On the road 02/16 and 02/18

Dave travels a fair distance to bike on GMR once or twice a month and worth every minute. I chased Dave from the ranger station up to the shed. Posted my best time 1:24.
Tanya looking fit. After the birth of her daughter.
Bill hustling the San Dimas Stage Race 2013.
Baldy from Fork plus one-ish.

2013 SDSR Looking For Host Families

San Dimas, California (February 11, 2013) - The San Dimas Stage Race organization is searching for families in the San Dimas Area who would like to host riders for the 2013 race! Host housing is needed for the professional men’s and women’s bicycle racing teams competing at the 2013 San Dimas Stage Race – an opportunity for families in the area to connect with National Champions, Olympians, future Olympians, and hard-working racers striving to fulfill dreams in professional bike racing. The race runs from March 22-24 but teams typically arrive 1-2 days before the race and usually leave the day after the race.

We are in search of families who live within a 30-minute maximum drive of San Dimas, CA. Opportunities exist to host men’s and women’s teams. Host homes need to provide: a bed space (couch or air mattress is fine) for each rider, kitchen privileges and refrigerator space; garage or other safekeeping space for bicycles. Host homes ARE NOT expected to provide: transportation or food. The teams will provide their own transportation and meals. Some families do like to provide some shared meals, but are not expected to do so. For race information see www.sandimasstagerace.com.

Host families are encouraged to engage with their guest racers, as experience shows that involved host families find the experience most rewarding when they connect with their guests. Come watch them race, talk to them find out what the life of a professional road cyclist is all about. If you would like to host a cycling team, please send an email to HostHousing@sdsr.info with the following information: Name, address, City, Phone, Email and the number of riders you can host. Whether you can host one or two riders, or whether you and your neighbors can host a full team of eight; we want to hear from you!

Contact Daryl Bowman,
SDSR Host Housing Coordinator
HostHousing@sdsr.info
(909) 437-0205

Still tiny bit of snow below Newmans.

Matt reports of just a tiny bit of snow below Newman's in the shade of the mountain.

I wimped out last week and slept in. I am paying for it. My muscles are screaming.

The software was updated this morning and the graph has new enhancements. Now you can see distinct axis for each metric on the edges and the range for my different level of exertion for recovery, endurance, race pace etc.

Gotta dash off to sit on the freeway.

SNOW!

Snow at first saddle.
There are hardier souls than I running and cycling on the road today. The temperature was 31F at bottom of Monroe and at Newmans. The sun warmed the hillside and the snow was evaporating with every minute. Talked with Jason of Bicycle Friends at the bottom of Monroe as he was headed up the mountain.
Seeing Herman and Mike walking their bikes on the icy road surrounded by snowy hillside cinched it for me. It was fun to touch the snow. And remember how hot it is in July.

Week of 02/05/2013

What are those graphs you keep seeing? Its my winter survival guide. I am cycling on an indoors trainer than gives me my power output. I am doing 30 minutes of exercise in the morning and creating intervals. A push of 30 seconds to my maximum power and then recover for a minute and a half. Today was a strong day. And my review of data over time shows excellent progress. I hope to be fit for the road when the time change happens.

On the road 02/02/2013

What a difference warmer weather makes. Rain blasted through the weekend last week. This week the clouds were high and blanketed the sky with a rippling effect that looked like waves. The temperature warm in the 70s. Everyone had pent up needs to be on the road. The City of Glendora had stationed their portable electronic sign on Sierra Madre for the east bound traffic a few weeks earlier. The sign had blinked "Cyclists must obey all the laws. Share the road." The sign was noticeably absent this morning. We had thought it was odd as the large cycling ride usually rides west bound. As Bill and I prepared for the left hand turn across traffic this morning on Sierra Madre north onto Glendora Mountain Road, we waited for a truck to drive by. I stuck my arm and pointed a left hand turn. Two headlights were behind me. Motorcycle officers. "Stop over here." I wasn't certain if they were talking to me. I slowed to a crawl. They did not follow. They parked yards from the Sierra Madre Valley Center turn. I hoped they were CHP to patrol the road, however, they were city officials and they doled out numerous tickets to those who rolled through Valley Center stop sign to travel west bound on Sierra Madre.

At the bottom of Monroe Truck Trail, or the first left hand hair pin turn, a female cyclist with thick long hair flew by. I caught her draft and hung on for a mile pedaling up hill averaging 9 mph. A strong effort for me. Her cadence was fast and by focusing on the legs in front, it helped take my mind off my body. I glanced at my Polar cycling computer CS600 to get a peak at my speed but didn't focus too long, data can be deciphered later. The visualization of someone effortless pedaling in front of me was a great goal to get me super charged. I hung on for a mile before my body needed to let up.


 I passed a rider or two. another indication that it was a strong ride. It was a very solo ride in terms of cycling. There were plenty of other skateboarders, vehicles, motorcyclists and cyclists that dashed past. Every one brought their attitude today. Crossing the yellow line, racing their engines, speeding by. So dodging and keeping out the way was a bit more essential.

I stopped at the top of Monroe. Matt who rode with Bill, couldn't catch me today. It was warm and I wanted to go to Fork plus (not even one) to get a view of Baldy. and practice the climb up out of the fork. Enjoyed the view along Glendora Ridge Road, headed back and found Bill chatting with Mike of Full Circle Cycling.


Took a photo of one cycling group at the shed. Saw Alyce, Herb, Gina and Mr. Beanz. Chatted up Mr. Beanz and Herb in order to give Gina and Alyce a good head start.

Made it home safe. In Ray's words, "Yahooie".

Baldy from Fork Plus < 1 mile

Mike of Full Circle Cycling recalled his encounter with Glendora PD.

Group at the Shed

Herb

Bill

Mr Beanz

Matt

Baldy from Newman's