Ok I am now committed to RAAM 2008

Early in the fall, I received an email from Race Across America with news about the 2008 race.

15-October-2007 Taos or Bust - A New 1000 Miles race to Taos, NM, for 2008

Over time RAAM, has added pieces to the race which enable more racers to experience the journey that is RAAM. In the 90s, 4-Person teams were added. Just five years ago, 8-Person teams were added and more recently the 24 Hour Challenge was started.

In 2008, we are introducing a new event: a 1000 mile race starting in Oceanside and finishing in Taos, NM. The 1000 mile event fills the void between the traditional 500mile races and the full challenge of RAAM. We recognize that there are many racers, particularily aspiring RAAM rookies, that will find the commitment to race 1,000 miles, a much less overwhelming proposition than a full RAAM. There are few races in the world of this distance and this will be the first in the US.

Just as with the 24 Hour Challenge and the teams, 1000 mile racers will race directly against those going to Annapolis across the beautiful western portion of the course. It's truly a chance for racers to test themselves in a new distance and see if they want to step up to the ultimate race - RAAM!


Expect a great event as RAAM brings its experience and history to this unique distance.



The idea of this race immediately appealed to me and after much thought and deliberation, I have taken the plunge and registered for Race Across the West .

The feeling of being part of the RAAM experience last year was amazing and something that I knew that I wanted to continue with as I work toward my ultimate goal of SOLO RAAM. In thinking about how I wanted to take part in RAAM in 2008, I considered doing another team race, but ultimately decided that my idea of being an ultra racer means suffering alone. The sense of accomplishment I feel from my solo races is beyond anything I would feel as a team racer. The contrast between my experiences in the 2007 two person RAAM team and my succesful Furnace Creek 508 fixed gear race in October 2007 helped me to realize that I work best and I am happiest when I am racing solo. I believe that Race Across the West is the next logical step in my preparation toward SOLO RAAM.

ON MY COMMUTE TODAY...

I believe a little background into my commute is necessary to set the "scene" for those readers that are new to my blog. I have recently taken residence in Huntington Beach. I do a one way commute on my bike on Tuesday evening Nortbound, Wednesday morning Southbound, Thursday evening Northbound and Friday morning Southbound. Every other Friday I will do both South and North bound commutes. The reason for the one way commutes is I have my son on Monday, Wed nights and every other weekend.

The commute is 65 miles and about 1.5 hours of the morning commute is in the dark and about 3 hours of the evening commute is in the dark. Northbound commute avgs 3.5 hours to 4 hours depending on headwinds and traffic-- it IS during rush hours. And Southbound is between 3.5 hours to 3 hours and 45 mins. As you can see riding at night and predawn can lead to some interesting stories.

Soooo this morning I am 2.5 miles into my commute and it is approx. 5:15 am and I see another cyclist. We go through the same intersection and I pass him as we turn left onto PCH. We later come up to the same stoplight and I ask:

Me: "Mornin' where you headed?"
Joel: "That way" (as he points South with his right arm and then sprints off)

So I think what a jerk and go back to doing my own thing. I had specific goals for my training today and figured I'm not going to chase him I've got my own thing to do.

But he sat up and slowed down and there he is again.

Me: "So where you headed?"
Joel: "McArthur" (I didn't hear him until the third time I asked)

At this point I noticed he seemed agitated almost angry so I said:

Me: "Dude... lighten up it's a beautiful morning and we're on our bikes"
Joel: "F' off (and some other stuff not safe for children reading this blog)

So I wonder what set him off. Why would another rider who apparently has the same degree of motivation as me act so obtuse (Shawshank Redemption). Let's see how many things we had in common:

1. We are cyclists
2. It was predawn and we were on our bikes
3. We both went to bed last night looking forward to riding before work.
4. We both must be pretty serious about our training to be out predawn
5. We both must have really busy schedule with family and work

just to name a few of our similarities. So where did it go wrong? Maybe it wasn't wise of me to try to make a friend and I should have just put my headphones on and let him approach me if it was meant to be.

INTRO to ON MY COMMUTE TODAY....

I thought I would begin a series of posts where I talk about my commute not from a "I rode 65 miles with an Avg speed ....blah blah blah". No it would be more of a reflection on the day's/night's events. I will focus on things like the people I meet the things I see and yes I might even include the motorists that do stupid things.

Furnace Creek 508 video!

Turn your sound on and enjoy.

