Disaster. I didn't have it, and I don't know why. It's not that I didn't have it...I didn't have anything. It was nice to blow the snot out of my legs, which is good. Turin's post race meeting went well, and I got a chance to properly meet the riders I didn't already know. Our best finisher was John, in (I think) 10th place. Below are the top five finishers.
This post was going to be about how I feel hung over or jet lagged from my 36 hours of driving, but in lieu of complaining, I'm going to highlight Brad Huff's Bronze at the World Track Championships. This guy is a team player. In the 2005 Gateway Cup, I remember when he (in the elite crit champion jersey) rode support for a teammate. He's getting ridiculously close to some rainbow bars (already having a collection of the red, white, & blue). I think about Hillsboro while he thinks about the World Championships.
I'm back. Back in the Midwest, back in St. Louis. It's good to be here. The drive was ridiculous in retrospect. I went from San Luis Obispo, CA to St. Louis, MO. The drive across Cali was interesting; there is such a contrast between the coast and then the central valley. I was impressed with the wind farm pictured here. I tried to pick the picture with the most windmills. Not too long after it got dark. I drove across all of Mojave desert and Arizona in the
dark. I didn't know I'd be so close to the Grand Canyon or the Petrified Forest. If I'd been aware, I might have planned a daytime stop. The sun came up as I was crossing into New Mexico. I stopped in Albuquerque for gas, food, coffee and an oil change. That's right, an oil change, I had reached ~6k miles since the last change and I felt it was a good idea to get it changed before it reached 7k.
The rest of New Mexico was boring, maybe good for a week's worth of rides, but it was already all brown and dried. Once I got into the Texas panhandle it actually greened up. I got a few photos that reminded me of that desktop background that windows ships with. There's not much to say about Texas. It's flat. Particularly good looking (must be the time of year).
Oklahoma was green as well, but the sun set about 70 miles into it. I got a picture of the Oklahoma red dirt before the sun set. I stopped for my last big refueling in Oklahoma city (the last good coffee of the trip). Missouri was a foggy, damp blur. I nearly fell asleep. I avoided this by downing more 24oz. coffees. I got home around 5:15 am central standard time. It was such a relief. All the chemicals in my body from the diet soda... I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and collapsed.
Good to be home.
Although this excursion has been exciting. I'm can't wait to get home and settle back into a place I can call my own. I've got about 2000 miles between me and home, so we'll see how long it takes to get there.
(Posted to the web on 3-29)
Rode with Joel this morning. It was a nice super easy pace out to Los Osos park and back. It was typical coastal fog until we got back into town where the sun was shining bright. I didn't really have the motivation to head back out for more miles, so I just cut it short there.
With the sun shining and a light breeze blowing, I decided to sit out on the deck and finish Into the Lake By the Woods by Tim O'Brian. It was a really good book. I don't really remember my reaction when I read The Things They Carried in high school. The book, about a Vietnam-vet, ex-politician, keeps the reader wondering about the unfolding mystery. After reading the book I was amazed by how well I felt like I knew the main character.
Another shout out to put in there. Congrats to Brian and the rest of the Jelly Belly team on winning Redlands.
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I got up and out for the group ride this morning. The pace was higher than it was two weeks ago. A masters rider (who I gather has a long cycling history told entertaining stories for a 1/2 hour) Ken Hanson (BMC) was also there. Most people went shorter, but 5 of us did more miles. I can't say I cared for any of the riders in that last group. I let them ride up the road while I was having a sandwich and eventually accumulated just under 100 miles. It was a pretty good ride.
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No ride today. I'm (still) watching the extended version of the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. It's a nice day though.
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I rode 70 miles solo this morning, then met Ron in Santa Margarita for another brisk 40. After a whole day of riding, I collected by reward at the farmers market. I love good bbq. I know there was a pork rib and a skewer of tri-tip. I also had a cup of beans and a diet soda. I guy who I sat near on the curb was kind enough to give me some tortilla chips to balance the protein heavy dinner. If you ever go to the market, you have to try F. McLintocks (just listen for the shouting).
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Cause I crashed. I had some grand plans to go inland today, but scrapped them for discernible reason. I rode north along the coast to Old Creek which crosses Hwy 46 to become Santa Rosa Creek Rd. I met an Englishmen named Steve Wright on the ride. He was good conversation after we had finished climbing. I did a little wipe out on the steep descent down the wall. When I got back to San Luis, against a minority section of my better judgment, I did Prefumo Canyon. See the profile above. I hit the bottom of the climb at mile 85 for my ride.
(Posted to the web on 3-29)
I bought a rain jacket in Tucson and it worked to keep the rain away for about a month. Today it rained. No mercy for me. I left home thinking that I might make it to the coast, but I got wet in the first 5 minutes, so I cut the ride short and did Prefumo Canyon. WET. Yuck. I watch a Star Wars movie I found laying around for afternoon entertainment.
