Bike To Work Week—Day 3

Callie loves the grass I put in the backyard.

Rain in Dog Mtn on Day 2 but I missed it. I heard there was a good rain for at least an hour so I was happy. Happy because I put sod in the back yard for Callie so she could have a lawn. She’s 13 years old in a few months and still going strong, but she tires quickly in the heat. As it was a cool evening, she was quite excited to see me so we took to the park and I threw the ball until my arm almost fell off.

This morning she didn’t want to get out of her bed, which is at the foot of mine. Callie and I have a routine that requires throwing the ball for her in the front yard for a few minutes until I have to drive off. As you know yesterday I was trying to switch out my bikes and she was under my feet wanting me to throw that darn ball—and then I got in a hurry and messed up the fender—I had to bag Day 2.

Callie sleeps on her back with feet in air. She sleeps this way on the couch too.

There she was as I was going out, ball in her mouth, very stiffly making her way to the driveway. After a about five of six tosses, she got loose and made the leaping catches in the air, which have gained her fame with all my friends and neighbors at our park.

Back in the saddle for Day 3. It’s Wednesday and yet it feels later in the week. The morning was nice and cool and I enjoyed my climb and the clouds in the mountains as they were burned off by the sun.

Up on Skyline, where I climb substantially, there’s a stretch of fast rollers. The momentum in most cases gets you up to the top of the roller again, and this gets repeated for about four miles. Speeds on the bike push 30 mph if you hit it right and the lights stay green for you. The pavement is smooth, the bike lane narrow, and car drivers are haulin’ ass. It’s a rush, mes amis!

This is an affluent part of town and boyz with Porsches, BMWs, and other examples of disposable income spent on thoroughbred horsepower, like to drive all out. That’s okay because at least they’re not on the cell or sending a text message—or taking their sweet-ass time meetin’ the fellas for golf (old farts driving 35 mph in a 45 mph zone where everyone drives 55 mph)

I think I saw this 2008 model 911 next to me at a stoplight. It was black like this one. The Porsche site lists the sale price at $191,000

Gas at $4.00 a gallon? This guy could care less.

Bike To Work Week—Day 2

Tuesday

Last night—wind slapped me around like a scorned girlfriend, Gentler Readers, but then a tailwind up La Cholla for the climb was the kiss-and-make-up. Again, missile-like speeds up-hill which is a mind-blowing trip after a vengeful headwind for over ten miles.

Problem with the bike however—riding the LeMond for Monday and I hadn’t thoroughly checked it out. I think I need a new chain. This morning, because rain was forecast, I last minute switched-out the LeMond back to the Raleigh. In doing so I messed up the front fender.

At my YMCA parking spot, I struggled to fix said-fender but became frustrated—the time to clip in and ride (to get to work on time—for an 8 am sharp appointment) was quickly passing. I couldn’t get the wheel or the fender to sit right. Had to bag it and drive moi voiture.

This is a day I really wanted to ride. Yeah I can curse the wind anytime, but today is a beautiful cool day—for May here in Tucson—and a chance of rain is also in the air. This again is very rare for Tucson with rain in May. I just wanted to see, smell, and feel the rain on my face. Kind of like when it rained and you couldn’t wait to play in the puddles—that’s the feeling today.

Bike to Work Week--Day One

Monday--

I brought in all my clothes for the week Saturday afternoon, when I had an errand near my office. I forgot to take my lunch and snacks with me this morning—that really sucked.

About 10 a.m. I had a horrific leg cramp that came out of no where and wouldn’t stop for about ten minutes. Not the best start for the week…

The wind was not so bad, but this afternoon, I’ve checked outside—it is very windy and pushing 94 degrees. It will be windy and hot Gentle Readers… But for the most part, I feel strong and I should be okay. I just wish the wind would let up once in awhile…

So I won’t bonk, I’ve got hammer gel—just drank it all down and put more water in the gel bottle to get anything left—and I’ll drink that down before I head out the door. I believe I’m going to need the energy here in a few minutes.

Week By Bike

I logged 120 miles on the bike this week. I took one day, Wednesday off for a rest day. The photo from above is on River Rd and Dodge Ave. This is all new roads and bridge and bike path--and I'd say it represents the link from one side of town to the other, by bike and by car.

