I'm very excited planning my next cycling adventure. On January 7th I'm flying to Tucson Arizona to ride for a week. Another trip in search of warmth and sun and vitamin D. I found a place to stay from craigslist. Last night I placed an ad on craigslist for a 'cyclist looking for a place to stay'. In 24 hours I received over thirty replys from everywhere from $85-$400 a week. What a great thing that craigslist is. Tonight I called Joy Archer in Oro Valley and had a very nice conservation about all the great things to see in the Tucson area. That's where I'll be staying.
Some of my planned rides will take me to Kitt Peak, Sabino Canyon, Mt Lemmon and Biosphere 2. Oh and also the Tour of Cookie! It should be another wonderful trip.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Day 5 Florida Base Miles Trip
The question of the day is should I stay on schedule and ride to Clewiston or make the big push to end a day early. I got an early start after a greasy diner breakfast of a sausage omelet with home fries and a shortstack. I left at 8:00am, going do south out of La Belle into Alligator Alley. The quick way from La Belle to Clewiston is along Rt80 about 30 miles. Going though Alligator Alley made the ride to Clewiston 55 miles. This is a big square instead of a straight line to Clewiston. I wanted to see alligators.
I had to carry extra water because there is nothing in between point A and point B. Of course the extra weight of carrying two more bottles was such a joy. The good thing is it is really flat in southern Florida. And straight. More roads where you can see where you're going to be 20 minutes from now.
When I was entering Alligator Alley I was stopped by two guys in a pickup truck. They were surprised to see me riding though there on a bicycle and not on a motorcycle. I wish I had my motorcycle. Despite all the water along the side of the road, I never saw an alligator. Plenty of buzzards. Very big scary buzzards waiting for me to sit on the side of the road so they can carry me away to feed me to their young.
On my way out of the Alley to Clewiston I got a phone call from Greg Weber. I very welcome phone call because I was able to talk on the phone and waste a half hour while riding. Remember my music comes from my cell phone. So I use the same headphones for both. Verizon is pretty amazing because I had full cell reception on the whole ride. No matter how remote I thought I was I was still able to send pictures, check emails, check Facebook and send texts. It diffidently got me to Clewiston.
I stopped on the far side of Clewiston for water and a much deserved reward. Ice cream! I sat there for a while not looking forward to riding down the highway any longer with all the big trucks passing by my elbow. After a half hour I got back in the saddle and continued to South Bay. South Bay was to be my new end point for the day. But I thought even with a nights sleep the last leg into Fort Lauderdale along Rt 27 was not going to be any fun. 40 miles of straight highway riding.
So I got the idea to stick my thumb out and hitchhike to Fort Lauderdale. I haven't hitchhiked since my days at Crested Butte when I use to hitchhike to work everyday. I went into the last service station in town for a Gatorade and a piece of cardboard to make a sign. All I wrote on the sign was 'Fort Lauderdale'. I went to the end of town, propped up my bike and stood there with my sign. It lasted less then 15 minutes and I was picked up by large pickup truck with a twenty foot trailer. He said there was no room in the cab but I was welcome to sit in the bed of the truck and he would take me to Interstate 75 about 40 miles. Works for me. I sat back there enjoying the speed that we were passing this very straight stretch of road. When they dropped me off, I thought about putting my thumb back out for another truck ride to FLL. But I decided I had sat long enough to think about this as a new ride for the day. I could easily ride 25 miles.
I hopped back on the bike for my last big push. I am now riding in standard city traffic and moving quite quickly. This is when I thought if I can get to FLL airport two hours before the last flight to BWI I will be able to go home today. For this to work, I had to be able to get the bike bag from baggage services, pack up the bike and clean up enough to get on an airplane. It was going to be close.
In the end I decided on not rushing and getting a hotel and a big plate of meatloaf for dinner. Yum!
92 miles today! And 356 miles in 5 days, not bad start for base miles.
I had to carry extra water because there is nothing in between point A and point B. Of course the extra weight of carrying two more bottles was such a joy. The good thing is it is really flat in southern Florida. And straight. More roads where you can see where you're going to be 20 minutes from now.
