To Marina Del Rey And Back

Thirty five miles to the Marina Del Rey library and back for my 70 mile ride. Rode along the South Bay beach path most of the way. There are times along the path where you have to get off and walk your bike, and areas of 8 MPH speed limit-not much fun. Otherwise it is very scenic. Ride through Palos Verdes area is very hilly. Ride from downtown Long Beach to the PV Peninsula on Anaheim St. should be avoided-no bike lanes and many big trucks.

Tour de Piers

Belmont Shore Pier

Monstad Pier, Fisherman's Wharf, Redondo Beach

Hermosa Beach Pier

Manhattan Beach Pier

Huntington Zoo

Made the mistake of doing my 2 hour ride to Newport Beach on Saturday afternoon. The bike path was a zoo. Walking bike only near the pier; no riding allowed.
Riding on PCH wasn't any better.

Floyd And I Take A Break

After a quick spin around San Diego, Floyd Landis and I pose for the fans. He told me to take it easy and remember that the ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles is not a race so take my time, enjoy the scenery, and take a lot of pictures.

Thank you to Clarissa Nakata and Frances Serrano for their donation to the Arthritis Foundation.

Even though I'm near my goal, please continue contributing to my ride. Every dollar over my goal goes directly to the Arthritis Foundation.

68 Miles To Oceanside

Started my ride from Long Beach on an EZ pace along the beach path to Newport Beach. First small hill climb from Jamboree to McCarthur. Then a nice roll into Corona Del Mar for a stop at Breugger's Bagels where I had a turkey bagel sandwich. Onward to a number of hill climbs, stopping at Crystal Cove summit for a picture.

More hill climbs till a descent into Laguna Beach. Biking in Laguna is crazy-squeezing through traffic, watching for car doors, braking suddenly, and climbing the whole time. I was glad to leave and be back to the climbs of PCH to a nice coast into Dana Point Harbor. Passed a lot of surfers on El Camino Real and entered the hills and turns of San Clemete. Just followed the green bike lane sign through the residential area, crossed the Cristianitos overpass, and on to the San Onofre beach path.
At about 8 miles made a left into a tunnel under the I-5, (watched for military vehicles) then another mile on what looks like a runway. A sharp left turn on to Las Pulgas took me to the Camp Pendleton gate. Showed my ID to the guard and was waved on in. There were shell casings on the road, tank warning signs, and nice open rolling hills.
Took Stuart Mesa Rd, turned right on Vadegrift and made a pit stop at McDonald's for a bag of fries, chocolate chip cookies, diet coke and lemonaide. Left Pendleton, crossed over the I-5 on Harbor Drive and cruised into Oceanside where I met Donna at Wendy's on Mission St. Had a spicy chicken sandwich, tanked up on fluids, and enjoyed the air conditioned ride back home.

Profile of my 68 mile ride. Lots of mild to moderate hills. Total time 5.5 hours. Average speed 13 MPH.

Laurel In Japan

Laurel is spending her summer in Japan going to school. She's also doing other Japanese things like going shopping, singing karaoke, partying with friends, and making chocolate chip cookies-sounds like US.

Wow! What A Ride

Floyd Landis of San Diego, CA rides for Team Phonak. Yesterday, in the Alps, lost the Yellow Jersey after "bonking" in the final climb. He ended Stage 16 in 11th place, chasing the leader by over 8 minutes. After yesterday his odds of winning was 239:1

Today he took a big gamble and attacked the lead from the start. There were 4 major climbs, but Landis held on for his first Tour stage win. He is now in third place 30 seconds behind the leader. His odds of winning are now 1:3. Wish I had placed a bet yesterday.

Floyd Landis is scheduled to have hip replacement after the Tour. He has arthritis in his right hip secondary to aseptic necrosis after suffering a fall about three years ago. I wonder if he would donate to my Arthritis Foundation ride?

The Arthritis Foundation

Here are the facts:

· The Arthritis Foundation research program is 56 years old.

· The Arthritis Foundation has given $377 million in grants since 1948. $250 million of that has been given in the past 10 years.

· The Arthritis Foundation funded 1,500 researchers in the past 15 years.

· The Arthritis Foundation is the largest funder of arthritis research after the federal government.

· The Arthritis Foundation is dedicated to research.

Find out more about The Arthritis Foundation and its role in research.

Find out about The Arthritis Foundation and information about arthritis.

Donate to The Arthritis Foundation and help me achieve my goal.

Virgin River Gorge

Spent the last two days driving back from Williston, ND. 1600 miles.

Driving south from St. George, UT, I-15 goes through the northwest corner of Arizona into Mesquite, NV.

This would be a great bike run, 30+ miles all downhill throught the Virgin River Gorge.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

I've heard of the Quickie Mart, but the Kum & Go? Not sure if I want to stop here.

Sunrise In North Dakota

Sunday morning recovery ride along endless rolling hills and the road almost all to myself. Great biking country.

Photos Of My 68 Mile Williston Ride

Most of the bike lane along Hwy 2 is newly paved and 4 feet wide. The road goes on forever. No turning skills required.

The rolling hills and farm land also go on forever.

I wonder if John Deere makes bikes?

