Guinness World Record News

Its been as busy as ever here on the mountains in Beaver Creek so far this season -another great Birds of Prey Downhill World Championship for 2012! Had a message from Guinness a few weeks ago saying that my world record had been broken!! Gutted! Well - no not really - I always knew it wouldn't take too much to break it. But at least the news has spurred me into activity - it's obviously time I set a new one! The plan is to do so in Europe this summer from Norway to Spain!! So now I need to get planning and training!! Obviously haven't had much chance to get out on the bike recently so my plan is to take time off in January to go on a long multi day training ride !!! More details about all this later. As usual I will be raising money for Lupus research (haven't asked anyone for donations for ages!!) I am also looking for fresh sponsorship so if anyone is interested (or knows someone who might be ) please let me know!! Now I just need to get my brother to update my website - and I promise to start writing those blogs again!!

24 Hours in Moab

Title of the Live Tracker should be 24 Hours of Moab - I forgot to ask Matthew to change it before I started - Maybe he will be able to before I finish. Starts at 12 noon Saturday October 6th - through to October 7th!

Set in the enchanted, red rock desert, most of the course is on an old jeep trail, but it's technical enough that you have to pick your lines, carefully if not stategically.

All-in-all, it's a very fast course with several big-chainring sections where you can push 40+ miles an hour. Pro's consistently break the one hour mark on this roughly 15-mile course.   The course has super-fast and super-fun terrain, technical double-track, slick-rock sections, gnarly down-hills, 1,360 feet of climb per lap, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world!

The Cripple Creek Crippler

Part Three of the Triple Crown challenge!  Started at 4am in Cripple Creek. Had gone to bed early and was feeling pretty good!  There were a few more people than in the previous race in he series - we had 207 miles ahead of us with 17000 + feet of climbing!!  The route went immediately uphill at the start and I didn't last too long at all this time  with the serious, fast guys - instead i broke off and was happy to set my own pace!   After a couple of hours riding in the dark the sun came up and the scenery was just amazing!   The road was never flat - uphill/downhill with a bit of a headwind.  There were a lot less towns to ride through - we were pretty much out in the wild!   Then the scenery started to change - the trees disappeared and it became a lot more rocky.  The route was really rolling - then the hills became much steeper as we went towards the Creek.  Finally I reached the half way point feeling pretty good - i hadnt stopped as much - been on my bike a lot longer!! I had eaten well and was generally feeling good!    However at the half way mark we were turned around because a sink hole had suddenly opened up in the road. It should basically have been a loop, then straight down, then another loop and a straight bit back up. It was about half way round that loop that we were turned around!!  One good thing I thought at this point was that the strong headwind would turn into a strong tailwind going back!  Not really - it was for a little bit and every now and then. But generally back in the valley the wind had changed and once again we had a strong headwind!   At least there was a lot more downhilll going back this way! And i was feeling really good - even got pretty excited for a while about how quickly i might be able to finish!!!  Obviously I got more and more tired towards the end. At about 180 mile we turned and started going towards the river - I thought to myself"  This is the Platte River - no way!  cant just be the last 30 miles downhill - that would be way too easy!" then i remembered someone telling me that the last climb was a killer!!   It was a bumpy road down to the river - and then suddenly turned and went steeply uphill!  I now just wanted to finish - I knew that once i got to the top of this hill there must be a good downhill!   I was starting to feel a bit hungry but had run out of food and was low on water.  So i decided the best thing to do was to push hard to get it finished and then i could eat!    So I pushed really hard up that hill - I caught up with another rider - the first I had seen for hours - he too was struggling as he had run out of food.  Luckily a support van came past and at the top of the hill I got some water and a banana.  made me feel a lot better along with knowing it was basically all downhill from this point!   The downhill was indeed really good - i just flew down for about 15 miles - then right at the end there were a few small ups - but they were SO hard at this point!! But there i was at the Finish in a time of about 14hours 38 minutes (or so)  - it was a pretty good time and i was super happy!!  It was so good to be finished and i am looking forward to receiving my Colorado Triple Crown kit!! Pretty cool!  It was a very hard series - about 630 miles in 3 days of riding and over 48000  feet of climbing - nearly up Everest twice!!  A pretty damn good series!!  Loved it!

