That is exactly what was going through my head as I was headed out to do a pre-ride of the Sea Otter Classic XC course yesterday. The race is Friday.
I felt like crap right from the beginning. Going up 82 didn't help that feeling either. Over on that side of Fort Ord, it was kind of warm too and I was sweating like a hog. Why am I trying to RACE this? Why do I want to give myself an un-shakeable headache, push myself to the point of feeling like I want to just lay down and quit, and constantly agonize over the pain in my legs and the pounding between me ears? All the while watching people pass me by because I didn't train enough.
Hopefully riding the XC bike and with less stuff in the camelback, I'll do better on Friday. But, I suspect, there will be a lot of "Why the hell am I doing this again?" running through my head.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
72 miles of solitude
So, H had a friend doing her annual b-day clebration camp-out at Pinnacles National Monument. She wanted me to go. Only two problems. She didn't want me to take the camper. And, more importantly, there is no mtn biking. I'm not even sure if inside the park they let you ride a bike at all. So, my only way to compromise was to ride my bike from home to there.
I got some input from folks on the route, but 75% of it would be over roads I have never been on. Saturady turned out to be one of those perfect cycling weather days, and I set out to do this ride.
I ended up doing the ride and enjoyed it quite a bit. I left my house around 1130 or so and headed up along my normal route to hit the Fort Ord trails. Continued on past to pick up intergarrison and then headed over to Reservation, Blanco and North Davis. I think I was 20 miles into the ride as I watched what would be my last visible chance to stop and load back up on water and gatorade. But, 20 miles into it, feeling fresh and with four still nearly full water bottles on the bike, it seemed too early to stop and refuel. Having never driven any of these roads beyond the Salinas mall, my reconnaissance of the route relied mostly on things like mapquest and google maps. It looked like most of my route was in moderately populated areas except for the last 25 miles or so down Hwy 25 to Pinnacles campground. Thus, I figured there would be some decent opportunities to find a gas station/convenience mart to resupply. It even looked so probable, that I considered riding with just two water bottles. But, knowing my tendancy to drink excessively while on the bike...I threw on the behind the seat double water bottle holder. Turned out to be a good choice.
From north Davis I picked up San Juan Grade. Once away from the houses clusterd along the roadside, I started riding into hilly ranch country. The hills were still a bright, vibrant green making the scenery just as nice as Henry Coe the weekend before. Moderately smooth road surface with little to no traffic, great temperatures and what felt like no wind was fantastic. Pretty easy grade to climb too.
At some point, the road turns into Salinas road and drops you down the backside of the hills toward San Juan Bautista and Hwy 156. I think exactly at the San Benito County line sign...the road turned to pure garbage. It was a bone jarring, tooth rattling decent down the back side to get to Hwy 156. I would have loved to let gravity to its work and rip down the back side of that hill. But, road conditions as such...20mph seemed plenty fast enough.
Hwy 156, at least the stretch I was on, wasn't bad. At least there was a decent sized shoulder/bike lane that wasn't too muddied up by the farm equipment. I then headed to Union road to skirt the south side of Hollister and pick up Hyw 25/Old airport road. By this point, I think I was 40+ miles in and hadn't refilled any of my water bottles. From a water standpoint, not knowing where I would be able to get water, I was getting nervous. Looking at the online maps, my chances really started to slim down the further south I got along 25.
Finally, I reached Tres Pinos and a gas station. 1 Liter of water, a 20 oz gatorade and a chocolate milk. I thought that should get me through as I had 25 or less miles to go at this point. But, strangely for me at this point...I still had not felt the urge to go to the bathroom at this point...hmmm...that must mean that I am getting more dehydrated than usual. But, I shrug it off and keep going.
The scenery again is fantastic. Rolling country side. Nice smooth roads. Very little traffic. Again, it seems that sometimes it is just me, the bike, the road, and the cows. I think somewhere after dropping down from San Juan Grade to 156, I bottomed out at around 180 feet above sea level. From there, it was a long gradual climb. Most of the time rolling such that it didn't seem that I was in a net elevation gain. Then, sometime after Paicines, the road pitches up with a little more vigor. Just about the same time I start to think maybe I should have gotten more water in Tres Pinos. I also get that ever so familiar feeling of "okay, I think I am ready to be done by now." I think that was around mile 60 or so. I keep climbing...up to a peak of about 1500 feet or so at around 68 miles in. Then, finally, a descent. Again, nice and smooth. Very little traffic. I can finally let the bike just run out. I only lost maybe a couple of hundred feet in elevation, but it sure was nice. Then, into the park and the campsite...and even a warm shower after I make a solid effort in re hydrating myself.
