Ride Of Silence-Memorial Day 2008

Irvine mayor pro tem Sukhee Kang commemorates those remembered in this year's Ride of Silence. With full police support, the ride began at 6:30 PM at the Irvine City Hall and looped around the city on street bike lanes and the San Diego Creek bikeway.Every 3rd Wednesday in May since 2003 cyclists world wide, so far in 163 locations, join in a silent, slow-paced ride in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways. It also raises awareness of the increasing number of cyclists on roadways and that cyclists have a legal right to share the road with motorists.

Tonight we number many but ride as one

In honor of those not with us, friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, sons

With helmets on tight and heads down low,

We ride in silence, cautious and slow

The wheels start spinning in the lead pack

But tonight we ride and no one attacks

The dark sunglasses cover our tears

Remembering those we held so dear

Tonight's ride is to make others aware

The road is there for all to share

To those not with us or by our side,

May God be your partner on your final ride
- Mike Murgas

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday in May to honor men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice while in military service to our country. Let us always remember why we live freely in the greatest country in the world.

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

El Tour de Phoenix 2008

El Tour de Phoenix , April 5, 2008, was a 74 mile ride starting in Mesa, through Scottsdale, into the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation, and part of the Tonto National Forest. My "flight deck" with cue sheet clipped to my brake cable. Polar monitor shows 143 heart rate, 23% pedaling efficiency, 141 Watts of power. Top of the first hill climb in Fountain Hills with view of Eagle Mountain Golf Course and Mesa in the distance. Desert starting to bloom along Beeline Hwy. View south of the Verde River looking more brown than green. The best part of the ride was through the Tonto National Forest on Bush Highway.
The view along Usery Pass made the 4 mile 680 feet climb very worthwhile. Leaving the Usery Mountain recreation area, crossing the Salt River, and heading back to Mesa. My Polar profile for the ride. You can see the three major hill climbs (shaded in dark red line). Total ascent was 2280 ft. Average speed (blue line) 16.8 MPH. Average cadence (bright blue line) 82 rpm. Average power (bright green line) 145 Watts. Average heart rate (red line) 146 bpm. Only 3% of my ride was spent at or above my Lactate Threshold which is 164 bpm. Ride time for 72 miles was 4 hours 17 minutes.