Colorado Trail Race

Got a ride down to the start from Karen this morning (not too far from where I live in Denver) - arrived about 15 minutes early - there were a LOT of people there - kind of cool. Car park was full with boots open - bikes and gear everywhere!!  Nice weather too - didn't need jackets or anything.  I pretty much had put together my bike last night so all I needed to do was put the front wheel back on and attach the lights to the wheel and I was ready to go!!  Only thing was I now needed the bathroom but it was time for a little speech from the organisers and off we set - out on a dirt road with me now looking for a bathroom!! Of course when i found one and stopped everyone went whizzing past and I am now at the back of the pack :)   We carried along this gravel road probably for about 6 miles and then into the woods for the single track.  Absolutely amazing! A lovely trail zig-zagging back and forth through the woods up the side of the mountain!  A nice climb!!  There were a few tough bits - boulders in the way - and had to walk a little every now and then!  My bike feels a bit too heavy with all the food I have with me - but of course that will get lighter as we go along - that is my plan!!   The climb has been great and I am now sitting at the top of my first big climb (see photo) and getting ready for , hopefully, a good downhill!  I am feeling good - slept well last night - about 8 hours - so that was also good!!  my bike seems a lot better although still a bit of grinding - but apparently that should soon go away!  I guess I will find out!!  

Ready for that downhill!!

Grand Loop Saturday July 28th

Head out and ride with the fast group - planned to do the same as i did on the Death Ride - stay with them until the first big climb and then drop off!  Anyway we set off pretty fast but I stayed with them OK through the early rolling hills.  Then I had a problem with my front light which stopped working - don't know why - thought I had changed the batteries!  So now i was committed to staying with the group, but I can't go up front without a light - so felt a bit bad sitting in the middle of the group.  Going pretty damn quick too!!  Anyway i thought I would just stick with them until the checkpoint - it was OK just a bit quicker than I had planned!!  So I changed the battery, had some food and was ready to continue.  It looked fairly flat up ahead so I decided to maybe try to jump back on with the front leaders.  Almost immediately I realised again that I had no light - the other battery must also have gone!!  So I chased the leaders for about 10 minutes and decided it was safer to stay with them where there were lights.  As we went uphill it began to hurt - I was OK and  if we were  riding100 miles rather than the 200  l would have been happy to stay with them but I knew i had another gruelling race in only two days time!!  So I stayed with them until the sun came up - I didn't need my light now!!  My back lights were fine - I was more worried about being disqualified if I rode alone without a front light!!  Anyway all was now OK in the daylight!!  

Rode the last part of Section 2  - bit of a downhill - into Estes Park and stopped for a McDonalds.  Received a text message from Kendra out of the blue asking where I was - I told her i was about to enter the park and she said she would try to meet me!!  Great!!  So I looked out for her as I continued to ride!  really looking forward to seeing her!  It was a pretty good climb now and i had a good rhythm going - not that steep but long - and very pretty scenery!  Took a picture of a load of deer at the side of the trail.  I felt pretty good, climbing away enjoying the amazing views.  I had probably completed about 20 out of the 25 steady climb when I  saw Jorge and Kendra ahead!!  Great!!  We stopped and chatted for about half hour.  However when i got back on my bike my legs had seized up - I couldn't get back into that good rhythm I had found earlier.  Now it took everything I had just to pedal - and I really struggled to finish the last 5 miles to the top.  It was cold and windy at the top - with snow on the ground - but just incredible views!  Pretty awesome - I would definitely like to return there and go hiking!  Over the top and down a little to the next checkpoint i a car park.  I just sat on the ground for a while, hanging out and eating - also gave me a chance to put on some warm clothes.  Then there was a really great downhill - quite a way - down through the valley with a bit of a headwind - which i had been warned about earlier!  There was another little down before ending up in Granby - i was pretty hungry at this point so found another McDonalds to stop off at.  Back on the bike to Winter Park and a Taco Bell!!  I was feeling pretty good - I kept stopping, hanging out, eating plenty - not caring about the other riders passing!!  The idea today was to take it easy - getting myself ready for the Colorado trail Race on Tuesday!  Got into a good rhythm again and started passing a few riders - into the second biggest climb of the day up to Winter Park Ski Resort.  So there i am, in a good rhythm and i start thinking about flat tyres.  Thought to myself i hope i don't get two flats today as I only have one tube and 1 CO2 canister - and sure enough I get a flat tyre!!  So I changed it really quickly at the side of the road - eager to get back on my bike again.  Hop back but within a mile I get another flat - managed to immediately yell at a rider just ahead who kindly stopped and loaned me a pump and a tube.  This time i sat at the side of the road and inspected the tyre more thoroughly - finding a piece of glass which had caused the trouble.  However I now struggled for the remainder of the climb - just like before unable to get  that rhythm back.  Made it to the top and the next checkpoint!  Charley was there!!  Had some food and a drink - could see rain clouds ahead on the downhill so put on my rain jacket - actually should have put my rain shorts on as well!!  the downhill was awesome - went flying down - steep at first but then flattened out.  But then the rain came - torrential.  I recognised where I was at last- the road we were joined the I70 - which was nice.   Caught up with Mel  from Texas - but he nearly took a wrong turn in the rain - luckily my GPS put us straight!  We rode together for a while - not too close because of the rain but at Idaho Springs I waved him off as i decided to stop for another burger!  I knew there wasn't too much of the ride left now! - the river runs all the way along the I70 and we were on a road parallel to it - and then there would be one more climb up to Evergreen.  Felt great after the Mc Donalds and the hot chocolate.  However i was really cold now when i got back on my bike - I went through the construction zone we had been warned about - it was very gray and miserable and I was now shivering continuously!  It was a good uphill - short but decent up to Evergreen.  I caught up with Mel again and we had a little chat as we carried on.  The weather improved slightly - no sun but at least the rain stopped - then there was a good descent on Look Out Mountain to the finish back in Golden!!  

