than I currently am here in Mesa. During the monsoon season here in the late Summer some protection from the rain can be handy. So this bag seems good because I will be able to carry a raincoat.

I picked up a new Cannondale™ rain coat and thought this would be a good opportunity to test out the large seat bag. It's roomy, fairly lightweight and has a convenient pocket. It will hold a couple of cans of beer soda I think, along with an apple if you expand the pocket. I didn't try any of this.


Here's the stuff that would be useful to have along. Patch kit, tool kit, tire irons, spare tube, gooey food. Rain jacket, condoms. Just kidding about the gooey food condoms.



It's all in nicely with some room to spare -- but not so loose that anything would rattle around against the plastic support inside the bag. Notice the convenient pocket for the tools and the patch kit.



Here it is with the expandable pack open. All in all it looks to be great addition to my luggage. It has reflective piping and a place to put a rear taillight. If the strap were a tad longer it might be able to hold a spare tire outside in addition to a full pack inside, but it would be easy enough to extend it with a bit of velcro strap. I think if I were to press it -- I could even fit my Marmot™ rain pants in addition to this new rain jacket.

The placement of the strap attaching to the back of the seat - could be set back just a bit further on the bag -- IMHO -- which would cause the bag to be a bit less dangly. It seems like it's going to be jfd (or just dandy for short).

All photos on this page are © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. I mean it.

O Man?!

Warning! This will turn your stomach. agggh. That special taste.

Can Parrots count to Zero?

They talk -- but I never really thought they were that smart, Unlike crows. Which you should feed if you get a chance. They like bacon best, walnuts, almonds and cat food, corn chips, corn, corn on the cob, did I mention corn . Enough of that, rumor has it that crows can count. Sometimes when you feed a crow -- they will bring you something shiny and leave it to trade -- like your neighbors wedding ring. Other times they might bring you something interesting to trade -- like a burning cigarette. Be sure to pay close attention to the stuff in the area of feeding.

I am chillin down for a century ride Sunday. Grocery Store girl says what do you eat when you ride like that, As much as humanly possible at ever opportunity, I reply. "Man -- I need to ride a bike" she says. NFS - plus what -- I spent $50 dollars filling my tank today, holy guacamole. It's the first time in over a week though. And frankly -- it's cheaper when you ride a bike.

Beep! Beep!

Roadrunner, © 2005 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.
This guy has been on this site before -- I saw him again today, but he is very quick, and I am not.

Red Tailed Mate

© Shawn Kielty 2006. All rights reserved.

I am going to hazard a guess. This is the mate of yesterday's bird. Happy birding folks.

Toasty

Date: 2 May 2006
Miles: 19.76
Average Speed: 12.8
Max: 30.8
May Mileage: 29.83
Weather: 97°F. sun 8% humidity.

Oh -- well we didn't break 100° after all. Unless you look at the gizmo on my porch which says the high today was 102° F. One of the things I can never figure out is why the weather sites have made it impossible to find out what today's high was -- today! I either have to wait till it becomes part of yesterday, or look on TV (I usually don't) to find it. My usually happy hiking buddy was telling me his on the bike thermometer declared 99.7. It was toasty.

Warming Up the Day

Date: 1 May 2006
Miles: 10.07
Average Speed: 15.8
Max: 28.9
May Mileage: 10.07
Weather: 75°F. sun.

I appreciate the bird chick's link to my post here, and enjoyed seeing this picture of vulture vomit*. What a great way to start the day.

it was 75°F. at 7:45 this morning and looks like it will break 100° today, for the first time this year.

* Technically the Bird Chick called this "vulture or pelican vomit," but pelican vomit is just ... so ... unromantic.

Red Tailed Hawk

SO I thought I might load up my bike and go out to look for the hawks I have seen hunting along the drainage beside my place. So I grabbed my camera and the hawk taking lens, and then started trying to figure out how to carry it on a bike -- It doesn't fit well into the Timbuktu messenger bag, or the SunLite rack-top bag. Maybe if I had decent sized rack-top bag like the Banjo Brothers one George has that can carry bowling balls. In case your wondering what this picture is, it's a picture of my real digital camera atop my sun-lite rack-top bag on my commuter. The thing weighs as much as some bowling balls and is a much more less graceful shape.