Facts and Figures

Average Speed 13 mph
Maximum Speed 31.3 mph
Distance 508.1 miles
Odometer 21,989 miles



































Average Heart Rate 137 bpm
Maximum Heart Rate 187 bpm
TOTAL number of Heart Beats 371,749 beats for the event





Strangest thing this has never happened to me before...


Minimum Cadence 4 rpm
Average Cadence 61 rpm
Maximum Cadence 148 rpm

Gear Selection 49 x 17
Gear Ratio 2.88
Gear Inch 76.7
Pedal Revolutions 133,735


As far as my recovery (excerpt from an email sent to my crew on Thursday Oct 11, four days after the race)

1, I have a lot of pain on my left knee. It is swollen and painful. It is slowly hurting less but very painful. I truly believe any lesser man/woman would have DNF'd with the pain I was feeling. Brandy gave me so many IBUs that it helped--- slightly. The adreneline of catching other riders helped me focus away from the pain. (UPDATE TUES 10/23 HEALED)




2. I have a swollen left ankle and also painful but not as much as my knee. It is slowly feeling better. (UPDATE TUES 10/23 HEALED)



3. My left hand is still numb. My palm is very sensitive to pressure. My middle finger Ring Finger and pinky are still tingling. I'm sure it will go away but just feels weird. (UPDATE TUES 10/23 15 DAYS AFTER RACE LEFT HAND AND PINKY STILL SENSITIVE CAN NOT PUT PRESSURE ON IT. OTHER FINGERS ARE FINE)


4. My right tricep was so stiff and painful. I had done many sets of push-ups and dips to prepare for the prolonged pressure on them. I think it helped but 45 hours is a long time on the bike. The FG doesn't allow you to take pressure of your arms and rest on your butt and coast. I don't have tricep issues when I ride multispeed. I have a good core and ride light on the bars.(UPDATE TUES 10/23 HEALED)


5. I had gained 15 POUNDS from my pre-race weight of 156 lbs up to 171 by Tuesday night. 168 by Wed night. My legs swelled so much that the skin was pulled tight. It actually hurt to have my skin stretched so much. I'm slowly getting back down to pre-race weight. I was 161 today. (UPDATE TUES 10/23 159 LBS)




6. I always catch a cold or some respiratory issue from these Ultras. This time I think Brandy kept the supplements coming and I think I avoided it. My nose is still bleeding everytime I blow it. But otherwise I feel fairly healthy.


7. My Hemoroids flaired up on Tuesday from all the solid recovery food on Monday and Tuesday. I will eventually have to get them treated for the long term if I keep doing Ultras. (UPDATE TUES 10/23 HEALED)




8. My recovery has been slow because on Monday when I should have been sleeping I couldn't go to bed until after I put my son to bed at 9pm so I was awake since Sat 5am until Monday 10 ish pm I was awake 65 hours. Well that is the Ultra life when you have children.

And once again a very big thank you (crew) for your dedication to my success. Their experience and dedication showed in every effort that the made. They were truly there to see me through to the finish of this very difficult challenge and I could not have asked for a better team, it was a seamless effort all around. Thank you Terry. Thank you Timmer. Thank you Brandy. I have you to thank for this accomplishment.

Furnace Creek 508 Fixed Gear Solo Race Report Part 8

Stage Eight: Almost Amboy to Twenty Nine Palms, 58.2 miles. Elevation Gain: 4170'.

Arrived Monday 4:12am, 45 hours 12 minutes

From the 508 website

"After you pass through the funky throw-back hamlet of Amboy (where you can not count on any services), you cross the valley and at mile 472 begin the last climb: 1500 feet in 10 miles to Sheephole Summit (Mountain Section Ten). The climb begins gradually and gets steeper near the top. The shoulder is very sandy; the crew should be careful with the vehicle. A quick descent leads to the rough road and rolling slight uphill to the finish line"


Last year Almost Amboy was my favorite Time Station. They had the place decorated in a Hawaiian theme. It was cool and the energy from the volunteers was refreshing. This year it wasn’t manned by the same folks and it just didn’t have the same feel to it.

My only focus after leaving Almost Amboy was chasing down Thrasher. He was so far gone I knew it was a lofty goal but it spurred me on to take the last 58 miles and give it all I had left.

I was really tired (understatement) and falling asleep just putting in the miles on my way to Sheephole Summit. And then I started “chasing the lights”. I did the same thing last year. There’s something about knowing you only have 50 miles to go ---heck that’s just a club ride--- that really motivates you.

