Millerton Metric 2008

I just happened to be in Fresno during the Climb to Kaiser so I did the shorter 70 mile Millerton Metric. I wasn't training for it so I struggled, but had a good time. Only 3,399 feet of climbing. I used my Garmin Edge 705 for the first time with its turn-by-turn capability. I only made one wrong turn the entire ride. Fires have been burning out of control. That's the sun glowing through a smoke-filled sky. The smoke, plus the elevation (up to 2000 ft), plus the 100 degree temperature, plus my lack of training made this a survival ride. Imagine the riders doing the Climb to Kaiser: 155 miles with a 13,500 total vertical climb. I wonder where he got this mailbox idea? This is farming country as is much of the Central Valley of California. Gotta have the windmill picture. Orange Trees? Almond Trees?

A huge farmhouse with acres of farmland. The sun burning through the smokey haze. The start of the ride was all uphill. The steepest part of the ride with more hills to come. Over the hill with rewards of picturesque Oaks.

Heading home - After a nice series of downhills you hit a long straight flat-Copper Avenue-Fresno's drag strip. Why did I come to Fresno? . . . to Party! 'Till 2 am.

Wildflower Century 2008

The Wildflower Century is a double loop around the foothills of San Luis Obispo County. It begins in the town of Creston, travels south to Santa Margarita and Pozo, then north to Shandon and back around to Creston. Start of the ride 6:55 AM. Temperature 46 degrees. It would climb to 108 during the course of the ride. Creston, CA 93432 The Longbranch Saloon-wonder what the food's like? The first hill climb of the day. Many more to come. Mile 27-the Pozo Rest Stop. I guess the morning cup of coffee is kicking in. The world famous Pozo Saloon established in 1858.
The Wildflower is one of the most scenic rides I have done:

The Shell Creek water stop-56 miles down.

This could have been painted by Claude Monet. Downwind, downhill, no cars (just cows) and miles and miles of road-nice! Maybe I took a wrong turn-no one in sight.

Found a paceline to the lunch line.Lunch stop at Clark Memorial Park, Shandon 93461. Population 986 plus over a thousand cyclists. Shoes off, find shade, drink and eat. 35 miles to go!

Final hill climb. The pain sets in, temp in the 100's, I am almost out of gas.

Total Distance: 107.7 miles

Total Ascent: 6,060 feet

Total Calories: 5,653 Cal

Average Heart Rate: 139 BPM

Average Power: 143 Watts

Ride Time: 7 hours 51 minutes

Start Temp: 46F - Peak Temp: 108F

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.

OCW Spring Metric 2008

7 AM sunrise along the 22 Freeway driving toward Anaheim.
The Orange Couty Wheelmen annual Spring Metric began at Yorba Regional Park, along the Santa Ana River Trail, into the hills of Corona, and out-and-back along Temescal Canyon Road. Total ascent 2,880 feet, total distance 63 miles, riding time 4 hours, average heart rate 142, and 2,898 Calories.

The start at Yorba Regional Park, cool morning fog with the temperature in the mid 50's. The sun never really came out during the ride.

The Santa Ana River Trail is a Class 1 bicycle path in Orange County that parallels the Santa Ana River channel. It starts in Riverside County at the Green River golf course entrance, and extends about 28.8 miles to the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.

The "Y" at Featherly Park where the Santa Ana River Trail continues north. The park is situated under the Gypsum Canyon bridge. This is the part of the Santa Ana River that's "green". That's the Green River Golf Course in the background. One course is in Orange County and the other 18 is in Riverside County.

Picture taken looking south from the Green River overpass. Rarely do you see the 91 Freeway this empty. The foothills of Corona which has some nice hill climbs. The ride was mostly uphill going out. It took me 2 hr 15 min averaging 14.6 MPH going out, and 1 hr 50 min averaging 17.2 MPH returning.
Ten miles along Temescal Canyon Road to Lake Street which is on the border of Elsinore. U-turn and 32 miles back to the start.