Friday, January 30, 2009
It's Official!!
Have Bike Lets Travel is now an official USA Cycling racing team. After much talk and a year of racing as an unattached rider, I have now signed up my small little company as a racing team. This is very exciting to me. Now I have to get people to sign up to race with me. Also I will have to host a race at some time this year. Much more info to come. Sign up now at usacycling.org
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Staying home for now.
Well it is Sunday the 25th and I'm not going anywhere this week. I've strained my low back while trying to stay in shape doing ab workouts. So I've decided to pick up some reserve days for a little extra cash. Now I've just got to drag my butt to the rollers for a lite ride to help stretch my back.
We will see what next month brings.
We will see what next month brings.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
5 days off, where do I go next.
Starting on Sunday, I have 5 days off from work. I've been trying to decide where I should go to find some sun and good riding. Should I go back to Florida and finish the top side of my map and go from Jacksonville to Orlando. Should I go back to Tucson because the riding was just amazing. Or should I pick somewhere different?
Texas has been a thought. Go ride in Lance's stumping ground and ride the Hill Country. Either fly into Austin or San Antonio. They are only about an hour apart but San Antonio has more flight options. CyclingTexas.com has lots of great information about routes in and around of Fredericksburg.
Another idea is to go to San Diego. But I don't think i want to spend all day on a airplane getting there and getting back. I think I'm going to save California until I have a full week off from work in February.
Decisions, decisions.
Texas has been a thought. Go ride in Lance's stumping ground and ride the Hill Country. Either fly into Austin or San Antonio. They are only about an hour apart but San Antonio has more flight options. CyclingTexas.com has lots of great information about routes in and around of Fredericksburg.
Another idea is to go to San Diego. But I don't think i want to spend all day on a airplane getting there and getting back. I think I'm going to save California until I have a full week off from work in February.
Decisions, decisions.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Tucson Trip Day 6
Tucson Trip Day 6
Today is the big test, can I make it up to the top of Mt. Lemmon? It is a 25 mile climb from 2400 feet up to 8315 feet. Almost 6000 feet of climbing, oh my. I couldn't ask for a better day, the high in Tucson is 73 degrees and of course nothing but sun. The high at the top is 51 degrees. That makes dressing an on and off and back on again kind of affair.
After yesterdays ride, which I'm still feeling in my legs, I decided to get a van ride to the base of the climb instead of using the 20 mile ride to the base as a warm up. Up and down and back to the house should be be well over 70 miles as it is. Good enough for my last day, I must say. Joy dropped me off at Tanque Verde Rd. and Catalina Hwy., that is where to guide book says to start from. I started out at a very comfortable pace just feeling my legs and spinning them out a little. There is about a 2 mile run in to the base of the climb,which worked out very nice as a warm up. Just as the climb was starting another rider came up. I was asking him about the climb when I realized he had an Arizona Hill Climb Champion jersey on. He said he won it with his uncle on a tandem last year. Nice! He told me about the climb mile for mile like he was reciting a script for some show he had been studying. He was just going up for a little workout to mile marker 9 before going to work. Not a bad place to go before work. I said thanks for the info, than he was gone. Out of site in a flash.
I just kept telling myself one mile at a time so I would not freak myself out. I had two full water bottles with me and I knew there would be no where to get water until the top. So I would just take little sips or that might be my turn around spot if I ran out of water. I set into a nice easy pace for the first two miles. Then I realized that I could actually push a little bigger gear. It is steady but not really that steep. I started in 34x24 and dropped to the 21 and even down to the 19. I never had to use the 27 at all.
There were a couple road side parking lots to stop to see the view on the way up but I decided to keep on riding for as long as I could before taking a break. I could stop on the way back down for pictures. I lasted until mile marker 7, I had to stop to use the restroom and put some clothes on. From there on it was really just putting one foot in front of the other watching the mile markers ever so slowly tick away. I stopped again at mile marker 10 for a little break and to take some pictures. I kept telling myself just one more mile and I'm turning around. Then at around mile marker 13, I had a little down hill section which really give me an extra spark to continue. A sign said 7 miles to Pinnacle Ranger Station, 12 miles to Summerhaven and 14 miles to Ski Resort. AAAHHH!!!
