From here on out(since the race is starting early) we will be on our bikes both days of every weekend. If you have an idea for a training ride please let us know.
For example: I have biked from my house to the bike trail somewhere down the line and met people for 10 -20 miles then ridden home. For me it is a 70-90 mile day and for you .... however long you want. We all get out and ride however I get to look forward to seeing you in the middle of a long ride and I get to have lunch with you.
Don't want to ride? Suggest a restaurant and I'll meet you there for lunch, or in a park for a walk or run, or at your house for a project and dinner. Anything will do. Just meet me or Sara or both. It will be fun.
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
How did THAT happen?
Glad we didn't show up on the date we THOUGHT the race started. We would have been a week late for the Grand Depart. Sara and I both saw the date on the web as June 15th so we are still wondering " how did that happen?", but it did , we got the date of the race start .... wrong. The race actually starts June 8th,not June 15th like we thought. (I just got nervous.)
Monday, March 5, 2012
General Questions
In conversations about the race with friends and family I have realized many people have questions that they want answered. I will do my best to answer the "general questions". If you have any other specific questions I would be happy to answer them. Just reply to this blog. I love to talk about this race.
We will start June 15th with the "Grande Depart". About one hundred riders will start the race on that day, I assume less than five will be women.
The attrition rate for racers is about 65%, most of which do not get out of Montana. Some of which will be eaten.
To be considered a "racer" one must complete the course in less than 30 days.
Racers tend to travel around 100 miles a day... more if a bear is chasing them.
The women's record is 24 days. I am hoping for a bear.
We will not carry a stove to cook on nor will we have a pot to piss in. We will stop to resupply in the few towns that are along the way. Candy bars, pretzels, hot dogs, hamburgers, and maybe a beer or two will be our main staple. Maybe some pancakes. And coffee ... lots of coffee. Just the grounds if we're desperate.... but definitely coffee.
Racers tend to carry 1-3 days of food. Less if a bear is chasing them.
We will stay the night anywhere we stop and drop. I imagine sometimes with food hanging out of our mouths and our shoes still on. We have been told we will sleep the "sleep of the dead". I am wondering if hot flashes can wake the dead.
There are a few towns with a variety of ammenities; none ...to several hotels and restauraunts in one town. You can bet we will get into a bed occasionally,
and a shower if we get dirty.
We will have to find and purify our own water along the way or carry water with us from the towns. Cows are a viable option for rehydration. Not against the rules anyway.
We will carry clothes, a tent, sleeping bag, tools, a first aid kit and nothing else. Oh, maps. We will need maps. And sunscreeen. No deodorant and no soap. Oh yeah T.P.... we'll need a little of that. Maybe some soap.
We will also carry a "Spot Tracker". Friends and family will be able to follow us on-line via satelite. You will be able to check in on the race website and follow our progress. If the blib you are following suddenly veers wildly off course and stays put, lets say in a den or something... you'll know what happened.
There is a documentary called "Ride the Divide" that followed several racers along the course in 2008 (including the first woman to have completed the course). This film will give you a flavor of what we will experience and answer more questions. Maybe make more questions. We'll try to answer them.
Thanks for being interested!
We will start June 15th with the "Grande Depart". About one hundred riders will start the race on that day, I assume less than five will be women.
The attrition rate for racers is about 65%, most of which do not get out of Montana. Some of which will be eaten.
To be considered a "racer" one must complete the course in less than 30 days.
Racers tend to travel around 100 miles a day... more if a bear is chasing them.
The women's record is 24 days. I am hoping for a bear.
We will not carry a stove to cook on nor will we have a pot to piss in. We will stop to resupply in the few towns that are along the way. Candy bars, pretzels, hot dogs, hamburgers, and maybe a beer or two will be our main staple. Maybe some pancakes. And coffee ... lots of coffee. Just the grounds if we're desperate.... but definitely coffee.
Racers tend to carry 1-3 days of food. Less if a bear is chasing them.
We will stay the night anywhere we stop and drop. I imagine sometimes with food hanging out of our mouths and our shoes still on. We have been told we will sleep the "sleep of the dead". I am wondering if hot flashes can wake the dead.
There are a few towns with a variety of ammenities; none ...to several hotels and restauraunts in one town. You can bet we will get into a bed occasionally,
and a shower if we get dirty.
We will have to find and purify our own water along the way or carry water with us from the towns. Cows are a viable option for rehydration. Not against the rules anyway.
We will carry clothes, a tent, sleeping bag, tools, a first aid kit and nothing else. Oh, maps. We will need maps. And sunscreeen. No deodorant and no soap. Oh yeah T.P.... we'll need a little of that. Maybe some soap.
We will also carry a "Spot Tracker". Friends and family will be able to follow us on-line via satelite. You will be able to check in on the race website and follow our progress. If the blib you are following suddenly veers wildly off course and stays put, lets say in a den or something... you'll know what happened.
There is a documentary called "Ride the Divide" that followed several racers along the course in 2008 (including the first woman to have completed the course). This film will give you a flavor of what we will experience and answer more questions. Maybe make more questions. We'll try to answer them.