All in all, a good ride...72 miles...3300 feet of climbing, all in just under 4.5 hours of pedal time. Great scenery and even better weather. If fact, the weather was about as perfect as you could ask when spending the day on a bike. I gave half the thought to riding back home the next day since Sunday morning started out nice and peaceful. However, a stiff wind quickly stirred up and I was glad I wasn't out on the bike suffering in that wind all by myself. I'll take the ride back in the car....
I got some input from folks on the route, but 75% of it would be over roads I have never been on. Saturady turned out to be one of those perfect cycling weather days, and I set out to do this ride.
I ended up doing the ride and enjoyed it quite a bit. I left my house around 1130 or so and headed up along my normal route to hit the Fort Ord trails. Continued on past to pick up intergarrison and then headed over to Reservation, Blanco and North Davis. I think I was 20 miles into the ride as I watched what would be my last visible chance to stop and load back up on water and gatorade. But, 20 miles into it, feeling fresh and with four still nearly full water bottles on the bike, it seemed too early to stop and refuel. Having never driven any of these roads beyond the Salinas mall, my reconnaissance of the route relied mostly on things like mapquest and google maps. It looked like most of my route was in moderately populated areas except for the last 25 miles or so down Hwy 25 to Pinnacles campground. Thus, I figured there would be some decent opportunities to find a gas station/convenience mart to resupply. It even looked so probable, that I considered riding with just two water bottles. But, knowing my tendancy to drink excessively while on the bike...I threw on the behind the seat double water bottle holder. Turned out to be a good choice.
From north Davis I picked up San Juan Grade. Once away from the houses clusterd along the roadside, I started riding into hilly ranch country. The hills were still a bright, vibrant green making the scenery just as nice as Henry Coe the weekend before. Moderately smooth road surface with little to no traffic, great temperatures and what felt like no wind was fantastic. Pretty easy grade to climb too.
At some point, the road turns into Salinas road and drops you down the backside of the hills toward San Juan Bautista and Hwy 156. I think exactly at the San Benito County line sign...the road turned to pure garbage. It was a bone jarring, tooth rattling decent down the back side to get to Hwy 156. I would have loved to let gravity to its work and rip down the back side of that hill. But, road conditions as such...20mph seemed plenty fast enough.
Hwy 156, at least the stretch I was on, wasn't bad. At least there was a decent sized shoulder/bike lane that wasn't too muddied up by the farm equipment. I then headed to Union road to skirt the south side of Hollister and pick up Hyw 25/Old airport road. By this point, I think I was 40+ miles in and hadn't refilled any of my water bottles. From a water standpoint, not knowing where I would be able to get water, I was getting nervous. Looking at the online maps, my chances really started to slim down the further south I got along 25.
Finally, I reached Tres Pinos and a gas station. 1 Liter of water, a 20 oz gatorade and a chocolate milk. I thought that should get me through as I had 25 or less miles to go at this point. But, strangely for me at this point...I still had not felt the urge to go to the bathroom at this point...hmmm...that must mean that I am getting more dehydrated than usual. But, I shrug it off and keep going.
The scenery again is fantastic. Rolling country side. Nice smooth roads. Very little traffic. Again, it seems that sometimes it is just me, the bike, the road, and the cows. I think somewhere after dropping down from San Juan Grade to 156, I bottomed out at around 180 feet above sea level. From there, it was a long gradual climb. Most of the time rolling such that it didn't seem that I was in a net elevation gain. Then, sometime after Paicines, the road pitches up with a little more vigor. Just about the same time I start to think maybe I should have gotten more water in Tres Pinos. I also get that ever so familiar feeling of "okay, I think I am ready to be done by now." I think that was around mile 60 or so. I keep climbing...up to a peak of about 1500 feet or so at around 68 miles in. Then, finally, a descent. Again, nice and smooth. Very little traffic. I can finally let the bike just run out. I only lost maybe a couple of hundred feet in elevation, but it sure was nice. Then, into the park and the campsite...and even a warm shower after I make a solid effort in re hydrating myself.
