Divide Interview

A Divide Interview

Click on the link above to see an interview I did for the 2014 Ride the Divide

Friday the 13th.. ri

I am laying in the bed looking at Beastmaker at the foot of the bed. Everything is clean and lovely even my skin and hair shines with cleanliness. Tomorrow that all changes. 2700 miles. I shirt and two nickers. Some other cold weather clothes. Unfortunately they are calling for tons of rain tomorrow. I feel at peace. No panic attack. I feel ready to ride and pray for a safe journey for all riders.
I am laying in the bed looking at Beastmaker sitting by the foot of the bed. Everything is clean and lovely. Even my skin and hair shines with cleanliness. Tomorrow that all changes. 2700 miles one shirt, two nickers and some other cold weather clothes. Unfortunately,  they are calling for tons of rain and cold weather tomorrow.  There is a river ford in the 1st 30 miles so if the rain doesn't soak me the river will. I had a lovely day with Nathanael Green and I feel at peace. No panic attack. I feel ready to ride and pray for a safe journey for all riders. They had a kick off party for us tonight and I got to meet the legendary Crazy Larry. It was awesome

Great Divide 2014 Thank you Everyone!!

Three days to go! The anxiety is at progressive peak. Fear is a tingle in my belly. Excitement is pounding in my hear.

Last week I went home to mentally prepare and gain strength from my Family:

Kathy and Harold

Me and Dad

My brother and I

My Aunt and Uncle drove in from Chattanooga, Tennessee! What a blessing to see them healthy in their retirement years.  My father and I continue to become more alike and look more alike!! My brother and I saw each other which is always a big deal!! We even overcame the pain of time and went to visit our mother's grave together. A very healing moment in my life and I hope for my brother too.

My Grandmother

Ladies of My Family

I gained the courage to overcome my fears and went to see my late mother's parents. I haven't been in their house since I was 14 or so. The first few moments were odd but the time together was priceless. Soon laughter and love filled the room.  I had the heart to to see my grandmother and tell her I love her and that I am going to be riding for her. My grandmother has Alzheimer's and is in the last stages. She hasn't know who I was for over 7 years and she managed to stare a hole into my soul and whisper my name. My heart leaped with joy and I cried hard into her shoulder and told her I loved her.

My Mom's Parents

My loving husband

I am amazed by the energy and power I gained from these few days. The healing river and the feeling of love filled me and gave me strength to know that I can conquer this journey. The Journey in so many ways is to heal the hurts of the past and grow stronger to face the rest of my life with peace and joy! I pray God fills me with his power and love each pedal stroke and each challenge along the way.!

I want to thank My husband Nathanael... What an amazing man you are! The support, encouragement, belief, love, and care you have given me the past 12 months has been amazing! I can't think of a better man to have stand beside me on this journey and to spend my life with! I love you and Thank you for your gift of love a

nd kindness!! Thank you for handing me water and food to keep me going in the races. Thank you for letting me ride my bike all over Texas and not making me feel guilty for being off training so much! Thank you for telling me to go ask Bike Barn if I could take this trip!!

In addition to my husbands love and support I want to Thank all of my friends, co-workers, and supporters! Bike Barn.. has been amazing in letting me take this journey. Thank you Lee, Neil, and Jamie for making a dream be able to come true. My Staff!! You are amazing! Paul, Nicole, Tim, Roy, Larry, John, Justin, and Richie!! Thank you for your support... fixing my bike multiple times, listening to me complain about my butt or how tired I am, and stepping up to be leaders and take care of the shop while I am away breaking more stuff for you guys to fix!

To my riding friends!! Thank you for all the sweat and tear!! Cesar, Sonya, and Kevin have made my training special and fun. I can't thank everyone enough!!!

The races, the camping, the early morning rides, the long and epic rides were all gifts!!!

 I have received so many generous donations from friends, family, and co-workers.  Thank you for each and every dollar! I will use to feed and keep myself rested.

TWO WEEKS TO GO!!!

 Hey Everyone!!!

Two weeks to go until the big race!!!

I will be flying to Canada on June 11th and starting my 2700 mile mountain bike race on June 13th!!! An entire year of training and preparation has arrived. I am starting to go into race focus mode and want to send this out before the chaos of last min preparation and planning concurs.

