Bicycle Touring Magazine…

Found this in my inbox recently…

For anyone who has the lest bit of curiosity about bicycle touring, you should check out this new digital magazine, Bicycle Touring Magazine. You’ll find stories and pictures from around the world, from people who travel our planet by bike.

The images alone are dazzling, but the stories can inspire as well. While the idea of travelling third world countries by bicycle, or any other means, have never held much appeal to me personally, I can certainly appreciate the devotion of the folks who do. And, their stories are awesome.

Later

A unique experience…

I had a truly unique experience on Sunday as I met a fellow bike blogger. Kelly Carlisle, who writes the blog Ride Bikes, Drink Coffee, was visiting Colorado with his family.

He wanted to meet before leaving town, so…we got together at Starbucks, of course.

We live a thousand miles from each other and had never met before this but, we sat down and began chatting as if we’d known each other for years. Of course, we’ve been reading each other’s blog for more than a year so, in reality, we did know each other even before we met in person. It constantly amazes me how cycling, the Internet, and blogging can bring folks, who would otherwise be and remain strangers, together.

Kelly is an articulate, insightful blogger, with an undisguised love for cycling – and coffee. His writing and photography of Salem and its environs are truly inspiring. He is a family man who cares for people and is willing to share his insights and loves with others. It was a true pleasure meeting someone with whom I’ve only “spoken” through the Internet prior to this moment.

I’ve received some high praise from Kelly in the past, for accomplishing The Ride from Phoenix to Denver, as well as for blogging about it as I did so. I can only return the compliment and thank him for being so generous.

Thank you Kelly, for taking the time from your trip and your family to meet with an old cyclist like me. I surely hope to return the favor one of these days and visit you in Oregon.

Later

A great day with Brandy and Dave…

On Sunday, the 12th, we headed up to Lovleand for the annual McLaughlin BBQ; that is, my daughter Brandy and her husband Dave Mc Laughlin. Andi, Darryl, and I, met some of their friends and had a great time. Here are some pictures of them in front of the bikes they like to ride.

Love ya’ both,

Later

 

I Made It – April 14, 2010…

On Wednesday, April 14, 2010, I completed the task I had set myself, my first long distance bicycle tour, by arriving in southwest Denver at about 5:30 PM. I had ridden about 48 miles from Salida to Fairplay, where I was given a ride to Denver, about 65 more miles. All I had to do now was get to Aurora on the east side of town, where Andi and Darryl would pick me up, another 13 miles or so.

April 14, 2010…

Leaving Salida, CO…

Here is an audio post of my thoughts as I began what became my last day on the road. I had no idea this would be the case as I headed north, out of Salida, that morning.

Visit http://ipad.io/IWe to hear my latest ipadio phonecast

Downtown Salida–­who knew they had one?

As I leave Salida this morning this is the view that greets me.

At the time, I was so focused on simply reaching my destination, it didn’t really sink in that I’d done it. I was excited, yes, but also ambivilant; I’d made it home – the trip was over, except for that little matter of the 13 miles to the east side of town.

Had I cheated myself by hitching that last ride out of the mountains? Well, as it turned out, I’d avoided a nasty snow storm in the mountains over the next two days. What would I do with myself if I wasn’t riding every day? I’d ride around Aurora and Denver and I would look for a job. Plus, I would be spending time with two great friends – and I would be seeing my daughter soon, as well.

It’s odd but, focusing on such a serious challenge can become the complete focus of one’s life and, I’ll admit, no longer having that focus left me feeling a bit nonplussed.

As I look back on the adventure a year later, I’m stunned to realize I actually did it. I don’t think I could even begin such a trek today. Not physically, and certainly not mentally. I’m simply not in the right frame of mind. Too comfortable, I guess.

I can only say this, I hope this was not a one-time adventure, for I would truly like to be able to challenge myself in this way again someday.

Saddle Surfin’ on My Bianchi…

I think it appropriate, to mark the anniversary of my first long distance bike tour, to leave you with this; http://spokies.wordpress.com/, the link to another who has chosen to challenge herself with a similar adventure. Cherri is cycling the USA this year, and documenting it on WordPress. Give it a look. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Later

Tough days, a year ago…

I had a couple of tough days after leaving Kim’s place in Durango. I actually rode 68 miles toward Pagosa Springs on the 10th; my longest ride ever. I was really proud of myself for this. There was a great deal more climbing than I had expected, but I also had a couple of long, free-wheel descents – finally – which made parts of the ride seem much shorter.