All in all it was a difficult day - harder than I had expected. The flat tyres were particularly annoying.   Anyway two down now - one more for the Triple Crown - I just want to get my fancy Triple Crown jersey!!!

Colorado Triple Crown Part 2

Here I am at 2am ready for the Corado Triple Crown part 2 (for me).  
The Grand Loop - 200 miles and nearly 16,000 feet of climbing!  I signed up late yesterday and so haven't been receiving the pre race emails and confirmed start time.  The last race I did started at 2am (having been changed from the advertised start of 4am) - so I wasnt too sure today, although it did say 3am online!   So I thought I had better arrive in plenty of time - however at 1.45 am this morning I was the only one here!!      
Managed to get to bed at 8.30 yesterday, having finished work at 7.30 - so not a lot of sleep!  Anyway I am sitting in the car, ready to go - people watching.  People in all stages or readiness - helmets on, shoes on, messing around with their bikes - just making me laugh, sitting here watching the scene!!  Went to Burger King for breakfast earlier - apparently the breakfast menu doesn't start till 3am!  So I had a chicken burger!  I guess I am ready.  About to chuck my gear in the truck and get ready to do this ride!  at least it is a lot warmer than last time - hopefully I am not going to need the fleeces today!  We start off riding towards Boulder - so don't ride a Pass for a while, by which time it should be a bit warmer anyway!!   Well - that's it - another blog later!!