I also believe that the photo above is from Friday. When I ride home, I take that bridge, which is the new Alvernon Bridge, West and then connect to the River Bike Path for my commute home. Tucson folks will recognize Thimble Peak, which is there in Sabino Canyon, and Mt. Lemmon futher back. The morning is still a bit cool in the river breaks, and the wind did its best to discourage me this week.


Thursday morning and as you can see, the sun is brilliant. I do need to wear bright clothes because it is a bit hard for motorists to see me throught that glare--but it is getting a bit better as now we're in May. The sun has moved to its position in the summer sky--and its getting hot!


My Raleigh Super Grand Prix--what a ride! Smooth and classic, built for this kind of riding I do declare. I'm been seeing and riding with a few regular commuters too. Kelly, who rides for a club here in Tucson, is my age and looks 30 and rides like he's 20--we've been making that long climb together up La Cholla to Ina. Also a young guy named Gabe has climbed up with me, and he's trying to ride at least three days a week. And now I often ride with a fellow commuter named Charles whom I hook up with around TMC. He's riding almost everyday as well. No doubt about it, we all feel safer when riding in a group. My four days of commuting have not been without a few close calls--motorists on cell phones not paying attention, and turning if front of me, or not stopping at stop signs have topped the list.


Alan! Wanna be in the Blog?

Friday morning, my friend Alan spied me unloading the bike at the Y. You can't miss that Rando Jersey! Alan was swimming laps and getting ready for a triathlon. I hadn't see Alan in a while so we caught up on things. His brevet season was hampered by injuries, and we both talked about how tough it is to come back from those--and ride 300, 400, or even 600 kilometers. Alan also made me aware of some training ideas--I'm talking up my decsion to ride the 252 in October--now only 5 months away, Gentle Readers of This Blog!


Friday evening, four days commuting and 120 miles in the saddle. I feel pretty good about that. Bev and I went to dinner later that evening, after I took Callie to the park. We ate and I had a few cold beers to wash everything down--then I was falling asleep right there in the restaurant. But that's okay--Saturday I'll sleep late.

Clydesdale Climbing

Horse power availed me this morning. I took a rest day yesterday. I went to bed early last night. I got to my parking spot early—so why did I feel like I was pulling a beer wagon up Ina Strase?

Going up Ina almost to Oracle, a skinny young cat greeted me with a friendly “G’ Morning”—the guy was freakin’ rail thin.

The wind won’t be blowing me off the road anytime soon—that guy that passed me climbing up Ina—that would be a different story.

Ride Report and Photos

This is from early Monday morning. Gear packed in the car.


Monday morning was windy, as weather is coming up from the coast of Mexico, and over into California and Arizona. Here I am at the top of Sunrise Ave, just a few blocks from Swan. This is the top of my morning climb.


Then wind was from the South and my whole climb was in this unusual headwind. I often ask myself, when the cramps in my legs begin while sitting at my desk: why am I doing this? Love? Show off? Cause I can? To save the planet? To save gas? To have an excuse to write a blog? Hmmm... How about that one!


Okay, this is last from last night' ride home. Clouds come into beautiful Tucson, AZ, USA.


The headwinds were fierce, Gentle Readers--Fierce!


River Bike Path and clouds--and head wind. It's nice and cool. That's good because where's my water bottle? Oh--back at the office.


Yep--I'm gonna be thirsty.


To know true beauty is to endure the sweet and sorrow
To know a warm spring and a cold sun
A fierce wind and lightning flash
So close it could have killed

Tale Wind

More wind was forecast for Tucson. My morning commute yesterday was windy-er than normal—gusts were coming from down Mexico-way with a rumor of rain. I did not smell the rain in the air but there were thin clouds approaching.

I had a tail wind to die for going home. As soon as I jumped in the bike lane, the wind yanked me up La Cholla like a missile.

With this kind of wind coming from the direction it did, I know something is up. It means that storms in the ocean off the coast of Mexico are flexing their continental might. Things are changing and the Earth and the Sun and all that spinning out in space means the rains will come.

I wish these forces could somehow become embedded in my body—I would be a bad ass.

1977 Raleigh Super Grand Prix, Pt. 2

This is my main commuter bike, Gentle Reader. I noticed quite a few hits on my Raleigh Marathon. And then a few on my earlier Raleigh Super Grand Prix post--you can read the bike's colorful history there, should you have time to kill. I thought it would be nice to post some better images of this bike, which my father bought for me new in 1977, at Vendables Bicycles in Tulsa, Oklahoma, when I was still in High School.