SO I lazily took the car. And I found the nest I had noticed a few days ago.



And it's owner.





My initial thought on this is that it's a red tail hawk. But I currently seem unable to find the stack of guidebooks. Perhaps the Bird Chick will help make an ID. Her blog is fairly cool with serious birder stuff going on. Since her rabbits are indoors and not in my yard eating my cactus -- I guess maybe they are ok.



Her dissaproving rabbits will be happy to see that this hawk appears to be carrying a rat, and not a rabbit or a cat.

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

Date: 30 April 2006
Miles: 8.0
Average Speed: 14.4
Max: 22.5
April Mileage: 415.21
Weather: 93°F. sun.

Brotherhood of the Hungry

It's the brotherhood of the hungry. "Yeah man you gotta eat...," says Ruby in my last post. Ain't that the truth. Eat early and often. Is what I have always said, but never done. When I quit smoking in July, I started to eat again. Even that thing the rest of you call breakfast. I never have been good at making breakfast work. Leo Tolstoy said, "most people think of changing the world, but few people think of changing themselves." SO I am going to have to figure it out.

A while ago I found this type of moth, a sphinx moth, flapping wildly inside the house with a cat flying equally as wildly below it. It is about the size of a sparrow or a bat, I hung the cat on the coat rack (just kidding, I put her in the bird's cage) and set out to find this monster bug. This is just one of many varieties of sphinx moth in the vicinity of Arizona. This photo was taken by Paul Opler. I have no idea if the moth I found is the Falcon Sphinx or not. I gave it to an entomology student, the young Jane, who is not to be confused with the old Jane, who didn't much care for bugs either.

Turns out that this large bug is the pride of Jane's 200 bug collection. So maybe she can tell us which Sphinx Moth it is. After seeing this woman in The Silence of the Lambs, I am positive it would be a bad idea to eat the moth, even for a cat (Annie Leibovitz photo of Jodie Foster is gorgeous). I repeat, do not eat the moth.

So I went to the Mediterranean restaurant after my ride today and was treated to this, compliments of Jane, for finding the best darn bug around.



Which of course I tried to eat.



Oh -- and I was kidding about the cat, I love Pearl the Cat; I threw her outside for a minute (I opened the door first).

Since the bird didn't get to eat the cat, I gave him the leftover shish-kebob.

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.

The Good Stuff

I really enjoy cruising the photo albums at R.A. Dillon's blog, An Alaskan Abroad. I found this because I have a secret plan that says I am going to escape from Arizona, and go to that other great "A" state. When I was younger I decided that I would go to all the 50 states, I have just a few remaining now -- and Alaska is really next on my list. His post today showing the cool places (Where the Wild Things Are) to go in Alaska reminds me I am supposed to be going there.

Dillon's posts are informative, and pointed, and challenge me to be less apolitical. I hope you find them pleasant as well, or ... uh ... at least enjoy looking at the photos. Nice work, dude!

Tax day blues ...

Date: 15 April 2006
Miles: 13.04
Average Today: 15.4
April Mileage: 214.39
Weather: 78° F., Dusty.

Can one deduct the miles on the bike? If it's for a business purpose?

Don't Forget to Ride

... and ride.

Date: 14 April 2006
Miles: 10.30
Average Today: 12.6
April Mileage: 201.35
Weather: 89° F., overcast, windy.

Beer Can Stadium

If this picture looks like it sucks to you -- that's because it does. Shooting photos while driving ... tsk tsk tsk. Any way, it would be hard for me to make this thing any uglier than it actually is, but it seems I have succeeded. The old bag and I saw this big can during our ride out in the west valley Saturday.

It is an Air Conditioned stadium, I hear. And they roll the grass outside to get some sun. It's a little crazy out here with the A/C and the grass. It's not just here that people can get weird about their grass.