More info here

Part Two to Completion

By now I felt as though I had warmed up and rode really strong for a while - I had eaten enough food and was feeling good!! At the next rest stop I quickly grabbed some Pringles an energy bar and some water and carried on real quick without stopping too long. The stops so far had been pretty close together and I assumed the next one wouldn't be too far when I could stock up again! From this point it was slightly uphill following a river and I was still riding really well - with possibly a slight tailwind. Then after 20 miles cycling uphill I started to run out of food and was getting a bit hungry - at 25 miles I was really hungry and I had no food - I was wondering when the next rest stop would be - I remembered being warned about a long constant climb - I struggled on but it was about 40 miles total uphill until that next stop - by this time I was starving, bonked completely and just felt dreadful! I ended up having to recover at this stop for about half an hour - sitting under a tree just eating and drinking until finally I had enough energy to stand up and realized that I had better carry on going! Quite a few people had passed me during this time. So I carried on and the ride continued uphill - climbed and climbed! Got steeper and steeper towards the end! Finally the scenery started to change - was a lot more open and I finally made it to the top! It was a killer! That must have been a good 50 miles of constant uphill. Had some food and drink and felt better as I headed off on the downhill - just for a while - there followed another short climb and surprisingly I felt pretty good going up! Then there was a really nice long downhill into Telluride where I stopped right at 200 miles - a nice stop in a little town - double century! Only trouble was that there had been a headwind going down into the canyon and I was struggling. I was stoping often and eating trying to get enough energy to just get through it!! 25 miles left - I knew there was a final pass to get through - ended up a good 10 mile climb not too steep but at this stage in the day it was really hard work - wind was swirling - mainly headwind. I finally reached the top and I was so relieved - view here was incredible - 10 miles to go now and I was hoping it would all be downhill. I was so exhausted I don't think I could have climbed any more. Going downhill now - still having to pedal because of the headwind - only trouble for me was I was looking at the total number of feet climbed and total descended and I expected them to match by the finish - and yet I got to the point where my descent total was now greater than my ascent. All I could think that for every 100 feet extra I now went down I would have to climb before the end - 100, 200, 300 feet - but I could still see the signs saying I was near the end. Finally I turned a corner and could see the traffic lights marking the end. Looks likes that might have been a Garmin error but I was pretty worried there for a while!! It was great to just roll back into the hotel - a few people there to provide a few cheers and had my photo taken. That was one hell of a ride. Had a quick shower and a drink (protein shake) but when we sat down for a steak I felt awful - everything caught up with me. We had decided to drive straight back to Vail that night - couple of hours drive. That was so hard - I was overheating and couldn't stretch my legs enough - a very painful drive home. So good to arrive though - fell asleep the second my head touched the pillow!!! Official Death Ride report click here

Colorado Death Ride - July 1 2012

This blog was recorded as Paul was cycling! After 4/5 hours sleep I was up and ready at about 1 am this morning. Headed down and registered for the 2 am start - it was freezing cold, as warned! I definitely didn't get enough sleep - always difficult to go to bed so early! But nevertheless I was keen to get going. I decided I would try to follow the quickest guy from last year for the first 10 miles until the climb. He went off pretty quick and so I followed in the pitch back. There ended up being a group of 4 of us riding pretty damn fast until the climb. When we reached this point my plan was to slow down and let them go but I got chatting with them so stayed with them a while longer! But my heart rate was now 180 so I decided to slow down a little after the 10 mile climb! It was kind of fun though being out there on my own in the pitch dark - in those first 20 miles we had climbed 3650 feet. Hadn't put enough clothes on though - for the downhill I was shivering so much I was wobbling my handlebars - not good. At the bottom I was so cold I ended up sitting in the car for a while to warm up - then headed out - still dark. There followed another pretty good climb and then at the top the sun started to come out. Really nice, amazing views - up at 10500 feet - on the next good downhill it started to warm up at last - all the way down to the second checkpoint in Durango! My stomach had not been feeling great - think it just takes a while to get used to all this exertion - so I then stripped out of all my warm clothes - down to shorts and shirt - had some food and took my multivitamins - and was ready to head out again! I started to feel a lot better after all that - seems like the usual thing - I am riding faster than a few people but then I stop more to eat and so they overtake me when I stop. Then at 110 miles I stopped again for some more food - feeling pretty good now. Just over 7 hours so not too bad. Now I have just passed the half way mark - I am on my own - there was a bit of a headwind this morning going up that first climb and there is one now but as we are riding a big loop hopefully that means there will be a tail wind later!! I am feeling pretty good - I just tried to ride with a guy but it didn't work out - I was going a bit too quick for him - but I know there are two guys ahead of me - maybe if I catch them up I can ride with them for a while - be nice to get a bit of a break from the wind!!

Death Ride

Drove to Ridgeway today (Friday)ready for the start of the Colorado Death Ride tomorrow at 2 am - 225 miles, 16000 feet of climbing! I will be using my SPOT so hopefully you will be able to track me! There was a meeting a little earlier and supposedly it is going to be 40 degrees in Silverton in the morning! Should be interesting. The guy who organises it all spoke at the meeting - he completed the ride in just over 12 hours last year - slowest was 16 - I have up to 19 hours to get a recorded time!! Sounds like fun! I have all my stuff laid out so am just off to bed ready for a 1 am wake up! Am excited and a bit nervous. Looking forward to riding my road bike - fairly confident it is all in good working condition ( why was I hearing some clonking sounds earlier?) Good night!