The bike is all original except for the saddle--which is now a Brooks B-17. I still have the original saddle but it was just tourture as it was so freakin' hard! The back wheel I had to replace after a crash years ago. I put the fenders back on recently as the rains will be here soon. They're the very light German-made -- and kind of tricky to get right without rubbing.

SPD pedals replaced the old stirrup clips--and those Italian shoes. They had little clips in them, more like slots--since the intructions were not in English, I'm not sure I ever figured out if I had them on right, They were dangerous to wear on the pavement as the soles and the cleat were like walking on ice. I recall several times back in the day when I stopped at a light, put my foot down only to have my foot slip out from under me--and I'd smack down on the road with a thud...


Better view of the Dragon emblem.


Made in Japan, not England.


30 year old componets have worked perfectly.


Decals are a bit faded. All the components are Sun Tour.


An awesome bike. Right now she's the main commuter bike, and had been my back up bike for brevets. I rode a 300 Km brevet in pouring rain on this bike because it had fenders--and I stayed a lot dryer and more comfortable than my mates. This is a perfect brevet bike--if only I was the perfect randonneur!


1977 Raleigh Super Grand Prix. My attempt as making things look a bit more interesting. This is a sturdy bike and I have the thicker tires on the wheels. Part of my commute home was at one time about six miles of jeep road through the desert.

“April is the Cruelest Month” Welcome May

Tucson is having wind, Gentle Readers of This Blog. My morning commute is good as my route hugs the mountain ridge and wind seems to have other areas it wants to taunt.
As you know, riding home the same route is much too dangerous, even for a strapping velonaut like Yours. I’ll try it again sometime and report the perils, mes amis.

Riding home has been like a blast furnace all of April. The wind is gusting from West to East, 25 to 30 MPH. There is 15 miles of misery for me if I’m not fully hydrated and if I have failed to eat at least 200 or 300 calories before I leave the office. If I don’t, I will bonk on the last three-mile climb to the YMCA.


With gas here in Tucson at $3.30 a gallon, and me putting in 90 miles last week on the bike (which is commuting three out of five days) I’ve had to be filling up every 7 days as opposed to every 5—so I’m happy about that. And it seems that each time I do fill up, the cost of gas has jumped up a bit more.

Life events are changing and I may be able to attempt 5 days a week this month—or more, of commuting to work by bike.

Cheers!

Ride Home Last Night

This is about mile 9 into my 15 mile commute home. A bit remote out here so I don't see many runners or other cyclists. Busy River Rd would be several hundred yards to the right of the photo I snapped. I took River Rd in this morning and it was pretty fast and traffic was light.
This is the route home that you see because its just safer with less traffic. Riding River Rd in the afternoon is quite congested, and I've done it many times--too many cars turning right into shops and businesses, and with the sun in their eyes they can't see a cyclist too well--thus the scenic bike lanes of the park.

I'm also heading due West, and the afternoon head wind is always there to blast me. By the time I turn and head North for my climb home, I'm pretty tired, as I was yesterday afternoon. Best to pace myself for the climb.


I enjoy the sky, mountains and sunshine. Birds and lizards dart about, and I saw several baby bunny rabbits. They are cute, and so think the owls, hawks, and coyotes. I'll be seeing them occasionally as well.

I'm riding home tonight the same way as usual. I will try to get some good photos but mostly the sun is blazing so, and well--I just want to get home.

Cheers! Bruce

Morning Ride to Save the Planet Earth!

Last night I watched the program Frontline on PBS—so it looks like cars since the 1970’s actually got heavier and less fuel-efficient. And, in the last 10 years more fuel has been used than any other time since the automobile was on the roads. Yeah—looks like things are going the hell pretty fast. We can’t really blame anyone but ourselves. We want the government to take care of everything—which they won’t because they’re only interested in getting re-elected and keeping shareholders happy. And—we won’t change how we live. We want everything cheap and easy—we’re complacent (lazy)

Every clueless pundit / idiot in the media—print, TV, web, and blogs tells us, among other things, to drive less and ride a bike. Are you fucking kidding me? Have they ever tried to go out and ride a bike on the streets of the good ol’ USA? It’s fuckin’ dangerous, Home Fry! Everything is made for cars and not for people—and now even that infrastructure has become strained.

