Not exactly the ride I had planned...

So I woke up (relatively) early this morning to take off on an all day adventure. The plan was to circle the San Francisco Peaks. I would go up the Arizona Trail from the Schultz Creek trailhead past Aspen Corner on Snowbowl Road, past Bismark Lake to forest road 418, then hike up Bear Jaw trail to Upper Waterline with the bike on my back, (Wilderness area...) where I would then ride down to the Inner Basin, then Lockett Meadow. From there, I'd take the acess road down to Schultz Pass road, where I'd hook up with Shultz Creek trail back down to where I started.

Why?

Because I want pictures of colorful aspens, and this route is sort of a grand tour of fall colors.

It didn't happen that way, and I didn't expect it to.

The day started off sunny enough as I cruised through town and started up the Arizona Trail:

Mature pines in the morning sun just look cool.

And soon I ended up at Snowbowl Road:

This is new! No more hopping over the barbed wire, and all new trail from here up!

Yeah... and from here up is all uphill to Aspen Corner, which was... 7 miles away. I was ready for it though.

But then, as I got towards the top, it started hailing. Nothing major, but hail non the less.

Now, I had been keeping an eye on the sky, and I had been watching the storm building up, and had dismissed the idea of riding around the peaks fairly early after the clouds started building. But I wanted to at least make it up to Aspen Corner. But Nature had other plans.

As soon as it started hailing, the camera and the phone went in a ziplock bag, and I started racing down the mountain like my life depended on it. What took me over an hour to climb, I came back down in less than 15 minutes.

Nothing gives me motivation to bomb it down a trail like weather.

I was almost to Snowbowl road at the bottom when I started hearing thunder. Close and loud thunder.

I was about 2 miles past Snowbowl road when I saw a tree get struck by lightning... something I've always wanted to see, but I would have preferred more distance. 300 feet is a little close. It was cool though... a big fat bolt of lightning came down and hit the tree, turning the whole trunk of the tree into light, as the thunder almost knocked me off the bike.

Oh yeah, and the tree was right next to the trail.

As I rode by, I could hear it hissing and crackling inside. Creepy.

The rest of the ride home was uneventful, and by the time I made it home, the storm had moved on eastward, and the sun was out. Go figure.

But, you know what? I think it worked out better this way.

From the time it started hailing and I turned around, to the time I got back in to town and the sun came out... I had the biggest grin the entire time. Not to mention lots of mud.

Besides... the aspens I passed were still green.

Mileage: 36.4

Taylor House Ride 2011 Ride Report

I'll start off by saying cancer sucks. So do most other illnesses, but I'm singling out cancer for now. Mainly because today was the Taylor House Century Ride, to benefit the FMC Taylor House and Cancer Center.

So, For my Uncle Greg, Grandpa Jack,* and anyone who is going through or has gone through cancer, and their friends and families, today's ride was for you, and I'll do my best to bring you along with me.

*Grandpa Jack being part of my extended/adopted family, who I love like family.

I showed up about 15 minutes before the start at the Hospital, having registered the night before. I'll say, that was an awesome move, having a night-before spaghetti dinner and pre-sign in. So I hung out, enjoyed the cold (it was 40 degrees) and shot the breeze with folks I knew.

Before long it was time to line up for pre-ride announcements and the actual start.
We rolled out, and down Beaver Street, where the entire group got stopped by a train. Not long after, the group got split by a traffic light at an intersection that the police decided to leave open. There was an adrenaline rush when, as we approached a turn across the railroad tracks, we heard a train coming. Myself and about 40 other riders beat a train at the crossing, with room to spare. I ended up with STeve airborne across the tracks.

I made good time down Route 66, past the car dealerships and through the neighborhoods back onto Highway 89. As I was rolling up to Townsend Winona Road, (Where the route turns off 89) 15 or so riders went straight, instead of turning. A quick glance didn't reveal any course markers, and the route re-joins 89 a couple miles further, so they weren't going to get too lost. But they cut about 10 miles off the route. Two other riders and I made the right turn, and commented about everyone who missed it.

Doing your homework and studying helps, folks!

Winona was a fast downhill roll, and after turning down Slayton Ranch road, I found myself cruising on Neptune Drive, where TC and I grew up.

Familiar views. The blue house on the left was ours.

I should mention here, that because of the ways the horde got split up, my ride became a very quiet and solitary ride for the most part. From Winona onward, I didn't see many other riders. In a way, I think it made it more enjoyable for me, as I could crawl into my pain cave, listen to my music, take pictures while riding, and air-guitar the miles and hills away.

Yeah, air-guitar. I got very good at air-guitar today.