No More Tour Divide

Last night's cycle consisted of 10 minutes feeling good, 1 hour feeling bad, 10 minutes good, 1 hour bad ..........      The brakes were driving me mad - every time I came to stop I would pull the brake and nothing happened.  Its just how I usually stop - unclip my left foot and brake with my right hand. Its just how I do it!  Of course then I wouldn't actually stop just end up dragging  my foot along the ground while I remembered what was happening.  Just had to think about it!!
Get to the top of a  climb - downhill - just take it easy! Then there would be a track so I would let myself go and then there would be a sharp corner which I would end up skidding around, just about managing not to fall! It just meant I had to go slowly down a really good downhill - I remember this particular one from last year - when I lost my flip flops - it was a great one - so I was bummed to have to take it slowly.  
Everything now hurts - being annoyed and upset seems to make my ankle hurt even more - I have mouth ulcers, numb hands, cuts on my face and nose - feel like a complete mess.  
At the bottom of the hill I sat under the bridge for a while - not too sure why but I did. Had another muffin and looked at the route.  I knew the next hill would be horrible.  I remember it from last year - up a grass bank to the top of the mountain and then straight down a grassy bank the other side - more an animal track than a trail.  This was the one the guy in the bike shop warned me against - he said I would have to hike it down.  A hairy descent!!    While  looking at the map I noticed the highway underneath would take me back to Butte and looked fairly flat.  Then I also realised that I still had a hotel room in Butte that I had already paid for as I had checked in in the morning.  Butte also had an airport with flights to Denver.  Then I also realised that I was not going to finish this ride........  I could go on further but would probably still have to stop assuming the problems with my bike were going to continue.   Best case scenario would be to take a few days off to get my bike repaired but that would put me so far behind my planned time for this ride and I simply could not afford those extra days - there is no point for me to just carry on just to say I have finished without worrying about how long that would take.  Realistically I now knew I was not going to finish - and the further I went the more difficult and expensive it would be to get home again.

Nothing seems to be working out for me on this trip and that seems to be emphasising the pain my body is feeling.  If my bike was working I could cope with my ankle and everything else - maybe if my ankle was not so bad I would cope better with my bike?   I just feel like throwing my bike off the cliff just now!  

So - two o'clock in the morning and I decide I have had enough - I ride back to Butte and check into the hotel again.

Next morning everything hurts!  Maybe my body is just not up to this ride? I dont mind riding for months on end as long as I get to eat well.  Eating has been a huge problem for me.  Some people on the trail can get by on a power bar for breakfast, ride a few miles and have a good meal and then ride again till its time to camp and then get up for their power bar!!  Not me!  The night I camped I had 3 sandwiches and tons of snacks and still woke up in the morning feeling hunger sick!!  i then stil had to stop every 10/20 minutes for a snack till I found somewhere for breakfast!! Camping out for prolonged periods requires too much food - so maybe I am just not suited to this sort of ride - I thought I woull dbe but it seems not!  Well - thats how I feel right now anyway!!  

I feel happy enough with my decision and manage to book a flight home to Denver.  Going to take a few days to recover and get my bike sorted out!  One thing I have realised is that I am quite good at riding non stop for 24 hours straight - so I am going to try a few 24 hour bike races and see if I am better suited to them.  There are actually three races I have my eye on.  I also rather like the idea of the Colorado Trail Race - sam kind of idea as the Tour Divide but only 500 miles - might be better. People complete in 4 - 8 days.  Will set my expectations a little lower and just see how I get on.

Thank you very much to everyone for their support again - mum and dad have been wonderful - always supporting me in my stupidity. Also thanks to a great friend who I talked to every day and who helped me through it all.

Am already looking forward to the next challenge!!

