Description: Finished in Apache Junction AZ. Very good day today! Felt like a rest day even though I rode 74 miles.
I slept in this morning to give time for the bike shops to open as I needed tires. I crammed down a big plate of eggs, sausage, toast, yogurt, OJ, milk, and coffee to fuel the furnace. Then I packed up my bike and headed out at 8:10 to find the local bike shop. To my surprise, the "Surprise Bike Shop" was open at 8:30 for Black Friday shoppers. They did not have my tire size in stock but they did sell me tire liners and some extra tubes. From there, I fought the local holiday shopping traffic and headed for Phoenix. I found another bike shop but they were closed so I rolled on. At around noon, I found a Bike Barn and again, no tires in stock (26 inch wheels are not looking like a wise decision). I did buy some chain lube (used all mine to get the sand and dirt out from the desert and rain storm) and some more patches. Out on the rode again wondering when I would go flat. I rolled onto the Arizona Canal Bike Path and rode it for over 15 miles. It was really cool. Man, do they treasure their water around here. After the bike path ended, I rode past the Phoenix airport and then into Tempe. After seeing several Quizno's Prime Rib sandwich billboards, I could not take it anymore and stopped at the next one I saw. Gulped down one of those big bad boys (Um Um Good) plus some chips and a Dr Pepper for added sugar and caffeine. A mile later, Wilson instructed my bike to pull into a Starbuck's for a double espresso and to asks for a local bike shop. There was a shop just down the street - wow is Wilson good. Guess what, the shop did not have any high quality tires in my size. Off I rolled again assuming I was stuck with my old dogs. Then a miracle happened - the wind picked up and it was at my back. It blew me through Tempe, Mesa, and into Apache Junction. I was going so fast that I missed a turn and rode the wrong way. While trying to get back, I found another bike shop! Their big sign out front advertised "Let us flat proof your bike". This looked perfect. They had my tires in stock and installed them quickly along with the tire liners and heavy duty tubes. I took on some more weight but the new tires are 20 PSI higher (100) and should stand up to the Goat Head thorns much better. After saying thanks and goodbye, I rolled out to a storm approaching in the distance. I quickly found a Super-8 hotel and called it a day. After a hot shower, I wolfed down a foot long Blimpy sub, chips, and cookie washed down by a Becks.
Tomorrow is when the real hill climbing starts as I will go up to 4,500 feet on my way up to 8,300 feet in the next few days.
BTW, thanks Mom for the tip on Wilson. He has to ride on the back rack when my rain covers are on but I forgot to move him up front where he can see the road better. He should be fine tomorrow and this will surly bring good luck with the rain and wind.
Good night!
Weather: Perfect! Cool in the morning, a little warm around noon, and cool again in the afternoon. No wind in the morning and then at my back in the afternoon.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 74 Trip: 459
Total travel time: 8:30 Trip: 48:05
Bike Riding time: 5:32 Trip: 36:39
Avg speed: 13.34 Trip: 12.88
Max speed: 25.31 Trip: 36.31
Total ascent (ft): 450 Trip: 10,885
Avg pedal RPMs: 90 Trip: 87
Avg heart rate: 97 Trip: 120
Max heart rate: 144 Trip: 189
Calories burned: 4,541 Trip: 26,922
Weather Statistics:
High temp 70 Trip: 75
Low temp: 60 Trip: 55
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: favorable - hopefully the start of a new trend
Total good wind days: 2
Total bad wind days: 5
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 0 Trip: 8
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel
Total hotel nights: 7
Total camping nights: 0
Cups of coffee: 2 Trip: 21
Pints: 1 Trip: 12
Mood rating (1-10): 9.5 feel much better with the new tires and the forecast looks great.
