Review of my 1st loaded run.

What a wonderful learning experience! The one and only way to see if what you are  doing to prepare is working is to get out there and do it! For my 1st test run I rode from my house to Stephen F. Austin state park close to Sealy Texas.

It was an easier route with lots of return options in case things didn't go well with my fitness. The route took me southwest along country roads and dirt roads. Unfortunately, an 8 mile section was well maintained by vicious cyclist chasing mad dogs! I must admit pumping your legs to a 28 MPH sprint on a 50 pound mountain bike is no challenge I want to attempt while being chased. I named this section of the ride doggon alley. Sort of like Harry Potter's diagon alley without the magic.  Instead you have huge burly German Shepherds filling you with fear you never knew you could experience. I must have been chased 15 times. In addition the wind was blowing at a steady 12 -20 mph north. In my face the whole ride. I still made exceptional time. I was so proud to arrive at the park around 4:30.

Sadly my elation was replace with devastation when I realized I must have dropped my wallet. I had some cash so I secured myself a campsite. I must have dropped it at one of the stops I made to check GPS on my phone. Fear filled me again as I turned around and headed backwards on my route. Learning a valuable lesson. Hide your wallet in your gear bags!! As I travelled backwards I was quickly approaching doggon alley. I was going to have to ride back threw this dog pile. Heartbroken... 60+ miles in I had to run from three clusters of rapid furry fangs. To my great joy only 9 miles back I find my wallet. Praising God I secure it in my frame bag and route an alternate way back. There was no way I was going to run from those dogs again!

The Sun was going down fast at this point. I had to get motivated. The alternate route was an addition 6 miles but it was worth having to ride 14 miles back without being attacked by angry dogs. This route was a lot nicer too. It had rolling hills and beautiful farms.

 I made it all the way to a gas station just outside of sealy before I had to stop and strap my lights on. I found a nice little local grill and ordered me a steak and a baked potato! Yeah yummy gluten free food.

After I stuffed my face I rode back to camp. Total Miles for the day was 83 miles. A lot more than I had planned to do on my 1st big loaded ride.

Sleeping in my Bivy sack for the 1st time wasn't so bad. I am glad I picked out a bivy with a canopy! I could get inside and lay up and read a bit. The Big Angus air mat was a pain in the butt to air up. After having rode my bike all day pushing a bunch of air into a mattress wasn't fun. I also had to blow up my mattress twice during the night to keep it full. My thoughts were definitely towards getting a new one when I got home. My sleeping bag was almost too warm but way better than being cold. I also didn't realize my bivy didn't come with steaks to nail it down with until my trip. I learned that when I got home I would order me a new sleeping mat and sleeping bag. Ones that compress to a smaller size and an air mat that requires less effort to air up.

In the morning I rose to a new day feeling not too sore and ready to get back on the road. I packed up all of my gear and rode home a much quicker way. Just about 40 miles back. I rode into a town east of Sealy called Pattison. There was a little dinner here that I got some breakfast at. A vegetable omelet with extra vegetables. My ride back from Pattison to Cypress, TX was a wind powered tail wind almost the whole way. There was a 9 mile section with a stout side wind that made for a tough pedal and a lot of mental chanting. The best part of the ride was I didn't get chased by any dogs! I arrived home safely and in one piece. The overall ride was enjoyable and a big eyeopener!

Since my ride I have purchased the following new pieces of gear:

1: Dog Spray - Halt
2: New Sleeping Bag : mountain hardwear ultralamina 32
3: New Air Mat: Therm-a-Rest Neo Air
4: Rain Jacket:North Face Stormy Trail Jacket
5: Warm jacket: mountain-hardwear-thermostatic-jacket
6: Stuff Sacs: Sea To Summit Mini (For all of my tools) It was frustrating having things piled. I needed to be able to get things out with creating a disaster.
7: Alternate Water Carry: Platypus

With these changes I was able to load my bike tonight for my Tues - Weds overnight ride this next week with about 5 litters of leftover space for my clothes!!! I am still considering a larger frame bag. I am more than likely going to have to purchase one. I still need a bit of space for my cold weather gear and some extra comforts.

This week I will be riding to huntsville state park with my loaded bike. http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/366175703

 

 

1st Fully Loaded Test Ride

I sent an email out last night to my friends and family making it officially the real deal!