The streets are crowed and horsepower is excessive—and people are really agitated because it just plain sucks to drive around here (Tucson) So don’t tell the people of Tucson to go ride a bike—until you try and ride one yourself, Fool.

It just happens that for me, all the conditions are about right to make riding a bike for commuting to the office a reality. And it does take a bit of effort on my part which can be a pain in the ass, but for the most part because I can ride the bike in I do.

First off—I have about 80% of my bike route to the office via the River Park. I would say that makes the trip fairly safe. 90% of the route has bike lanes on the street, but for some people, and I don’t blame them—they would not even dare ride in the bike lanes. It would be suicide in their view (This is in bike friendly Tucson.)

Second—I have a locker room to shower and change. If I didn’t, it would be more complicated to commute into the office but I’d still try.

Third—I have a level of fitness and confidence sharing the roads with cars. Some people I know train for races at the gym but won’t train on the road. For example I have a friend and she’ll train on the roads but that’s only because we’re in a group of riders and she feels safer. All her other base training (90%) is at the gym.

I would not even dare to venture down the road one mile on my bike to the supermarket in Dog Mtn because chances of getting hit are high. There is a narrow bike lane, but no safe way to turn left into the supermarket and other shops. People drive fast and the road is getting busier all the time. And in the supermarket parking lot, you have to be careful that somebody doesn’t run you over while you’re walking to the entrance. Drivers are on the cell or text-messaging.

The day never came when we could actually drive our cars into the grocery store and down the isles and have the illiterate service humans hand us our pop tarts and special k.

I don’t have an answer to global warming—I mean, my mom is 65 and she has to drive to the grocery store which is about two miles away. She would ride a bike if she absolutely had to or face starvation—but she is physically unable to do it, as are many others. She has no alternative.

Because I have the means to take the alternative, I try to do it. I know a lot of people can’t, so pretty much I’ve gotten over it. I used to think that those who live less than three miles from the office here, they drive in—like my boss—don’t have an excuse. Still, she tells me she would do it but the way people drive—even on the back streets of her neighborhood—she is afraid of getting run over/killed.

So to end this rant, if anyone is even reading, for those of us that can and do make the effort to use an alternative—I say to those who do drive, give us cyclists some respect, and some support. I have both our interests in mind.

Aqua Vita de Tucson

Friday last my school chum Ryan showed up and we had bike trip to a local lunch stop. With life going full speed and me trying to hang on, it’s good to relax and hang out on a Friday afternoon with a good friend. Ryan lives in the area so it’s just a few minutes form his place to my office via velo—and he’s promised to show me some backstreets to Panda Express, our lunch stop.


From the Desert Sanitarium, we make our way down the sidewalks next to Grant Road.


A very busy road, Grant Road; always congested and under construction. Locals drive fast, and snowbirds going to doctor’s appointments drive just a bit faster than grass growing—so you can imagine the traffic headache.


We’ll beat the lunch crowd to Panda, but we have to watch out for drivers coming in and out of shops on Grant. Got to be careful around the restaurants as the lunch crowd tends to drive fast to make up for lost time in traffic.


I see they’ve changed the “Panda Beef” to “Beijing Beef” because as I wrote in another post, it kind of gave the impression you were ordering panda meat as an entrée. Ew…


Ryan from school days at university. It’s a lovely afternoon and we’re lunching outside. We can take our time because the office is just a few minutes away by bike.


The old water tower circa 1924 can be seen as we take the back way.


Ryan on the bike.


On my commute home, I pass stables that are the remnants of cattle ranches that bordered the Desert San back in 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s. Besides the hospital campus, medical offices abound, even back here.


I’ll stow my campus bike away for the weekend in my bike locker. I remove the front wheel and then turn the handlebars sideways so to fit the bike inside. Ryan’s photo with my camera illustrates this maneuver, Gentle Reader.


I say so long to my mate Ryan—and will take him up on his offer to ride again.

Cheers!

Moon of the Popping Trees

I was down in Sierra Vista, Bisbee, and Douglas, Arizona--not far from the border of Old Mexico--on business. I found myself on the Cochise Classic 252 course. The course I did in 2005, and John and Cathy did last October.