I have already been riding for 2.5 hours and still 14 miles from the top. I started at noon so time was not going to be on my side. It is time to recalculate my goals. Ok, if I make it to the ranger station that would be great. I should be heading back down by at least 4:00pm so I can have a nice safe fast descent.
I'd been doing all kinds of math in my head all day long to keep me going like at mile 2, 1/12 of the way there and mile 10, 2/5 of the way there. Very simple math, that is all I was capable of. Remember all of my oxygen was going somewhere else and not to my brain.
I started with my arm warmer and leg warmers on for the first two miles. And they quickly came off as I really began to work up a sweat until I reached mile marker 7, when I began going in and out of the shade. I didn't want to get too cold or too hot so I was pulling them up and down quite often. At mile marker 14 they stayed up for good and the vest came out, soon followed by the jacket and gloves.
Pinnacle Ranger Station is now my new top. I've been wanting to turn around with every pedal stroke for the past few miles. Mile marker 20 is the goal, can I make it. Where the hell is it. Dam it, did I pass it? No way, is it hiding? Ah, there it is, behind that snow bank. I pulled in really hoping for some water and a place to sit and rest for a few minutes. At first I didn't see an entrance because the front door was impassable because of snow. I had to use the wheelchair ramp to the back of the building. Inside I met the ranger who told me that we were just shay of 8000 feet and yes, the ski resort was still 5 miles away. I was done. Finished. Ready to go back down. I bought two bottles of water and a big dark chocolate bar, as a reward. I earned it. Darn it.
It was 4:00pm when I started back down. Hey, that makes 4 hours of climbing. And 20 miles. A couple stops along the way. Not bad for a 200+ pound flat lander. Or like I like to say fat lander.
On the descent I couldn't figure out why my bike was shimmying going around the corners. Then I realized it was because my teeth were chattering. It was probably 45 degrees at 8000 feet and I was doing about 35 miles per hour. I was cold! The miles were ticking away much faster than I saw them going by on the way up.
At mile marker 13, I saw two guys going up at a fast pace just talking. Bastards. I did stop a few more times to talk pictures and enjoy the view. The views were quite spectacular to say the very least. I met a couple out on their BMW 1150gs. I so wanted to trade them on the way up.
When I was pulling out of my last photo stop, I saw those two guys descending behind me. They came on me very quickly and passed me. They looked like real deal racer types. Of course, I couldn't let them go, so I give a couple quick pedal strokes and caught back up to them. One guy had a USA National team kit on and the other had a team kit that I didn't recognize. The USA guy looked very comfortable on the bike and the other guy looked to be fight for some extra speed. I sat back a bike length or so watching them. I did have to feather my brakes at times, so I decided to pass the other guy and catch the USA guy. I caught him in seconds, 200+ pounds does have some advantages. We sat and talked while descending the rest on the way down.
They were in Tucson for the rest of the winter training. I didn't catch the USA guys name but he is a neo-pro racing for Time and the National Team. And has spent the last few years racing in Belgium. He is 19 years old. The other guys name is Jerome, he is 25 years old and from Philadelphia. Jerome is trying to get on a team.
If you would have asked me at the top or even at the last photo stop, if I was going to ride all the way back to the house. I would have said NO. Get me a ride. But when I started riding with these two young guys, my legs came right back and I felt fine. Youth does rub off. We rode thru town chatting about racing and training. The kid had lots of international experience and lots of big dreams for the future. Oh to be 19 again. As it turns out, I had met him this summer during Superweek in Chicago. He was racing for my roommates friends there. It was really good to talk about bike racing and to see the future of cycling out on the road.
This really topped off a great week in Tucson.
Today is the big test, can I make it up to the top of Mt. Lemmon? It is a 25 mile climb from 2400 feet up to 8315 feet. Almost 6000 feet of climbing, oh my. I couldn't ask for a better day, the high in Tucson is 73 degrees and of course nothing but sun. The high at the top is 51 degrees. That makes dressing an on and off and back on again kind of affair.
After yesterdays ride, which I'm still feeling in my legs, I decided to get a van ride to the base of the climb instead of using the 20 mile ride to the base as a warm up. Up and down and back to the house should be be well over 70 miles as it is. Good enough for my last day, I must say. Joy dropped me off at Tanque Verde Rd. and Catalina Hwy., that is where to guide book says to start from. I started out at a very comfortable pace just feeling my legs and spinning them out a little. There is about a 2 mile run in to the base of the climb,which worked out very nice as a warm up. Just as the climb was starting another rider came up. I was asking him about the climb when I realized he had an Arizona Hill Climb Champion jersey on. He said he won it with his uncle on a tandem last year. Nice! He told me about the climb mile for mile like he was reciting a script for some show he had been studying. He was just going up for a little workout to mile marker 9 before going to work. Not a bad place to go before work. I said thanks for the info, than he was gone. Out of site in a flash.
