Clean 5.9

After a few weeks of going to the climbing gym, I finally completed a 5.9 route cleanly (i.e. without falling off). At this difficulty, I'm noticing the holds are smaller, more slippery, and at weirder angles. I think the 5.9's will keep me busy for a while, partly because of the difficulty, and partly because there are a lot of them. The 5.9 routes get hard enough that they approach the middle of the (roughly) bell curve that the gym uses to distribute difficulties (for example, there's only about one 5.5 since those would get boring quickly and one 5.13a since those are likely impossible for mere mortals).

It's also nice that the throbbing in my forearms that I felt when I first started going is now replaced by a dull ache. I suppose that soon enough I'll have to worry about crushing bones when I shake hands.

The Curse continues, but a good ride

I am still waiting for parts for my bike to be repaired so by Monday morning I was sick of waiting. I packed up and headed out on the SC-30 back up beater. It was record heat, but it would have been horribly wrong to complain. I had sort of wanted to get a computer for the backup bike but had put it back yesterday when I bought a lock and pedals for the wife.

I had decided that if I rode to performance I would reward myself with the computer. Mostly the trail was better than before, although rutted. There were several spots that were still under water. I don't mean that there were just puddles. There were half block sections of muck.
There were a lot of people out in some sections. The Des Plaines River is still running way over the underpasses as I went past it. That would not be an option. I turned right (South) at Lake bluff and things eventually thinned out traffic wise. When I jumped off the trail at lake cook aka county line road after going through Revinia the cranks seemed loose so I coasted as much as I could the rest of the way to the shop.
I told the mech my woes and I think because I was plastered in mud and looked hard core if rotund he fit me in (even though he told the next guy 3 weeks) He repacked the barrings and tightened the cranks. He told me to tell the register guy just 10$ for labor, not to tell them of the service. That's class in my book.

On the way home I took a detour down through what used to be part of Fort Sheridan housing I think to get a couple picks of the lake. You coast all the way down and pay for it to get back to Sheridan road. I made it to the Shell station by Dairy dream before the cranks were loose again. I called in an air strike (Wife with car) and took the wheels off and waited a few minutes. We took it straight to Tim's and got there just as they were closing. He thinks he can rethread it and insert a sealed cartridge for the cranks so the problem does not reoccur so easily. [insert Queen's 'Another one bites the dust' here] On the way home my wife was very nice and patient. She even suggested that I buy a new bike, but since there was a inference of colorful metaphor es attached I think I will wait until we have a house.

Bowling!

Last month I met up with my old bowling team. They said the bowling alley has been calling them to let them know that leagues are forming again! Well, we decided because of our schedules that we probably couldn't do a league, but we have started bowling again just for fun. We only had a chance to bowl one game last week, and mine was a 118. Could have been worse for not having bowled in 2 years. This Tuesday we went again, and I was closer to my old form with a 166 and 142-- starting to pick up some more spares, including that dreaded 10 pin!

The Prodigal Returns

Hello friends. Sorry for the extremely long time between posts. The last couple of Months have been very tough with my father diagnosed with cancer and my dear friend from childhood being found dead in a hotel room and on top of that I had lost the desire to ride. That was due in part to the continued rise of my blood pressure in spite of medications and that the medications along with the kidney disease were draining me. I was feeling old and older every morning. All of this was complicated by the fact that I have been struggling at work. Of course I was probably struggling because I didn’t feel well, was mildly depressed, and my blood pressure continued to rise. As you can see from the picture there is a new addition to my face... yes, that’s right I’m wearing glasses.

Now to the reason for this blog, I am riding again. Five times in the last eight days and I feel stronger then ever. I have been renewed! FGB and I had to out run one pesky dog but he didn’t seem to be intent on catching us just enjoying a run in the afternoon sun. I hope to ride more now that the sun dips beneath the horizon later in the evening. Last night I rode in the basement as everything is wet from the recent rain. I rode 16 miles in 45 minutes and had a top speed of 50 mph. When I hit 50 my cadence was at 170. Needless to say I was unable to maintain that speed for more than 30 seconds and my trainer was on its easiest setting but it was still fun! And isn’t that the main point to have fun? Thank you all for your continued blogs it is great to read them and to see the pictures.