The 252 mile race starts at 2 a.m. Saturday morning in Douglas, Arizona, Gentle Readers, and about the time the sun comes up--say about 65 miles later, you find yourself in Benson, Arizona. From there you will ride East to Road Forks, New Mexico along the shoulder of Interstate 10, then ride south on Hwy 80 back down to Douglas.


Starting at 2 a.m. in the morning, and it being pitch-black, you don't see how difficult the climb is to here. This is the famous Mule Pass Tunnel. You have left Douglas and climbed for 13 miles to this point through Bisbee. This is the hardest and first leg of the trip. For me, that morning, I was sweating and making my way up to this tunnel. Sweat was pouring out of me and I was cramping and struggling. I'm driving the car and taking some shots while driving... Anyway, mes amis, it was one of the most difficult climbs I've ever done. Seeing it during the day, the climb seems to be impossible to attempt on a bike. Had I gone out and driven the course in daylight, I would have never have done the 252--it is insanity!


Out of the tunnel and down this road (Hwy 80) for an eight to twelve mile descent. And I do mean descent--I reached top speed of 55 mph. Yes it is true. Mentor and Coach David Glasgow told me to be prepared for this part of the course. I had every light I could carry with me and had them all on to light the road. I was able to read my computer--55 mph--in total darkness. Had I done this during the day, I believe I would have been too scared and slowed myself way down. But Dave told me to hang on and sit tight and I would be okay--I was, but I held on the handle bars of my bike so tight for the 12 miles at 45 to 55 mph that my arms actually locked up and cramped up. And I couldn't even let go until daylight. The pain of gripping and not letting go of the handlebars was beyond my writing ability. This is certainly the razor's edge, and I can say with humility that I have known that thin line on the 252. Pure fear and adrenilne, mes amis...


Today I'm driving the car--AC, some of my favorite CD's playing. Reflecting on my naiveity and mind-set at that time in 2005. I was probably the most fit I've ever been in my life that October. I'd done a brevet series and trained all summer just for this one stretch of road in Cochise County.


On the way to Tombstone, Arizona.


A ranch on the way to Tombstone. I did not see this open country as it was still dark. Had some miles to go until Benson and sunrise.



Spinning like a missle, down the backroads, in darkness--slowly recovering from the cold morning air--talking to myself and trying to let go of my handlebars. I was afraid if I did let go to shift my hands and arms, I would crash.


A bit more climing for a few miles--I have to remind myself while driving that I did these climbs and stretches of road in the dark. It was a moonless and starless night, mes amis.


80 - 82 All my Randonneurs pals know this story. This is where, right out of Tombstone on the 600 KM, that I missed the turn to go West on 82, and instead went straight on 80, which is the Cochise Classic course. Here are the signs, but the left turn is about 100 yards after the signs and not easy to see--even during the day. That night on the 600, I was exhausted, and it was freezing cold. Even with all my lights, I didn't even see the sign.


Realizing I was in trouble that night, as it was so bitter cold and I was out of water and food. I had to find the monastery to take shelter. I was way beyond rescue from RBA or Steve or anyone. The monastery would be my only hope to keep from freezing to death in the open desert and mountains

I knew from the Cochise 252 that when I saw the Dream of the Rood, I'd be in St. David and not far from the Benson Official Time Station for Cochise--so I least I wasn't lost. On this night of the 600, at 2 a.m. I looked in vain for the cross--I must have ridden past it in my weakened state. Luckily, I did find a store open, and was rescued by the clerk working there and her husband. Half frozen and exhaused, they drove me to Benson and got me the last hotel room in Cochise County.


Driving down through St. David, I looked for the landmark--and drove past. I thought it best to turn around, and this time actually set foot at the monastery. I'm not Catholic--or religious or much of a church-going fellow. But, hey you need all the help you can get, right?

It was evening and things were shut down. The whole place was rustic. My car, and my tie and Italian sunglasses seemed about out of place. I went through the doors there, and all the monks I found reading, praying, and reflecting. They didn't seem concerned about me being there--in fact I don't think they even noticed I'd come in.

My only real thought to ponder in such a holy place was, "God, I hope my cell phone dosen't ring..." And low and behold it wasn't even in my pocket. I left it in the car. Okay--I could relax.

I pondered a few things in my life, and really, if God does have a plan for me, then I hope I can live up to his expectations. I asked that he look in on us once in a whlie, and keep us safe while we're out there on brevets, commuting, or just out for a ride.

Cheers!