Palomar.....

Palomar. That word alone seems to conjure up images of pain and suffering beyond what most of the riders I know are willing to experience. I've made it my mission to climb up that mountain more then I ever have before. Of course I'm not doing this all in the name of fun, there is a purpose. Mt. Charleston is that purpose. In less then two weeks I'll be loading up the car, heading out to Vegas, and subjecting myself to a 17.5 mile road race, all uphill. The only climb I know of in the San Diego area that will allow me to come close to that amount of climbing is Palomar. Today's ride stats...Stage at Valley Center Road and Highway 76. Climb South Grade Road, descend down East Grade Road. Break for a bite to eat at Lake Henshaw, climb East Grade Road, descend down South Grade Road back to the car. All in all, not alot of miles (50), but half of them climbing. Excellent!!! Now anyone who has climbed Palomar on any given weekend day of the year knows all about the high-speed motorcycles that continually race up and down the mountain. Normally I find them nothing more then an annoyance as I make my way up or down the mountain. But on our descent down Highway 76 today, we came in to a turn marked 30mph I believe, and as we approached I noticed a motorcycle rider laying down flares in the road. That can only mean one thing. Sure enough as I rounded the corner I saw an ambulance and about four other motorcycles pulled off the side of the road. The next thing I saw was the reason for all this. Wedged underneath the guardrail was someone's motorcycle, looking like a twisted heap of scrap metal, and my immediate thought was "where is the rider?" I figured I'd make my way down to the next switchback and look up from there and see if I could spot him, assuming he went over the guardrail when colliding with it. As I approached the next switchback I stopped and asked my teammate if he'd seen the rider. Yes, unfortunately he did see someone lying on the ground, covered with a blue tarp back at the scene of the accident. That too can only mean one thing. Why is it these "weekend warriors" feel the need to race up and down this mountain at break neck speeds risking not only their own lives, but the lives of others driving cars, or riding bicycles?!!! And more importantly, where is the local law enforcement? I know the road and highway are under the jurisdiction of the Highway Patrol, because a few weeks back as I was climbing South Grade Road there was a massive sting operation underway utilizing everything from numerous cars, motorcycles, and even an airplane to ticket these riders at just about every turn. The state must of made a fortune that day! So why is it, that on almost any given weekend there's not a Highway Patrol in sight? Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that the Highway Patrol get rid of each and every motorcycle rider on the mountain, I would just like to see some enforcement of the exisiting speed laws that are in effect. The way these riders are choosing to ride is reckless, and I understand that most of them when asked, would probably say it's their life, and if they want to risk it that's their choice. I fully agree, but not when it's putting other lives in danger. Did I mention that this last Wednesday was the final night of my Speech class? Finally, I took and finished the class that has been my college nemesis! I honestly never thought I would ever, ever get out of Palomar College because of that class. I'm down to about five classes left before I bid farewell to Palomar and hello to Cal State San Marcos. I still don't know exactly what it is I want to do with my life. Kinesiology peaked my interest, my wife has mentioned a degree in Liberal Studies to teach as she does. All these are great options, and no matter what I choose, just having a college degree would be a huge accomplishment for me. I've never imagined myself ever earning one, and I don't want to get excited about it yet, because it's still pretty far off in my future, but it's fun to dream. Every since I can remember I've always wanted to write. When other kids were saying they wanted to be a firefighter, policeman, or president, I was the wanna-be author. Of course with my lifelong history of procrastination I've never pursued that dream. This blog is actually my feeble attempt to rekindle that spark. I would really like to pursue a degree in Literature, but what could I do with it? I'm not fortunate enough at my age, and with my responsibilities to friviously chase a degree that would be of no use to me once I've earned it. If anyone out there accidently stumbles across this blog in their search of more interesting and important events in the world, and may have some information to lend in this matter, please do. Thank you, and until next time.....

IT'S OVER!!!

Hi All. Well the dreaded Speech class is over for me! Actually, the class officially ends this Wednesday, which is the night I was suppose to present my final speech, the persausive speech, but I was able to present last night, going last with a room full of six people. I really don't know if that made it any easier, but I was able to get it over with:) Next up, Spanish and English!!! I noticed in my last post I mentioned that Aliso Viejo was the next race for me. Well obviously that race and come and gone, and not too soon! Aliso result = DNF. First DNF I've ever had, and hopefully the last. Ended up getting such as bad side-stitch cramp that I couldn't go on. I could give a full race report, but let's just say I was not prepared to race a race that brutal after having not raced for five weeks prior, and in those five weeks, not really exposing myself to any high-intensity training. Needless to say, after my Aliso experience it was back to hitting the training hard which resulted in me riding REALLY strong, but stupid at San Marcos. I've decided that when the legs feel as good as they did at San Marcos this is when I either need to attack and try and get away, or sit in near the front and see what happens in a field sprint. I really don't think I possess a very competitive sprint, so I'm leaning towards the attack theory. Next race on the calendar, Ontario #5. I'll be racing two races that day, Masters 30+ 4/5, and the Cat 4/5. I plan on trying two different strategies that day. In the Masters race, I'm going to try and attack halfway through and see if I can stay away. Then in the 4/5 race, sit in near the front and wait for the sprint. But it's the week after Ontario that I'm really focusing on. The Mt. Charleston Hill Climb. For those of you that don't know, I LOVE to climb. This race delivers that. 17.5 miles of all climb, from 3300 some odd feet, to 8600 some odd feet. Great race, did it last year as a Cat 5 and placed 24th out of a hundred I believe. The goal for this year is a top ten. We'll see what happens. Well, off to work for know, until next time................