Friday, November 28, 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:33.3883
Longitude:-111.5438
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:11/28/2008 16:10:42 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.3883,-111.5438&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
ESN:0-7458562
Latitude:33.3883
Longitude:-111.5438
Nearest Location:not known
Distance:not known
Time:11/28/2008 16:10:42 (US/Pacific)
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=33.3883,-111.5438&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Day 6 - Thursday, November 27
Description: Finished in Surprise AZ. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
First of all.... Thanks to everyone who has been following my blog and providing feedback. I really do appreciate all of the comments and support. I am not able to reply to everyone's comments but rest assured that I see them all on my Blackberry.
Today, I was hoping to beat the forecast of rain and I did! The weather was great with only light winds and partly sunny skies - no rain! I got up early at 5:30 to pack up and be on the road at first light. I stopped at the only gas station (which was open) in Solome and grabbed a home made biscuit with sausage and egg - very good. I washed it down with a coffee and was ready to roll by 7:15. The rain had just ended and the roads were wet. After 4 or 5 miles, I got another flat on my rear tire. What a pain in the butt. I put a new tube in and rolled on. Less than 1 mile later - bam - another rear flat. I checked out the tire and it looked bad with several deep cuts and lots of wear. I then swapped it out for my spare tire plus a patch on the tube. Back on the road again knowing I need to go close to 90 miles today. Then ssshhhhhssss, another flat but this time on the front. I patched it and checked the tire for thorns. Long sorry short, I had a total of 5 flats on the front over the next 10 miles. Finally, I replaced the front tire with my old back tire that was newer. Both tires got shredded by the rough country roads. Lesson learned here that I need more bullet proof tires! All along, I realized that I was going to run out of daylight due to the flat repairs so I rode like a madman whenever I could to gain some time - my avg mph was very good today. Eventually, things settled down just as I crested the last big climb of the day. From there, I cranked on the big gears for the last 40 miles at around 18-20 mph. I only stopped at Wickenburg at a Micky-D's for a quick double cheeseburger because I had a gift card and could use the fat and calories. All down hill all the way to Surprise Arizona which is just outside of Phoenix. I grabbed a room at a Holiday Inn Express that was brand new. The rate started out at 139 and I got the guy down to 75 when he gave me the key - my history of vendor negotiations at work has paid off today. I think I am the first person to sleep in my bed! After a long hot shower, I enjoyed the hotel happy hour, called my kids back in Raleigh to wish them a happy T-Giving, and then rode my bike to a TGI Fridays for dinner which was the only thing open. I wolfed down a big pasta meal with chicken (I did have a turkey sandwich for lunch) and then dodged some storms to ride back to the hotel. Called my parents to wish them a happy T-Giving as well. They were excited about my trip and have been following me closely. Gonna finish this write-up and crash.
Today really tested my patience but I consulted with Wilson and he said to fix the flat and move on as this is still better than sitting behind a desk. I said good point, changed the album on the boom box, and moved forward.
Tomorrow will be a light day through Phoenix as I look for a bike shop to replace my worn out tires.
Good night everyone!
Weather: Much better than the weather channel predicted! Cloudy early, then sunny around noon, and partly cloudy in the late afternoon. Perfect.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 88 Trip: 386
Total travel time: 9:00 Trip: 39:35
Bike Riding time: 5:51 Trip: 31:06
Avg speed: 15.10 Trip: 12.80
Max speed: 26.10 Trip: 36.31
Total ascent (ft): 339 Trip: 10,435
Avg pedal RPMs: 92 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 113 Trip: 123
Max heart rate: 149 Trip: 189
Calories burned: 5,278 Trip: 22,381
Weather Statistics:
High temp 67 Trip: 75
Low temp: 58 Trip: 55
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: against - light winds today but no help.
Total good wind days: 1
Total bad wind days: 5
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 7 today - 8 total
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel
Total hotel nights: 6
Total camping nights: 0
Cups of coffee: 4 Trip: 19
Pints: 2 Trip: 11
Mood rating (1-10): 8 - hey, most people would be out of their minds with 7 flats. Other than the flats, the scenery was beautiful and the day was awesome. The double-cheeseburger was not bad either! I am optimistic that my flats are behind me....
