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.