I just kept telling myself one mile at a time so I would not freak myself out. I had two full water bottles with me and I knew there would be no where to get water until the top. So I would just take little sips or that might be my turn around spot if I ran out of water. I set into a nice easy pace for the first two miles. Then I realized that I could actually push a little bigger gear. It is steady but not really that steep. I started in 34x24 and dropped to the 21 and even down to the 19. I never had to use the 27 at all.
There were a couple road side parking lots to stop to see the view on the way up but I decided to keep on riding for as long as I could before taking a break. I could stop on the way back down for pictures. I lasted until mile marker 7, I had to stop to use the restroom and put some clothes on. From there on it was really just putting one foot in front of the other watching the mile markers ever so slowly tick away. I stopped again at mile marker 10 for a little break and to take some pictures. I kept telling myself just one more mile and I'm turning around. Then at around mile marker 13, I had a little down hill section which really give me an extra spark to continue. A sign said 7 miles to Pinnacle Ranger Station, 12 miles to Summerhaven and 14 miles to Ski Resort. AAAHHH!!!
I have already been riding for 2.5 hours and still 14 miles from the top. I started at noon so time was not going to be on my side. It is time to recalculate my goals. Ok, if I make it to the ranger station that would be great. I should be heading back down by at least 4:00pm so I can have a nice safe fast descent.
I'd been doing all kinds of math in my head all day long to keep me going like at mile 2, 1/12 of the way there and mile 10, 2/5 of the way there. Very simple math, that is all I was capable of. Remember all of my oxygen was going somewhere else and not to my brain.
I started with my arm warmer and leg warmers on for the first two miles. And they quickly came off as I really began to work up a sweat until I reached mile marker 7, when I began going in and out of the shade. I didn't want to get too cold or too hot so I was pulling them up and down quite often. At mile marker 14 they stayed up for good and the vest came out, soon followed by the jacket and gloves.
Pinnacle Ranger Station is now my new top. I've been wanting to turn around with every pedal stroke for the past few miles. Mile marker 20 is the goal, can I make it. Where the hell is it. Dam it, did I pass it? No way, is it hiding? Ah, there it is, behind that snow bank. I pulled in really hoping for some water and a place to sit and rest for a few minutes. At first I didn't see an entrance because the front door was impassable because of snow. I had to use the wheelchair ramp to the back of the building. Inside I met the ranger who told me that we were just shay of 8000 feet and yes, the ski resort was still 5 miles away. I was done. Finished. Ready to go back down. I bought two bottles of water and a big dark chocolate bar, as a reward. I earned it. Darn it.
It was 4:00pm when I started back down. Hey, that makes 4 hours of climbing. And 20 miles. A couple stops along the way. Not bad for a 200+ pound flat lander. Or like I like to say fat lander.
On the descent I couldn't figure out why my bike was shimmying going around the corners. Then I realized it was because my teeth were chattering. It was probably 45 degrees at 8000 feet and I was doing about 35 miles per hour. I was cold! The miles were ticking away much faster than I saw them going by on the way up.
At mile marker 13, I saw two guys going up at a fast pace just talking. Bastards. I did stop a few more times to talk pictures and enjoy the view. The views were quite spectacular to say the very least. I met a couple out on their BMW 1150gs. I so wanted to trade them on the way up.
When I was pulling out of my last photo stop, I saw those two guys descending behind me. They came on me very quickly and passed me. They looked like real deal racer types. Of course, I couldn't let them go, so I give a couple quick pedal strokes and caught back up to them. One guy had a USA National team kit on and the other had a team kit that I didn't recognize. The USA guy looked very comfortable on the bike and the other guy looked to be fight for some extra speed. I sat back a bike length or so watching them. I did have to feather my brakes at times, so I decided to pass the other guy and catch the USA guy. I caught him in seconds, 200+ pounds does have some advantages. We sat and talked while descending the rest on the way down.