First of all.... Thanks to everyone who has been following my blog and providing feedback. I really do appreciate all of the comments and support. I am not able to reply to everyone's comments but rest assured that I see them all on my Blackberry.
Today, I was hoping to beat the forecast of rain and I did! The weather was great with only light winds and partly sunny skies - no rain! I got up early at 5:30 to pack up and be on the road at first light. I stopped at the only gas station (which was open) in Solome and grabbed a home made biscuit with sausage and egg - very good. I washed it down with a coffee and was ready to roll by 7:15. The rain had just ended and the roads were wet. After 4 or 5 miles, I got another flat on my rear tire. What a pain in the butt. I put a new tube in and rolled on. Less than 1 mile later - bam - another rear flat. I checked out the tire and it looked bad with several deep cuts and lots of wear. I then swapped it out for my spare tire plus a patch on the tube. Back on the road again knowing I need to go close to 90 miles today. Then ssshhhhhssss, another flat but this time on the front. I patched it and checked the tire for thorns. Long sorry short, I had a total of 5 flats on the front over the next 10 miles. Finally, I replaced the front tire with my old back tire that was newer. Both tires got shredded by the rough country roads. Lesson learned here that I need more bullet proof tires! All along, I realized that I was going to run out of daylight due to the flat repairs so I rode like a madman whenever I could to gain some time - my avg mph was very good today. Eventually, things settled down just as I crested the last big climb of the day. From there, I cranked on the big gears for the last 40 miles at around 18-20 mph. I only stopped at Wickenburg at a Micky-D's for a quick double cheeseburger because I had a gift card and could use the fat and calories. All down hill all the way to Surprise Arizona which is just outside of Phoenix. I grabbed a room at a Holiday Inn Express that was brand new. The rate started out at 139 and I got the guy down to 75 when he gave me the key - my history of vendor negotiations at work has paid off today. I think I am the first person to sleep in my bed! After a long hot shower, I enjoyed the hotel happy hour, called my kids back in Raleigh to wish them a happy T-Giving, and then rode my bike to a TGI Fridays for dinner which was the only thing open. I wolfed down a big pasta meal with chicken (I did have a turkey sandwich for lunch) and then dodged some storms to ride back to the hotel. Called my parents to wish them a happy T-Giving as well. They were excited about my trip and have been following me closely. Gonna finish this write-up and crash.
Today really tested my patience but I consulted with Wilson and he said to fix the flat and move on as this is still better than sitting behind a desk. I said good point, changed the album on the boom box, and moved forward.
Tomorrow will be a light day through Phoenix as I look for a bike shop to replace my worn out tires.
Good night everyone!
Weather: Much better than the weather channel predicted! Cloudy early, then sunny around noon, and partly cloudy in the late afternoon. Perfect.
Performance Metrics:
Miles: 88 Trip: 386
Total travel time: 9:00 Trip: 39:35
Bike Riding time: 5:51 Trip: 31:06
Avg speed: 15.10 Trip: 12.80
Max speed: 26.10 Trip: 36.31
Total ascent (ft): 339 Trip: 10,435
Avg pedal RPMs: 92 Trip: 86
Avg heart rate: 113 Trip: 123
Max heart rate: 149 Trip: 189
Calories burned: 5,278 Trip: 22,381
Weather Statistics:
High temp 67 Trip: 75
Low temp: 58 Trip: 55
Hours of rain: 0 Trip: 8
Hours of snow: 0 Trip: 0
Total days of rain/snow: 1
Wind factor: against - light winds today but no help.
Total good wind days: 1
Total bad wind days: 5
Misc. Stats:
Flat tires: 7 today - 8 total
Mechanical failures: 0
Hotel or camping today: hotel
Total hotel nights: 6
Total camping nights: 0
Cups of coffee: 4 Trip: 19
Pints: 2 Trip: 11
Mood rating (1-10): 8 - hey, most people would be out of their minds with 7 flats. Other than the flats, the scenery was beautiful and the day was awesome. The double-cheeseburger was not bad either! I am optimistic that my flats are behind me....
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