The Message reads:

Some already know about my Epic plans for this year but now it is becoming very real!!! Starting June 13th I will ride my mountain bike from Banff Canada to Antelope Wells. My goal is to complete the race in under 25days! I have to carry all of my own gear and naviagte 2700 miles and 200000 feet of climbing.

I wanted to send out an email providing you with a link to my blog, a link to my tracker, a link for my check in recordings, and a link for information about what I am doing!

You can read about my prep and my gear choices on my blog:
http://jessicagreenrides.blogspot.com/

About the Ride and the rules:
http://tourdivide.org/the_race

Watch the movie Ride the Divide on Netflix and get the fever!
http://www.ridethedividemovie.com/

I will check in on the ride and you can hear my recordings after June 13th at
http://mtbcast.com/site2/

My Spot Tracker Link"
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0ZxylCvuSOl1S6LNJsXsNOsV4bkB4EG49
If the link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it to your browser's address bar.
While you are reading this email I will most likely be setting up my bike or riding my bike Feb 18th to the 19th for it's 1st fully loaded test run!! I will ride about 50 - 80 miles out. Set up Camp and ride back home on the 19th.. Hope it is a success! This 1st trial ride makes it very real to me and prompted my desire to send this message out to my family and friends!

Thank you and Please Send up your Prayers!

19 weeks and counting!

I spent the last three days knocking down some miles and getting my head into the reality of  this is really going to happen. I have to get ready in 19 weeks!

While reading and researching today I found an excellent article written by Kent Petterson on his blog (Of which he is way better at blog managment than I am) Frequently asked Questions about the divide.  His words touched a belief that I have held and helped me put words to it. In the question? How does one train to ride the divide? I top my helmet to the answer Kent gave, "I practice!"

So, I spent the last three days practicing for Ride the Divide! I put in about 110 miles and did some rain riding with my rain jacket. Which does keep my dry but is very warm and toasty... I used my Helly Hansen Women's Voss Jacket. I like the fact that it keeps me dry and the hood fits over my head under my helmet and provides a bit of a visor. I still need better rain pants too. The stuff I have stays dry for a while but if it comes down hard it sneaks in. I plan to purchase a pair of North Face Venture Rain Pants

I found the camera I plan to purchase too!! Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS Digital Camera

As the days tick by I realize I need to get all of my gear on the bike and go for a test ride/camp. My new frame will be here Wednesday so I plan to build up the Stumpy and load here up for a ride next Weds and Tuesday. I will post a blog after my adventure!

Dirty Dozen 12 hour Race / Mental preperation for Ride the Divide

After the Excruciation Exam race two weeks ago my bike started making a constant creak when pedaling. So, we basically overhauled the bike and even installed some new ceramic bearings to the bottom bracket. Sadly the noise continued. After a deep clean and more investigating we discovered the bottom bracket was ovalizing and the material is beginning to fail. I have successfully broken everything on the bike during my training for the ride the divide. The guys at the shop renamed Beast Maker to Jessica the Destroyer #1. After realizing the bike could not be raced on for the 12 hours proceeded to find an alternative ride option. I contacted our stores Specialized Rep who generously allowed me to use his bike for the race.

A specialized Epic 2013 World Cup! I have never really ridden a full suspension bike so I was very worried I could really break this one. In fact I only got to ride the bike 5 miles before the race. I had to swap my pixie bars over, recharge the tubeless setup, and get the shocks sort of set up for my style of riding. Which after 5 laps / 35 miles I realized I need to adjust it more. The other challenge of the new ride was its equipped with Shimano and I am used to Sram for mountain. You should see the blisters on the inside of my palms. I will pass posting a photo of those for you!

 

I decided that I need to enlist some moral support for the race so I invited Cesar and Kevin to come suffer with me! The created Team Blueberry and signed up for the 12 hour two person team and took 4th place and landed in the money too!

The weather was perfect. You could not have asked for a better day. Overcast with a few sprinkles here and there but never a full out rain shower. The temperature was  between 60 - 75 for the whole day. It was great day for 12 hours of saddle time. I was able to get off to a great start and maintained a 39 min to 49 min lap time for 11:15 mins. I took 2nd place!

My goal was 10 laps but the day and everything just came together and I was able to put in 15 laps. Kim Jennings and I were neck and neck and made a great race of it! The 1st lap was a log jam, the 2nd lap started to open up a bit, the 3rd and 4th laps were still bunches of people you would have to ride around, my 5th lap was blissful with me and the trees and no one in my way. I Loved the flow and started to really get to know the bike. Laps 6 to 13 blended into a flow and me thinking about the ride the divide and the hours I have to be in the saddle. I set myself an 11.5 mph pace and held it. Just watched my average speed and kept going.

