First get 50 out of the way.....

If there is one thing I have done consistently it's overcommit myself to things I aspire to do and be. I have done just that by committing myself to riding in the Tour De Palm Springs on Feb 9th. It is a 100 mile bike ride thru the the length and breadth of the Coachella valley. Being that I have never been on my bike for more than 50 miles(and that was long ago) and not much since, It's no surprise that I am getting a bit nervous about this upcoming feat. I have invited a friend whom I thought had a passing interest in biking to join me all the way from Austin, Texas. He informs me that he is not only a competitive rider but is well aquainted with no other than one Lance Armstrong uber cyclist himeself. Are you starting to see my dilemma here. I have overcommitted myself to a chore with more than qualified company. Soooo, to get ready I decided to do a tune up ride. Just a quick 50 miles this sunday following the first part of the course.......No prob right???



I Started on my way out of town brimming with oatmeal and energy drink in my belly and an optimistic mind as I am up before the sunrise hits the ground.....










Nobody up yet as I begin my sojurn into the wide open desert. It's a crisp 45 degrees and quiet. All I can hear is the shuck and jive of my chain making it's way round the sprockets and the soft hush plump of my tires advancing up the wrinkled asphalt....












Not much traffic as I head north towards open desert. I love the dry air...








15 miles out of town. I am on a freeeway frontage road now. Just getting into a rythym and warmed up. The sun has risen on the valley floor and I can hear the continuous, swoosh,swoosh of the windmills as the generators below hum from the electricity flowing through them. I feel good. Not much fatigue. I am drinking and eating while I ride. I will be turning north soon and then east up towards the foothills of the Joshua Tree Monument that makes up the northern border for much of the Coachella valley.







30 miles

I am now feeling fatigue. Not in my lungs or heart but my legs are burning pretty good. Most of the ride has been up hill as I have ascended 1200 feet over these past 15 miles. I am halfway through my food and drink. Here is a picture looking west down the road I have just traveled and out in the distance the foothills of the mountains where I started.








31 miles

Relief! Finally! As I begin a long descent down this road into the valley floor to begin the homestretch ride! Oh, by the way, NOTE TO SELF: Load more songs on your little I-POD. I have been through this playlist like ten times and it's wearing a bit thin!







36 miles

Whew, just down through this canyon and back onto the valley floor. I am really starting to feel a constant burning in my hamstrings and lower back! I don't know what made me think I could ride 100 MILES!







40 miles

Well just ten more miles back to the base of the mountains in the distance here. It seems like a lot further than that. Notice the high quality bike lane here on the county roads. Nice! I find myself riding standing up and sitting down to give my back and legs some stretch and relief. I have just made a quick pit stop (If you know what I mean) in a small grove of tamarisk trees off of the roadside. The only thing for miles that provided any kind of privacy. Honestly, I'd vote for Gary Coleman right now if he rolled up and offered me a ride. I am really gonna have to train If I think I am doing 100 miles in three weeks! I stop up about a mile further to refuel with some water and energy gels(which, by the way, taste like the gooey filling in a Hostess Apple Pie).









49 miles


Well after navigating some rather tight traffic and a few close calls I am on the last mile. Up ahead at the end of this side street sits my family's home in Palm Springs. Strangely, my lungs and heart are calm. Not really fatigued at all. On the other hand, my legs feel like they are being bitten by a thousand tiny ants. My hamstrings have put in for vacation and my lower back is achey brakey! At this point it feels better to just pedal slowly without stopping becuase once I do I really feel uncomfortable and my legs feel a bit swollen.
Side note, this lady in the picture didn't like some bearded freak taking a picture, which I am sure she thought was of HER and her expression as I rode by told me so! Must keep going!









50 miles


HOME SWEET HOME!!! I made it! 50 miles under my belt! I am sore and after I get off of the bike need to walk around a bit to regain normal feeling in my legs! I can't wait to get a shower and some FOOD! Ten minutes later I am convincing myself that I could go another 50 but in the back of my mind the senisble Rick is saying,"Yeah RIGHT! You better get training!" HaHa! So this week it's up early and on the bike. I need to let my legs get used to the feel of that constant burn over a much longer period. If you are a cyclist or trainer or whatever, and have some advice, I am ALL ears! Please comment and share with me anything you think I might need to do to build my endurance! Three weeks till 100!!!!!!