From Neptune Drive, it was a nice roll up Silver Saddle Road, where I hooked back up with 89, and turned north. I crested the big hill at the Sunset Crater Road turnoff at 8:30, a full hour before the cutoff. I stopped at the aid station, re-filled my water bottles, rested for a few, then continued on to the 95 mile route, on the part of the course I had never ridden before.

Highway 89 North.

And 5 minutes later, looking back.

All downhill ahead!

I made good time to the next aid station, which offered nice views.

Steve, ready to keep on keepin' on.

I met a mother and daughter at this station who were running support and cheering on her husband/father as he rode his first century. I wished good luck to him, then set off.

As I said, I'd never ridden this loop, and it had been many many years sine I'd been out here at all, and I have to say, it is some of the most varied, and beautiful terrain around Flagstaff. My pictures really don't do it justice. That, and I was moving when I took them.

The road drops into a steep downhill here, and opens up to a stunning view of the Painted Desert. I couldn't grab a picture because I was doing about 40 miles an hour...

As I passed the Wupatki Visitors enter, the road turned from downhill to uphill. Lots and lots of uphill, that started sort of mellow, then started getting steeper and steeper. The terrain also changed, going from deserty sandstone to volcanic cinder and rocks.
I made it to the second to last aid station, where I took an extended break to rest up, chat with folks there, and take a picture from the overlook.

It was here that people took note of the fact I was doing this ride on a single speed. Anthony joked about giving me gears out of the transmission of the van he was driving, and 6'8" Nate offered to pull me up a hill or two. I met up with the fellow shooting for his first century here, and gave him some encouragement. Everyone else kindly informed me that the worst climbing was ahead.

Thanks guys.

It started off ok, but there were three hills that started off mellow, then got steeper and steeper, and longer and longer.

Like this one, coming up on Sunset Crater.

And this one, next to Sunset Crater.

Lava flow!

Bonito lava flow!

Getting close to 89!

On the last big climb up to 89 and the last aid station, my legs started to let me know they weren't happy with me. I laid off a bit, and crawled in to the last station. I took my time here, stretching, relaxing, and enjoying the thing that gave me motivation to climb those last hills:

Pooooooopssssiiiiiiiiiiclllleeee......

At this point, I was happy with myself. All the un-charted (to me) route was behind me, and I had ridden all of it. I didn't walk a single hill, no matter how much I wanted to. High-fives and handshakes were exchanged, from people who were amazed at what I had just climbed with only one gear. The guy gunning for his first century was there, too. I told him the worst was all behind him. He made it this far, he's got it.

Especially when not long after turning back on 89, heading back towards town, this is what greets you:

Downhill! Glorious downhill! Let the coasting commence!

Unfortunately, it's short lived, and after a couple miles, it's mostly all gradual uphill into and through town, with Cedar Hill thrown in RIGHT at the end, just to make you give up hope.

To be honest, I completely zoned out the last 15 miles. I don't remember much, other than my legs started trying to cramp up. Rather than stopping to rest and stretch, I figured out a way to keep riding and stretch my legs as I pedaled. It's something I'll need to remember for next time.

I also vaguely remember that after what I had ridden up at Sunset Crater, Cedar Hill was nothing in comparison, and I fairly cruised up it, and down the other side to the finish at the hospital.

I was among the last riders to make it in, but I finished! Victory food!

Not long after I got there, First Century guy rolled in. He was understandably dazed, having ridden his first century. I let him know that it was a hard route for a first century, and he did awesome. Then he told me something I'd never quite heard about a big ride like that.

He said I made it look easy.

Hang on... I'm going to tuck that compliment away somewhere safe, where I can take it out to inspire me when I'm suffering up a steep climb.

Ok, I'm back.

All I could do was laugh, and say I'm glad I can give that impression.

Yay, Steve!

I finished what I could of my food, then headed slowly home. I showered, told Exe about it, napped, chilled, got ice cream, and now I'm typing away at the blog. I'm exceptionally sore, tired, and trying to decide if I've built muscle today, or destroyed some. My legs are twitchy and crampy, and, to be honest, I'm surprised I've made it this far through the blog with any level of coherence.

Despite all that, I feel good. I dedicated this ride to family who've fought, and are fighting cancer, and then went out and rode it. It's a big thing for me.

Mileage: 105.4, in 6:40 moving time. Average speed was 15.8

What should one do...?

What should one do when the power goes out at work, but you still want to get things done?

Well, if you're like me, you aim your bike with conveniently placed headlights at your work space.
And then continue working as usual, mocking everyone around you who didn't bring a bike, in case of power outages.

What does one do in preparation for a century, or race, or other big, anticipated for most of the year ride?

I don't know, but it's probably nothing like what you would do if you're like me.

Because, if you're like me, you'll wake up, hop on a bike, and ride to a bike sale. At the bike sale, you might score a sweet, rare Austro-Daimler bicycle frame, that happens to be the perfect size for you.