To help me with money for the race follow this link:
http://www.gofundme.com/9fea48

To watch the race follow this link:
http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide14

To watch my spot move across the country and to see where I am down to the last 10 mins follow these two links:
http://trackleaders.com/tourdivide14i.php?name=Jessica_Green
and
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0ZxylCvuSOl1S6LNJsXsNOsV4bkB4EG49
This last link will only show my last seven days. If you want to be added to an email alert for when I am ok and or moving please let me know the email and I will add you to my alert list

To see my posts and read about my gear and preparation and see photos as I ride use these links:
Ladies of the Tour Divide on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ladies-of-the-Tour-Divide-2014/872470966112707?ref=tn_tnmn

My Blog which has tons of info including a list of all my gear:
http://jessicagreenrides.blogspot.com/

And Facebook JessicaGreenRides
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008282416184

If you want to watch a movie about the race look on Netflix and watch Ride the Divide!!

Most importantly!!! Pray for Nathanael and I as we travel and get ready and be apart for about 25 days! My goal finish

Thank you!!

Jessica Green

My complete gear list for 2014 Ride The Divide

Here are the details for my last full load and for what I plan to carry on the ride the divide for 2014!

My bike Loaded before my last shake down ride. All the items on this list are on this bike or in this bike!

Bike

Specialized Stump Jumper 2014 Expert M5 aluminum Frame

Shimano PD-M985 XTR Trail pedals

2014 Sram X0 Front, XO Rear, XO BB30 Crank set 2x10 26x39 chain rings, 12-36 rear cassette, X0 2x10 trigger shifters

THOMSON Elite 27.2mm seat post

Stan’s ZTR ARCH EX Rims with Swiss DT Competition Spokes (built by http://www.lacemine29.com/) Thanks MIKE!

