My Arizona Rides-Attacked By Wild Dogs

Spent three days biking around Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale area.

Most of the ride was flat and stright, but many different road conditions existed-gravel, dirt, cracked.

Red Tail Hawk checking me out.

Much of my ride was in wide open fields, when suddenly, out of the fields, a pack of about 8-10 wild dogs ran out and started attacking me. They were trying to bite at my feet, growling and barking, baring their teeth, and taking turns trying to run ahead of me and jumping at my front tire. The dogs were all black and one was a pit-bull type. Sorry, did not seem to have enough time for a picture. I finally was able to out ride them. Glad I wasn't jogging. I'll be looking for some pepper spray to carry along in future rides.

Modified that sign.

I don't think this sign is working.

Tempting, but did not stop for Hashbrowns topped with Chili

Merry Christmas

Christmas in ArizonaClick for a Merry Christmas to you and your families song

Winter in So Cal

Today was the first day of winter, so I put the snow chains on my bike and rode 63 miles (out and back) to South Laguna. These pictures were taken for Jim who is locked indoors in Colorado because of snow storms. Enjoy your Mag Trainer, Jim.
Other things to do in the winter at Huntington Beach.View from Crystal Cove north on a clear winter day.Laguna Beach-only the bravest dare to be out in 66 degree weather.'Tis the season . . . for mudslides.Looking for some lunch.Sunset along the San Gabriel River. Taken last night on my ride home from work.Naples Island at sunset.

Palm Desert-La Quinta Ride

Did a 36 mile ride through Palm Desert and La Quinta, passing 25 golf courses!
Left the Club Intrawest in Palm Desert just at sunrise.

A few photos taken with my cell phone along Avenida Montezuma in La Quinta. This is a 3 mile 300 vertical climb along the Santa Rosa Mountain base.


The southern Santa Rosa Mountains are usually snow-capped in the winter.

Remember Pearl Harbor

View of Pearl Harbor from my Parent's Home in Aiea, Hawaii.

I subscribe to a real-time stock service. The Daily Worden Report is part of this service. I'd like to share yesterday's Worden Report with you:

"Remember Pearl Harbor"

A year ago the following paragraph appeared in The Worden Report. A lot of people seemed to enjoy it, so I decided to reprint it today. Of course, now Pearl Harbor was sixty-five years ago, and it is five years since 9/11.

Sixty-four years ago today (except then it was a Sunday) I was sitting in the Granada movie theater in my home town in Wisconsin, when the lights went on and the manager appeared on the stage in front of the silver screen. He announced that on that morning the Japanese had invaded Pearl Harbor. About the same number of people died there as died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The difference is that four years later, in 1945, we knew a lot more about who we were and what we were proud of than we do now, once again four years later, in 2005. -DW

Chinese Take-Out

My high tech way of carrying food. Always choose plastic over paper-lighter, stronger, and more aerodynamic. The Styrofoam container is also very light, helps maintain the heat of the food, and is much cheaper than carbon-graphite.Note how the bag handles can be adjusted for varying handlebar widths. The container is stabilized and held level by the brake and gear shift cables.


The Panda Express Three Item Combo with Fried Rice and Chow Mein is no challenge for me. Maybe I have a new occupation - Chinese Food Bike Delivery Boy. Sounds like a possible Adam Sandler movie to me.

Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located just a few miles west of Las Vegas and encompasses 197,00 acres within the Mojave Desert. There are many scenic vistas and hiking trails, but . . .
. . . watch out for biting burros? Does the burro get a $25 fine for biting you?





Donna at the Red Rock Casino

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving . . . Food, Football, Family, and Friends (Not in that order, of course.) Happy Thanksgiving to all. We have MUCH to be thankful for.

Laurel Turns 18!

Happy Birthday, Laurel! You have grown up to be a beautiful person.

Solvang Prelude

Rode in the Solvang Prelude this weekend. The Metric Century (62 miles) left Solvang and headed south along Alisal Rd and back. Then north along Ballard Canyon toward Los Olivos, a spin "around the block" before heading up Figueroa Mountain Rd and back. Then the climb up Foxen Canyon Rd to the Firestone Winery. A nice downhill along Zaca Station Rd, Hwy 154, and Ballard Canyon back to Solvang for a Danish Smorgasbord lunch.
There were two out-and-back hill climbs as well as the Foxen Canyon climb, 2,979 ft. total vertical ascent. Speed on the downhills was limited by the very bumpy road conditions. Max speed 35.3 MPH, average speed 15.5 MPH. Total ride time-3:59 hours.

Lavender bushes

Did the 27 mile ride the next day. Nice recovery ride over rolling hills and scenic countryside. Solvang is definitely biking (and wine tasting) country.

Sightseeing in Los Olivos

"Totonka" at A.J. Spurs-a great steakhouse in Buellton. Dinner comes with everything- including a Root Beer Float.