When I was entering Alligator Alley I was stopped by two guys in a pickup truck. They were surprised to see me riding though there on a bicycle and not on a motorcycle. I wish I had my motorcycle. Despite all the water along the side of the road, I never saw an alligator. Plenty of buzzards. Very big scary buzzards waiting for me to sit on the side of the road so they can carry me away to feed me to their young.
On my way out of the Alley to Clewiston I got a phone call from Greg Weber. I very welcome phone call because I was able to talk on the phone and waste a half hour while riding. Remember my music comes from my cell phone. So I use the same headphones for both. Verizon is pretty amazing because I had full cell reception on the whole ride. No matter how remote I thought I was I was still able to send pictures, check emails, check Facebook and send texts. It diffidently got me to Clewiston.
I stopped on the far side of Clewiston for water and a much deserved reward. Ice cream! I sat there for a while not looking forward to riding down the highway any longer with all the big trucks passing by my elbow. After a half hour I got back in the saddle and continued to South Bay. South Bay was to be my new end point for the day. But I thought even with a nights sleep the last leg into Fort Lauderdale along Rt 27 was not going to be any fun. 40 miles of straight highway riding.
So I got the idea to stick my thumb out and hitchhike to Fort Lauderdale. I haven't hitchhiked since my days at Crested Butte when I use to hitchhike to work everyday. I went into the last service station in town for a Gatorade and a piece of cardboard to make a sign. All I wrote on the sign was 'Fort Lauderdale'. I went to the end of town, propped up my bike and stood there with my sign. It lasted less then 15 minutes and I was picked up by large pickup truck with a twenty foot trailer. He said there was no room in the cab but I was welcome to sit in the bed of the truck and he would take me to Interstate 75 about 40 miles. Works for me. I sat back there enjoying the speed that we were passing this very straight stretch of road. When they dropped me off, I thought about putting my thumb back out for another truck ride to FLL. But I decided I had sat long enough to think about this as a new ride for the day. I could easily ride 25 miles.
I hopped back on the bike for my last big push. I am now riding in standard city traffic and moving quite quickly. This is when I thought if I can get to FLL airport two hours before the last flight to BWI I will be able to go home today. For this to work, I had to be able to get the bike bag from baggage services, pack up the bike and clean up enough to get on an airplane. It was going to be close.
In the end I decided on not rushing and getting a hotel and a big plate of meatloaf for dinner. Yum!
92 miles today! And 356 miles in 5 days, not bad start for base miles.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Day 4 Florida Base Miles Trip
Sidewalks and saddle sores SUCK! I left the hotel at 10:30am after a good nights sleep and a good breakfast. It may have been a mistake. I should have left before the heat of the day. The route was not the most desirable either. It followed major roads that are under construction where I was suppose to ride on a bike path that is also under construction. The road surface for most of this whole trip have been pretty smooth. At least for someone from PA. Today not so much. I'm glad I've been riding rollers since I've been 14 years old. Riding on the white line was like riding 3" balance beam rollers for 15 miles straight. Very stressful too.
Again the day was saved by my headphones. I used them for the last 10 miles just to make it to the end. My feet hurt , my butt hurt and I was sick of bouncing along all day long. After just a few notes of my music and my speed picked up to my normal pace compared to just throwing one foot in front of the other. My pace has been doing very well this whole trip. Legs are spinning good. I've even put some extra efforts in from time to time. And when my butt has been giving me trouble I've even done a few out of the saddle sprints. Sometimes it even feels like training ride.
Tomorrow I'm hoping to go a little farther than my original plans. Instead of stopping in Clewiston, I hope to make it to South Bay. That will make the last day a little less daunting. To do this I'm going to leave at 8:00am. Getting the bulk of the riding done before the heat of the day. And I'll use the headphones earlier in the ride. I just have to watch out for alligators in the alley.
55 miles
Again the day was saved by my headphones. I used them for the last 10 miles just to make it to the end. My feet hurt , my butt hurt and I was sick of bouncing along all day long. After just a few notes of my music and my speed picked up to my normal pace compared to just throwing one foot in front of the other. My pace has been doing very well this whole trip. Legs are spinning good. I've even put some extra efforts in from time to time. And when my butt has been giving me trouble I've even done a few out of the saddle sprints. Sometimes it even feels like training ride.