Chris King Hubs

Stan’s Tubeless Sealant

THOMSON Cross-Country Carbon handlebar

Specialized Fast Track Grid Tubeless 29 2.0 tires

Thomson Elite X4 Mountain Stem

Avid Speed Dial 7 Brake Levers

Avid BB7 Mechanical Mountain disc brakes

Specialized Phenom Mountain Seat

Bontrager Evoke RXL Grips

Profile Design Split Second Al Aero Bars

Profile Design UCM Computer Mounts

Specialized Sport Trip Computer

Garmin Etrex 30 with Stem Mount

Topeak Modula Bottle Cage XL (www.topeak.com) (on bottom tube in front of crank) Bags Quantity Item Location 1 Adventure Cycling Map Case Attached to Bedrock Bag/Handlebar 1 Revelate Design Ranger Frame Bag Frame 1 Revelate Design Gas Tank Bag Top Tube 2 Revelate Design Mountain FeedBag  Handlebar 1 Revelate Design Jerry Can Attached to Vischaca Seat Bag 1 Revelate Design Viscacha Seat Bag Seat 1 Bedrock Entrada Handlebar Bag with pocket Handlebar Gear Quantity Item Location 4 Ground Hog MSR tent stakes Frame Bag / left pocket 10 Zip ties (assorted sizes) Frame Bag / left pocket 4 Spokes and nipples Frame Bag / left pocket 1 Pliers Frame Bag / left pocket 1 Blackburn Mini hand pump Frame Bag / left pocket 1 Kryptonite Small Cable Lock Frame Bag / left pocket 2 Maxxis Thin Ultralight tubes Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Tri-flow Dry lubricant (2oz) Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Stan's Notubes Tire Sealant (2oz.) Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 4 CO2 (16g) Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 CO2 tire adapter Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Serfas 500 lumen rechargable light Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Chain Tool Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Tire lever Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Park Tool patch kit Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Park Tool truing tool Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Park Tool emergency tire boot Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Stan's Notubes Valves Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Shimano SPD cleats Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Derailuer hanger Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 4 Chain Ring bolts Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 10-speed chain quicklink Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Specialized EMT 9 piece multitool Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 Electrical tape (small) Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 1 FiberFix spoke Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Brake Cable Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Shifter Cable Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 CR2032 battery Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 A23 battery Frame Bag / right bottom pocket 2 Bontrager Race light glove liner Frame Bag / right top pocket 1 Pearl Izumi ear cover Frame Bag / right top pocket 1 Louis Garneou balaclava (light weight) Frame Bag / right top pocket 2 Pearl Izumi soft shell glove Frame Bag / right top pocket 2 Endura Strike glove (water-proof) Frame Bag / right top pocket 1 2XU Compression pant Frame Bag / right top pocket 2 Gore Vapor barrier sock Frame Bag / right top pocket 1 Banjo Phone Wallet Gas Tank bag 1 Motorola Razr Maxx HD Gas Tank bag / phone wallet 1 Identification, money, credit cards, etc. Gas Tank bag / phone wallet Lots Assorted Food Gas Tank bag / phone wallet 1 Black Diamond bivy sack and poles Handle Bar Bag  1 ThermasRest Ultralite Air Mattress  Handle Bar Bag  2 Primal arm warmer (Bike Barn) Handle Bar Bag  2 Bontrager knee warmer Handle Bar Bag  1 North Face Flash Dry Rain Jacket Handle Bar Bag / Sea To Summit Dry Bag  1 North Face HyVent 2.5L Rain Pants Handle Bar Bag / Sea to Summit Dry Bag  1 Steripen Adventurer (H2O purifier) Handle bar pocket bag Coleman First aid kit (27 piece) Handle bar pocket bag 1 Lighter Handle bar pocket bag Insect repellant (2 oz) Handle bar pocket bag 1 Ride in the Rain outdoor journel Handle bar pocket bag 1 Pen Handle bar pocket bag 1 Pencil Handle bar pocket bag 1 Epipen Handle bar pocket bag 1 Bandana Handle bar Pocket Bag 1 Petzl Tikka 2 headlamp Handle bar Pocket Bag 1 Sunglasses Handle bar Pocket Bag 1 Spot Gen3 Tracker Handle bar Pocket Bag (attached to outside) 1 Sea to Summit collapsible day bag Handle bar Pocket Bag (attached to outside) 1 N.rit towel Handle bar Pocket Bag (attached to outside) 1 Bear Bell Handle bar Pocket Bag (attached to outside) 30 Katadyn Micro pure tablets Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 1 (small) 1 Charmin' togo toliet paper Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 Ear Plugs Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 Toothpaste (travel size) Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 Toothbrush (travel size) Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 Floss (travel size) Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 Irish Spring (bar) Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 Eye Drops Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 20 Zyrtec  Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 20 Ibuprofen (800 mg) Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 50 Ibuprofen (100 mg) Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 20 Tylenol PM Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 20 Benadryl Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 25 Alprazolam Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 30 Birth Control Handle bar pocket bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (small) 2 Goal Zero Guide 10 Plus charger Jerry Can 12 Goal Zero AAA rechargeable batteries Jerry Can 10 Goal Zero AA rechargeable batteries Jerry Can 3 Charging cables (USB) Jerry Can 1 Wall adapter (USB) Jerry Can 2 Under Armour Water bottle (32oz) Mountain Feedbag 1 Compass/Temperature/Whistle combo Mountain Feedbag 1 Canon Power shot SX210 Mountain Feedbag 1 Sunblock Mountain Feedbag 1 HALT! Dog spray Mountain Feedbag 1 CRKT M21-12G Mountain Feedbag 1 Bontrager base layer long sleeve shirt Viscacha seat bag 1 Mountain Hardware light down jacket Viscacha seat bag 1 Her' Chamois butter Viscacha seat bag 1 Package of Maps (Great Divide route) Viscacha seat bag 4 Niteize S-biner carbine Viscacha seat bag (attached to outside) 1 Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel Viscacha seat bag (attached to outside) 8 Bungee cord (small) Viscacha seat bag (attached to outside) 2 Outdoor Research Accessory strap Viscacha seat bag (attached to outside) 3 Wool sock (pair) Viscacha seat bag / Sea to Summit bag 1 (medium) 2 Underwear Viscacha seat bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 Sports Bra Viscacha seat bag / Sea to Summit bag 2 (medium) 1 T-shirt Viscacha seat bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (large) 1 Prana hiking pants Viscacha seat bag / Sea to Summit bag 3 (large) 1 Primal jersey (Bike Barn) Viscacha seat bag / Sea to Summit bag 4 (large) 1 Primal shorts (Bike Barn) Viscacha seat bag / Sea to Summit bag 4 (large)

Help me ride!

I have had a bunch of you offer to help me ride. I would love your help. If you want to donate click on this link:
http://www.gofundme.com/9fea48

Thanks for all your prayers and help! I am in the last three weeks of planning!

Tour Divide Sign up Sheet Link:

I just got in touch with another Tour Divde Rider who got me the inside on the sign up sheet:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0AnV6xT65HkPRdE5WZ2c4S0pyZnd5Tk51cko1ZzJneFE&f=true&noheader=true&gid=0

Take a look at the list. There are a lot of ladies on this list and I am really getting excited cause some of those ladies are from Texas!

3 Day Shake Down Ride - Practice for Ride the Divide

Time is flying and June 11th is coming fast!