Thanks for being interested!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Training
Last night I did the Oregonia Hills workout with Aaron. We didn't talk much. Sometimes we can't. It is a thirty mile workout with a series of twelve hills, 2500 feet of elevation gain. It can be a bit daunting and sometimes lonely. I pass houses and look into their naked front window; I watch T.V. for a brief second and wonder what they are watching or talking about. What they are eating for dinner. I look into cars as they pass us and wonder where they are going. I am sure they wonder what we are doing. Aaron and I often laugh about the " WTF... slow down moment". As the driver comes around the corner and encounters our tail lights or head lights we can hear the engine pause just as the driver does. I bet they think we are crazy or something.
It is however, a beautiful thing riding at night. We get to listen to Great Horned Owls, see the springs' first wood frogs and quess what is in the woods near by rustling up and away. Sometimes deer run with us for a brief moment before darting across the field or across the road in front of us. Once I had a fox run with me for four or five strides before darting in front of me and across my path.
When the ride is over we get to go home to our warm kitchens and devour anything that does not move. Last night it was two chicken breasts, three bowls of cereal and lots of almond butter. I wanted ice cream.
It is however, a beautiful thing riding at night. We get to listen to Great Horned Owls, see the springs' first wood frogs and quess what is in the woods near by rustling up and away. Sometimes deer run with us for a brief moment before darting across the field or across the road in front of us. Once I had a fox run with me for four or five strides before darting in front of me and across my path.
When the ride is over we get to go home to our warm kitchens and devour anything that does not move. Last night it was two chicken breasts, three bowls of cereal and lots of almond butter. I wanted ice cream.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Rules of the Road
The Tour Divide has a set of stringent rules we must follow. Compliance is strictly "On your Honor".
We are bound then, by honor only, to follow these rules.
We will have Spot Trackers with us, therefore friends and family will be able to follow our progress in the race on-line. Cindy will keep the blog up-dated as well.
Fun huh?
We are bound then, by honor only, to follow these rules.
Tour Divide Rules ( In summary.)
1. You may start your race at any time though there is a Grand Depart on June 15th.
*All attempts are to be solo, self timed, and self supported. It is tolerated to ride
together though no drafting is allowed.
* The race clock will run non-stop after starting the race.
2. Riders must ride un-supported between towns and function self supported in towns.
* No private resupply, no private lodging. All assistance must be commercially available
to all riders. Outside private assistance with navigation, lodging or resupply is prohibited.
( No cookies in the mail.)
* No visitation of any sort from friends or family during the race.
3. Riders must advance forward on the course under their own pedal power. No sails, or other
contraptions. No moving forward on the course in a motor vehicle to gain supplies or parts.
4. The Tour Divide is a Web-administered do it yourself challenge. There is nothing to win or
lose but honor.
* No checkpoints or officials on the course.
* On-line GPS tracking is used for validation of course compliance.
* There is no mechanism in place to communicate to riders on the course
We will have Spot Trackers with us, therefore friends and family will be able to follow our progress in the race on-line. Cindy will keep the blog up-dated as well.
Fun huh?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Secret of Success
Sara and I talk about the ride constantly. We try to cover everything. Not just gear, maps and mileage but maddening moments as well.
I have realized one thing..... I'll need a secret pocket.
It won't have to be big but it will have to be readily accessible. I think it will have to be at least 4 inches long and 3 inches wide. I can't lock it. A lock would slow the emergency response. It can't be deep in the pack for the same reason. It can't be big because I don't want to rely on it too much; that would cause me to be lazy and bad behavior would result. But I have to have it.
Sara will too. She'll need to use hers as well. And the same rules apply - quick access, not to deep and not to big.
And it will have to carry..... chocolate.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Fifty is Nifty
Who knew! Who knew being old could be cool?
Well actually, at times, minutes at a time, it can be very hot. I have often said race directors should add a new category of racers called " Women with hot flashes". I'm telling you, it is a new experience; while racing suddenly you become hotter than a stove top coil on high. You know... your blood begins to "boil", your tolerance level for your teammates goes way down and all you want to do is lay down naked in the nearest body of water whether it be in a deep ditch or a muddy puddle.
It is hard to explain to others who do not experience this. I myself used to make fun of women who, for no apparent reason, ripped off their outer wear, stretched their arms away from their body, grabbed a piece of newspaper, a book , or any other available "fan" and began using it, wildly. And then with less apparent provocation than before; put everything back on.
Sara just laughs at me when I say I should get special compensation for my age.
She'll find out.
Well actually, at times, minutes at a time, it can be very hot. I have often said race directors should add a new category of racers called " Women with hot flashes". I'm telling you, it is a new experience; while racing suddenly you become hotter than a stove top coil on high. You know... your blood begins to "boil", your tolerance level for your teammates goes way down and all you want to do is lay down naked in the nearest body of water whether it be in a deep ditch or a muddy puddle.
It is hard to explain to others who do not experience this. I myself used to make fun of women who, for no apparent reason, ripped off their outer wear, stretched their arms away from their body, grabbed a piece of newspaper, a book , or any other available "fan" and began using it, wildly. And then with less apparent provocation than before; put everything back on.
Sara just laughs at me when I say I should get special compensation for my age.
She'll find out.
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