Waking to snow above me in Pagosa Springs, CO, April 11, 2010.

As you can hear from my tone of voice in the first audio post from the 11th, I was feeling very sceptical of my ability to continue, much less finish, The Ride. I was looking at some huge climbs ahead of me, plus many miles of level ground as well. I’d been wakened by the very cold temperatures overnight in Pagosa, so was not well rested, and wound up feeling overhwlemed by the challenge ahead of me.

Leaving Durango, and Kim's place, April 10, 2010.

April 11, 2010…

iPadio Audio Post…

Visit http://ipad.io/IP3 to hear my latest ipadio phonecast

However, later in the evening, as a result of the kindness of strangers, I was feeling much better. I was suddenly in Salida, CO, a beautiful little town about a hundred miles southwest of Denver, with a room for the night, a hot shower behind me, and food in my belly. I’d only ridden 35 miles that day, but with two rides from strangers, one over 10, 550 foot Wolfe Creek pass, I felt as if I’d been delivered to heaven. To Joe and Jesse, my guardian angels on this day, Thank You, you have no idea how much I appreciate what you did for me.

April 11, 2010…

2nd iPadio Audio Post

Visit http://ipad.io/IQa to hear my latest ipadio phonecast

Later

Welcome to Colorful Colorado, a year ago…

What a great day for me, one year ago…

After eight days on the road, my bike and I crossed into Colorado at about 1:00 in the afternoon. This was a watershed moment for me. I was back in Colorado, my previous home for 18 years, and I had gotten there the hard way. Though my legs had felt tired all day, and though I had climbed a few thousand feet to get there, I experienced a great rush of adrenaline and excitement. At that moment, I felt as if I could pedal all the way to Denver without stopping.

Circumstances would soon conspire against me however, as the heavily travelled road narrowed dangerously. With cars, pick-up trucks, SUV’s, and 18-wheelers blowing by at 85 mph within inches of my left hip, I decided to stop and call my friend Kim, in Durango, and ask her to come and get me. I had only travelled 28 miles this day, but I was exhilarated by what I had accomplished. I’d made it to Colorado, and it felt like coming home.

 April 7, 2010…

Holy crap…look where I am!

My favorite pic from The Ride, April 7, 2010.

 April 7, 2010…

One of the best people I have ever known…

My friend Kim…

 

Later

Pedaling 140 miles in 3 days, a year ago…

I did a lot of miles from April 3-5 last year, pedaling 140 miles across the Reservation in northern Arizona, much of it in howling winds of 40-60 mph, and a major dust storm as well.

The wind during this portion of the trip was some of the worst I’ve ever experienced; which is saying something, having lived in Colorado and Arizona for a total of 28 years now. The dust storm on my third day on the Res however, was truly amazing. The dust rose 12,000 feet into the air above me and, because it was at my back, I flew eastward along the highway. Until, that is, the road bent a bit south and the wind shifted a bit east, then I was riding for my life, constantly leaning to my right at about 20 degrees, trying desperately to stay on the shoulder instead of being blown into traffic. 

After 12-15 miles of this struggle, I gave in and stuck out my thumb, hitching a ride into New Mexico, which might have literally saved my life. Have I said this ride was adventurous? At times, it truly was.

April 4, 2010…

Miles and miles of miles and miles…

I did the whole climb

Cycling across the Reservation in northern Arizona, April 2010.

Here are a couple of my audio posts from that adventurous portion of the ride. Wow, the memories are so powerful…

April 5, 2010…

iPadio audio post from Bloomfield, NM… 

Visit http://ipad.io/IBZ to hear my latest ipadio phonecast

April 6, 2010…

iPadio audio post from Bloomfield, NM… 

Visit http://ipad.io/ICz to hear my latest ipadio phonecast

Remembering what it was like…

At this time last year I was preparing myself and my bike for The Ride, my bike trip from Phoenix, AZ, to Denver, CO. I was also getting ready to move house. It was a very hectic time for me. I was packing for the move; trying to get all my gear together for the trip; packing the things I would need when I made it to Denver; and trying to ride enough to allow myself to make it. Here are a few of the posts from March 15 & 16 of last year, including a link to the map of the planned route for The Ride…

March 15, 2010…

Link to trip route map:

Driving Directions from 16240 N Fox Hill Dr Surprise, Arizona to  Aurora, Colorado.