Duddley and deer

After dinner on this rare day that I only worked one job my great spouse hooked up the nashbar trailer and we tried the dog in it around the island in the street. When I got up to 12 mph he was whinning. It tracked well. It would kill me on hills on a non paved trail that was wet but it seemed more stable than my usual riding. I was on the old pass through framed MTB on 26" wheels while my trek awaits a new cassette.

After that I was detached and went across to the familiar trail. I was caitious on the downhill by the red barn house as the trail was still wet and rather rutted from snow machines and dirt bikes. The MTB is no coaster and I,m sure I was very slow but I have to start somewhere. I have to banish this hibernation gut reserve. After seeing 10 deer (maybe Wednesday or I'll bring a camera) I went to Gossel road and ditched the trail to fairfield back to 176 to beat the sun home and do a couple miles on pavement to let the bike clean itself a bit. I might have done 8 miles. Pitiful in some respect but not pitiful in comparison to driving a couch.

Yesterday I did a Very slow ride of maybe 20+ miles down to the Desplaines River trail with some thoughts of heading North but the underpass was flooded out so I turned around and after 15 feet saw the other direction was washed out too. A fully geared cycle jock shot past me without a word and geared down and pedaled through several turns of the swamp. I could not see where the water pulled back and revealed the path again. The water seemed more than halfway up his cranks so I just returned to the upper path for a bit further and plodded home. Not quite enough to get a bike buzz but I was in a better mood for the rest of the day.

I have tried to call Handy several times about a possible IN trip and maybe it's the wrong number? Please call me soon.

I suspect you could kayak a significant portion of the Des Plaines River right now

Yellow Bluff

The name instills awe and respect in beginning paddlers. In more experienced paddlers it, well, still instills awe and respect. But it's also a great play spot and training ground. And this is where we played and trained on Saturday.

As the tide on the ocean rises and falls, a huge volume of water passes in and out of the mile-wide Golden Gate. This causes a current as high as 7 miles per hour under the bridge (a good sea kayaker can sprint at 5 mph for short distances).

About 1/4 mile inside the northern end of the Golden Gate, water from the North Bay must go around a corner and through a change in depth to escape to the ocean. This causes the water to get stirred up in a very localized area when the current is ebbing, much like a rapid on the river. If there is a significant wind opposing the current or if there's a large swell coming in the gate, the usual 2-3 foot chop can get magnified into big 6 foot rollers. If there's not a lot of wind or swell, there are always tanker wakes to help make things interesting.

The idea is to get into the current and paddle against it. The chop that opposes the current gives enough of a boost to hold position. And every once in a while, a nice clean wave moves through. As one of these waves lifts the boat's stern, one can paddle hard to catch it, rocketing forward against the current. Then the challenge becomes maintaining balance, speed, and direction for as long as possible, hopefully for 100 yards or more. For resting, there's a big calm eddy next to the rip, which is formed by the current hitting a point of land and reversing.

So on Saturday, 8 of us took to Yellow Bluff. We got on the water around 1, shortly after the ebb out the Golden Gate was starting. We played and played. We tempted fate by taking pictures of each other while bouncing around in the rough water, one hand on the paddle and one on the camera. I practiced a planned self-rescue, the reentry-and-roll, with two other people spotting me (and interestingly, the Coast Guard just happened to motor by as I was bobbing around in the water). By 4:30, we had worn ourselves out, so we headed back to our launch spot, which just happened to be in front of the Presidio Yacht Club Bar, one of the best kept secrets on the bay.

For more photos, see mine and Ed's

What I need for the next season

I have looked over my bike for two or three seconds today and went to air up the tires and get in some base miles to get back to the commute. Well I made it to the front and found loose spokes so I took the bike in and won't get it back until Monday. Mostly, I need to get off my butt and pedal off my gut. I will be so happy to be rolling with my friends again.
When I get it back it will be withouth the partially broken derailer gard as I was advised that it is dangeous and sharp as is.
I may ride Friday even if it is cold.

40 and 40

Well the late morning was like any other day. Darth II went to bed and I went for a nice indoor ride. Last week MWF was a hour ride with T TH a 40 minute ride. This week I rode 40 Minutes on M & F and 1 hour on T & TH... I have a habit of throwing in a DVD and watching while I ride. Makes the ride go by really quickly as well as give me a little entertainment. After Darth II napped the weather was really warm and the sun was shinning through some dark clouds. We went for a 40 minute walk around the neighborhood enjoying the wonderful, wonderful 55 degrees!!! We had to stay to the streets since during the winter most of my neighbors do not shovel the sidewalks in front of their houses. (Required to, but not enforced) Both Darth II and I had a wonderful time just walking outside!!!

