Yeah, it’s not a real race. I liked the quiet streets on the last trip, so I figured I’d go more-or-less on the same route.

Turned off to my main street, and there were probably 50 cyclists, a few tents, bunches of cars and the odd random officiant wearing dayglo orange. Now, I was feeling very manly today, because I had just put on my 2 ft long rainbow windsock on the back of my already tres manly recumbent, so I sped up behind some wedgy riders and asked what the race was. It was apparently the High Desert Road Race. I was peeved. It was my road, after all.

So, I figured out which way they were going, and I went the other direction. It wasn’t a closed route, so I wasn’t being a dick…there were still other cars passing me. Anyway, turns out guys don’t look at you when you’ve got a rainbow windsock recumbent, but the ladies all smile. Sure, they’re laughing on the inside, but it’s all good.

I also found a few really nice smooth roads, one that went on a really nice gradual 3 mile or so descent. It was completely awesome until I saw the Pavement Ends sign. The 3 miles back felt longer.

Also broke my first spoke, which was pretty nifty, and I felt hardcore wrapping it around a good one and going on. The wheel was pretty untrue by the time I got back, so the wheel’s in the shop. They look at a 20″ tire with a road wheel on it with some questions.

Hot freaking day today. And the gaps that my GPS put into the Map My Ride map ended up ripping me off of a full 5 miles today. The GPS, which I trust more than MMR, showed a little over 41 miles…2900 calories burned. I feel it too. I just about barfed three times afterwards.

Sara wanted to go to lunch and a movie, so we did. It’s a damned good thing it was the Bourne movie, ’cause I wouldn’t have made it through any other movie without falling asleep. As it is, the camerawork only made me want to barf one more time.

I know I should leave earlier in the day, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.

Well, I took nearly three weeks off, because my back went out a few weekends ago. Rooting around all day in the crawlspace was not a good idea, apparently.

So, this was a short ride, but good for a few reasons. A lower traffic route to China Hat, and finally getting my goggles figured out. No dust, no fog. Perfect.

Only one downside…after a family breakfast, I didn’t get out the door until around noon, when the temps were in the mid-90s. Bad idea. I sunscreened well, but I burned my lips, of all things. Think I’ll have to start earlier next week. Backs all strong again though.

Today was a tough day. I knew it was going to be a long one. 50 miles was 20 miles over my last ride, so that’s pretty ambitious, especially considering it was on a relatively new bike. Read the rest of this entry »

Goddamn China Hat Road.  I was so ready to like you.  Rolling, steady uphill (meaning rolling stead, fun downhill on the way back) and it went for almost 10 miles straight.  I had a route planned that would let me take a left in about 6 more miles, hit Hwy 20, and cruise back in style, after one huge hill.

Read the rest of this entry »

Did an out and back down China Hat Road. China Hat is fairly chip-sealy, so that’s not the best ride in the world. But, I was trying a longer distance on the ‘bent, and it handled it very well. There were rattles along the way…I need to get rid of the headrest, as that’s no good even if it was screwed in properly. Sadly, the hardest part of the entire trip is getting out into Brookswood traffic. Yes, a 20 mile ride is no problem, it’s that left turn that kills me. I’m not an ambi-turner. dammit.

Nice and sunny out, which also meant lots of people driving. That kicks up dust, and I spent the better part of the ride crying out of one or both eyes. A good part of the time I could only see out of one eye.