Tour de Park City Utah 173 mile Gran Fondo

A few months back Jesse mentioned that he was thinking about doing an event in Park City. I think he told me it was a 70 mile or so ride at higher altitude and it sounded like a fun place to get away from the Arizona heat. I didn't think about it much after that and went about business. A few weeks ago in an email there was a description of the event and I thought about it more seriously. There were three distances, 50 miles, 100 and 170 as they advertised them. For some reason the 170 seemed to appeal to me and within a day or two I was seriously considering it and a week later registered for it.

I had not been training for anything like that distance but since I had done the 70.3 Ironman in Boise in June and was riding hard for short distances the previous 3 weeks or so I would go for it.

I talked Betty and the kids into going as well with a trip through Vegas and a day at Lagoon. We had a two day complimentary stay at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and $50 dining credit so we stopped there and watched the goofiness of the world, swam, relaxed and did the breakfast buffet for a meal. The kids and I went to the Stratosphere as well and rode the rides at the top. We left for and arrived in Vegas on Wednesday evening and lefty Friday morning and drove to Park City.

We booked a hotel for Park City on Priceline for 75 dollars a night at the Yarrow Hotel. It said it was a 3 star but definitely not any more than a 2.5. When I unpacked my bike from the trunk I noticed that my rear brake was broken, spring had been compromised. Fortunately right across the parking lot was a bike shop. They were able to take it in and fix it. However the mechanic adjusted the brake a little to tight which I did not notice until I started riding the next morning. For 50 plus miles I pedaled against some friction that I could feel but not tell exactly what was happening in the rush of the group start. In my relief to have it fixed I don't think I noticed it when I rode back to the hotel.

The hotel had two queen sized beds so that was good for the kids as they had slept on the couch at the hotel in Vegas. Being a cheaper hotel in Park City I think it had a tendency to attract some budget conscience drinkers as the guy in the room next to us decided to beat up his female partner at 2:00 AM. Between their pounding and the police coming that is when I woke up and never went back to sleep. At 4:30 I got up and started making my drink bottles and preparations and headed to the ride start at 5:15. The ride started at 6:00 AM.

As we took off I started having problems pedaling and keeping up. My heart rate shot up and I could not figure out if I had a mechanical problem or if the lack of sleep was the issue. Needless to say I fell off the group very quickly and at least was able to settle in with the more casual riders in the event. My main concern was to not have to ride alone. Some how I found the ability to hammer up the first few hills and stay with a group for the first 50 miles until we stopped for some food and drink. I borrowed a Leatherman tool from one of the volunteers and opened my brake as much as I could. It felt better and I was able keep up easier for the next 25 miles. After the 75 mile break I kept up for about another 20 miles or so and then started to hit a wall. I dropped by myself and was able to keep going on the level but still in my easier gears.

The one thing that I did which I learned the hard way was to get a more suitable gearing for a long ride with climbing. I had a gear cog with a 28 tooth sprocket put on the rear which was better suited to climbing than the 26 that I had been using since I started riding. That was probably the main reason I was able to keep going.

Somehow I made it to the 105 mile point and food station. The group that I had been chasing was taking a longer break and were there when I arrived. I said I was done and going to hitch hike back to Park City. These really were nice people and we had developed a quick and caring relationship. They encouraged me to just eat and rest and to not give up, even though the hardest 15 miles of the ride were coming up. The climb to Mirror Lake. They did it by telling me that I had to do the descent on the other side. It was 25 miles of smooth downhill sailing. It worked and I set off to climb the mountain even though I thought I was wasted physically. Two plus hours later I was at the top and smiling at my accomplishment at 10,756 feet. The overcast sky and the light cloud bursts were encouraging as was the amazing scenery of the route.

The downhill was worth it and soon I was only about 30 miles from finishing. I was still spent though and I don't think I would have finished if I had to keep going by myself. One other rider that had been trading me for last place reached the 140 mile point and got in the SAG vehicle to call it a ride. I felt for him and was about to do the same. I had however at the time been picked up by two other riders that were pulling me along with them. At least I had found the energy to keep up. They were two sisters that were strong riders training for the LOTOJA, a 210 mile ride from Logan, UT to Jackson Hole WY. They slowed down enough to get me to the last rest stop and then the last 18 miles back to Park City. There were two long and steep climbs out of Kamas that I dreaded but was able to make thanks to my gearing.