All in all, a good ride...72 miles...3300 feet of climbing, all in just under 4.5 hours of pedal time. Great scenery and even better weather. If fact, the weather was about as perfect as you could ask when spending the day on a bike. I gave half the thought to riding back home the next day since Sunday morning started out nice and peaceful. However, a stiff wind quickly stirred up and I was glad I wasn't out on the bike suffering in that wind all by myself. I'll take the ride back in the car....
Friday, March 27, 2009
Friday night lights
Man, I enjoy the bike. But, if you are reading this, you already know that. I think I enjoy even more so when I am in shape and the bike seems easy to pedal.
Headed out for the Friday night ride. But, I dusted off the Giant for this ride. My XC ride. I just got my new Schwalbe 26x2.10 tires via UPS today. Figguring that is the tire combo I'll run for the Sea Otter Classic XC race in a couple of weeks, I needed a chance to see if the bike was still okay. I also plan on using the Gaint for an inevtibably painful but epic ride on Suday at Henry Coe state park. Too much painful climbing there for me and the Ventana...though, I know, it is mostly mental.
Anyway, I took the lighter weight wheel set that I orginally had on the Giant but had been running on the Ventana for about 6 months or so, and put the new tires on it. Threw the combo on the Giant. As such, the Giant is weighing in at about 26.5 lbs. Putting the heavy duty wheelset back on the Ventana upped her weight just sub 29lbs to 30.5 lbs. That is going to suck at some point.
So, taking the Giant out for the Friday night ride...it felt real good and responsive. That thing accelerates so much quicker than the Ventana in terms of responsiveness to pedal input. Not nearly as smooth or confidence inspring as my trusty Ventana, but man that thing responds to the pedal input. I felt real froggy with that ride underneath my legs. Darius and I kept playing cat and mouse, sprinting ahead of each other. Until we got to 82 of course. Trying to climb that thing...I hate it. Every time I climb 82, I think "why am I paying money to enter a race to try and kill myself going up this damn thing." Even with 2 pounds less of a bike, much more efficient pedaling and being in better shape...82 will still be my weakness come race time.
I still felt good overall, despite 82. I finally feel like my fitness is improving. Like I could be satisfied with how I will do come race time. I still dont' think I am competitive with the 150 lb, every day lycra wearing dude on a 21 lb bike....but I think I am happy with my level of fitness and think I am on the right path.....
Headed out for the Friday night ride. But, I dusted off the Giant for this ride. My XC ride. I just got my new Schwalbe 26x2.10 tires via UPS today. Figguring that is the tire combo I'll run for the Sea Otter Classic XC race in a couple of weeks, I needed a chance to see if the bike was still okay. I also plan on using the Gaint for an inevtibably painful but epic ride on Suday at Henry Coe state park. Too much painful climbing there for me and the Ventana...though, I know, it is mostly mental.
Anyway, I took the lighter weight wheel set that I orginally had on the Giant but had been running on the Ventana for about 6 months or so, and put the new tires on it. Threw the combo on the Giant. As such, the Giant is weighing in at about 26.5 lbs. Putting the heavy duty wheelset back on the Ventana upped her weight just sub 29lbs to 30.5 lbs. That is going to suck at some point.
So, taking the Giant out for the Friday night ride...it felt real good and responsive. That thing accelerates so much quicker than the Ventana in terms of responsiveness to pedal input. Not nearly as smooth or confidence inspring as my trusty Ventana, but man that thing responds to the pedal input. I felt real froggy with that ride underneath my legs. Darius and I kept playing cat and mouse, sprinting ahead of each other. Until we got to 82 of course. Trying to climb that thing...I hate it. Every time I climb 82, I think "why am I paying money to enter a race to try and kill myself going up this damn thing." Even with 2 pounds less of a bike, much more efficient pedaling and being in better shape...82 will still be my weakness come race time.
I still felt good overall, despite 82. I finally feel like my fitness is improving. Like I could be satisfied with how I will do come race time. I still dont' think I am competitive with the 150 lb, every day lycra wearing dude on a 21 lb bike....but I think I am happy with my level of fitness and think I am on the right path.....
