Pack Fodder

Greetings Readers!

This is the best road ride I’ve ever done. It’s got everything. I don’t do it often as it takes the whole day to drive up to Hood River, do the ride, and then drive home. So it’s a real treat when I get the chance. Mom took the day off with me and we had a great time!

I’ll spare you all the details and let the pics do the talking. I could have taken hundreds today, but that would take days to upload. As many as I took, still, just doesn’t do it justice. But here they are anyway. Enjoy!

Here’s Mom showing me how it’s done.

Looking east out over the Gorge…

Mom, checking out the view.

Looking south behind us from the viewpoint.

these cool succulants were growing out of the rock walls, they were beautiful.  

the scenery is jaw dropping.

The flowers were incredible, every color you could think of. They were all blooming today, and all over the side of the road.

Heading up to Rowena point.

Looking down from Rowena crest, that is one killer descent!

That’s our route, heading east to The Dalles.

Mt Hood peaks it’s head out over the Gorge from Rowena point.

What a great ride!

Are you kidding? The road is lined with a white fence! Beautiful……..

Looking up to Rowena point as we climb….

Old barns from days gone by…..

Got to stop for refreshments.

Volcanic rock was everywhere…

Heading into the Mosier Twin Tunnels.

coming out the other side…

This is one hell of a ride, if your a roadie you owe it to yourself to do this ride. The scenery is breathtaking. Especially in the spring and in fall when the leaves change colors. The landscape is Volcanic rock, the Gorge, Ponderosa Pines and White Oak. Flowers are everywhere and the geographic formations are stunning. The Bike riding is twisty and fun, with two climbs up to Rowena Point, and two awesome chester cheeta grin descents. There are no boring long straightaways. Plus coffee and lunch stops as well. I hope to ride it again before winter sets in.

I felt pretty good today, it’s hard to not have your morale soar when on a ride like this.

Miles ridden today, 44

Miles ridden 2008, 1642.

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

So’s I get this text message this morning from my Sis, Ria. (Ria is short for  Maria) “hey, you haven’t been posting, what’s wrong?”

My Sisters and I are tight, love um both with all my heart. Thanks for reading Ria, love you I do.

She’s right I haven’t posted in awhile, in fact I haven’t been on the bike since Saturday morning. I took some time off from the bike. I worked in my yard, took this week off from work and got some things accomplished around the house, a front yard landscape makeover if you will. I’ve tried to put to bed (for a little while anyway) the stress of my fitness (or lack there of) and just not think about if for a while. The yard project was great, and it worked. I find yardwork and gardening therapudic, and I haven’t thought about the bike since Saturday. BTW, my yard turned out nice. I can once again lay claim to the best yard on the block!

So’s it’s Wednesday and it’s time to ride again, it was a great day (I didn’t get rained on) and there certainly wasn’t any traffic in the form of bikes today as everybody is working. So I went solo and just for you Ria, I took the camera. Ironically, I posted my best time of the year over this distance and I had good legs today. I guess a little time to let the body recover was just the ticket. We’ll see how I respond in the coming weeks ahead……

These here are what we call “Rollers”  

The things you see out on a bike ride…  I thought this wagon filled with flowers was pretty cool.

The whole side of the road was covered with this burgandy velvet carpet, outlined by white flowering heather. I couldn’t make out what all the yellow flowers were that gaurded the woods?

Don’t know what these yellow beauties are called, but they just covered the drainage ditch on the side of the road. All I had to do was unclip and smell the fragrance. Stuff you just don’t do when your in a car.

Riding past this nursery, all I could see was a wall of purple Japanese Maples. What a site, the pics don’t do this one justice, I couldn’t fit them all into the shot.

Check this beautiful pond, I shot this right from the side of the road.

Check out what once was an old Church, I especially dig the old CJ 5 jeep that seems willing to accompany it into it’s future of decomposition and neglect. This too, shot right from the side of the road.

There’s always things to see while out on a ride, that is, if your not focused on your workout and can spare the time to look. I see things on the bike that I just don’t see while I’m in the car. I love the silence, only the sound of the wind, and my tires rolling over the pavment. My mind is free to think at it’s discretion, I seem to oddly be at peace, even though I’m excerting myself. I love to ride.

Miles ridden today, 42

Miles ridden 2008, 1598.

Cheers!

Greetings Readers…..