I

Reflections from a Ditch

Things are finally getting better.  I am sitting in a ditch in the dark at the top of a mountain.  Finally started to feel like I want to be here again and stuffing my face with a muffin.  10 to 11 - I've had one hell of an afternoon.  
Bumped in to John again at another restaurant while I was waiting for my bike which was really nice. then I headed off to the bike shop to get my repaired bike and get back into this race!  Bad news - bad, bad news!!  They have been working on my brakes the whole time, but the problem was that they had not been set up correctly.  The pad was only rubbing on half the disc so half had worn away - the other half was rubbing on the other pad. So when i squeezed by brakes the two pads were simply touching against each other and nothing was actually happening - no braking that is.  The more I have been squeezing has cause the pistons to bend - so they couldn't move in and out.  They thought they had managed to sort this but when I tried the piston then got completely stuck and would not move in or out.  They were able to get the piston so that i tis now permanently stuck in - in other words I have no front brakes.  Unfortunately they had no spares in the shop or any other suggestions except "Good luck"  So after another 4 hours I am no better of.  So I headed off down the road knowing the situation is not idea - and I am destroyed headwise.  Up the road now and everything is annoying me about the bike. The gears continually make aso much noise and shift themselves every now and then. The bottom bracket is broken probably from me standing so much to try to alleviate the  gear problem. It makes a clickety click noise. My bike is quite musical in fact - but not in  a good way.  One hell of a struggle all round - thought about giving up, turning round, looking for a highway, stopping in Colorado.  Really struggling.  After 4 hours of this I finally feel a little better. I want to try not to stand so much (apart from damage to the bike its killing me) - try to carry on pedalling in a lower gear and pedal easier.  That grinding noise - feels like the gears are adding resistance to an already heavy bike - and thats whats really annoying me.  But thats how it is - cant be helped right now!

 So here I am in the middle of nowhere, no lights to be seen, pitch black - but at least quite open for a change rather than in trees.  But I know coming up soon I hike up a mountain and there is a very steep downhill the other side - I remember it from last year and was also warned about it by the guy in the bike shop. He told me I woul dhave to hike down it without any front brakes.  So - theres a challenge to look forward to!!

Trouble with Brakes

Every time I am climbing one of these passes I am expecting it to be the one I really hated last year!  With an awful section on the other side!! So I never know until I go across the top!!    Anyway I was quite enjoying myself and the three passes went well and there was a good downhill into Helena where I stopped at Hardees and ran into a few other riders.  I ate with them - one had a broken pedal, the other a swollen knee!  They were going to get a hotel room.  Then I saw the English guy ride by again - I knew he was going to stop also as I had passed him earlier and he had a slow puncture!!I ate and then got ready to set off - my plan was to ride all day and all night - I felt pretty good leaving town - a guy that did it last year came and chatted for a while which was nice and then another couple of ladies had a sign and were out cheering - again that was really nice.  Kind of fun!   There was a good dirt road climb out of town and a really cool sunset - orange colours bouncing off everywhere.  The it got dark and things began to get  lot more interesting.  The climb took a right hand turn which I couldn't see so had to hunt around for that for a while.  Ended up on a 4 wheel drive trail - big rocks everywhere - difficult to ride. Big valleys where the water drained.  Bit of a disaster to ride in the dark.  My dynamo light is great - trouble is when you stop in the pitch black in the woods the light goes off of course - all I had was  tiny LE light - all in all a bit unnerving - I was a bit afraid up there in the total darkness all on my own.  Wondering where on earth I was.  I pushed and pushed to get through and eventually made it out of the woods.  Looking at the map I was expecting 2 more ups and downs - they were hard work. And then on a downhill my front brake stopped working completely.  I tried to take a look at it in the dark using my little light - took it apart - put my water bottle down at the side. Realised it had not been set up properly - not much I could do about it now so I put it back together and set off again.  Of course I left my water bottle behind!!  Struggled to get over the next hills - really was not having a good time.  Kept expecting a downhill. expecting a downhill which never came, it never came.  Finally there was a good downhill into Basin.   Only half of my night's ride completed.  I was exhausted.  However at least the second half from Basin to Butte was a lot easier - followed a nice path along the highway for a while, then a train track through a tunnel and then out on to a rod next to the highway. The sun had come up by now and I was just exhausted.  Struggling to pedal, had to keep stopping to warm my hands, in a really easy gear.  Really hungry and thirsty.  57 miles had taken 12 hours - I had enough food and drink for about 9/10. When the sun came up the temperature dropped - had to keep stopping to warm my hands .  Finally there was a bit of a downhill into Butte - went straight to Dennys for some food - poor lady there must have wondered what was wrong with me.  After breakfast I found myself a hotel room and passed out!!  I remember the staff kept asking to clean my room - I'd only just checked in!!!!   After a good sleep I am now up and have just taken my bike to the shop. Front brake is not working at all and they know nothing about my gears in there. They say it might take some time to repair the brakes - great!!  So I am just off to the Ace Hardware store to buy some more screws to sort out my aero bars - then hopefully I will get my bike and be ready to set off again!!