They were in Tucson for the rest of the winter training. I didn't catch the USA guys name but he is a neo-pro racing for Time and the National Team. And has spent the last few years racing in Belgium. He is 19 years old. The other guys name is Jerome, he is 25 years old and from Philadelphia. Jerome is trying to get on a team.
If you would have asked me at the top or even at the last photo stop, if I was going to ride all the way back to the house. I would have said NO. Get me a ride. But when I started riding with these two young guys, my legs came right back and I felt fine. Youth does rub off. We rode thru town chatting about racing and training. The kid had lots of international experience and lots of big dreams for the future. Oh to be 19 again. As it turns out, I had met him this summer during Superweek in Chicago. He was racing for my roommates friends there. It was really good to talk about bike racing and to see the future of cycling out on the road.
This really topped off a great week in Tucson.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Tucson Trip Day 5
Tucson Trip Day 5
My earliest start of the trip began with a 7:00am alarm and out the door at 7:30am. Oh ya, and 33 degrees. Ouch. Heck, if I wanted to ride in cold weather, I should have stayed in PA. But wait, it's the Tour de Cookie for goodness sake. Mmmm cookies.
This is not like any other organized ride I've ever done before. It was more like a scavenger hunt, since it did not have a set route. There were 12 cookie stations spread thru out town. The idea was to ride from station to station and buy cookies from each and every station to benefit the charity at each station. Pretty cool idea if I do say so myself. Entry was $25.00 and you got a t-shirt and I decided to buy $1.00 worth of cookies at each station, some how I missed one station. I started by eating my cookie right there before heading to the next station. That lasted about 4 stations before I started to get a gut bomb. To much sugar, believe that. So from then on I began to get picky. Some stations had cheap store bought cookies and some had fancy bakery cookies and the best had homemade cookies with a shot glass of milk. A couple stops, I paid my dollar and didn't even take a cookie.
I forgot to get a sheet with all the addresses of the stations. So I had to just follow the other riders. That was OK until I wanted to ride faster or they were going to a station I had already been to. A few times I would race toward the next station only to pass it or miss a turn. The last part I decided to stay with a group of 4 who were keeping a good pace. At the end they said they did about 35 miles for the ride. Much fun was had by all. Even with a 33 degree start.
Afterward I sat around for awhile still trying to warm up. I sat in the sun watching a soccer game with my clothes spread out across a park bench drying out. Nice thing about dry air, your clothes dry out very fast. The temperature only got up to 62 degrees today and with the wind, I never really felt warm.
Next I headed over to the Pima Air and Space Museum for their tour. This place has aircraft from all the wars, both sides. As well as some very important plane from history like speed records and presidential airplanes. I took the tram ride around the field because the driver told you about each and every plane you passed. And because I could sit and relax in the sun. I sat in the back on my own bench so I could slide from side to side to stay in the sun. The shade was chilly.
It was a 21 mile ride back up to the house. To make it easier for me I used the GPS on my phone. It gives you a straight shot home. Not always the best roads but it give a nice short ride. Tomorrow I'm going to climb up Mt Lemmon, 25 mile climb!
My earliest start of the trip began with a 7:00am alarm and out the door at 7:30am. Oh ya, and 33 degrees. Ouch. Heck, if I wanted to ride in cold weather, I should have stayed in PA. But wait, it's the Tour de Cookie for goodness sake. Mmmm cookies.
This is not like any other organized ride I've ever done before. It was more like a scavenger hunt, since it did not have a set route. There were 12 cookie stations spread thru out town. The idea was to ride from station to station and buy cookies from each and every station to benefit the charity at each station. Pretty cool idea if I do say so myself. Entry was $25.00 and you got a t-shirt and I decided to buy $1.00 worth of cookies at each station, some how I missed one station. I started by eating my cookie right there before heading to the next station. That lasted about 4 stations before I started to get a gut bomb. To much sugar, believe that. So from then on I began to get picky. Some stations had cheap store bought cookies and some had fancy bakery cookies and the best had homemade cookies with a shot glass of milk. A couple stops, I paid my dollar and didn't even take a cookie.
I forgot to get a sheet with all the addresses of the stations. So I had to just follow the other riders. That was OK until I wanted to ride faster or they were going to a station I had already been to. A few times I would race toward the next station only to pass it or miss a turn. The last part I decided to stay with a group of 4 who were keeping a good pace. At the end they said they did about 35 miles for the ride. Much fun was had by all. Even with a 33 degree start.