 When I hit lap 13/101.4 miles I wanted to stop and be done. My left forearm muscles were really giving me a sting and my left foot was feeling a blaze! My husband and Sonya (Cesar's wife) told me I had to keep going. Kim was only 11 min in front of me. I took the challenge, hit the Porty pod, and then jumped on the bike feeling somewhat better. I had reached a point where I couldn't really eat anymore. After completing lap 13 they told me I was still on her and she was starting to slow. Reluctantly, I set my music on my phone to some hard heavy death metal and launched into my 14th lap. As from whom the bell tolls blared in my right ear I cranked my pedals as hard as I could and pushed to catch her. About half way into the lap my stomach started to cramp and when I breathed deep or had to put out a hard effort I would feel that I was about to barf. After completing Gas Pass which is a technical high speed down hill I did leave it all on the course. The effort made me barf. Which I did while riding off the side of the bike to the right and kept going. It was dark and no one saw me thankfully :) Adds a whole new meaning to leaving it all on the course. After suffering the climb back to the check point and completing my 14th lap there was an 1:37 min left on the clock. I had to do another lap. I had to force her to complete a 16th lap. After all I felt better after my barf break. It was fun doing the last lap cause you could see the people really suffering and you could see those determined to race the clock riding hard next to you! Finally after 11:15 mins I got to get off the bike and walk. I immediately took a shower and drank some muscle milk. I was proud to ride that long and happy knowing that when the divide comes i can ride 12 hours and know what it will feel like. Today I feel sore but I know if I had to I could go ride!

Cesar, Kevin and I looking Refreshed after our 12 hours. I think we could have kept going!

Congratulation to Kim Topp, Ali Wilkerson 5th place 2 person 12 hour, Jessica Green 2nd place solo, and Kim Jennings 1st place solo.

Tentative Gear List and Equipment for Divide Ride

My gear list for the 2014 Tour Divide:

So the race is free but don’t be deceived the ride comes at a heavy ticket! Close to $9000 for the estimate. The benefit is that I have been riding and hoarding and gathering gear for a long time. Some I already had and others I have had to purchase. I have had help from my family and I have wonderful benefits working in the bike industry for Bike Barn in Houston Texas. I am blessed to have such a great support group. Some of the items in this list have been gifts and donnations from friends or vendors. Thank you all!!!

This list is to give all considering the idea of riding an idea of what to expect cost wise. 

Getting there:

Airfare for myself one way Houston to Calgary: $450.00 + 100 for the bike to fly
Airfare for my husband there and back to see me off:  $980.00
Ground transportation for two from Calgary to Banff: $106.00
http://www.banffairporter.com/

Passports for both of us! We already had them but if you need one they are about 100.00 a piece. Hotel stay for five days - three before and two after (my husband wanted to stay a few days to take in the views and see some of Canada) $400.00 US. Staying at: Rocky Mountain Bed and Breakfast http://www.rockymtnbb.com/

Ok… now we are there!!!

My goal for the actual weight of my set up is under 45 pounds.

