Flutterby™! : Jaws was never my scene 2006-08-19 20:15:38.102594+00

Jaws was never my scene

2006-08-19 20:15:38.102594+00 by Dan Lyke 7 comments

Yesterday, Charlene and I took a little ADD trip, up to the Russian River, where we didn't find the vibe we were looking for, so we headed out to the coast and tooled up Highway 1, stopping at Fort Ross State Park, a Russian beach head in California, took a right up to see what was at the Kruse Rhododendron State Reserve (little this time of year), headed up a dirt road to come out on Dry Creek Road which we took across to Lake Sonoma and then, noticing that we were in the wonderful little town of Healdsburg, we called up Dori and Tom and had dinner with them (and we owe them dinner, hopefully we'll drag them down to our beautiful neck of the woods at some point), and came on home. A great day.

Today... in the planning for the Marin Cyclists Mt. Tam Double/Marin Century, and my recent bike woes, I haven't had a chance to get out on two wheels recently. Today we did the worker's ride, a chance for the people who missed out on their California Triple Crown credit to rack up a 200 miler, and the rest of us to hold on for a hundred miles or so. I met the pack about 14 miles in, we rode up Bolinas Fairfax Road to Ridgecrest, up to the East Peak of Tam, down to Muir Beach, cranked along Highway 1 to Point Reyes Station, then split off from the 200 milers and came back around Nicasio Reservoir. My abbreviated version was 77 miles, done at a leisurely 5:17 bike time for an average of 14.6 MPH, max on a downhill was 45.7.

Now I'm off to wish Forest a Happy Birthday!

14.6mph.. for 5+hrs, is cranking away. Kudos! The 45+ on a downhill is interesting. I'm noticing as I ride with DF'ers (Diamond Frame/Upright) that they typically start riding the brakes at 30-35mph, often less. I'm often riding the brakes on downhills with them, if I stay with them. I usually snag the passing lane and crank on by, I love downhills. Brings back skateboarding memories.

I haven't ridden since last Wednesday.. Monday, Tuesday Wednesday seem to be my cycling days. Hey.. Monday is tomorrow! A reason to look forward to Monday!

Yeah, downhill comfort on a diamond frame is interesting, I think that being head-first has a major effect on things. I know that going one-handed should I have to tweak anything at those kinds of speeds is weird, but I notice that I tend to run downhills faster than the rest of the pack, and the high speeds come when I can get out in front.

And I think I've hooked up with someone out here in the valley who wants to do regular morning rides and can hold 16-18 MPH for extended periods... Hopefully I can start getting in real shape.

"Hopefully I can start getting in real shape." - Scary comment: what are you now? A couch potato?

Life looks a little different when, in your social circle, the old retired guys can crank out a 200 mile day at gasping-for-air paces. Earlier this year I thought it was ridiculous to try for the California Triple Crown next year, but now I'm starting to think it'd be cool to take home one of those jerseys. I mean, I don't want to get into randonneurring or anything...

And some of the different outlook is in having had a few rides like this. One of the topics of discussion this weekend was about supporting the different classes of riders, and how the people I was riding with consider Century distances as "a club ride" (even those carrying a considerable number of extra lbs on their waists), whereas many of the riders we support on the organized ride at Century distances consider it a huge stretch of their abilities, and aren't prepared for it either mechanically or physically.

The other side is that back in the days when you first met me I had biceps that made some clothing uncomfortable. With two full days on weekends and some TV watching during the week I was working out as much as some people spend at their full-time jobs. That faded over the years (relationships 'll do that to a guy), but while biking isn't going to bring that particular muscle group back I don't want to dwell on my glory days forever. There should be new glory days.

#Comment Re: made: 2006-08-22 00:34:12.840267+00 by: Dan Lyke [edit history]

There should be new glory days. - I'm reminded of sitting in a bar having dinner at the bar (I like that sometime) when the 40+ year old guy next to me is watching a football game, talking about the one great play of his life in High School.. and somehow he asks me about such things. I say: "I've done a lot more interesting things since High School, than I did in High School." - and I have and will. He got pissy and turned away.