Afterward I sat around for awhile still trying to warm up. I sat in the sun watching a soccer game with my clothes spread out across a park bench drying out. Nice thing about dry air, your clothes dry out very fast. The temperature only got up to 62 degrees today and with the wind, I never really felt warm.
Next I headed over to the Pima Air and Space Museum for their tour. This place has aircraft from all the wars, both sides. As well as some very important plane from history like speed records and presidential airplanes. I took the tram ride around the field because the driver told you about each and every plane you passed. And because I could sit and relax in the sun. I sat in the back on my own bench so I could slide from side to side to stay in the sun. The shade was chilly.
It was a 21 mile ride back up to the house. To make it easier for me I used the GPS on my phone. It gives you a straight shot home. Not always the best roads but it give a nice short ride. Tomorrow I'm going to climb up Mt Lemmon, 25 mile climb!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Tucson Trip Day 4
Tucson Trip Day 4
The key to todays ride was to ride at my own pace. I set out for a long ride and I had to make sure that I didn't try to keep up with any of the other cyclist out there. It's kind of tough to let them all just go riding on by. I'm so glad that I did. Because I had plenty on energy left after almost 100 miles.
I headed out along the bench of the mountain going east. Really nice smooth rolling roads that curve into town. Tucson is set up like Salt Lake City, like a big giant grid. The distance between major streets is a mile. When you start pushing a head wind the mile feels like a heck of a lot longer. Everything changed on Old Spanish Trail, it winds on the diagonal going southeast. It is so much better than going straight.
Next I entered Saguaro National Monument. At first, I was just going to get some water. Then I decided to pay the $5.00 park fee to ride the 8 mile loop thru the park. Again money well spent. Just beautiful. And educational too. I stopped to read every road side sign along the way. The only thing missing is I haven't seen any of the critters they warn you about. I would have loved to have seen rattle snakes, scorpions, owls, javelins, mountain loins and bears oh my.
After I left the park I decided to follow the rest of the route I had planned. I almost cut it short. Wimp. But I'm so glad I completed it. The ride south was bumpy but the reward I'm going to feel come race season. I felt like I was keeping some pretty good tempo going for about 25-30 miles.
On the way back north I rode right thru the center on the Davis Monthan Air Force Base,' the bone yard'. This is where old airplanes come to die. Sort of. Because of the dry desert air, our government takes all of our trillions of dollars of retired aircraft and parks them here. Rumor is most are still really to fly. I guess waiting for WW3 or an alien attack.
The last slug thru town and up to Oro Valley was difficult. I think I hit every traffic light along the way. Those mile long city blocks were getting longer, too. I also had to stop for more water and some fuel. A bagel.
Tomorrow is the big day, Tour de Cookie!
The key to todays ride was to ride at my own pace. I set out for a long ride and I had to make sure that I didn't try to keep up with any of the other cyclist out there. It's kind of tough to let them all just go riding on by. I'm so glad that I did. Because I had plenty on energy left after almost 100 miles.
I headed out along the bench of the mountain going east. Really nice smooth rolling roads that curve into town. Tucson is set up like Salt Lake City, like a big giant grid. The distance between major streets is a mile. When you start pushing a head wind the mile feels like a heck of a lot longer. Everything changed on Old Spanish Trail, it winds on the diagonal going southeast. It is so much better than going straight.
Next I entered Saguaro National Monument. At first, I was just going to get some water. Then I decided to pay the $5.00 park fee to ride the 8 mile loop thru the park. Again money well spent. Just beautiful. And educational too. I stopped to read every road side sign along the way. The only thing missing is I haven't seen any of the critters they warn you about. I would have loved to have seen rattle snakes, scorpions, owls, javelins, mountain loins and bears oh my.
After I left the park I decided to follow the rest of the route I had planned. I almost cut it short. Wimp. But I'm so glad I completed it. The ride south was bumpy but the reward I'm going to feel come race season. I felt like I was keeping some pretty good tempo going for about 25-30 miles.
On the way back north I rode right thru the center on the Davis Monthan Air Force Base,' the bone yard'. This is where old airplanes come to die. Sort of. Because of the dry desert air, our government takes all of our trillions of dollars of retired aircraft and parks them here. Rumor is most are still really to fly. I guess waiting for WW3 or an alien attack.
