Category: RA 2011

preRA: 20 Days and Counting

Posted on May 10, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

Snow clearing on SR20 in Washington is going faster than I figured – they’ve only got 7 or 8 miles left now. I’m encouraged that we’ll be able to take that route. The crews are keeping a dandy website to show the progress: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/Passes/NorthCascades/updates.htm Our start date approaches, only 20 days off now. As I’ve already said, “We are rapidly losing our opportunities to abandon this lunatic plan.” To which Jack has most recently replied, (Yes, but) “our chances to prove our lunacy abound.” To which Frank has replied, “I’ve had my lunatic days; however, this is my first

preRA: Fountain Hills #6

Posted on May 9, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

Yet another conditioning ride. A surprisingly cool day, probably between 70 and 80F the whole ride with overcast skies for much of it. Strong headwinds coming down the Beeline – much more work than I really wanted, but it is teaching me not to fret about winds too much – they can be overcome with patience. On Bush Highway by the river, a dead coyote caused me to stop and take a photo, and I then realized it was actually a fox. I later learned that it is a Urocyon cinereoargenteus, a common gray fox, or in Spanish a

preRA: Fountain Hills #5

Posted on May 2, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

This route is getting to be standard training route – Fountain Hills is a good central meeting place for Jesse and me with plenty of climbing and distance for each. This morning I was hoping to link up with friend Ed Dumas and make the ride with him, but, through a series of misfortunes initiated by tardiness on my part, we missed our connection. Took it easy out past the lake, for two reasons. #1 residual fatigue from the lunatic club pace last Saturday, #2 the healthy NE winds pushing against me all the way. But rolling SW down the

preRA: SR20 Snow Clearing

Posted on May 2, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

Finally into May and counting down. Everyone has been accepted to the Ragbrai ride through the lottery system. The Washington DOT crews continue to clear the snow from SR20, and it appears they now have only about 15 miles left to clear. The crews provide great daily updates and pictures at their website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes/northcascades

preRA: Snows in Washington

Posted on April 26, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

The group remains in a state of conditioning and planning. Gary, Frank, Jesse, Jack and I continue to ride around town loaded down with tent and sleeping bag, or in Jack’s case, blocks of wood. Frank has learned that our intended route on the North Cascades Highway SR20 is currently closed due to heavy snow this year. This affects about 35 miles of our planned passage between Newhalem and Mazama. Washington DOT crews started clearing the snow on April 11, but the projected opening date will be right around the time we’ll be there, i.e. early June. Possible contingency is

preRA: Fountain Hills #4

Posted on April 18, 2011November 25, 2011 by Rich

Off the bike for 5 days in a row this week, playing in a golf tournament. My partner and I didn’t do too badly, so I made a brief post about it here. [By the way, if you’re into exquisite dining and a way cool celebrity encounter, you should check out a couple other very recent posts on our travel site – start here.] The desert up by Saguaro Lake is always beautiful, and this morning the temperatures were a perfect 75F or so. Most of the penstemons have waned, but the desert marigolds are in full glory. The other

preRA: Fountain Hills #3

Posted on April 11, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

Another loaded spin up by Saguaro Lake, then down the Beeline to Fountain Hills. When the weather behaves we get NE winds in the mornings, and it makes the hills out by the lake interesting. At Beeline and Bush I spied this outrageous orange-red cactus in bloom in the desert and trudged out for a photo. Rolling down the Beeline is almost always fun, and this morning I did so for about 7 miles at 24 mph. Approaching Fountain Hills, I watched the end of the fountain’s cycle, realizing that it was actually the 9AM cycle I was watching, with

preRA: Rain Gear

Posted on April 9, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

An unexpected opportunity presented itself this Saturday morning. Steady rain and 43°F! A great chance to try out some rain gear! I did a simple 12 mile run out for office supplies and groceries, but did so fully decked out in rain gear. A few things discovered: Rain Jacket – I continue to really like the Performance Ultra rain jacket. I’d say it is practically waterproof. In the hour I was gone, the inside of the fabric just barely started to moisten, and even that could have been sweat. This jacket fits great, is ultra lightweight, and provides excellent

preRA: Love Those Panniers

Posted on April 5, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

This started as a loaded conditioning ride to IHOP and turned into a shopping trip. Sure is nice to have the panniers. President Obama needs to learn about these – they could help solve our Middle East oil-related problems (as well as domestic health problems, traffic problems, pollution problems, …) IHOP: Breakfast with Jesse and Gary REI: Bought a touring jersey and a fluffier camp pillow, using a 20% off sale plus credit from last year’s rebate. Landis Cyclery: Bought a new cyclometer for the Surly (the wires pulled out of the last one). Also, Vanessa suggested I try some

preRA: Fountain Hills #2

Posted on April 4, 2011May 29, 2011 by Rich

Yet another loaded conditioning ride, same route as my previous ride to Fountain Hills. I battled some steady 18 mph NE winds out to Saguaro Lake and up to the Beeline – a bunch of work. Jesse and I met at the fountain. We decided that the breakfast prices in Fountain Hills are not a very good value, and so this time we both brought our own food and drink, and sat and watched the kids, ducks, and fountain for a good 75 minutes or so, discussing our upcoming tour. While we sat, my bike spontaneously toppled over. When I