I started doing intervals on the climb. First couple of intervals were just at a moderate level—remember I was falling asleep so moderate is actually a step up. They didn’t last long only about 30 seconds, and then 1 min, and then 2 min. After a few of those I started building the intensity and was doing 30 sec and 1 min long intervals at very high intensity. As I got closer to Thrashers’ lights it motivated me even more. After a long chase, I passed him on the climb and again he passed me on the descent. This, like I mentioned before, was fun for me and it kept me alert and motivated.

If you look at the profile the last 25 miles are a steady incline. I caught Thraser again and I just wanted to keep him within reach but his follow vehicle yielded to the right so I sprinted past him as fast as I could remembering Chris Kostman’s comment on passing “….and then as you pass them you blow their doors off…” Not an exact quote but it is pretty close. REMEMBER I HAVE BEEN UP 40+ HOURS THIS WAS VERY EXCITING TO ME AT THE TIME! I hope now when you read this you can feel some of the excitement I was feeling. The way I see it, it is little things like this that fuel me to the finish line after so many hours. Thraser and his crew were very nice people and congrats to them for finishing. I also passed the 4x person team Pac-Rats in the last five miles.

As I was nearing the finish I asked that my crew cross the line with me. I thought it was important for them to share in my success since they played such a vital part in it. My crew was great. I was spoiled by them and I wonder how I will find a better crew. Brandy, Terry and Timmer thank you so much for all your support. I couldn’t have done it without you. And that’s it I FINISHED THE FURNACE CREEK 508 FIXED GEAR SOLO. One of only seven riders since 1983 to do it it Fixed Gear.










Shaking hands with Thrasher after the race.

Pictures courtesy of AdventureCORPS

Furnace Creek 508 Fixed Gear Solo Race Report Part 7

Stage Seven: Kelso to Almost Amboy, 33.8 miles. Elevation Gain: 2280'.

Arrived at Almost Amboy at Sunday 11:16 pm, 40 hours 16 min Avg. Speed 11.22 mph


From the 508 website

Compared to the just completed Baker Grade, you now head up a slightly steeper climb: 2000 feet in 12 miles to the top of the Granite Mountains (El 4000’) (Mountain Section Nine). The downhill to the outskirts of Amboy is fast and long; watch out for cattle guards.




Thrasher...

I got into Kelso and met up with Thrasher. His crew was amazed that I was doing the 508 on a Fixed Gear. And quite honestly at that point so was I. I was getting closer to the finish line with each climb.

By this time I had switched to my favorite cold weather climbing garb. I love wearing wool when it is cold and I'm climbing. It breathes well and I don't sweat as much as I do with synthetics. Then when I descend I don't get a chill. I see so many riders covered from head to toe with so much gear and all I'm wearing is an ultra thin base layer and a fairly thin wool jersey. Why did wool fall out of favor? It is really the best gear to ride in. I get my clothing from Vintage Velos.  The quality of their clothing is without question the best wool clothing I have had the pleasure to ride in.  Not to mention that some of the wool trainers look great with a pair of jeans on after a ride!!

I got a head start out of the Time Station but soon I could see the lights coming from my left of Thrasher’s follow vehicle. He had caught me and then passed me. This was the start of what would be an exciting exchanging of the lead between Thrasher and the Vireo, at least in my head.

On this climb I started to “see” things in the bushes and up above the bushes. I thought I saw at least five shooting stars. Would that be possible? I also thought I saw aircraft lights, and for a long time I thought a “light” following me. Yes I had been awake about 38 hours and I guess that is expected. At one point, I let me crew know that I was seeing things. I wonder what they thought. Terry being an experienced Ultra racer himself probably knew right away that it was normal and nothing to be alarmed about. But just to be safe I started doubling up on my Red Star Energy Tablets so I could remain alert. Red Star Energy has the energy boost of the popular energy drinks but much more convenient for a cyclist to carry on a ride since the tablets are lighter and smaller than a can of energy drink.



I saw Thrasher’s lights way up ahead on the climb and decided to chase him down. It took a huge amount of effort but I was less than 80 miles from the finish and I felt well enough to give chase. Except for the usual aches and pains of being on the bike that many hours I had really only about three pains specific to the Fixed Gear riding.

1. My left hand was numb because my right tricep was in pain and I was compensating by riding with only my left hand on the bars and my right arm in an imaginary sling.

2. My left knee was in pain from all the very slow hard mashing and pulling up on the pedals on some of the steeper climbs.