Pluggin Away

It feels like it's been awhile since my last post. Not too much new going on is why I suppose. Work has been going good, busy lately, which never hurts. School started back up for me two weeks ago. I've finally decided to tackle the dreaded class I've put off for the last thirteen years, SPEECH!!! It's actually not that bad. The first night and the introduction speech was the worst so far, but once you start getting comfortable around your classmates I've found it's gotten easier. As far as the bike front, haven't raced since June 8th, Chula Vista GP. I was registered to race La Mirada and Green Trolley since then, but I went and sliced my finger open on the meat slicer at work which put a damper on the racing for a bit:) Needless to say, the finger is almost 100% now, and the next race on the calendar, July 12, Aliso Viejo GP, should be a go. I registered for the Masters 30+ 3/4 category which should prove to be tough for me being a Cat 4, but want to get faster, ride with faster riders, right? I've begun to focus my training less on being able to perform well in crits, and more on prepping for the upcoming road races on the calendar. I've decided those are what I prefer to do. Next season for me is going to include racing less, and focusing more on being ready for RR's, TT's, and some GP's. I'm going to race a crit every now and then, but only to fill in some blanks on my calendar. Until next time........

Belated Post

Well the Dana Point GP has come and gone. Spent the night up at my Aunt's in San Juan Capistrano to be close to the course for the early 7:30am start. Fact: I do not like early race starts. Don't get me wrong, I wake up early everyday, but racing a bike early doesn't agree with me. As usual the Swamis lined up to the start line right on front. I moved in right behind them one row back. My plan was to stay on their wheels throughout the entire race, ensuring myself a high finish. I'm trying to practice 'sitting in' more during races and save me legs to finish stronger. So much for plans! The race started brutally fast and I found myself mid-pack before I knew it. That pretty much sums up this race report. Mid-pack all day. Finished 41st out of a full-field (120). I left the next day for San Francisco to drive my nephew back to my Sister's place. Good trip, but woke up on her fouton Tuesday morning with a pinched nerve in the right side of my neck. Then I made the mistake of going for a sixty mile training ride Wednesday with a teammate, and was in pain the whole time. So needless to say I've spent the last two days couped up in the house trying to get better before the team ride tomorrow, and the Chula Vista GP this Sunday. We'll see. I'm not doing either if this hasn't cleared up. I figure it's only going to set me back further if I push it now. Back to school June 23rd for a Speech class. Not looking forward to that, but it has to be done to get to where I want to be career wise. Return back to work this coming Tuesday from my two-week vacation. That's good and bad:) Until next time............

Fiesta Beat Down

Hi All. Well last night I made the trip down to Fiesta Island for the Thursday night workout. As I mentioned in my last post, it was my first time doing this. I arrived just before 5pm, unloaded, geared up, found some teammates and began riding laps around the island to warm-up. Just before 6pm we rolled over to the parking lot in the center of the island and awaited the 6pm start time. I'd say around 100-150 riders showed up, and when you see the likes of Neil Shirley, Iggy Silva, and the full Ca Pools team you know you're in for some serious work! The first lap was mild, but after that the attacks began and all hell broke loose. I was able to sit in comfortably for the first thirty minutes of the hour-long ride, but noticed I was exposing myself to the wind far too much. Just after the thirty minute mark I decided to put in a big effort to get to the front of the group. It worked, but that was a HUGE mistake on my part! At that point my heart rate was high and the pace of the group only picked up. I was only able to hang on for two more laps before losing contact. I sat up and rode a couple of easy laps around the island to recover and then jumped back in for the last lap. Overall, a great workout and something I need to do more often. I figure if I can hang in with that group for the full hour, a Cat 4, 40-minute crit should feel easy after that. Talk to ya soon!

New Bloggin

Well, I've done it. Joined the world of blogging that is. This is my first official blog, and we'll see where it goes from here. I've decided to keep this online diary so to speak, to help clear thoughts out of my head, track my progress on the bike, in school, etc. For the most part this blog will focus on the bike, training, racing, and life in general. Let's get started...............Today is day three of my attempted "vacation". So far, so good. No school until June 23rd, and work as been predictable, so this has allowed me to get some good miles on the bike. Got out Tuesday for 4 hours for some low-to-medium intensity riding trying not to push it to hard knowing that Wednesday I had plans to meet a teammate and do some high intensity work in the hills around Valley Center, Fallbrook, etc. Met up with the teammate Wednesday and we pushed it hard through the hills (another 4 hours) as planned. I was feeling the effort in the legs later in the day! Tonight (Thursday), I'm heading down to Fiesta Island for the Thursday night hammerfest. I've never done this before and am excited to see how I'll do. I figure if I sit in the entire hour I should be able to hang on. And if not, I'm more then happy to be humbled. It's a bit of a commute for me, but it's a great chance to see some teammates and further immerse myself in the SoCal racing scene. I have a question that maybe the one person who might read this blog can answer. This has been bothering me for quite awhile now. I've noticed on training rides throughout San Diego county that riders who ride along the Coast Highway are far less friendly then riders who ride out in the hills. Why is this? I try and make an effort to wave to every rider I see. I believe this is one of the aspects that makes cycling such a great sport. It's a tight-knit community. I'd say for every twenty waves I give on the coast, I may get two or three back. But the same amount of waves given inland will yield almost twenty for twenty! WTF!!! Here's my theory...........The riders who are riding on the coast are probably there becasue they are too weak to handle the hills inland. Just riding down the coast is a huge effort for them, therefore they are so focused on their 180bpm heart-rates, that they're experiencing tunnel vision, which doesn't allow them to see me waving from across the road. Just a thought. Next race, the Dana Point Grand Prix. Great race I've heard, never done it. Will be staying at my Aunt's house Saturday night in San Juan Capistrano seeing as how my race goes off at the lovley hour of 7:30am! OUCH! Details later, until then ride hard, and be safe