The last slug thru town and up to Oro Valley was difficult. I think I hit every traffic light along the way. Those mile long city blocks were getting longer, too. I also had to stop for more water and some fuel. A bagel.
Tomorrow is the big day, Tour de Cookie!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Tucson Trip Day 3
Tucson Trip Day 3.
Today I went west under Interstate 10 and rode the frontage road that parallels the interstate called Silverbells Rd. This road is on the map listed as a nice way to bypass the interstate. So far this the bumpiness road I've ridden is Tucson. Fortunately I was only on it for a few miles and the rest of the ride was spectacular. My ride took me over Gates Pass down into Old Tucson and Saguaro National Park. The ride up the pass was just incredible with every pedal stroke. Even with it being a climb it was great and I'm not a big fan of climbing. When I crested the pass it opened up into a valley where you could see for miles, even as far as Mexico.
On the distant I stopped in a view area to take a few pictures and I met a couple climbing the pass on a Calfee tandem. They were from Connecticut, here for the winter. Every one I've met here is from somewhere else and all of them are from the northeast. Can you blame them?
At the bottom of the hill is Old Tucson Studios. Today I decided not to take the tour but I did peak in and filled my water bottles. They make movies here. From back in the 1950's to today. Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Kurt Russel and Sharon Stone have all acted here. Just from the entry way I could see where Keven Costner shot two bad guys at the same time in front of the saloon in Silverodo. Maybe if my parents come out we will go take the tour.
Some of the straightest roads are the most fun here. They go up and down like a roller coaster. Just enough change in height to carry your speed up the next climb. The climb back over the pass was much steeper but with a great reward on the other side. This took me into downtown Tucson during rush hour.
Now it is time to make the slow climb back up to Oro Valley, where I'm staying.
Before getting home I stopped at La Salsa for dinner. Oh my, I was hungry.
Today I went west under Interstate 10 and rode the frontage road that parallels the interstate called Silverbells Rd. This road is on the map listed as a nice way to bypass the interstate. So far this the bumpiness road I've ridden is Tucson. Fortunately I was only on it for a few miles and the rest of the ride was spectacular. My ride took me over Gates Pass down into Old Tucson and Saguaro National Park. The ride up the pass was just incredible with every pedal stroke. Even with it being a climb it was great and I'm not a big fan of climbing. When I crested the pass it opened up into a valley where you could see for miles, even as far as Mexico.
On the distant I stopped in a view area to take a few pictures and I met a couple climbing the pass on a Calfee tandem. They were from Connecticut, here for the winter. Every one I've met here is from somewhere else and all of them are from the northeast. Can you blame them?
At the bottom of the hill is Old Tucson Studios. Today I decided not to take the tour but I did peak in and filled my water bottles. They make movies here. From back in the 1950's to today. Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman, Kurt Russel and Sharon Stone have all acted here. Just from the entry way I could see where Keven Costner shot two bad guys at the same time in front of the saloon in Silverodo. Maybe if my parents come out we will go take the tour.
Some of the straightest roads are the most fun here. They go up and down like a roller coaster. Just enough change in height to carry your speed up the next climb. The climb back over the pass was much steeper but with a great reward on the other side. This took me into downtown Tucson during rush hour.
Now it is time to make the slow climb back up to Oro Valley, where I'm staying.
Before getting home I stopped at La Salsa for dinner. Oh my, I was hungry.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Tucson Trip Day 2
Tucson Trip Day 2
The morning woke quite cold at 35 degrees. The weather called for a high of 65-70 today. I figured I'd wait until about 50 before I would start my ride. No need to freeze my butt off here. I could have just stayed at home if I wanted to ride in the 30's.
I spent the morning talking with Joy about my planned ride up to Biosphere 2 and about her profession Astrology. I've never been one to really put much thought into astrology but at the same time I've always read mine in the newspaper and I do get a daily update on my phone. All the same I don't know much about it. Joy has been studying astrology for over 40 years. She asked me where, what time and date that I was born. We went into her office where she has a wall full of books on astrology and sat at her computer. Here she plugged my info into the computer and all kinds of charts appeared. Joy explained what was on these charts and how to read them. Much of this information was way over my head. But very interesting all the same. There are so many different charts that mean so many different things. No wonder she has been studying for 40 years.