Tomorrow I'm hoping to go a little farther than my original plans. Instead of stopping in Clewiston, I hope to make it to South Bay. That will make the last day a little less daunting. To do this I'm going to leave at 8:00am. Getting the bulk of the riding done before the heat of the day. And I'll use the headphones earlier in the ride. I just have to watch out for alligators in the alley.
55 miles
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Day 3 Florida Base Miles Trip
After eating a motel continental breakfast, I loaded up and started on my way. Roll out of the parking lot, turn left on Rt 17, turn left on Rt 70. WHOO, WHAT IS THAT! While sliding out a bit. Of course a flat tire. I can still see the comfort of my motel room and I've got to sit in the heat fixing a flat. It took me two tubes to fix it. The first was wasted to extra vigorous pumping. I broke the stem off trying to get to 120 psi. A piece of glass was the culprit. Ok lets start again.
Today was not near as interesting as yesterday. Not near as many creatures. Just snapping turtles to add to the list. Lots of very straight, very long roads with headwinds. Again I feel quite recovered. My legs are good. My butt on the other hand has not recovered as well. In all my years of riding I've never had such a sore butt. I imagine too much time on the couch and too much time off the saddle as the general cause. It doesn't help that I'm spending most of my day in time trial mode. Without the climbs and ever so welcome descents, I'm in the seat for very long periods of time. All the same, this should do wonders for my overall fitness.
Finally, I found a bike shop. AMCE BIKES. Can you believe that. I was looking for the wilily coyote and road runner to come riding in. I was able to get a much needed new helmet. Whew I made it. And a new rear tire. I went with a kevlar 700x25 tire to handle the extra weight of the panniers. The folks at the shop were kind enough to let me use their repair stand and floor pump. It is very rare to have a shop let a costumer use shop tools and shop time. Thank you very much. They told me that they have done this type of trip many times thru Florida. Following the same set of maps that I'm using. They added a very important step. A follow vehicle. What a great idea.
Mid day I start thinking 'ouch' this is boring and killing my butt. Wondering what the heck I'm doing to myself. Should I just throw in the towel and get a rental car to complete the trip. Today I used magic to get me though the day. Headphones to be more actuate. I don't ever use headphones while riding normally. I think you need to be able to hear everything around you. I usually sing out loud to get me over a hill. I wasn't able to do it alone. Today I needed the distraction. I needed to forget about riding and the extra straight boring roads and sing at the top of my lungs to the buzzards overhead waiting for me to topple over in exhaustion. I slugged though, got to the hotel, got a hot shower, some good food and I'm ready to go again tomorrow. No problems. Tomorrow we will see what my butt thinks!
52 miles today.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Day 2 Florida Base Miles Trip
Armadillos, Skunks and Rattle Snakes Oh My! This was one heck of a day. These are the creatures I got a picture of. I also saw wart hogs, buzzards, and an alligator from a distance. This is the first time I've seen an armadillo a live. They are usually squished on the side of the road. He was a cute little guy, just rooting around the grass not even caring about me at all. I saw the skunk as I was coming around a corner. I quickly passed on the far side of the road. He didn't seem to care about me either. So I turned around to take a picture. The passing cars give me a look like I was crazy for getting that close to a skunk for a picture. When I saw the rattle snake I was getting passed by a car at the time. It scared me at first, until I realized his head was smashed. I had to get a picture of him. It was the first time I've seen one, I'm glad he was dead thou. The wart hogs were way to fast for pictures, the buzzards don't like their pictures taken and the alligator was too far away to smile for the camera. I hope to see more alligators when I go through alligator alley.
After a hardy breakfast at Ho Jo's, I started into the morning fog. I felt much better than I thought I would feel after yesterdays long ride. My legs didn't seem to have any tenderness at all. Amazing! I haven't riding at all in about a month and my first ride was 70plus miles. I had major concerns with cramping last night. I just rolled along spinning a nice easy gear all day. I drank many bottles of water, even I couple with Nuun active hydration tablets. Unlike yesterday, today I stopped for lunch. I ate at a deli at a gas station nestled in the middle of orange groves. Of course it had to be good because of all the locals eating there. It was. I had bbq chicken, mac and cheese and blueberry cobbler.