Easter Weekend I had Sun, Mon, Tuesday off. I decided to turn my three day off opportunity into a three day training ride. Saturday after work my husband and I drove out to Gruene, TX and stayed at a camp ground on The Famous River Road. The worst part was the drunks were still out partying so getting to sleep that night was a bit tough.

Sunday morning Nathanael made us breakfast while I kitted out my ride with all my gear. I wanted a realistic weight for the divide so I packed everything I currently plan to take.

After loading (54 pounds including water weight) we went out for a nice 53.5 miler with 2791 feet of climbing. This is huge for a Houston dweller. The ride started out with a nice ride down river road into downtown Gruene. I enjoyed getting a fill for downhill with a fully loaded bike.  My bike handles well and my confidence is growing a bunch. During this trip I wanted to get more familiar with my etrex 30. If you think you might want to use GPS for a big ride.. Get is way in advance and learn it. You almost need a degree to figure the thing out. I am still learning. It's not easy to operate if you have never used one. Not like your cell phone apps, Android apps are easy to understand and flow. GPS does not flow.

We stopped shortly in Gruene to walk an art show and drink some coffee. After our coffees we headed out from some more big climbs. Based on my study of the divide maps most of these climbs were steeper and shorter than the ones out on the divide. Getting an understanding for how your bike climbs with a load is very important. You have to get an idea as to how your knees and your heels are going to hold out. I felt strong and was keeping a good pace about 11 mph average. My goal wasn't to bust a move but just get miles in and feel the climbing.

After about 25 miles I was faced with my first challenge:

 

After climbing for about 3 miles into a headwind we came to this fence blocking cars from driving along the dam road we were going to traverse. Notice the tight triangle access to the left of the gate... Yeah.. Try getting a 50 pound bike in it. I was afraid we would have to turn around and ride all the way back the long way. My husband wanted to help me but I said, "I am going to have to do stuff like this on the divide. I have to figure it out." I managed to wedge and lift the bike at a very odd angle. It was tough but we made it to the other side.

After a short downhill we were on top of the dam. With a rewarding view of the lake and the valley on the other side.

Hope this levee never breaks. I was thinking of that Led Zep Tune..

"If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break,
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay."

As this tune played in my mind I pedal on back towards camp. Of course we got to sail down to the bottom of the level and then climb out of the valley to drop back down to the river.

 

Remember the learning curve for GPS.. my next challenge was at mile 34. My GPS sent us onto a ranch road. We both thought it was a bit odd riding past a gate but maybe it was one of those neighborhoods. It started as pavement and went to gravel with several creek crossings and a steady 3 mile climb. With a few real kickers when you are loaded. I was feeling strong and proud and didn't have to walk a single section. As we approached to turn off for this section we noticed a huge concrete fence with a closed gate. Oopps we just road across some ranchers land. The gate would not open. Realizing we were on private property we really didn't want to turn around. So we braced my husbands bike on the wall and he used it to climp to the top. While I power lifted my beast up to him about 5 feet off the ground. While Nathanael balanced the bike on top of the wall I scaled the wall using his bike to boost my self to the top. After dropping to the other side of the wall Nathanael handed me the beast and his bike. Sweating and a bit nervous about getting shot by a Texas Rancher we both hopped on our bikes and tore down the road like nothing ever happened. In Texas Ranch Roads are not always open to the public. However GPS on our phones and handheld seemed to think so. With this exciting moment behind us I had a renewed sense of energy and blasted the last 14 miles. I averaged about 16 mph and got back to camp quickly.

Day one profile 1

 

 

 

Day 2... Running from Yettie's

Not really. With 2500 feet in 39miles this ride was a bit tougher getting started. Tired legs and a lot of climbing for the 1st 10 miles. Not to mention the wind was in our face and much stronger on day two. We rode out from Grune North up the River Road and out to a camp ground at the bottom of Canyon Lake. Along the way we ran into an advertisement featuring Yettie's. We could not resist. We got photos of us running from them.

 The original plan was to ride around Canyon lake but Ranch Roads struck again and we had to reroute. Neither of us wanted to ride across another ranch and risk getting shot. This ride turned into a traditional out and back which was great cause you got a 10 mile down hill at the end. We decided to ride and up and down to the lake. Which gave us the chance to hit some big climbs and see some nice views of the lake.

On the way back we would take all the off shots down to the lake and back up. Resulting in some steep climbs 85 to 12% and some great training.

Profile for day 2





 

Day Three:

Nathanael and I planned to ride out together for about 10 miles. Nathanael was going to do about 10 miles with me and then head back to take down the camp and then drive to Lulling to pick me up about 50 miles away.