Around 10:30am I started on my ride to Biosphere 2. Very much an arm and leg warmer day. Nice gradually climb most of the way on a busy road with wide shoulders. Just like Florida, the road was long and straight where you could see where you were going to be 20 minutes from now. But the big difference, here there is so much to see. Florida all you could see was the road and orange groves. Here you have the Catalina mountain to your right and wide open views where you can see 50 miles away to your left. This is wonderful, you can keep Florida.
Since I was riding so well, I decided to continue on past Biosphere 2 on up to the town of Oracle. Oracle is a very small town with a few shops, a general store, believe it or not two Dollar Stores and even a Ford dealership. Both seamed out of place 20 miles from any substantial population. I rode on up to the Oracle State Park. I even considered riding part way up to Mt Lemmon up the back way. The park ranger I talked to said that road went to dirt and only passable by 4x4 just a mile farther. So I turned around back down to Biosphere 2.
Biosphere 2 was built in the late 1980's as a test facility to understand how natural environments create habitable conditions for human sustainability. Basically, they wanted to see what it would take for humans to live on Mars. In 1991, 8 people lived in Biosphere 2 totally sealed in from the outside environment for 2 years. It is really something to see. The amount of thought and money it took to build this incredibly unique structure is mind boggling. It has changed ownership four times since then. And before the University of Arizona took it over in 2007, the surrounding land was sold for housing and they even thought about demolishing it for more housing. Criminal at best. The tour cost $20 and is worth every penny. I hope to bring my parents out here in February. They would love it, especially my dad.
The ride back down the from Biosphere 2 was fast and fun. I was kind of racing the sun to get back before dark. What a wonderful day.
When I arrived back at the house, Joy said where was a gift on the kitchen table for me. She had made two folders for me with my life astrological report and a year astrological report. So very nice of her. I can't wait to read them.
The morning woke quite cold at 35 degrees. The weather called for a high of 65-70 today. I figured I'd wait until about 50 before I would start my ride. No need to freeze my butt off here. I could have just stayed at home if I wanted to ride in the 30's.
I spent the morning talking with Joy about my planned ride up to Biosphere 2 and about her profession Astrology. I've never been one to really put much thought into astrology but at the same time I've always read mine in the newspaper and I do get a daily update on my phone. All the same I don't know much about it. Joy has been studying astrology for over 40 years. She asked me where, what time and date that I was born. We went into her office where she has a wall full of books on astrology and sat at her computer. Here she plugged my info into the computer and all kinds of charts appeared. Joy explained what was on these charts and how to read them. Much of this information was way over my head. But very interesting all the same. There are so many different charts that mean so many different things. No wonder she has been studying for 40 years.
Around 10:30am I started on my ride to Biosphere 2. Very much an arm and leg warmer day. Nice gradually climb most of the way on a busy road with wide shoulders. Just like Florida, the road was long and straight where you could see where you were going to be 20 minutes from now. But the big difference, here there is so much to see. Florida all you could see was the road and orange groves. Here you have the Catalina mountain to your right and wide open views where you can see 50 miles away to your left. This is wonderful, you can keep Florida.
Since I was riding so well, I decided to continue on past Biosphere 2 on up to the town of Oracle. Oracle is a very small town with a few shops, a general store, believe it or not two Dollar Stores and even a Ford dealership. Both seamed out of place 20 miles from any substantial population. I rode on up to the Oracle State Park. I even considered riding part way up to Mt Lemmon up the back way. The park ranger I talked to said that road went to dirt and only passable by 4x4 just a mile farther. So I turned around back down to Biosphere 2.
Biosphere 2 was built in the late 1980's as a test facility to understand how natural environments create habitable conditions for human sustainability. Basically, they wanted to see what it would take for humans to live on Mars. In 1991, 8 people lived in Biosphere 2 totally sealed in from the outside environment for 2 years. It is really something to see. The amount of thought and money it took to build this incredibly unique structure is mind boggling. It has changed ownership four times since then. And before the University of Arizona took it over in 2007, the surrounding land was sold for housing and they even thought about demolishing it for more housing. Criminal at best. The tour cost $20 and is worth every penny. I hope to bring my parents out here in February. They would love it, especially my dad.
The ride back down the from Biosphere 2 was fast and fun. I was kind of racing the sun to get back before dark. What a wonderful day.