I decided this morning, I had to make up the lost miles from yesterday if I didn't want to spent an extra day on the road. I had 20 miles to make up to get back on track. That makes todays ride in the 80plus mile neighborhood. Heck, I haven't ridden a ride that long all summer long. My hands and arms give me more trouble then my legs. But I must say the last 27 miles were very hard on my feet. I think I may need new insoles. Again after a shower and another good meal (Slims BBQ) I feel just fine. We will see what tomorrow brings. Oh ya, I'm still looking for a bike shop to get a new helmet. I think Florida needs more bike shops.
Today 87 miles
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Day 1 Florida Base Miles Trip
To start the day, I got out of the house a little late. I forgot about the extra time needed to check a bag in. I was the last one to board. One would think I would know better. All the same I made it.
In Orlando I built my bike off to the side of the baggage carousel. It must have looked a little strange, having the contents of my bag strewn all over the carpet. A few TSA folks walked by but never said a word. A word of advise, don't pack your helmet with your bike. Carry it on the airplane. Because of this over site, my helmet has a big giant crack in it. I have to find a bike shop soon. I left the bike in the baggage office while I check the empty bike case in for it's second flight of the day. The ticket agent thought I was checking in an empty so I could fill it with Christmas presents. I just smiled. I hope it made it to Fort Lauderdale. Heck, I hope I make it to Fort Lauderdale.
Riding out of the airport is a bit challenging with the buses and taxis zooming by. But once past the interstate entrance ramp the traffic comes down. The day was suppose to take me to Lake Wales after 61 miles. I did ride well over 60 miles but I didn't make it to Lake Wales. I got off course after only 5 miles and it took me 15 extra miles to get back on course. And in Kissimee I spent 5 miles looking for a bike shop that is now out of business and became a pizza shop. I called it a day in Haines City at a Howard Johnson's. Clean room, hot shower, and of course food. It has been years since I've had a good Ho Jo's buffet. $7.45 all you can eat and really good food too. I behaved myself, only ate one helping of everything.
Holy cow, I'm out of shape. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy trip but boy oh boy, my legs hurt. I'm hanging out in my hotel room watching Edward Scirrorshands with my feet high on the wall trying to not cramp up. Tomorrow should be interesting.
Best guess 70 miles today.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Florida Trip Day 1 Orlando To Lake Wales Map
This is my planned Day 1 of my Florida Base Mile Trip
MapMyRide.com View 12/16/2008 Florida Trip Day 1 MCO To Lake Wales in Orlando, Florida
Posted using ShareThis
MapMyRide.com View 12/16/2008 Florida Trip Day 1 MCO To Lake Wales in Orlando, Florida
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Using new Dell Mini9 computer.
I just received my new mini laptop computer. I do plan on taking it with me on my Florida trip so I can update post each day along the way.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Planning for Florida Base Miles Trip
I'm in need of getting my butt off the couch and back on the bike. It has been almost a month since my last ride. So to kick start my season I've decided to go to Florida for some much needed base milage.
How does 370 miles in 6 days sound? That should do the trick. I'm planning to ride from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. Traveling light from hotel to hotel, with just enough clothes to make it work.
Fly into MCO on 12/16. Build bike in airport, send box down to FLL and start riding.
Day 1 Ride from Orlando to Lake Wales 61 miles.
Day 2 Lake Wales to Arcadia 69 miles.
Day 3 Arcadia to Fort Myers 53 miles.
Day 4 Fort Myers to LaBelle 55 miles.
Day 5 LaBelle to Clewiston 53 miles.
Day 6 Clewiston to Fort Lauderdale 79 miles.
And also fly back to BWI on the last day so I can go back to work on X-mas eve.
Wish me luck!
How does 370 miles in 6 days sound? That should do the trick. I'm planning to ride from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale. Traveling light from hotel to hotel, with just enough clothes to make it work.
Fly into MCO on 12/16. Build bike in airport, send box down to FLL and start riding.
Day 1 Ride from Orlando to Lake Wales 61 miles.
Day 2 Lake Wales to Arcadia 69 miles.
Day 3 Arcadia to Fort Myers 53 miles.
Day 4 Fort Myers to LaBelle 55 miles.
Day 5 LaBelle to Clewiston 53 miles.
Day 6 Clewiston to Fort Lauderdale 79 miles.
And also fly back to BWI on the last day so I can go back to work on X-mas eve.
Wish me luck!
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