March 15, 2010…

Well, the practice-packing went OK yesterday, I guess. The amount of stuff I can take with me is really limited. I can’t really pack all that I hope to take until I get the rest of my equipment, e.g., the tent and sleeping bag, since packing is one thing, while hanging all the stuff on my bike will be another. How it fits onto my racks will determine which bags and packs I can use, which will further determine how much I can carry. What I hope to do is pretty clear in my head, but actually doing it may be another matter.

I rested the legs yesterday. Today is a day for core work and strength training, so my ride will be short, 10-15 miles. I do this on Mon., Wed., Fri. On Tuesday and Thursday I ride farther, trying for 30 miles. Sometimes I make it.

The plan for the ride is to try for, at least, 60 miles per day, in three stages. By doing 20 miles in 1 1/2 hours, with 30 minutes rest in between, I should probably be able to avoid killing myself. If I can do more, I will. This should make for a 16-17 day trip, including a few days to rest the old legs. I’m thinking three days on, one day off. We’ll see how it goes.

Well, that’s the plan, for now.

By the way, I simply must thank my former sister-in-law and friend, Andrea Kalli, for helping me set up all this internet stuff for the trip. She is a wonder and a great friend. If you need any helpfor your Internet services, please get in touch with her through my Facebook page (or on a link here, if I can figure out how to do that). She is a genius and a sweetheart.

Thanx, Andi, for all you’ve done.

Later

March 15, 2010…

Here’s The Bike. Not really designed for touring, but I’ve “hybridized” it into a road bike and should be able to make the ride on this. It has about 8000 miles on it, so I know it pretty well.

(The pic was taken from my phone, so please excuse the quality.)

 

March 16, 2010…

Couldn’t ride today. Had another cyst–down there. For people who cycle a lot, the perineum can be a real problem. I have some things I do that help, I’ll spare the details, but it can still be very frustrating. If anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them. Pleeeeaaase!!!

Later

Made it home unassisted…

Well, I made it home OK. Didn’t quite reach my 30 mile goal today, but I did pedal 28 miles; though I did it at an abominable pace (which I won’t mention here).

The good news is; I got in a long ride for the first time in months. It’s been so cold, for me anyway, that riding more than 10-12 miles has been problematic, at best. On Sunday, Darryl and I did 11 miles. Yesterday, I did 15 miles. With the 28 miles today, that is not a bad week although, in Phoenix this time of year, I would have done at least twice the mileage. Well, I’m still adapting to the Colorado climate, I guess.

But man, what a beautiful day for riding today…with very mild wind…Woo Hoo…in January, no less.

I also stopped in to see an old friend at her work today, to help break up the ride and because we haven’t been able to get together since my return. She works at a bar which used to be my home-away-from-home, back in the good old/bad old days. (Still can’t decide if they were good or bad…lol.) It did my heart good to see Joei again. The greeting she gave me, that great smile and a big hug, were just what I needed. What I want to know, though, is this; how can she be even more beautiful than she was six years ago, when I am merely more gray? Not fair Joei, not fair at all.

My friend Joei...what a beautiful smile she has

Well, to sum up; today was a very good day. Plus, we’re beginning to see some action at Mile-Hi Cycle Guy, as well. We’ve sold a few bikes since Christmas. I had a man bring me his mountain bike to tune and replace the shifters yesterday and, I received an email from a woman this morning who may want me to work on two bikes for her soon, including a hybridization job. So, things are definitely beginning to pop around here, and it looks like this year’s cycling season may begin early, thanks to the mild winter (so they tell me) we’re having.

Let’s hope so, eh?

Later

MHCG…

OMG…look at what Andi has come up with. She is absolutely amazing. We look sooooooo professional now, don’t we?

http://www.milehicycleguy.com/what-we-do/

Later