All told I think I had convinced myself to quit at least five times but knew deep inside that I really wanted to finish the ride. Between the encouragement of other riders and the help of the two sisters I reached the finish line and felt the satisfaction of having set out to do something harder than I had ever done before and accomplished it. This was a beautiful course along rivers, streams, lakes and mountains. I had always wanted to do such a ride and hope I can do it again.

Training for the Ironman 70.3 in Boise Idaho

When I was in Boise visiting my family 2 or 3 years ago an event was held in the Boise area for the first time. The Boise 70.3 Ironman. I thought that sounded like something I would like to try someday. I had just started riding a bicycle and was enjoying it but had not really done anything to substaniate a fitness level. I put it in the back of my mind and when I came home I kept riding the bicycle and competing with myself in various races and rides to keep motivated to get better.

I did longer and longer rides until I did the first century in Tucson in 2009. The Tour de Tucson 109 miles in about 5 hours and 23 minutes. I was actually slower by a few minutes in 2010 but I did not train as much and it was a very windy day. There have been other century rides as well but mostly just three to four mornings a week at 20 to 40 miles. As I seemed consistent with the bicycle I thought it might transfer to other areas of endurance athletics as well. It just isn't an easy transfer of activity or motivation.

I did incorporate pull ups into my exercise ideology. A funny thing happened on the way to the ball game. I was at a high school football game and the Marine recruiters were there with a pull up bar and giving out treats. I jumped up and grabbed the bar and could not do one pull up. In the process of doing it I felt the exertion in seemingly every muscle in my body including my feet. The strain was nauseating and the fact that I could not do a single one disconcerting.

I started stopping at the grade schools and Junior High schools and doing pull ups on the monkey bars. I got up to one then two and so on util I can now do 11 slow fully extended pull ups. I bought a door way pull up bar and have a full size one on my back porch. Every day I go out there and look at it and say I don't feel like doing pull ups today then I grab the bar and do them. It is such a short work out but its better than nothing. This has been good therapy for my back, neck and shoulders. I have had some issues over the years and various surgeries on my shoulders. At this time however I am as pain free as I have ever been. It feels great. I have separated my shoulder twice in the last two years as well and both times the healing has been fairly quick and without ongoing issues that I can tell.

About two months before the event I got a trial membership at a Gym with a pool and started swimming laps. I would swim for 30,40, 50 minutes and felt like I could do it. I only did about 8 work outs in the pool. About 10 days before the even I heard about a triathlon in Show Low, AZ. They had an Olympic distance and half Ironman distance. I thought the Olympic would be a good test so I went to the triathlon store on Wednesday and rented a wet suit. I went to Saguaro lake on Friday to do an open water swim with the club. I found out very quickly that I was not in shape for the swim.

I went to Show Low on Friday and did the event on Saturday the 4th of June. The swim was torture, with the wind blowing and waves and all the swimmers. I barely made it back. The swim was almost a mile. The bike went fine and then I did the 6.1 mile run without too much trouble. I had run 6 miles about two weeks before and that and about 5 other runs at the track of varying distances was my training for the 70.3 that I would do on the 11th of June 2011.

June 19 2010-Bike the Bluff- Show Low Arizona

This was my anniversary ride. A year ago I rode in this race as my first bicycle race. It was a 34 mile event of two laps around the course. We were at the cabin for Fathers Day weekend and our traditional family reunion. I had been riding about 3 months at the time. This year it was a 51 mile event, three laps around the same course. I rode in the masters division and finished 7th out of 15. Two hours and 33 minutes for the ride. It was faster per lap than last year and my average speed was faster as well.

Doug, a friend from the bike shop rides and Jesse D. and I rode up in Doug's pickup in style and stayed at the Bear's Cabin in Pinetop. All went well, we had fun even for the short trip. We stopped at Joe and Nicole's place in Heber for a BBQ meal on our way home.

Family Vacation 2009 July Virgina and Washington DC

July 8, 2009

written on my iphone note application

On the plane headed home from our family vacation visiting Chip and Steph also today is Betty's 50th. We were able to spend some fun time with little Cash and Cohen.