What a great morning! The weather has calmed down a bit, as far as heat goes anyway. It was cool and crisp this morning, I love the ride in to work. It’s the ride home that’s not always so anticipated. Anyway, I was cruising along enjoying the wild bunny rabbits that live on the MUT, and I see him. I’ve passed him numerous times, but he’s always cruising and he’s dang near a blur as he goes by. But his bike, that I’ve been eyeing. I know it’s a single speed. That’s about it. I’ve been wanting to stop him for some time to check out his steed and this morning I got my chance. “hey buddy!” I yelled as he was approaching, and he slowed down while blazing past me. About 3 bike lengths behind me he grinded to a halt. “you ok?” he replied, thinking I was flagging him down for assistance. “yea, I’m great, I wanted to check out your bike” A large grin ensued. He was chiseled, shaved legs and all, with a distinct Aussie accent. He was riding a custom Paul Taylor Single Speed. Ho’ man was it sick, coolest single speed I’ve ever seen. Gorgeous steel frame, set up track style with track bars and a single brake up front. He had a flip flop hub so he could run it fixed but he likes it single speed. Outstanding build, and I’m so sorry readers as I had no camera with me this morning to take some pics. If I get a second chance I’ll be sure to take some pics for you.

The coolest thing? We stood there and bull sheeted about our bikes for like 10 mins. Like we were old chums and had all day to talk bikes and were in no hurry to get to work. Can’t do that driving a car to work folks. That’s whats so cool about it, as if you could just stop some guy driving by in a car in the middle of the street and tie up traffic while commiserating.  Life’s different on a bicycle folks, thats just how it is.

Twas a good day to be on the bike, hell, every day is a good day to be on the bike.

Miles ridden today, 21

Miles ridden 2008, 1513

Cheers!

Greetings Readers….

I had a great ride this morning! Not a lot of time, but great weather and I felt good. I actually pushed the pace and kept the gas on the whole ride, all the while soaking in the scenery. Best ride I’ve had in a month… To bad I only had a few hours, but I’ll take it. I’m encouraged that the form is coming back. I think the best thing I did yesterday was just cruise.

Miles ridden today, 27

Miles ridden 2008, 1492

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

My Pal Ken, Mom, and I went out for a spin this morning. We just cruised, no sprints, no climbs, nuthin. Just rolled along. In fact, I stayed in my 39 the entire ride, never once shifting up to the 53. It was pretty dang hot too, especially for that early in the day. We were well into the 90’s today! I was dripping with sweat 2 miles into the ride! All in all is was a good casual ride, prolly what I needed too. Today would not have been the day for a hammerfest. That’s all for today, I’m pooped.

Miles ridden today, 35

Miles ridden 2008, 1465.

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

I started out the door this morning already 10 mins late,  I look down at my bike, flat. Crap. So’s I grab my crosser and head out the door. Keep in mind I’ve no bottle cages on my crosser and I’ve 32mm knobbies. It was 94 degrees today and I had no water bottles, good thing for me I’ve only a 10 mile commute to work. Funny how plush 32mm knobs are when you used to 23mm road tires. I felt down right slow, hindered by crappy rolling resistance and fat tires.

The great news? It’s Friday. Mom the moneypit and I, went out to Pizzicato’s. One delicious Spinach salad and a Genovese Pizza topped off with Two Widmer Hefewizen, I was in 7th heaven. What a great meal and a special treat, with a start like that I’m excited about my weekend!

It never even occured to me until after I was done that my meal was totally vegetarian. Delicious.

I was in good spirits today, noticable change for me given the last few weeks. I’m just chillin’ on the fitness stress, and funny thing is: I’ve had some good rides this week. Go figure?

Tomorrow, we go out for a casual road ride. I’m looking forward to it.

Miles ridden today, 22

Miles ridden 2008, 1429,

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

After two back to back commuting days of tired legs, what do I post? That I’ve got tired legs? Hell, that’s all this author posts about is tired legs. When is this guy (me) going to come up with something different? It’s hard for me to fathom that I could indeed be overtraining given the amount of riding I’ve done this year, and the current speed/level of fitness I possess. But that’s my assumption. It’s what my gut is tellin me.

I need to mix it up, maybe run some more? Ride a little less? Hit the singletrack on my crosser? Hell yeah, that sounds like a great idea. This weekend I’ll take my crosser to Forest Park and ride a little dirt. Maybe on Sunday, after my road ride on Saturday. Maybe I should plan on the Monday Night Crit series? Maybe I should take a whole week off and let my body recover? Maybe I should go out and by something totally superfluous? That would make me feel better. I’ve wanted a single speed for some time now….. How’s come there’s no athletes in my family? That I could draw advice from? Where’s Ria when I need somebody in the trenches with me? Mom (wifey) seems to be beat also, is there an unknown bug? A virus that’s zapping us both? Sure there is, it’s called work! Speaking of that 4 letter word, I’m taking some time off work following memorial day, I’m hoping that it’ll give me some much needed rest and a chance to refresh.