Granted I ruined all my exercise with Pizza and a Big Gulp, but wow was that good!!!

Starting to look over my gear and making sure I get the new items I want in the next few weeks. I put the backrack and trunk on my bike so that is ready to go.

Items on my list

• New Helmet that is a little bigger and has a visor.
• New Gloves -Something I want to add, have a second pair
• Elbow Pads - Looked at a few places and will have to run out and look. I found some highly rated ones for BMX racing.
• Velcro or Strap shoes - I agreed not to ride outside clipped in for at least this season. I have the dual peddals so I can ride either way. I want to get a new pair of laceless shoes.
• Tools - Going to add to my Bike Workshop this spring and summer. Maybe if I sell some books and games on ebay I can generate enough to get all the tools I want...For Now..

Helmet and Elbows pads are a MUST... The rest can wait.

Ride On!!!

Snow! Glorious Snow!

Before last weekend, it rained for what felt like 10 days straight. That's a Good Thing. For one, it meant the first decent snowfall of the season in the Sierras. And so, last weekend, I was finally able to make it up to the mountains to play in the snow.

The whole weekend it was sunny with highs in the 40's, just beautiful. Saturday a group of 4 of us snowshoed to the top of a hill not too far from Lake Tahoe. At the top, we had a great few of the lake and the opposite shore. And it was made better when someone pulled out some chocolate and a flask of scotch. It's always good to be prepared.

Sunday I snowboarded while another in the group tele skied. I was glad to find that I hadn't forgotten everything in the year that has passed since I last went. Still going slow and making really wide turns, but at least my friend says I have good form. At one point I decided to try linking a bunch of turns really quickly, which of course resulted in catching an edge and landing on my back. I just went with it, kicking my feet over my head, rolling into a backward somersault, sticking the toe side of my board in the snow, standing up, and continuing on my way. It must have looked pretty cool. At least in my own mind.

the feet, not defeat

I have not even been spinning lately. I have been working a lot and disgusted and disheartened with the weather. Today I did over an hour with the Aero base builder DVD and that blathering clown coach troy (but I like the DVD enough) my legs were quick to go to lactic acid land but I have to get back to it. Even when the weather is good I won't be able to ride Tuesdays or Thursdays as I will now be working another job from 4-6:15, to go with my 6:30-9:30 on those days. This week I worked T,W,R night and had 2nd job meetings Tuesday to set up the program. Why? I would think about saying no, but this may lead to a full time position so we will try it. I have not heard about grad school yet, although they did cash my check. I started a 90 day med to try to fix some smashed toenails. I hope it works. Side effects include GI issues and a temporary change in taste and smell. I have lost almost all desire to eat. It better be temporary. Sorry if that's TMI (too much info) but I don't think anybody but the authors and their significant others read this. I did find out that KS reads this but she likes Andy's posts better. He has good pictures. She says I have good crash stories.

I am grateful that my wife is so supportive and understanding, both of my crashes and my winter weight gain. Someone really should get me a helmet cam.

The bike show is next month and I want to go on the 15th (Sunday?) so I can try some recumbents...(anyone else?) I have to work or I'd go on Saturday.
chicagobikeshow.com

Clowner face

When I was a kid, I coined the term "clowner face" to describe a trait that runs in the family. It is a facial expression that, when used properly, can summon superhuman strength. It comes in handy in many situations, for instance, when changing a tire or opening a jar of pickles.

There's a family photo from 1980-- when my dad was my age-- that shows my dad climbing to the top of a swing set to demonstrate a feat of strength. Clowner face is evident: one eye closed, teeth showing, jaw twisted out and to the side, and neck tensed with veins nearly popping out.

So tonight as I began my fourth week of going to the climbing gym, I'm sure I was using the family trait to muster all my strength. In the end, though, my forearms feel like throbbing lead weights, and my hand can barely turn the key to start the car. Of course the experts will tell you that it's not about strength, it's about technique, balance, finesse, good planning, and mental preparation. But I'm convinced that a little extra strength doesn't hurt.