We flew to Baltimore and met Emily and Heidi then rented a car and drove to Charlottsville.

We left home at 4:20 AM Wednesday the 1st for Sky Harbor. We arrived at Chips at 9:30 pm. On the way there we ate at Quiznos. Stephanie had a nice feast prepared as well that we ate for lunch the next day. There was also a pouring rain. The only real rain we had. Thursday morning we slept in a bit and then went to Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. Chip,Paul,Jayton and I then went golfing at a very nice course also very beautiful cut out of the Virginia woods. We had a good time. The weather was overcast but perfect for golf. Dinner afterwards was a BBQ.

Friday morning we headed of to Williamsburg. We spent the day there visiting the beginnings of our nations freedoms. Again we had perfect weather for our activity

We had booked a hotel and they overbooked and sent us to another place that turned out to be a dive maybe a -3 star place. Very scary. We decided to head into Richmond, the girls started calling hotels from WV concierge. We found a reasonable price at a Crown Plaza. Becky started asking for upgrades and got us super nice suites. Betty and I had our own. The girls had theirs as well. Chip went back to Charlottesville and Jayton went with them. Saturday the 4th we headed to Washington DC.

We all met at the St. Gregory and stayed one night. We took off walking to the national mall and went to the Holocaust Memorial. We walked about 2 miles We then wandered abit and met below the Washington monument where we visited for several hours before the fireworks started. It was very relaxing to sit and "chill". There were people every where. The fireworks were awesome and spectacular. We had hot dogs for dinner from the concession stand.

The walk back to the hotel was pleasant and we were all very tired. Paul however went to the grill to have a milk shake. Several of us came down and ordered as well. No body knew how much they were. We also ordered half price burgers. The shakes were $8.00 and the burgers were 14.00. Not a cheap snack. We laughed about it and Paul payed the bill. Betty was to pay him back. I don't think we ever did.

Sunday morning we went to church to fast and testimony meeting. We then went to the new hotel a Marriott courtyard for the final three nights. We made a feeble effort to guard the sabbath day by taking a drive to the Washington Temple. We spent some time on the grounds. Jayton was so hungry he was sick. He did get out of the car though and roll around in the grass. We ate on the way back at Chipotle.

Monday was play day as we went to Six Flags amusement park. It was half price and the place was for all intents empty. We never waited more than 10 minutes for any ride. We rode all the high powered coasters several times. There was also a water park. We had a blast there as well. The weather was perfect. Sunny and warm. Before leaving that morning however we had a jolt with Jayton going into panic mode. He was in the bathroom when he started yelling. He discovered a tick burrowed in his tummy. It came out seemingly on it's own after I sprayed alcohol on it. He had no clue what it was. I checked him some more and found one burrowed in his back. Chip pulled it out with tweezers after trying to burn it out.
We gave him a blessing and went on.

Tuesday was Mt. Vernon. George Washington lived an amazing life. We may never know the full extent with our limited exposure to what he did. I felt the power if it when Betty and I were there last year and it has not gone away. In the afternoon we hit the Smithsonions until the hunger overtok us.

Anne heard news of a restaurant having a special for their anniversary by rolling prices back to 1934. We went over to check it out and git in after an hour wait We fed 9 people deluxe meals with appetizers and salads. Most of us had Filet Minon. The bill was $343.00. Not Bad for Martin's Tavern in Georgetown. That was without alchohol. We paid $18.88. We did tip the place. $52.00. Still not bad.

Today we loaded up the car and then took the metro back to the Smithsonions. American history museum was the place. Becky had taken off at 5 am on the super shuttle. We came back and had a quick bite at Five Guys diner, burgers and fries. We headed put to the airport in Baltimore in gridlock traffic. We began to wonder if we allowed ourselves enough time. Heidi and Emily barely made their flights.

El Tour De Phoenix 2010 Bike Event Timed Ride

I started riding about a year ago and set the goal to ride in this event at that time. It is a 72 mile route. I rode the route two times as training rides in recent weeks and had a good idea of what to expect. I did make a novice mistake in the actual race that I avoided in the Tour de Tucson which was a much longer 109 mile event. I did not get the proper hydration today and "bonked", lost my energy for the last 15 or so miles. That is when you have to revert to sheer will power to keep your legs moving, especially when you are going uphill. I realistically knew what I could do it in as a rookie and this ride was sub par as to what I think my abilities are. I was slower than my potential and still hit my goal almost square on at 3 hours 24 minutes. Average speed 21.1 mph. The winner finished in 2 hours 51 minutes. I rode well for the first 65 miles because I saw how many people passed me in the last 7 miles when I couldn't peddle after my legs cramped up along with my bonk.