 

Instead of going into downtown Gruene and having to climb the massive hill going into down town I decided to ride threw New Braunfels. God decided to laugh at me. When Nathanael and I got to the 10 mile separation point this was what we got to climb:

21% Grade!! Ouch. Does my bike even have that many gears!!! From 600 ft to 800 ft in two tenths of a mile. My agony when we saw this. I would not walk. I had to zig and zag but I got my butt to the top without falling and without walking.. My accomplishment was super huge. Nathanael had never ridden up anything like it. We both were proud.

 

After our huge climb Nathanael turned back to camp and I was on my own for 40 more miles. My plan was to ride around the north side of the airport and head to Lulling. However, road closure struck! I had to reroute because of  a new air landing being built across my path. Part of me wanted to ride across it but the good side of me said no. I had to back track and reroute about 5 miles. This new route feature rice patties, corn fields, no shade, vortex winds, and burning hot pavement. The only place to get water was a church. I greeted a lady in the parking lot working the daycare program. She let me in to get some water and a bit of AC.

 

I had to push on for about 15 miles before the ride became blocked with trees and hills to slow the wind. Once in the trees and hills the road became white dusty gravel. Solar FLARE TIME. I could feel the sun burn coming. I stopped under an oak tree and lathered up again.  After a brief moment of no sun I pressed on to my final turn onto  Hwy 90. This turn would put me out on the side of a highway, no shade, headwind, no gas stations, no water, and no mercy for 13 miles. I was happy cause this meant only 13 more miles but it was hard to get above 15mph and hold it. I just trudged on. I was looking for tossed out water bottles on the side of the road to help time march on. After 10 miles and about 3 miles outside of Lulling I saw my husband drive by. He pulled to the shoulder about 500 feet in front of me and I was elated. I chugged two sodas! He drove down to a park about another 1500 ft and I took a poor mans shower in the shade of an oak tree with the water in the cooler. Refreshing! No longer being baked alive.

Profile day three. Ignore the 1st part of the chart. I have no idea what my gps was doing.

 



Random Photos:

 

Guest at our Camp ground. Kitties away from home. The neat part was the camp ground had a cat colony. They would get them fixed and take care of them. The guest get to hang out with them and enjoy kitty love away from home.

 Nathanael relaxing after day 2

Me resting after day 2 down by the river.

 

Austin Rattler - Last big race before the big day June 13th!

Austin Rattle was this past weekend and what a fun race! Four laps of 15 miles on a seriously fun course. Going into this i was thinking I would only be able to average 10 mph but I was actually at 11.3. This may sound a bit slow to all of you roadies out there but I am covering a mile every 5 mins on a mountain bike. I am proud of that!! With rocks, dirt, mud, roots, and other obstacles...

Just before the race I get a chance to have my photo with Neil Bremner. The owner of Bike Barn and my boss. It was great getting to see a big group of Bike Barn Riders out to take on this tough course. Several got coins or won a lottery spot into Leadville. I won the lottery earlier this year so my focus was to get my best time to up my spot in the leadville coral. I fortunately finished in 5:28 mins landing me a spot two up from the back. Super cool!

Lap 1 was a blistering pace for me. I was up front but I didn't want to be in the back with other riders who I didn't know were confident on a mountain bike. Main goal is to always finish and to do so safely and without issue. My time for lap one was 1:18. About a 12.8 mph average according to my computer. Remember my goal was 10 so I was happy and hurting. It was about 52 degrees when we started and warmed up to about 78 before the end of the ride. I started with arm warms and next time want do that. Just start a bit cold or get some sun covers.

The race starts with a large climb up to the top of fat chucks followed with flowing single track which drops you out on top of an treeless plain. The wind hits you and the rocks are larger than normal so you really have dig. The night before it rained making the 1st lap a bit wet and sometime slippery on the roots. A few creek crossings would leave your breaks squeaking and you butt a bit wet but not as wet as my many other jaunts and frolics at Rocky Hill.

