Ugh, Hillsboro

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.

Huff Bronzes at Worlds

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.

Finally Here

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.

Headin' 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)

Last ride in California

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.

(Posted to the web on 3-29)

Saturday Group Ride

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.

(Posted to the web on 3-29)

Rest

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.

(Posted to the web on 3-29)

Technical Problems and Quotes

First I was ill, then Erin was here, now my computer is having problems, so there'll be more blogging when I get home to St. Louis. In the meantime, quotes.

"The pain of a fall is nothing compared to death" -Paolo Bettini

Epic distance & BBQ!!!

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).

(Posted to the web on 3-29)

Lets talk descending...

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)