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Pedal like the wind
NOT! Steady winds over 20mph today. Gusting at 40 to 50 mph. Usually, I'd stay off the bike on a day like today. But, I have some work to do. My first real race will be the Sea Otter Classic in mid April. I pre-rode the course with Darius and Darren last week. They are both racing it as well.
One thing I learned from the pre-ride...I have some work to do! I also managed to let myself slip up to 190+ lbs. That pre-ride hurt. And, I wasn't even going race pace. I'll be up against a bunch of every day lycra wearing dudes on 20 lb bikes while my "XC" light bike is at leasat 27lbs. Man do I have some work to do.
So, today I wanted to get out and just go at my own pace for about 2 hours and get in some good climbing. It turned out just short of 2 hours and about 2300 feet of climbing. Not bad. But, man, that wind was nuts! Most of the time while on top of ridges and what not, it was a cross wind...probably near that 40mph mean speed. I've never had to lean a bike that far over to go straight.
But, all in all, a decent ride. Didn't feel like crap. Felt like I got in some work, and just enjoyed being out there on the bike.
One thing I learned from the pre-ride...I have some work to do! I also managed to let myself slip up to 190+ lbs. That pre-ride hurt. And, I wasn't even going race pace. I'll be up against a bunch of every day lycra wearing dudes on 20 lb bikes while my "XC" light bike is at leasat 27lbs. Man do I have some work to do.
So, today I wanted to get out and just go at my own pace for about 2 hours and get in some good climbing. It turned out just short of 2 hours and about 2300 feet of climbing. Not bad. But, man, that wind was nuts! Most of the time while on top of ridges and what not, it was a cross wind...probably near that 40mph mean speed. I've never had to lean a bike that far over to go straight.
But, all in all, a decent ride. Didn't feel like crap. Felt like I got in some work, and just enjoyed being out there on the bike.
Friday, February 20, 2009
LOVE the bike
Yes, I love my bikes. I haven't done a ride longer than maybe 1 hour 15 mins in quite some time. But, those rides on the 29er hardtail single speed have been fun. Managing momentum vs effort. Sweet talking a bike over technical obstacles that would surely intimidate the average recreational rider. The SS has been sweet.
However, tonight, I got out the Ventana. My sweet, lovely Ventana. Despite not being in shape for it, we logged 30+ miles together tonight. Pure, blissfully, sweet harmony between man, machine, and nature. I am not shitting you. Feeling 100% as one between man, the machine you toil over incessantly to achieve perfection , and the trail.
Despite not being in shape for it, I loved every single second of it...even when I wasn't sure if my legs would fall off or my heart would explode from the effort. It was still pure, blissfull sweet harmony. Everything I asked of that bike, it delivered...and gave it to me with pure joy. Yes, that is right, 5+ inches of the smoothest, most supple travel you will ever feel on a machine....responding to your every input as if it knew what you wanted and where you wanted to go.
If you don't ride a bike passionately, you won't understand. But, man, I love my bikes. Be it the road bike, the Ventana, the SS, the XC bike...I get on one of those, and NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. I love my bikes. And, I love the opportunity to ride them. I'll miss Monterey (when it comes time to leave) and the opportunities I get to connect with my bikes and nature and the feeling the ability to live in that instantaneous moment where success is just as rewarding as playful failure....for the fun is trying something whether you fail or not.
If you don't know what I am talking about, you need to get a bike and remember the freedom that two self propelled wheels in the middle of nowhere can give you. I am serious.
However, tonight, I got out the Ventana. My sweet, lovely Ventana. Despite not being in shape for it, we logged 30+ miles together tonight. Pure, blissfully, sweet harmony between man, machine, and nature. I am not shitting you. Feeling 100% as one between man, the machine you toil over incessantly to achieve perfection , and the trail.
Despite not being in shape for it, I loved every single second of it...even when I wasn't sure if my legs would fall off or my heart would explode from the effort. It was still pure, blissfull sweet harmony. Everything I asked of that bike, it delivered...and gave it to me with pure joy. Yes, that is right, 5+ inches of the smoothest, most supple travel you will ever feel on a machine....responding to your every input as if it knew what you wanted and where you wanted to go.
If you don't ride a bike passionately, you won't understand. But, man, I love my bikes. Be it the road bike, the Ventana, the SS, the XC bike...I get on one of those, and NOTHING ELSE MATTERS. I love my bikes. And, I love the opportunity to ride them. I'll miss Monterey (when it comes time to leave) and the opportunities I get to connect with my bikes and nature and the feeling the ability to live in that instantaneous moment where success is just as rewarding as playful failure....for the fun is trying something whether you fail or not.