Here is the list:
My Bike and it’s Parts:
-          Specialized 2012 Stump Jumper E5 Aluminum Frame (I paid 1700 for the bike but have upgraded a lot of it)
-          Chris King Hubs $700.00 http://www.bicyclehero.com/us/chris-king-bike-bicycle-iso-disc-hub-set-6bolt-red.html?
-          Stans ZTR Arch EX 29 front and rear rim  $150.00 https://www.google.com/shopping/product/15108525786191627707?sclient=psy-ab&q=stans+arch+ex+29&oq=stans+arch+ex+29&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&biw=1087&bih=600&bvm=pv.xjs.s.en_US.EeLgqkzqnSg.O&tch=3&ech=5&psi=pB_LUsvLIeLk2AXx2IDwBw.1389043790031.1&wrapid=tlif138904379003110&ei=wyDLUv3cOebM2AXV9oGoCw&ved=0CIoCEKYrMAg
-          50/50 blend of stans and slim- Stans is good at getting the sealant to the hole fast, Slime is better at sealing it. (a trick from some who have already done the tour divide)
-          Specialized Purgatory Grid 2bliss Tires front and Read  $120.00 http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/mtb-tires/all-mountain-tires/purgatory-grid-2bliss-ready
-          Specialized Rockshox SID Brain 29er Fork – got  it from a co-worker who never used it for $500.00 http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Specialized-Rock-Shox-SID-29er-XC-Fork-with-BRAIN-tech-90mm/131297495?gpid=21297750541&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&gclid=CLa4oJbB6rsCFTEV7Aod5WIAdA
-          Phenom Mountain Bike Saddle $130.00 http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/saddles/mtb-saddles/phenom-expert
-          Connex 10 speed chain $80.00
-          BOTTOM BRACKET SRAM PF30, OS press-in bearing, sealed cartridge – came with bike but I really like it!
-          Crank set : Custom SRAM S-1250, 7050 alloy arms, 10-speed XC double, PF30 spindle,  175mm – came with the bike and I love it.
-          Seat Post – Thompson Elite! $100.00
-          Grips – Eargon GP1 – size small
-          Profile design aero bars – $120.00
-          Profile design aero bars computer mount - $10.00
-          Plan to upgrade drive train front and rear derailleur plus shifter to Sram XX 1 month before ride cause my stuff is getting worn out with the training and the two years of racing http://www.sram.com/sram/mountain/family/xx
-          Plan to upgrade brake system to shimano slx. I have had issues with my Avid breaks in cold and wet conditions seizing up and not releasing the bad. I have had to actually ride without a front break for 60 miles cause of it. Very frustrating so the upgrade is a must. 

Bike Bags : Revelate Designs is the way to go!! http://www.bikebagshop.com/ (use firefox)

-          Revelate Tangle Frame Bag Size Medium - $70.00 https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Frame-Bags/Tangle-Frame-Bag
-          Plan to buy - Revelate Jerry Can back top tube bag – $38.00 https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Cockpit/Jerrycan
-          Revelate Gas Tank Front top tube bag- $55.00 https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Cockpit/Gas-Tank
-          Revelate Feed bag x2  - $80.00 https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Cockpit/Mountain-Feedbag
-          Revelate Viscacha  Seat Bag - $ 135.00 https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Seat-Bags/Viscacha
-          Plan to buy. Out of stock now and may have to find an alternative. Revelate Sweatrole $89.00  
http://www.bikebagshop.com/revelate-designs-sweet-roll-p-3330.html

My high class sleeping arrangements

Event Waterproof fabric stuff sack - $45.00 http://www.rei.com/product/730882/sea-to-summit-event-compression-dry-sack

REI Lumen Sleeping bag $150.00 http://www.rei.com/product/794797/rei-lumen-sleeping-bag

Big Agnes insulated q core - $140.00 http://www.rei.com/product/828412/big-agnes-insulated-q-core-pad

Nemo Gogo Elite Bivy Sack $300.00 http://climbhigh.com/nemo-gogo-elite.html?gclid=CM758bS67LsCFQISMwodOUQAiw

Clothing includes warm weather wear and my cold wear:

• Specialized S-works Prevail Helmet $230.00 http://bikebarn.com/product/specialized-s-works-prevail-155485-1.htm
• Prescription Ray Band Cycling Glasses and my prescription everyday glasses.
• Bontrager Head Band $15.00 http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-headband-155288-1.htm
• Bontrager Balaclava $20.00 http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-sport-balaclava-62343-1.htm
• Bontrager Arm Warmers $29.99 http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-arm-warmers-155281-1.htm
• Bontrager Knee Warmers $39.99 http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-knee-warmers-155282-1.htm
• Bontrager Base Layer $49.99 http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-b2-long-sleeve-baselayer-155258-1.htm
• Bontrager Convertible Wind shell $99.99 http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-convertible-wsd-windshell-womens-179591-1.htm
• 2 pair of Bontrager Race Wool Socks $30.00 http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-race-wool-5-socks-179851-1.htm
• Bontrager Water Proof and Warm RXL Windshell shoe covers http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-rxl-windshell-shoe-covers-194842-1.htm
• Specialized BG Gel Gloves short finger and long finger $70.00 for both http://bikebarn.com/product/specialized-womens-bg-gel-gloves-180529-1.htm
• North Face Winter Gloves
• Bike Barn Primal Jersey http://bikebarn.com/product/bike-barn-bike-barn-primal-jersey-9309.htm
• Bike Barn Primal Bib Shorts http://bikebarn.com/product/bike-barn-bike-barn-primal-bibshort-9310.htm
• Specialized Rim Shoe $180.00 http://www.specialized.com/us/en/ftr/shoes/mtb-shoes/rime-mtb
• Gore Phantom Jacket with Zip off Sleeves 80 – 180 if you get it on sale and it will be worth every penny you spend!! Best Bike Purchase ever! http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JWPHAW.html?utm_source=google&utm_term=GB_JWPHAW&utm_campaign=datafeed_compshopeng&utm_medium=productLink&skuID=GB-JWPHAW-5099-XXL&gclid=CNLZ5YTB7LsCFdE-Mgodp04Amw
• T-shirt and pair of underwear to sleep in