When I arrived back at the house, Joy said where was a gift on the kitchen table for me. She had made two folders for me with my life astrological report and a year astrological report. So very nice of her. I can't wait to read them.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tucson Trip Day 1
Tucson Trip Day 1
When I left the great white northeast at 5am I slide down my walkway to my car and chiseled off a half inch of ice from the windshield. When I got to 695 I realized I had forgot my helmet. Crap! So much for the 7:00am flight thru LAS to TUS. After retrieving my nice new helmet that I bought while on my Florida trip I raced down to the airport hoping to make the 8:05am flight thru MDW to TUS. The traffic was much heavier with morning commuters. I was able to quickly check my bike bag and hustle to my gate. I made it, I hope my bike bag did.
In MDW I was scheduled to have 2 hours between flights. Enough time to get food and go to the crew lounge and print some maps from MapMyRide.com. For the first time going thru MDW I didn't get a Potbellies sandwich. I got a salad. Wow, I may be able to drop some of this extra weight this week if I can do long rides and eat right.
Because of weather in PVD the flight to TUS was late. We waited almost 2 hours for the plane. This got me to TUS at about 3:00pm. I took my time getting off the plane, helping to clean like a good non rev should do. At baggage, my bike bag was just coming around the belt. Nice! I was met at the curb by Joy Archer.
Joy Archer is the very nice lady who answered my craigslist ad for a place to stay. When I said I was going to get a rental car, she said she would pick me up at the airport and if I needed a car they were cheaper near her house. Joy drove to her house taking the roads that I would be riding all the while pointing out stores, restaurants, landmarks and the best roads to take for different rides. We even stopped at a bike shop so I could ask about the best rides. The guy at the shop was from Frederick, MD. He set me up with some great rides and two bike maps. I like maps.
The sunsets at 5:35pm. Joy wanted to make sure I would have enough time to ride today. I put my bike together quickly so I could head out for a short ride. Well this isn't Florida. So much more beautiful and diverse in terrain. I climbed Maggee rd to the end, about 3 miles, for a view of the city lights and an incredible sunset. I saw my first little friend, a bunny rabbit. On the way back down I stopped at Trader Joe's for some supplies for the week. Took a fast shower, eat dinner and now it is time for bed. 8:30pm and I am beat.
When I left the great white northeast at 5am I slide down my walkway to my car and chiseled off a half inch of ice from the windshield. When I got to 695 I realized I had forgot my helmet. Crap! So much for the 7:00am flight thru LAS to TUS. After retrieving my nice new helmet that I bought while on my Florida trip I raced down to the airport hoping to make the 8:05am flight thru MDW to TUS. The traffic was much heavier with morning commuters. I was able to quickly check my bike bag and hustle to my gate. I made it, I hope my bike bag did.
In MDW I was scheduled to have 2 hours between flights. Enough time to get food and go to the crew lounge and print some maps from MapMyRide.com. For the first time going thru MDW I didn't get a Potbellies sandwich. I got a salad. Wow, I may be able to drop some of this extra weight this week if I can do long rides and eat right.
Because of weather in PVD the flight to TUS was late. We waited almost 2 hours for the plane. This got me to TUS at about 3:00pm. I took my time getting off the plane, helping to clean like a good non rev should do. At baggage, my bike bag was just coming around the belt. Nice! I was met at the curb by Joy Archer.
Joy Archer is the very nice lady who answered my craigslist ad for a place to stay. When I said I was going to get a rental car, she said she would pick me up at the airport and if I needed a car they were cheaper near her house. Joy drove to her house taking the roads that I would be riding all the while pointing out stores, restaurants, landmarks and the best roads to take for different rides. We even stopped at a bike shop so I could ask about the best rides. The guy at the shop was from Frederick, MD. He set me up with some great rides and two bike maps. I like maps.
The sunsets at 5:35pm. Joy wanted to make sure I would have enough time to ride today. I put my bike together quickly so I could head out for a short ride. Well this isn't Florida. So much more beautiful and diverse in terrain. I climbed Maggee rd to the end, about 3 miles, for a view of the city lights and an incredible sunset. I saw my first little friend, a bunny rabbit. On the way back down I stopped at Trader Joe's for some supplies for the week. Took a fast shower, eat dinner and now it is time for bed. 8:30pm and I am beat.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