If you don't know what I am talking about, you need to get a bike and remember the freedom that two self propelled wheels in the middle of nowhere can give you. I am serious.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Liking the SS
Got in a quick ride today with some of the guys. Peter, Jason, Darius, and Mike. It was chilly out, but sunny. Maybe 48-50F. I had a lot of fun on the SS while riding with H on Sunday and had been itching to get back on it again. So, today was a good day to do it.
I just recently tried putting my old Juicy 7's from the Ventana onto the SS, but the front one seems to have a sticky piston. So, I picked up a BB7 and threw that on the front. The old BB-5's on the SS absolutely sucked. Brake issues solved and riding this year with a suspension vs rigid fork has made the SS a lot more fun. Sometimes it is cool to grunt out a climb, though not too steep and not too long of a climb! If the grade and distance are just right, it is a nice change from having to sit and spin up climbs.
And, with the 29er wheels on the SS, cornering seems a little more fun...at least a different kind of feel than the cushy 26" wheeled Ventana. Neat also is riding over sections and having to think about maintaining flow while letting your arms and legs act as shock absorbers again...for if you ride over it in the same fashion as on a 5+" travel full suspension bike that rides like a cloud, you have a good chance of ending up on the ground, not on the bike. So, that adds another challenge to liven things up on the same old trails. Jumping too. Man, landing a jump smoothly on a hardtail with only 80mm of travel takes a lot more skill than say on the Ventana with 140mm of travel up front and about the same in back.
So, back to today's ride. Fun. Only felt like I was killing myself on a couple of climbs, but we were on the 8th and G side...and didn't really hit any of the climbs that are challenging. Jason was the only one on a geard bike too.
Hopefully, the rain holds off tomorrow (supposed to rain off and on for the next 5 days or so) long enough to permit us to do the normal Wednesday night ride...and I'll be on the SS again.
I just recently tried putting my old Juicy 7's from the Ventana onto the SS, but the front one seems to have a sticky piston. So, I picked up a BB7 and threw that on the front. The old BB-5's on the SS absolutely sucked. Brake issues solved and riding this year with a suspension vs rigid fork has made the SS a lot more fun. Sometimes it is cool to grunt out a climb, though not too steep and not too long of a climb! If the grade and distance are just right, it is a nice change from having to sit and spin up climbs.
And, with the 29er wheels on the SS, cornering seems a little more fun...at least a different kind of feel than the cushy 26" wheeled Ventana. Neat also is riding over sections and having to think about maintaining flow while letting your arms and legs act as shock absorbers again...for if you ride over it in the same fashion as on a 5+" travel full suspension bike that rides like a cloud, you have a good chance of ending up on the ground, not on the bike. So, that adds another challenge to liven things up on the same old trails. Jumping too. Man, landing a jump smoothly on a hardtail with only 80mm of travel takes a lot more skill than say on the Ventana with 140mm of travel up front and about the same in back.
So, back to today's ride. Fun. Only felt like I was killing myself on a couple of climbs, but we were on the 8th and G side...and didn't really hit any of the climbs that are challenging. Jason was the only one on a geard bike too.
Hopefully, the rain holds off tomorrow (supposed to rain off and on for the next 5 days or so) long enough to permit us to do the normal Wednesday night ride...and I'll be on the SS again.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sedona
H and I hit up Sedona before Christmas. Overall, it was a good time. I got schooled hard by some locals. There was wet and sometimes ICY off camber sections of sandstone with huge drop offs on the downward slope. Those sections really made me loose confidence on the bike.
The next day, I took H on a ride. It turned out (from my perspective) to be one of her best rides. She did way better than I thought she would. We ended up doing over 15 miles of Sedona riding at 4000 feet of elevation....probably a lot to ask of someone coming from sea level that isn't a passionate rider.
Anyway, some vids from that ride with H.
The next day, I took H on a ride. It turned out (from my perspective) to be one of her best rides. She did way better than I thought she would. We ended up doing over 15 miles of Sedona riding at 4000 feet of elevation....probably a lot to ask of someone coming from sea level that isn't a passionate rider.
Anyway, some vids from that ride with H.
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