There be bike porn below:

A little beat up, but still beautiful.

All hand-brazed.

You just don't see this kind of love from big manufacturers anymore.

Also came home with a Shimano 600 wheelset, and chrome Tange fork for the frame.

It is going to be a while before I can build it up and ride it, but when I do, it will be sweet, and worth the wait, I'm sure. I'll be doing my best to build it up with components of the same vintage as the frame, but I doubt it'll be anywhere close to the Campagnolo titanium Super Record that was on it originally.

Ok, last question: What does one do the evening before the above mentioned ride?

Why, ride to the night-before check in and spaghetti dinner, of course!

Yum!

At least... that's what I would do.

Mileage: 20.6

Avast! It be Talk Like a Pirate Day! Arrrgh.

Ahoy, me hearties. In celebratin' it bein' Pirate Day, I'll be doin' up this blarg post in one a' tha many forms a' Piratespeak. So gather 'round, down ye' some rum, an' I be tellin' ye dogs a tale a' me ride taday.

I be gettin' ready for tha Taylor House ride, an' in doin' so, that means I be ridin longer distances, so's I be ready. Taday after finishin' me framin' duties, I threw a leg over me trusty skiff, Bi, an' we sailed off east. Soon, we finds us at the rim a' Walnut Canyon, east even a' the park. On purpose this was, as I been tryin' ta find a particular spot here. Me sense a' directions paid off, an' we find tha spot.

Bi, anchored on tha rim.

Lookin' up stream.

This be what I been seekin'.

A bit a' history for ya lot: That dam was built back in the ninteenth century, ta hold back tha Walnut Creek, ta form a reservoir for fillin' up tha steam engines on tha steam engines o' tha' Santa Fe Railroads. It fell inta disuse after a flood.

Lookin' downstream.

On tha way back. Those louds look like they's a' brewin'.

Turns out they was a' brewin' a sunset.

After watchin' tha sun sink below tha horizon, I let the wind in me sails, an' drifted on home. All said an' done, I be callin' this me last trainin' ride a'fore tha century ride this weekend.

Mileage: 31.1 nautical miles

The Best Time of Year to Ride

Well, it's getting to be that time of year again.

It's dark enough in the morning that I need full lights on to feel safe on my ride to work, I'm on the lookout for colorful trees, and I need to start thinking about re-studding Bi's winter tires.

Fall sneaks up on me every year, but this year is especially sudden, with how little riding I've done, in comparison to years past. I'm left wondering where the summer riding season has gone, and why the Peaks have a thin layer of snow on them already?

I've been doing a lot of trail work the past couple weeks, enough so that I decided to get my own hard hat, instead of using my bike helmet.

Something ain't right...

But then I installed the actual headband and suspension and it fit properly. I think the hard hat will take a blow from a pick or a McCloud better than my bike helmet. Needs stickers, though.

Coming up in the near future: I build stuff, (It's almost done!) and the Taylor House Century ride. (Oh snap, that's next weekend!)

Mileage: 12.4

Aww hail.

Phrase of the day: "What timing! What finesse!"

I raced a thunderstorm to work today. I watched lightning all the way in from the house to the shop, and it only started raining on me about 200 yards away from the shop. By the time it started hailing, I was already inside, with my camera at the ready.

It starts. Mostly rain, a little hail.

After a while. Hard to tell, but at this point, it's quarter sized hailstones that are falling.

The end.

Sunrise.

Pretty intense little storm. It stripped a lot of leaves and needles from trees around town. I could not have timed my arrival at work any better.

I love it when that happens.

Mileage: 15.2

Race Day!

So yeah. Today was the Absolute Bikes Old Fashioned Mountain Bike Race, to benefit the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance.

Exe was nice enough to be my transport to and from the race, and hung out while I was pedaling to watch. Before the race, I asked if he had any bets as to what I would break today... frame, fork, taco a wheel, maybe. He said I'd taco the frame pump. Wouldn't that be interesting...

So, after getting all registered, and waiting an hour and a half, (We got there good and early) which gave plenty of time for the nerves to set in, the race started, and everyone bolted. I quickly fell back through the field, and settled into my own pace, which was significantly slower than everyone else.

The first lap went fairly well. No one passed me, and I even managed to pass a couple people. I paced myself, and spent some more time figuring out the new suspension fork, which settings would be best for climbing, flats, downhill, technical, et cetera.

I have to stop here, and just say how awesome having a suspension fork is. I never realized how much the rigid fork was beating me up. I'd have some pretty good fatigue going in my arms and shoulders about 20 miles into a good ride, but with the suspension fork, riding over 30 miles in a race, I had none of that. Not to mention how much faster I was on the downhills.

