Author: Rich

Back to Fountain Hills

Posted on March 11, 2012May 8, 2012 by Rich

59.8 miles While I might normally not create a post for a simple local ride, my riding season this year has been sparse. I’m riding weekdays with friends and neighbors, good for about 60 miles per week, but that’s about it. Last week Jesse suggested we resurrect the Fountain Hills ride, so I jumped onto the trusty Surly and stretched it out one Sunday morning. Since last spring, I’d really forgotten that this is a tough ride. It seemed easier then. The hills out by the lake are moderately challenging. This winter and spring have been unusually dry – we

CG Century 2012 Markers

Posted on February 2, 2012April 30, 2012 by Rich

Yet another year helping out with the Casa Grande Century ride – held January 8, 2012. This ride is one of Phoenix Metro Bicycle Club’s biggest yearly events, and accordingly is one of its more important fund raisers. I’ve decided that this was my final year working on the organizing committee, for a while at least. Time for someone else to step up. Helping out with the ride is quite a bit of work, and yet, when I really think about it, such involvement (and anything similar, like serving as an officer) is one of the truest forms of philanthropy

Missing Category

Posted on January 24, 2012January 24, 2012 by Rich

I almost forgot one superlative from our cross country trip. Riding day-in and day-out on the shoulder of America’s highways exposes one to a very good sampling of trash. So the missing category is: Biggest Contributors to Highway Trash: 1. Smokers. Let’s face it, smokers can be pigs in many ways, and there is no exception when it comes to littering. Butts, filters, empty packs, foiled paper, cellophane wrappers – everything seems to go out the car window. 2. Users of 5-Hour energy products. I swear, the instructions must read, “Uncap. Consume. Toss out window.” 3. Users of those little

2011 Riding Year In Review

Posted on January 10, 2012January 14, 2013 by Rich

Statistically, how my 2011 cycling year measured up: Total distance: 8,487 miles – a personal record by 3,353 miles (next best year 2010 at 5,134 miles). Total number of rides: 178 – a personal record by 55 rides (next best year 2010 at 123 rides). Average distance per ride: 47.7 miles/ride – a personal record by 6.0 miles/ride (next best year 2010 at 41.7 miles/ride). The histogram below shows much better detail. Ride distance histogram: Here are the totals by month: 2011 stats of course are dominated by the RA tour – a spring training ramp up, a big summer

RA2011 Superlatives Part II

Posted on November 9, 2011January 29, 2012 by Rich

[Superlatives are split into Part I and Part II only because WordPress seems to limit the length of a post.] Among the Most Memorable Experiences… Tire dip, Ocean Shores WA Wrong direction descent by Rich from Sherman Pass WA Republic WA to Kettle Falls WA Weather contrast on top of Continental Divide West Glacier MT to East Glacier MT Detour on Savoy Road between Harlem MT and Malta MT Harlem MT to Malta MT Natural air conditioning on bridge over Missouri River west of Washburn ND Stanton ND to Don Steckel Boat Landing ND Fireworks at Don Steckel Boat Landing

RA2011 Superlatives Part I

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Rich

After reading a similar list from Gary, and as a preface to composing some summary feelings about it, I thought I’d create a list of superlatives from our 94-day RA2011 tour. As I put this together, it reminds me of just how much stuff we did see – the list goes on and on. The categories are in no particular order. *An asterisk by an entry indicates the “category winner.” Favorite Campsites Kalaloch WA – beautiful old forest on the gorgeous Pacific Ocean shore Lake Crescent WA – pristine solitude on a magnificent blue glacial lake Colonial Campground near Diablo

RA2011 Tour Index

Posted on October 14, 2011October 16, 2011 by Rich

A simple mileage summary and linked index to all RA2011 posts in order. May 31, 2011 80.1 mi Ocean Shores WA to Kalaloch WA June 1, 2011 66.4 mi Kalaloch WA to Fairhold (Lake Crescent) WA June 2, 2011 84.3 mi Fairhold WA to Port Townsend WA June 3, 2011 76.0 mi Port Townsend WA to Rasar State Park WA June 4, 2011 56.0 mi Rasar State Park WA to Colonial Campground (Diablo Dam) WA June 5, 2011 67.0 mi Colonial Campground (Diablo Dam) WA to Winthrop WA June 6, 2011 5.6 mi Rest day in Winthrop WA. New cyclometer!

On Vacation

Posted on September 25, 2011September 26, 2011 by Rich

Since ending the tour, I remain on vacation in Florida, doing some local cycling when circumstances permit, but mostly focusing on golf. If interested – check out our travel journal at http://buencamino1.wordpress.com/ One reader has implore me to roll off the picture of Jack sitting at Duffy’s Restaurant, suggesting that he resembles a sad homeless guy. OK, hope this is better.

RA94: We Made It!

Posted on September 1, 2011March 16, 2014 by Rich

East Orland ME to Bar Harbor ME – 42.2 miles We wore our civvies to breakfast this morning, walking to a place called Duffy’s right across the highway from our motel. Real friendly service and good eats. But after yesterday’s run-in with the mega pancakes, I stuck to simple eggs-bacon-toast this morning. Jack had a great looking waffle with local berries. Oops – there I go about food again. We took US1 from the motel, but soon turned onto ME176 amd ME172. These were great routes that, while adding miles, gave us pretty low-traffic downhill runs next to Toddy Pond

RA93: Almost There

Posted on August 31, 2011May 1, 2012 by Rich

Camden ME to East Orland ME – 43.1 miles Once again, excellent stars last night, although somewhat blocked by trees. I took this photograph last night aimed straight up, with the underside of the leaves lit by the flicker of our fire. Roger took off early this morning, heading for Augusta, and we said our goodbyes. Using last night’s coals, I started up a small campfire again and Jack and I moved especially slowly packing up gear, enjoying the site, taking our time in the filtered morning sunshine. We finally rolled out onto US1 northward, looking for breakfast. Our AC