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Rode in north country today. Over the grade, south and east on Pozo Rd., up Park Hill to Huer Huero, west on Hwy 58, left on La Panza to Creston. I took a break in Creston and refilled on water. The rest of the ride, south Hwy 299, east Hwy 58, and back over the grade was pleasant. I can kinda tell that the land is drying out a bit. It's not quite as green as when I got here. 
I stopped on the way back down the grade to take some pictures. When Erin was here she mentioned that it looks a bit like New Zealand.
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Drove Erin down to Santa Barbara. Had lunch at a really good cafe. It's a wonder that I like southwest salads so much, but never make them myself, I guess I'll have to fix that. Anyway, I hung out at the airport (more like the air-very-small-building) before heading back north. Lots of ride planning this evening
(This was posted to the web on 3-29)
Although modern amenities were nice, Erin and I wanted to get away again, this time going south. There was tons of fog along the coast so we went inland to Lopez Lake. It was nice, but not like Pfeiffer. Lets just say that this campground drew a different crowd. Erin and I drank all the alcohol we brought by 9:30 and thus went to bed early. It was a good time. We're going out for St. Patrick's Day tonight and then Erin is heading back to the Midwest Sunday afternoon. Sad to see her go, but I'll be home in a few weeks anyway.
(This was posted to the web on 3-29)
Even after all that relaxing Monday, we wanted to take a little vacation within a vacation (and I wanted Erin to fall in love with California). We decided to go camping in Big Sur, CA. Erin wanted to camp in Redwoods, so Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park was the place. On the way north we took a detour in Cam
bria so I could show Erin "The Wall". A picture looking down the wall is on Flickr. The views along Hwy 1 on the way to the campground were breathtaking. Our campground was in the redwoods as promised. Dinner was a disaster, but hell, camping is fun anyway...
By the time we got going the n
ext morning it was late. It didn't matter though, as we had decided to head to Monterey to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row. The aquarium is world renowned, and when you're there, you understand why. Sure there are lots of colorful fish, but t
here's a kelp forest, outer bay tank, and the other big tank that's kinda figure-eight shaped. While I acknowledge that places like aquariums are typically young child oriented, Monterey doesn't have that feel.
After the aquarium, we had Mexican (happy hour) along the water, where I saw this one-legged sea gull. That's gotta be a hard life. We got more wine on the way out of town.
The drive back to Big Sur was beautiful. We got lots more pictures, some which made it onto Flickr. A less ambitious dinner and a good night's sleep.
Thursday morning we got up at our own pace and packed the car. It was nice to camp, but I was ready for some of the familiar amenities. Before we left the State Park, we hiked both the Pfeiffer Falls trail and the Valley View trail. The trees are so incredibly big!!! I took this "tree hugger" picture knowing that Nat and Robby would appreciate the idea of me hugging a tree on the other side of the country. It was another beautiful drive home, though I spent much of it sleeping.
When we got home we immediately showed. Soooo nice to shower. We then walked to downtown for the Farmer's Market. The tri-tip sandwich hit the spot. Vegetarians just don't understand what they're missing. After drinks and make-your-own fro-yo we walked back home. Such good food after a great vacation.
(This was posted to the web on 3-29)
We took full advantage of Erin's first day here - and the weather - and took to the beach for some sun. I can't say that I'm much for the beach, but there was something relaxing about just lying there, letting the sun keep me the perfect temperature. If it weren't for Erin I would never do such a thing (go to the beach), but having her there to talk to made it a good time. Before the beach we took a walk around downtown, so she could get the lay of the land as well as a post office stop. After the beach, we stopped at Trader Joe's and Von's. I would like to believe that Trader Joe's has everything you'd need, but it just doesn't. No powder drink mixes or yellow bananas. And really, who sells bananas for a per/each price? It should be by the pound. I digress. When we got home, a late lunch was in order. A super salad (spinach, avacado, two kinds of fresh tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, carrots, Jarlsberg, turkey, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, & balsamic) and strawberry margaritas fit the bill. We sat out on the porch eating and drinking as the sun went down.
Erin flew into the SB Municipal Airport this evening. It's one of those airports that's so small that the baggage claim is in an industrial tent. We then wandered our way into the picturesque part of Santa Barbara. We walked out onto the wharf, but didn't find a place we really wanted to eat. Erin wasn't thrilled about picking out the live lobster she wanted to eat, not to mention the smell of fresh seafood by the time it's reached the e
vening. We walked west along State St. where we passed all the chic shops and restaurants. We narrowed our list to Indian, Italian, or Mexican, and eventually settled on a cozy Italian place with a tasty selection of pastas called Pascucci. Yum!
Another group ride today starting from the same place, composed of primarily the same riders. The wind was strong so we followed it's direction, hoping it was weaken. We eventually went through Arroyo Grande, Oceano, Pismo Beach, into Port San Luis, and lastly up over See Canyon. I took my camera (and lots of photos). 
Check Flickr for more photos. We had pleasant pit stops in both Pismo Beach and at Port San Luis Pier. I've been wanting to take photos of the climb, and the first batch is up. I've got to get cleaned up and be on the road by 4:30 to pick Erin up in Santa Barbara.
