Feb 5, 2010: Bike Camp Day 2

Old Spanish Trail and Pistol Hill:

Today was hard day. The first hour and a half was through the city with lots of traffic, a few missed turns and just generally not that much fun to ride. When we finally made it to the Old Spanish trail there was a head wind on top of the false flat. There are a bunch of road signs that say 5 or 4 or 2 miles to go. They took for ever to go by. We finally made it to the half way mark and stopped for some food. The way back (after we got through a section of really, really rough road) was a blast, tail wind + slight down grade = going fast. We went by the Bone Yard where the air force puts all their old planes. Here's a bunch of pics and what Drew's thinking:

Feb 4, 2010: Bike Camp Day 1

Camp Day 1 is in the bag!!!! The weather is amazing here and the roads are not too bad either.

We got up and made a huge breakfast, eggs, pancakes, bacon, juice, toast and coffee. I usually don't eat that much right after I wake up but I sure was glad for all the fuel later.
We rolled out from the house at about 9:30, a bit later than planned but that made it a bit warmer which was nice. 

The first little section of road we were on is called roller coaster road, and man its a blast, up, down, around, left right, just like a roller coaster!




We wound our way through town to the top of gates pass.  Which is a nice little climb.

After that it was down through a State park West after which we got a bit lost, we not so much lost as just not quite sure where to go. Joe explains it in this video:



And then headed back home.  3 hours 42 mins, 67 miles, 2275kj of energy used and 176 average watts. and a great first day!

Feb 3, 2010: Bike Camp Starts Tomorrow

This evening I drove down from Phoenix to the February cycling mecca of Tuscon, AZ.  Bike Camp 2010 starts tomorrow.  Instead of paying for a professional camp I'll be riding with two of my buddies from college, Joe and Drew.  We're staying with Joe's parents (who have an amazing home), Joe's wife Ky and two dogs.  It looks to be quite the handful. 

I rowed with Joe and Drew at U of Portland and now they're full time cyclists who ride for Ironclad.  They don't really get the whole running and swimming thing but that's OK, I still like them well enough.  The plan is to ride at least 4 hours every day and do all the typical Tuscon rides.

Also, Joe brought my power tap wheel from Portland down with him.  So starting tomorrow, I'll have even more data to geek out about.  The bikes are all assembled and now everyone is off to bed to get some good rest before we tackle Gates Pass tomorrow.

Feb 1, 2010: Birthday in Phoenix

Today's my birthday and the 11 year anniversary of my move from Phoenix to Portland.  Guess where I am now? That's right, back in Phoenix.  I had birthday dinner with my brother which was super nice.  I wanted to do a 100x100m Birthday Swim set like some of the full time pros but my right shoulder is acting up a bit and starting Wednesday is Bike Camp 2010 so I'll have to put that on hold.  Maybe I'll do one or a 50x100m swim set for my ski accident anniversary which is coming up pretty soon.




Here's Joel and John's Thai dinner.