Monday, November 24, 2008
OK ESN:0-7458562
This is Steve and I am checking in to let everyone know that I have finished my ride for the day safe and sound.
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:32.978
Longitude:-115.5152
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:11/24/2008 14:17:14 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.978,-115.5152&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:32.978
Longitude:-115.5152
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:11/24/2008 14:17:14 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=32.978,-115.5152&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Day 2 - Sunday, November 23
Description: Today was expected to a big challenge and it was! I got a great night's sleep at Caroline and Shane's house. Woke up to some fresh java and Shane's famous blueberry pancakes - um um good. I packed Wilson (my soccer ball) and all of my stuff up and prepared to launch. Shane volunteered to provide an Ironman escort for the first 10+ miles which was great. We said our goodbyes to Caroline and were off around 9:15. The first mechanical failure occurred after 8 miles. Shane could not shift up to his big chain ring anymore. Good thing I am carrying a bike shop in my bags so we stopped for a quick repair. We then rode up to Interstate 8 where we met Tony who would provide me another Ironman triathlete escort. This makes 3 awesome athletes (Shane, Teri, Tony who have over 6 Ironman events between them) who have led me the first 45 miles of my trip out of San Diego beach. Tony and I just got started riding when a red neck in a big 4x4 pickup was coming down the hill in the opposite direction. He honked his horn, leaned out of his window, and yelled #u## you!! I don't think he likes cyclists for some reason. Tony waived hi and on we went climbing up the big mountain. At one point, we actually rode on I-8 for about 5 miles which felt very weird but safe as there were wide shoulders. We climbed 20 miles with no relief all the way up to Pine Valley. At that point, we reloaded our water bottles and then grabbed some monster burgers and some chocolate ice creams. After a few final photos, Tony went back down the hill to go home and Wilson and I pressed on for another 30 miles. I did some quick math and figured out that daylight was running out on me. I severely under-estimated the steepness and the length of the mountain and my average MPHs were down around 9. I should have started earlier! I picked up the pace and rode on knowing I had lights on the bike if needed. I thought the mountain would never end. At every turn, it just keep going up and up. Part of the way up, the wind picked up stiff in my face which added to the toughness. Near the top, I saw a windmill power generation farm which confirms the winds are typically stiff up there. I also saw an Indian Casino at the top which was strange. At the top, I put my jacket on and turned on my lights. The last 8 miles were very fast and all I saw were Border Patrol officers in trucks and on foot. I had to weave around some guys patrolling the sides of the road. At this point, I was right on the Mexico border. I finally reached the Jacumba hotel and spa around 5:15 just after dusk. I would guess that I rode 40+ miles of steep climbing for the day.
After checking in, I enjoyed an awesome mexican dinner and then hit a hot tub and sauna. All in all, a very terrific day with my new Hasher friends and relief that I beat the mountain. Tomorrow will be all downhill to the desert floor but there will surely be stiff head winds and high temps. I plan to ride another 70 miles. Good night!
Weather: started cool and overcast, then sunny and warm, and finally cold and windy at dark.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 68.77 Trip: 87.99
Total travel time: 8:00 Trip: 9:35
Bike Riding time: 7.05 Trip: 8.32
Avg speed: 9.70 Trip: 11.48
Max speed: 31.43 Trip: 36.31
Total ascent (ft): 5,628 Trip: 6,746
Avg pedal RPMs: 77 Trip: 82
Avg heart rate: 136 Trip: 440
Max heart rate: 189 Trip: 189
Calories burned: 4,710 Trip: 6,034
Weather Statistics:
High temp 68 Trip: 75
Low temp: 55 Trip: 55
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 0
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 0
Wind factor: Against in second half
Total good wind days: 1
Total bad wind days: 1
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0
Mechanical failures: 1 (but this was Shane's bike)
Hotel or camping today: hotel
Total hotel nights: 2
Total camping nights: 0
Cups of coffee: 2 Trip: 5
Pints: 1 Trip: 3
Mood rating (1-10): 10 - still awesome!
After checking in, I enjoyed an awesome mexican dinner and then hit a hot tub and sauna. All in all, a very terrific day with my new Hasher friends and relief that I beat the mountain. Tomorrow will be all downhill to the desert floor but there will surely be stiff head winds and high temps. I plan to ride another 70 miles. Good night!
Weather: started cool and overcast, then sunny and warm, and finally cold and windy at dark.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 68.77 Trip: 87.99
Total travel time: 8:00 Trip: 9:35
Bike Riding time: 7.05 Trip: 8.32
Avg speed: 9.70 Trip: 11.48
Max speed: 31.43 Trip: 36.31
Total ascent (ft): 5,628 Trip: 6,746
Avg pedal RPMs: 77 Trip: 82
Avg heart rate: 136 Trip: 440
Max heart rate: 189 Trip: 189
Calories burned: 4,710 Trip: 6,034
Weather Statistics:
High temp 68 Trip: 75
Low temp: 55 Trip: 55
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 0
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 0
Wind factor: Against in second half
Total good wind days: 1
Total bad wind days: 1
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0
Mechanical failures: 1 (but this was Shane's bike)
Hotel or camping today: hotel
Total hotel nights: 2
Total camping nights: 0
Cups of coffee: 2 Trip: 5
Pints: 1 Trip: 3
Mood rating (1-10): 10 - still awesome!
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