Hey, “life and times” and all that, read the header man. This is the blog of the family guy/working stiff trying to get in shape for cross. What did you expect? That I’d just zoom through the season like a perfect machine and battle for the podium in the Elite class? Hah! Too funny. If it was so easy…….. We’d all be racing the “A’s”.

I dunno, I gotta do sumthin? Just don’t know what? Stay upbeat Jimbo, keep your eye on the prize, and stay focused. Let up a little on the “get in shape” stress and chill out for a few weeks, just ride Clyde. Drop all the existential crap for a few weeks and see what happens? Maybe I am overtraining? Time will tell. I can’t wait for cross season!

Miles ridden today, 21

Miles ridden 2008, 1407.

Greetings Readers!

I haven’t been on the bike in two days! And I’m not stressin’ Yesterday on Mothers Day, Mom the Moneypit and I went out for a Hike. We hiked for nearly 2 1/2 hours, some people call that excersize, I found it therapudic. But unless I’m sweatin’ and the old ticker is up, it ain’t excersize.

When I got home from work today, I took my old arsk out for a run. I’ve followed mom on my bike while she was running so I could tell her the mileage of her route, 3.2 miles. I ran the same route today. I ran a 5K. Well, almost. I ran the 1st mile, had some spotty parts were I walked a little the 2nd mile, and I ran the third mile. I looked down at my watch with about a half mile to go: 0:24:44. When I crossed the line I must have cleared my watch somehow as it only read 30 seconds. Damn. My first 5K, and I don’t know my time. I’m guessing around 30 minutes. I think I can do better, and cut that time down to around 3, 9 minute miles.

I’ve some awlful pain in my shins while running, and I’m guessing I’ve not the right shoes. That and I’m turning 45 this summer and have never run my whole life……..  tomorrow I get back on my bicycle, and I suspect the ride in is gonna hurt. My legs are Sore!

I think my pal Ken is going to join me this weekend for a spin on the road bikes. Maybe Mom will join us, but I’m not holding my breath. I’m hoping for a 40+ miler, with maybe a climb thrown in. I can’t wait!

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

I went out for a quick spin early this morning as I had plans with my wonderful family at noon. I only had time for a 25 mile ride, and true to every day other than yesterday, I struggled. My numbers weren’t bad, but I sure had to work my ass off for those mediocre numbers. Tired ass legs I had this morning folks. Tired ass legs….

Tomorrow is Mothers Day and I’ve no idea what I’ll do, that will be up to Mom. I’m hoping for at least a run.

This is hilarious! I stumbled on these early pics. Check out the early days of my racing pedigre, my old BMX bike. Hey, this is a 30 year old pic. That bike was the shiz back then. Even as a kid I loved the bike, I saved my money for those rad Redline Forks. Top O’ the line back then. I tore that whole bike down and rebuilt it myself. I rode all over hell and gone on that thing, until I got a drivers license, then things started to change. Girls were more interested in cars than bikes, so guess which way I went? Loved that bike though…….

Below is the 1st race I ever did. Blue Lake park had BMX races on the weekend. I took 2nd place in my first race. I won the next one. What I would give for a 2nd place now! Check the skid lid, that thing weighed more than I did! Nice team kit, huh? A white seatshirt and cordaroy pants, I was rockin’ back then!

Racing BMX was a ball, too bad I gave it up for cars and chasen’ girls.

Miles ridden today, 25

Miles ridden 2008, 1367 

Cheers!

Greetings Readers!

I had a great run yesterday, making it farther than I’ve done before without stopping to walk a little. I also was a minute faster and I felt great afterwards too. This running thing is going to help me, I’m confident of that. I suspected a tough ride in this morning as the legs usually aren’t to cooperative the following morning on the bike. However that wasn’t the case today. I had two good commutes today, I felt good going in and coming home, and posted my best avg speed and shortest time. Go figure? Somebody wanna splain that one to me? For as much as I’ve struggled lately I don’t get it, why today? Why 12 hours after a hard run?

I’ll take it though, no complaints from me. In fact can I get some more?

Miles ridden today, 19

Miles ridden 2008, 1342

Cheers!