So the ride wasn't all that challenging, but the people were great. We met at Mitchell Park in San Luis @ 8:30. Unlike Tucson, it doesn't snap cold here at sunrise, so I was pleasantly surprised by the warm morning temps. A good variety of riders showed up. I got a few leads on good rides before the group split.
My group (seven riders) rode up Santa Rita from the coast to Templeton, and meandered our way back to San Luis. I met people from all over a Canadian and an Irishman, Gordon who's been in California for a week. I would have liked to have my camera, but alas, I chose to take food instead. After the group got back to town, I wanted more time/miles, so I did Prefumo Canyon. I still can't get over how scenic the views are. All-in-all a solid ride.
I had a well-deserved smoothie after the ride, but my true culinary achievement was the hamburger and mixed greens, mushrooms, orange peppers, campari tomatoes, cucumber, onions, avocado, & balsamic salad. Yum. I'm tried, but more so excited about Erin arriving tomorrow evening!
So I decided that today is a rest day, so I'm catching up on my world events. I open up CNN.com and this is the picture I see. That dude looks scary, but I'm also wondering how hot it was in Baghdad today? I'll bet you he's breakin' a sweat. Also, Nat sent me a hilarious SNL short.
Rode south today. First on the bill was Prefumo Canyon. It's a great climb close to home. I was up and over the whole thing (1300 ft?) within an hour of riding. It's picturesque; that's all I can say. I'll take my camera next time I climb it. One thing to note, if you climb it the other direction, there's ~1 mile of relatively steep dirt that you'll have to contend with. After the climb I headed south along the coast, through Pismo Beach (with it's 1700+ ft. pier) and Grover Beach. I got a little lost north of Guadalupe, near the Conoco Phillips refinery. It was odd to see (I couldn't actually see it) a refinery in the middle of all the state and national parks. Back inland to Arroyo Grande, and then north along Orcutt to San Luis. I was dragging the whole time and might have to take a rest day tomorrow. I had a siesta when I got home; when I woke up it was dark outside.
Today's ride was a great ride, but a hour or so short of being epic. I rode the Pacific Coast Highway out to Morro Bay (where I saw a Slipstream rider), cut east (inland) to Atascadero via Hwy 41 (where I got stung by a bee in my jersey ~15 times), north to Templeton, back west on Hwy 46. Here's where it gets interesting: Santa Rita Creek Rd. Going the other direction this climb is known as "The Wall", a name well earned. Because I already had some elevation it wasn't that bad of a climb, but the descent is a potential killer. I rode off the road when I overcooked a corner and was surprised by a Mercedes. No harm, no foul. After hitting Cambria, I had a tailwind and was able to cruise at 30 mph all the way to Cayucos. I just tempo'ed the rest of the way back into town.
I'm just excited to be here. I rode downtown this morning, just to reacquaint myself with the town. I stopped at a few places, the bank, the market. When I got home, I sat out on the back porch and finished Naked by David Sedaris. It's a strange book; I don't really know if I liked it. Either way, it was a book that you could put down or pick up with ease.
My 'recovery' ride wasn't quite that. I should have gone easier and shorter
, but it's hard to do when it's only your second day in California. I rode to Arroyo Grande and back. It's a great ride. Lots of vineyards along the way. I snapped a photo of the backyard when I got back. It's been 3 years since I was out here, and the backyard has transformed. Ron & Betsy have put in raised beds for produce, etc. After a good dinner I'm now weighing all my ride options for tomorrow.
At last. Let's be honest, Tucson has great weather, but Cali riding hands it to Tucson. I arrived in San Luis at ~4am pst. I was up by 9:30 and out for a ride by noon. My Uncle Ron and I did a favorite route of his that I've done before. It's been a few years since I've been to San Luis for riding, and I forgot how great the riding is. One thing I am bummed about however is that the Central Valley Classic Pro/1 field is full. I really wanted to do that race. Oh well. More training for me.
Uncle Ron
SAT: The race was hard. Ninety minutes of snake alley like efforts. I did 60 minutes of the race. About 5 minutes into the race I lost both bottles in one pothole-hit. It wasn't that hot outside, but you can't do a 90 minute crit with no water. I got a spectator to hand me back my OS mix, but that wasn't going to save me. Check out the course profile.
After an hour of that loop, my back was killing me and my workout was over. I got a nice, complementary massage after the race, but somewhere along the line lost my sunglasses. I still haven't found them. A loooong drive ensued.
Spent all/most of the day packing up my stuff for tomorrow's race & drive to California.
I've done some of these power intervals before, but not on Lemmon. Being my last true workout day in Tucson, I wanted to get this ride in. Todd and I began the ride by looping south (to extend the ride time). Once on the climb I did 10 on, 10 off, 10 on, 10 off, 10 on. By the end of each interval my back
would ache and my legs would shake. I thought my knees would hurt more, but I'm actually not hurting too bad after some ice. Happy hour as soon as Mike and Todd are ready to go.
Another highlight was seeing Jose in his SRAM car on Lemmon. I guess he was providing support for a tour group.