Lap two started off well, as well. I had a second wind for the climb up the road, and managed that fairly well. I ended up getting passed by a couple people, but they were in the teen race. Never mind that even if they were doing the full race, they'd still wipe the floor with me. But oh well. About half way into the second lap, I had my first new-fork related crash. (Woo!)

I came around a turn, and planted the front wheel against a rock. I wasn't leaning back far enough, so the fork squished all the way, and pivoted bike and rider over the wheel, neatly depositing us on the trail. I don't know how, but I came off it completely unscathed. I didn't even get my jersey dirty. I just remember the crash, then immediately picking up the bike and riding on, as the guy behind me shouted "That was impressive!" The rest of the second lap was spent building my confidence back up.

The third lap was a long hard struggle. It was long, it was hard, and it was a struggle. The road felt steeper, the singletrack climb was brutal and longer, and the downhill left me with shaking legs that wanted to bounce off the pedals like a sewing machine needle. Never mind I had already ridden it twice today, it felt like a completely different and foreign trail. It was a grind. I didn't see many people. I finished the lap with not much left in me. I was glad it was my last lap.

I finished the race!

My plan was to take it easy on the first two laps, and give the last lap everything I had. I did just that, but when it came to the third lap, I didn't have much left to give. But I finished! That was my main goal. My soft goal was to finish in three hours and 30 minutes, but I didn't care so much about that as just finishing.

So, Exegete and I packed up the bike and went home. I showered, hydrated, and had a soda, and felt good enough to hop on STeve and ride to the awards party downtown.

Cool clouds on the way to. First chance I'd had all day to look up, really.

I hung out with the real racers, ate pizza, watched trophies get handed out, and talked. Unfortunately I didn't get my race time there, due to a bit of a snafu. It didn't matter. I might have been last, (I was sure of it.) but I finished!

So imagine my surprise when I got home, and looked up the race results online?

Specifically, the class I was in?

9   837 KEVIN OKON            99    3 3:23:42

9th place, out of 11. I wasn't last! and I finished in 3:23! Faster than my 3:30 goal.

I'm tired, I know I'll be sore tomorrow, but I feel good. I gave it my best, and finished a race. I feel strangely accomplished for having ridden around in circles. Very tough, challenging circles.

And I didn't even taco my frame pump.

Mileage: 42.2 (33.8 raced on Tri, 8.4 moseyed on STeve.)

Concessions to Modern Technology.

I like to think that I like to keep things simple. Though, sometimes in my quest for simplicity, I overcomplicate things, but that's beside the point. I like simplicity.

Take, for instance, my mountain bike. One gear, no suspension. Much like how bicycles were 100 years ago. Dependable. Very little to go wrong. Good stuff. Tri was much like bikes of yore, only a little lighter.

Was? What did I do to Tri?

Examine this artistic picture of Tri I took earlier this evening:

Can you see it?

Yep, you are correct. I added a disc brake. I figure, I have these nice wheels I built with disc ready hubs, why not put a disc brake on Tri? Of course, this does deviate from the simplicity of rim brakes, but I still have one on the rear, so if the disc up front eats itself, I still have my old reliable rim brake in the back to stop me.

Of course... to add this disc brake, I had to replace the fork, as Tri's original fork didn't accept discs. So, why not replace it with a suspension fork?

A little more of my treasured simplicity flutters out the window.

So, what's with all this, then?

Well, you may remember last year around this time, I signed up for a little mountain bike race, and proceeded to bash in a pedal. Well, I'm signed up again this year, in what is sure to be a fail of epic proportions. Once again, as it was last year, my only goal is to finish. I'm in no way prepared for this, but I'm better prepared this year than I was last year. Last year, I signed up the day before the race. This year, I'm two weeks early. Last year, I had never ridden on the trails the race takes place on. This year, I've already pre-ridden the course, and have a strategy to try to maintain my awareness. Last year I only did two laps before breaking my ride. This year... we'll see.

All of this doesn't mean I plan on doing well. My mantra last year was "Hey, I already know I'll finish last. I just don't want to slow your race!" This year, my mantra is "Well, someone's gotta bring up the rear. Might as well be me!"

Feel free to come laugh at me at the race. It's this coming Saturday, the 20'th.

So! Having updated Tri a bit this afternoon, I took him out for a test ride around Soldier's Loop, at Fort Tuthill. A test ride I decided to do at race pace. Mostly. I did stop to take some pictures of the sunset-lit clouds.

By the time I put my camera away, the color was gone.

Learning to ride with suspension is going to take some getting used to. I have a lot of habits to change. However... the disc brakes? They feel smoother, but that's about it. Other than that, I can't tell a difference.

Mileage: probably around 12 or so. (Tri's speedometer wire broke in the fork swap.)