Crossing the Missouri River. The Missouri River begins in Montana and touches 7 states. It joins the Mississippi to form the 4th longest river system in the world.

45 miles into my ride. Ready for a break.

Williston, ND - 68 Mile Ride

Rode 68 miles today starting in Williston, ND and heading West along Hwy 2 (Lewis and Clark Trail) till I reached Montana. Once in MT the bike lane (and road) was in bad shape so I turned back till I reached Hwy 85 heading South. Crossed the Missouri River, headed uphill to the Panger Rest Stop. Headed back into Williston, a quick stop at McDonald's for a drink and fries, and headed North on Hwy 85. Then a nice downhill return to Williston. Total time was 4:58, average speed was 14.8 MPH. Most of the ride was long rolling hills. Who said North Dakota is flat?

1700 Miles

Spent the last three days driving from Anaheim to Williston, ND. Got in an evening ride last night in Billings, Montana. Picture overlooking the city of Billings.

Stage 11 - Into The Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are a range of mountains that separate France from Spain.

The Tour riders go over 5 major mountain passes today, riding over 118 miles. The first summit is Tourmalet which averages a 7.7% grade over 11 miles. The riders will attack this summit at an average speed of 21 MPH.

Thanks to Ted Field for sharing his video feeds of the Tour with me using www.orb.com.

We drove 650 miles yesterday to Lehi, Utah. Another 670 miles today on our way to Billings, Montana.

Chino Hills Loop

Did the Chino Hills Loop last week in 104 degrees temp. I also forgot my cycling cleats. I found out the hard way that clipless shoes do allow you to power up hills as well as add stability in turns and downhills. I hope I don't make that mistake again.

The loop (23 miles) starts at Carbon Canyon Regional Park and immediately climbs for 6 miles to a 730 ft. vertical. A quick and scary narrow, winding downhill with no shoulder and another 440 vertical climb over 4 miles.

I would not recommend this ride. Carbon Canyon Road has a small shoulder and is a two lane winding road. The rest of the route involves tricky lane changes and cars going 60 MPH.

Clipless Pedals That Clip In-Confused?

With a "clipless" pedal system, you wear special cycling shoes that allow a "cleat" to be mounted to their sole. This cleat literally snaps into a receptacle on the pedal which has spring loaded clips (like a ski binding). The shoe is released by twisting the ankle away from the pedal. Easier said than done!

Your pedal efficiency is greater using clipless pedals as you are able not only to push down on your pedal, but to pull up as well and thereby increase power efficiency by up to 30-40%.

But why are they called "clipless" when they are actually "clips"? These days you'll hear them being called clipless pedals, clip-in pedals, and clipped pedals just to confuse you even more. Originally they were called clipless to explain how they were different from the old fashioned "toe-clips" (cages on the front of the pedal to hold the shoe in place). Hence "clipless" meant "not-toe-clips" but something new and different. The name has stayed with us and only recently are people calling them "clip pedals" now that toe clips aren't seen as much. Confused?

Santa Ana River Trail

One of two wooden bridges that crosses the Santa Ana River. There is also a cross at Katella and Imperial further north. The trail is interrupted at Warner for construction work.

It is about 23 miles from Yorba Regional Park to the ocean.

The Big "A"

Light up the Halo. The Angel's are only 2 games out of first place at the all-star break.

The Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles are also 2 games out of first place.

Making Progress

I have been training for four months and I'm on schedule, gradually increasing my riding distance. This Saturday I cycled for 60 miles. 4 hours from Long Beach down PCH to the Santa Ana River trail, then north past Angel's Stadium and the Duck Pond. Then back upwind to Long Beach.

Countdown week 10: 11 Hours 42 Minutes, 170 Miles.

I Can See Clearly Now

Dr. Mel Honda has been my optometrist for over 20 years-wow time flies!
Thank you for your donation to the Arthritis Foundation.
Also, Thank You to Mary Kneip who works with Dr. Honda. Sorry, couldn't get your picture. You must have been working hard.

Dr. Mel Honda, Optometrist
1730 E. 17th Street, Suite G
Santa Ana, CA 92705-8624
714-543-9489

Stage 2 - Tour de France

The Tour's second longest stage 228.5 km (142 miles) opens with two significant climbs in the forested hills of the Vosges and closes with two shorter climbs on the France-Luxembourg border. In between is rolling terrain through agricultural regions.

My countdown week 11 training summary: 4 Rides, 8 Hours, 124.3 Miles.
Summary for June: 33.85 Hours, 485.5 Miles. Two more months to train.

Jerseys of The Tour de France

The Green Jersey is awarded to the best all-around finisher on flat, rolling and mountain stages, as well as time trials and sprints. It is often thought of as the sprinters' jersey. Prize: $32,000.

The White Jersey is awarded to the best-placed rider aged 25 or under. Prize: $26,000.

The Polka-dot King of the Mountain (KoM) Jersey is awarded to the rider who most consistently reaches designated summits at the front of the race. Prize: $32,000.

The Yellow Jersey is worn by the overall race leader, who is the rider that has covered the overall distance in the least amount of cumulative time. Prize: $575,000.

Tour de France

July 1 started the Tour de France. A 20 stage, 3653 km (2,270 miles), 21 days race around the perimeter of France. There are about 198 men from 22 teams entering.