My husband was there as usual snapping photos and making sure I was getting food and water. I could not do these races without him. Before lap 2 I snagged a bottle and headed out for lap two. I was aware of a group of about 5 other women riding around me and just kind of sizing myself up. I wanted to back my 2nd lap pace down to about 12 mph and did so with a lap finish time of about 1:20. Getting ready to head out to lap three I told Nathanael I just wanted it to be over cause I was surely hurting. Setting my mind I headed out and just did the divide slug up the hill. Sadly during lap 2 my front derailleur spring decided it was time to die. The rest of the race my chain would drag on it no matter what gear I was in. I just had to tune it out and go. I wasn't going to stop. It sounded sort of like a roller coaster chain pulling a coaster up to the big climb. Lap 3 was a slug. I thought my legs would cramp a few times and land me out of the race. I started to chug water and and eat salty gu. My mantra became Aerosmith's Living on the Edge along with the Pink Floyd The Wall and some random Prodigy Song. Anything to stop thinking about the pain. I focused myself to stay on someones wheel no matter what. I found my hero on the course... he must have pulled me a lap and a half and did so without making me feel bad. He even told me to grab his wheel. Lap three ended and I was still in the mix with the five other ladies I had been watching since the start.

Lap 4 started the dog days of the race and my mental game. I heard two of the ladies catching me on fat chucks but wasn't going to let it get me. I let them ride fast up the big climb. I tagged on with two faster men and they pulled me up to the girls. I decided I would sit in the back and eat and drink and not loose the draft. One of the girls blew and pulled out. I thought she would grab my wheel but she was toast. Encouraged and elated I told the guys to let the other girl work and I can get her in the end. I had noticed her single track technique wasn't like mine. I let her rip and she takes it slow. I knew I had her if i could just stay on the train.

I managed to stay in the back and not get hammered and caught her on one of the last two major climbs before the really fun single track. In addition to her I nipped off two more ladies struggling on the last section of single track. The last two miles of the course is my favorite, the wall, the bridges, and the awesome downhill bomber section.

I never looked back I just put the pedal to the medal and went! I finished in 5:28 and was super happy! Glad to be done. I grabbed a coke, banana, orange, and some hot fries and proceeded to eat and eat. The day was fun!

My Hero and my helper! Thanks for the Draft!

Fellow bike barn finishers! Glad to be done!

Thank you Nathanael and Great Job Kevin!

2ND AND 3RD SHAKE DOWN RIDES - 14 weeks and counting

Time is rolling by and narrowing the days to my depart quicker than I can mentally grasp! The miles are ever increasing and the recovery from my jaunts is taking its toll. The past two weeks I did two overnight trips. March 4 - 5th I rode from my house in Cypress to Montgomery. After Houston got hit with ice. I am not joking around. We actually got some ice:
My way out route: http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/498261041
My way back Route: http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/498858785hit



The ride was pleasant. I only had to re-route once because of the ice. A tree had fallen and blocked a section with crews working on dropped power lines. The hardest part of the ride was the cold and wet. My rain pants and cold weather gear were perfect. My new rain jacket was perfect too. I stayed warm and dry and no real issue. I had my new sleeping bag and mat with me be but opted for the comforts of a cabin instead of freezing. I really could not risk getting sick and loosing my quick turn training ride.

My total trip mileage was about 125 miles with about 2500 feet of elevation. Not too bad for flat land Texas. No dogs chased me on this ride!

 I went back to work on the 6th and then headed out 4 days later on the 10th  for an epic route of 90 miles in a day with full load of about 50 pounds!

I rode from my house in Cypress TX to Warda, Bluff Creek Ranch. This route gave me about 2000ft of climbing in a day. Took be about 6:45 mins. I was very happy with the pace and my results. I gladly was not chased by any dogs on this ride. I did get chased by cows!

 My out route: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/370619761
On arrival I was provided with a wonderful meal of potatoes and ribs by Alan, the ranch manager. He was so generous and kind. I was starving.. After my meal I went and set my camp down by the lake, made a fire, and ate some candy bars!

This trip I tried to sleep without the aid of any sleeping pills and found that I really struggle to relax or calm down from a long day in the saddle. I also found the new sleeping bag and mat to be fantastic. I made a mental not to pack some ear plugs too. The frogs were so gregarious and eager to sing all night. They too were not helping me relax and go to sleep. Then once I feel asleep I was awoken by rain.  This would be my 1st experience of rain in the bivy sack. Nothing like waking up to the rain in a bivy sack. It sounds really loud and you can feel it hitting the tent all around you. Fortunately the rain was brief and I was able to fall back asleep. I woke around 8:00 am and packed up my gear. It takes about 30 mins to an hour to pack. Mostly dependant upon my speed.

My racing and training friend Cesar greeted me in the morning. We had some eggs and ham with Alan and then loaded up and drove over to Rocky Hill Ranch to ride the race route for the Austin Rattler (Leadville Race Training Qualifier) at the end of this month. http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/370730905