Betty and Becky were at the finish line to cheer when I went by so that was nice.

The ride organizer recognized a local cycling enthusiast, Sterling Baer, who is president of the Brumbys, our local riding group with some 600 on the email list. He also heads up rides to bring attention to cyclists that are injured or killed.

Well I should rest tonight since I have had goofy dreams the past two nights thinking about the race. Kind of a pre-race jitter even though nothing is really at stake. I still have a competitive streak even though it is really just with myself and cycling has been a good thing to use it to stay in shape. I think I'm in the best shape of my life so far. Of course I'm not a health expert but sometimes we can be our own judge as to how we feel. It feels good to ride 72 miles in a hard fashion and not have any aches or pains when you are done. Am I lucky or what? I do feel blessed to be experiencing it. They say you will get really sick 6 times in your life and only get well 5 of them. The longer you can prolong getting them the better. I think I've had two of them so far.

A New Heart-Charlie's Cycle Babble or (Psycho)?

I like to write the thoughts that occur from time to time during my bike rides. Since I'm not a doctor for sure I had to include the fact that my analysis may be flawed on the medical side and therefore the (psycho). I relate my observations with some limitations and fading knowledge gathered from my high school science or other learning source from in my past. It may not always be accurate but I've heard that the placebo effect is as powerful as the real thing sometimes.

As I understand the body completely reproduces its cells every so often so that we are in fact completely new creations at some point on a continuous basis except for the brain. The aging gene never goes away but we do have new organs and so forth in one sense they are just older each time they recreate.

Since I took up cycling many changes have occurred in my body. The idea that I have a new heart seemed like a good analogy. I was getting to a point where I could be classified as having borderline high blood pressure. I did not want to take pills. So much so that I started riding my bike 100 miles a week, then 150 then 200. Now my heart beats slower, my blood pressure is lower and in theory I should live longer. I can ride longer and faster and it still beats slower than when I started. Even though it is older it is better than before. Even so I could drop dead at any time from some unseen condition or be killed by a careless motorist or accidental fall. Training our minds and spirits is much the same except we are the ones in control. The things we do or don't do have an effect on us.

We refer to the term "a mighty change of heart" as spoken of in the Book of Mormon. This is a metaphor that refers to a time when we begin to see and feel beyond what the natural man sees and feels. It is not a physical event. It is occurs when we take the step to reach out into the infinite, when we let our mind think of eternal truth and ponder. It occurs when we seek God in study and prayer to understand things we would not otherwise be capable of understanding. I have felt it and seen it in myself and my children. It is a most amazing event. It too requires continued attention to be maintained.

The 1000 Mile Month-A new Heart and Attitude

The goal to ride my bike 1000 miles was not set without some prior conditioning efforts. It still arose partly from ignorance and partly from a desire to be better as something. Being a rookie rider and technically past my prime age wise I wanted to see what I was willing to do and what the results would be.

It started with casual riding and enjoying it, then to wanting to stay up with faster riders on group rides. I kept the number of miles increasing and the rides to include hills that made them harder. I was always dropped and rode by myself since I could not keep up. As I made an effort to ride 800 miles in August and ended up at less than 600 it still motivated me for a more difficult challenge. Recruiting a friend and riding partner made the goal more thinkable. That was Jesse. We talked about it and the pursuit became our riding goal.

While conditioning has definitely improved this is just a step in the right direction that will hopefully continue.

As the process began I have had many thoughts as I struggled up the hills, panting and sweating barely able to pedal. I realized that life's difficulties and challenges are like hills, some are long and some are short, sometimes you can see the top and sometimes you can't. You just keep pedaling though because someone else has done it and you shouldn't quit just because it is hard. Stop and rest if you need to but keep going. When you get to the top there is relief and usually a down hill ride that will be enjoyable and possibly exhilarating.