3. My left ankle was in pain for the same reason as #2.

I chased and passed Thrasher on the climb and as usual he and all multi-speed riders passed me on the descent. He passed me going so fast he was a blur and then I could see Thrasher’s lights far off in the distance. They kept getting smaller and smaller on the long 20 mile descent.

I was concerned about the 20 mile descent in planning for the race. I remember how sore my shoulders and neck were from all the time I spent in the tucked position on my multi-speed in 2006. It was a long way down---- I couldn’t coast ---- and my butt was killing me----and I didn’t want to go any faster than 20 mph because everything hurt and bouncing on the saddle was not appealing to me whatsoever. But eventually I made it into the Almost Amboy Time Station.

Arriving at Almost Amboy I had completed 451.6 miles and 32,056 feet of climbing

Furnace Creek 508 Fixed Gear Solo Race Report Part 6

Main graph above. This section we will cover from Mile 381.6 to mile 416.5

Stage Six: Baker to Kelso, 34.90 miles. Elevation Gain: 2920'.

Arrived in Kelso Sunday 8:26pm, 37 hours and 26 min Avg. Speed 11.13 mph

From the 508 website

"Leaving Baker, you climb a gradual but relentless 2500 feet in 20 miles (Mountain Section Eight). It may be heating up, so drink plenty. A long descent leads to Kelso at mile 418."

This next section is soooo boooorrrrinnng! The climb out of Baker goes on and on and on and on. Not steep but just “relentless”. It was warm but the sun was about to set in a couple of hours and I just kept plugging away. I remember Yodeling Plankton getting a lead on me leaving Baker but I caught him. Then he passed me as I was putting my lights on the bike--- it was nearing 6pm. And then I passed him again.




that red speck up ahead is Yodelling Plankton..



and here is the pass (seemed to be a really nice guy) ...


While I was training I couldn’t find a road to simulate the slope of this climb. But I actually was looking forward to the Baker climb. The gentle grade I thought was well suited for Fixed Gear riding and it proved to be just that. If you can get past the long boring slope it isn't that bad of a climb. I actually enjoyed it.

The roads are horrible in these last sections. They shouldn’t even call them roads. Descending was very "exciting" as I was trying to ride the fog line to keep from hitting all the potholes.

I had completed 416.5 miles and 29,776 feet of climbing

Furnace Creek 508 Fixed Gear Solo Race Report Part 5

Here is the main elevation chart. The section you are about to read is from mile 325 to Mile 382

Part 5 or 7

Stage Five: Shoshone to Baker, 56.3 miles. Elevation Gain: 2186'.

Arrived Baker Sunday 4:38pm, 33 hours 38 minutes Avg. Speed11.33

From the 508 website

"After an easy 750 feet climb up Ibex pass (Mountain Section Seven), there’s a killer, long downhill, then the road to Baker is mostly flat and straight. The crew should stock up on gas, ice and food in Baker as no supplies are available until the finish".

Once I turned right onto the 178 East/South 127 (same road) I was treated to a nice tailwind. It was the same last year. A short stop at Shoshone and a short chat with the “Ostrich” and off I went. But not until I ordered a “cheeseburger …add bacon”. It was daylight and I could ride without the need for direct support. My crew stayed behind gassed up got my cheeseburger and met me down the road just before Ibex Pass.



my usual Ultra comfort food "cheeseburger...add bacon"

I was very hungry by the time the crew showed up with the cheeseburger and I just devoured it. My feet were hurting just as last year. ONCE AGAIN THE FACT THAT I COULDN’T COAST OR TAKE MY FEET OUT OF THE PEDALS MADE IT VERY HARD TO GIVE MY FEET ANY RELIEF. My feet were killing from the terrible road surface and it would only get worse in the next 2 stages

As I rolled into Baker I felt relieved that I was going to make it. Somehow psychologically I always feel better once I’ve made it to Baker. It was warm not hot and I thought the next couple of climbs will be fine.

As I was leaving Baker Tom Parkes reminded me that none of the fixed gear riders had ever DNF’d. No pressure Tom. But it truly made me feel that I needed to step up my game because I couldn’t go down as the “only” fixed gear rider to ever DNF!


Arriving in Baker I had completed 382.9 Miles and 26,856 feet of climbing

A couple more pics...

one of my favorites just look at how far you can see into and across Death Valley...

Click here to see a larger version it really deserves to be seen this way






utter disgust of having to stop on a descent into a head/cross wind heading to Shoshone