Rain – Still Shopping in this department. I have tried options I have but nothing seems to be comfortable. I feel like I am going to overheat and pass out most of the time.

• I need a jacket
• I need pants
• I need glove option

Stuff to fix bike when things go wrong (which they will)

• Two spare tubes 29er with presta valve
• Three spare spokes with nipples attached
• Park Tool Tire boots
• Four spare chain ring bolts
• Extra derailleur hanger and bolt
• 10 speed quick link
• Two spare tubeless valves
• Small bottle of 50/50 stans and slim mix
• Two spare brake pads
• Two spare cleat bolts
• Bottle of chain lube – I use dry lube picks up less sand and grit
• Specialized Tire Levers
• Park tool patch kit
• Zip ties and gorilla tape
• Extra shifter cable and cable end
• Gear Cleening Brush $4.99 http://bikebarn.com/product/park-tool-gear-clean-brush-40837-1.htm
• Spoke wrench
• Specialized EMT Tool http://bikebarn.com/product/specialized-emt-mini-multi-tool-5176.htm
• CO2 20 gram cart x 2 and CO2 valve adapter
• Bontrager HV hand Pump http://bikebarn.com/product/bontrager-air-support-hv-179260-1.htm

Maps and Directional Guidance

• Garmin of some kind – still working on my option
• Garmin Mount
• Spot GPS tracker GEN3 with the annual service Unit $150.00 Service $175.00 http://www.findmespot.com/en/
• Adventure Cycling Maps for the route great divide Canada and Great Divide Us Sets $15.00 Canada http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/great-divide-canada/ $89.00 US http://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/great-divide-mountain-bike-route/
• Map TXT download and Map Mount $20.00

Lights, Batteries and ways to charge stuff.

-          NR Lumina 700 $139.99 http://bikebarn.com/product/niterider-lumina-700-195821-1.htm

-          Serfas Taillight with spare batteries $20.00 http://bikebarn.com/product/serfas-tl-stn-seat-stay-taillight-183075-1.htm

-          Goal Zero Solar Charger $120.00 (watch the video the product is legit) http://www.rei.com/product/827121/goal-zero-guide-10-plus-adventure-kit-solar-charger

-          Head Lamp

-          USB charger cable and wall plug

-          My phone – Verizon HD Maxx Razor with music loaded on a huge memory card. Battery in phone with screen off last for about 24 hours but my solar charger can charge it continuously.

-          Small Camera that can be charged with USB too

Hydration – So, I am allergic to iodine so I have to find an alternative. Usually I carry bleach which takes about 30 mins with a few drops per litter but the water always taste yucky. I still plan to carry a little dropper bottle.

-          Three to four 20 ounce bottles

-          Steripen $70.00 http://www.rei.com/product/799003/steripen-adventurer-opti-water-purifier

-          Small bottle of bleach

Keeping Clean and Healthy with:

-          Vitamin I (Ibuprofen)

-          Benadryl

-          EpiPEN (allergic to bees)

-          Bronchial dilator(I have asthma when it is cold and wet)

-          Chapstick

-          Sunblock

-          Eyedrops

-          Chamois butter individuals

-          Travel brush, floss, toothpaste

-          Deodorant

-          Small bandage kit with Neosporin

-          Small bag of wet wipes – bathroom use and cleaning

-          Bandana for the runny nose and stuff

Other Stuff

-          Passport

-          Debit card and credit card (my dad’s!! He has generously offered for the use as much as I need to for a warm nights sleep)

-          100.00 in cash

-          Road ID Bracelet with my allergies and emergency contact information

-     Bear Spray and my CRKT Knife