During the century ride yesterday I wore the Skins bib longs. It is the first cycling specific compression garment made-- to my knowledge. I was surprised at the quality of the chamois. But I was even more surprised by how good I felt all day. Not too hot not too cold and my legs just felt great. With that much climbing in such a concentrated distance your legs don't get a chance to recover. I attribute my performance to the Skins bib longs. They will become my primary cycling garment when competing in long distance events.

I might have looked funny to some folks out there but mark my words you will see more and more athletes and cyclists wear compression.

As a footnote- Not only did I feel good during the ride but I was in the car an hour (traffic) getting home and I left them on. I didn't feel as stiff getting out of the car. I then slept in a pair of sport tights.

If you are not familiar with how compression can benefit you as a cyclist or athlete please view this short video.

Santa Monica Mountains Century

I believe the entire century was done in this area. South of Hwy 101.



11,000 feet of climbing in a 102 miles.

For the power mongrols-- over 4,000 kj (I weigh about 155lbs)


I've got just a few minutes to spare but I am bursting with excitement about my great training ride on Sunday March 29, 2009.

Chris Kostman, from AdventureCorps, took me for a ride in the Santa Monica Mountains. Home of the famous Mulholland Hwy and many other roads. Luckily Chris knew every road, and fire road, in the area because I was so turned around I didn't know where I was half the time. He even knew the locations of all the secret "water holes".

The weather was overcast and hazy and a bit chilly when you hit patches of low fog. The riding was amazing and the climbing was very challenging. But doesn't that make for a better ride? Of course it does!!

I haven't had time to download the pictures and videos yet. Check back in a couple of days.

NATHAN GEAR

I have to give a shout out to my good friends at Nathan Sports!!!

I commute 3x times a week and even with the time change over 50% of my commute is in the dark. I really want to thank them for making more visible on the road. My friends and co-workers tease me and say I look like a christmas tree. I think that's a good thing. I have family waiting for me at home. Getting home safely is very important!

They make many other products check them out.

Thank you Nathan Sports!!

I use these products EVERY.DAY!



I put these on my helmet and on my bike.






I wear these on my ankles AND my wrists so I can be seen when signaling my turns.

Big Bear City Video

I created a video from last Saturday's Big Bear City Ride.

Enjoy!

Breathless Agony Modified

BIG BEAR CITY VIDEO HERE


Well I did it! It wasn't pretty but I did it. I'll flesh out the story later. Here's the down and dirty.

118 miles (189kms) 14,000 feet (4,267 m)

However 13,000 feet (3,962 m) of that climbing came in 88 miles (141 km).

MAX ALTITUDE 8443 FT (2573m)


Start Mill Creek Ranger Station
Did Oak Glen from both sides
Mountain Home Creek Rd is not really a road.
Climbed to Onyx Summit 8443 feet
Kept going to Big Bear City
Lunch in Big Bear City
Climbed to Onyx Summit
"Descended" back to the car.
Those that have done Breathless Agony know there's a lot rollers on one of the descents.

Link to pictures and there are some videos that if I can find the time I will do a slideshow.

My proposed training ride...

I would like to do Breathless Agony this year because it is a great event, put on by great people. Chuck Bramwell and Santiago Cycling provide outstanding support.

But my schedule is different this year. I will be doing Trans Iowa .

However, I still love the climbing out there and these long flat commuting miles are boring me. So here is my proposed training ride for tomorrow.

If you can believe Bikely.com it "suggests" 13K feet of climbing in a little over 100 miles.





CUE SHEET

MAPS ON BIKELY.COM

Starting my commuting again...

On Tuesday 3/10 I began my nightly commute from Encinitas to Huntington Beach. I added an extra climb and now my commute is 68.5 miles.

I then return to work in the morning using the Metrolink Train and get 32 miles.

Last week I ended up with 400+ miles. The first time I have done that mileage since last August when I was finishing up my ramp up for the Furnace Creek 508

For you Power Mongrels -- I expended 10,491 kjs and a TSS of 1426.



Today Wednesday 3/18 I will begin my commute for this week.

Death Valley Double Century

Brandy and I did the Death Valley Double Century on Feb 28, in a sub 15 hour time. It was much tougher than I remember it when riding it solo. The climbing was much tougher on the tandem. It marks my 19th Double Century.

I love riding in Death Valley. The scenery is spectacular. We were fortunate to have a very mild day. It was slightly overcast and I don't think the mercury rose above 85F.

Brandy was a real trooper as she suffered from undercarriage issues. We both suffered from nausea but that expected at least once in a 200 mile event.

Chris Kostman puts on a fantastic event. It is very well supported. The aid stations are all in the right place. Thanks to Hammer Nutrition we felt well fueled all day.

If you haven't ridden in Death Valley you have to put it on your short list of rides to do. AdventureCorps is offering yet another opportunity to ride in Death Valley on April 18th. It is a century ride with other activities. It is called the Hell's Gate Hundred. There will also be a Fall Double Century and if you are an Ultra Cyclist you should try and tackle the Furnace Creek 508!

I haven't done a slide show for the Death Valley Double Century. But here are a few pics from the weekend.










On the drive in to Death Valley we took Chris Kostman's suggested a more adventurous route up through Emigrant Pass. It was a very good suggestion and we thoroughly enjoyed the "off the beaten path" directions. I longed to get on my bike as we climbed up to Emigrant Pass.



The morning of the double century.



The highest point of the event don't forget to add the an additional 282 feet-- the amount of feet we were BELOW sea level at Badwater.



On the drive home we took a different route and took Townes Pass out of Death Valley.



Ever wonder why the climb up Townes Pass hurts so much on the 508? Well this sign tells quite a story doesn't it?