Smelly!

Having another break!   Have just realised it's pretty impressive how disgusting I smell - even though I stayed in a hotel last night and took a shower.   I guess its my bike gear thats really smelling!  It's windy so I keep catching a whiff as I am riding - phew!!   Since I last blogged it has been a steady climb in the sun - rather nice - but I am now hungry.  I didnt expect that little detour so am now really looking forward to my next meal!!

My New Frame Bag

A reminder to self:  next time you buy a cheeseburger to go and plan on keeping it in your pocket for two days, don't get lettuce!!  
So this morning met John the English guy again - keep bumping in to him - yesterday we had dinner together - in fact I think the tyre tracks ahead belong to him! We had breakfast together which was nice ( he had camped the night before in the Pass and got soaked riding in to town). Anyway he left and I went to the Post Office to pick up my supplies and frame bag. In my room I fitted the bag - fits perfectly - only trouble is I now have too much room - I dont know what to do with all the extra space.  So I end up repacking and reorganising every bag - bit confused for a while!!   I also had to reposition my water bottles on the suspension fork because the strap was in the way.  All this took ages.  Finally left to go to the hardware store to buy some waterproof gloves - also wanted to make my aero bars higher.  In the store I got carried away with the lady trying to find the correct screws to use that I completely forgot about the gloves.  So at last I set off - flat road for about 10 miles - then the rain came - typical.   This is when I realised I had forgotten the gloves.    For some reason I had my head down and my GPS on data instead of the map - I climbed a wet, slippery, muddy road - hard to get any traction - slipping all over the place.   Finally reached the top to find a bathroom - brilliant!  So I go in and put some warm clothes on, hanging out a little - then of course I look at the map and realise I am in the wrong spot.  I was going completely the wrong way - so  I turn round for the 5 miles back to  the turning I should have taken!!    Funnily enough I remember looking at that turning - don't know why I didn't think to check the map at that time.  So - on the right road again - pretty hard - steep and slippery.  However as soon as I got to the top the sun came out - like being in a completely different place - glorious sunshine!!  Really good long downhill - although I was a bit worried about my bottle holder zip tied to the suspension fork.  Maybe I can sort that out at the next hardware store and remember the gloves this time.   My hands are freezing.  Just met a nice man at the side of the road - said how he likes to watch the riders - and there were two people just ahead of me.  Also showed me a well where I could fill up my water bottles with some clean water for a change!!  Then I did a few more miles along the road and now I am having a picnic.  Very windy though - strong headwind and my ankle hurts a bit.  I need food and some ibuprofen!!

Ovando to Lincoln

Just before arriving in Ovando there was a sudden torrential downpour which put a bit of a dampener on my determination to carry on to Lincoln.  Didnt even have time to put my rain gear on so I got soaked.  However after food and talking to the others I felt a lot better!  
So - 40 miles to Lincoln - hopefully would arrive by 1am.  I bought myself a cheeseburger to go and packed it in my backpack. At least I would have some food when I arrived.  Headed out - feeling really sore for the first section - waiting for the ibuprofen to kick in.  But at least it was a fairly flat smooth road and so I arrived in good time.  We had been told by a guy we met travelling in the opposite direction on our last hike that that was it - no more snow!  Really hope this is the case - we must have hiked more than 20 miles through the snow so far!   Huckleberry Pass will be the test.  Turned out to be a nice steady climb - I felt really strong climbing up giggling to myself at the difference in how I felt.  This morning I just wanted to go to bed, quit, go home - stupidest thing I had ever done in my whole life. By late afternoon I was convinced that this is great/awesome and if I just try a little harder I can even catch the leaders (OK so that part is now delusional I know) - but you get the gist.     2 hours to the top of the climb - I couldnt believe it - rolled over the top as it is getting dark.  Then it started to rain - bit of a bummer.  Put my rain gear on and then there was a good downhill in the dark including two small climbs so made it to Lincoln in plenty of time - just after 11 pm - couldnt believe it.  Found a hotel, asked about food - answer was no. Well I always had my burger.   However a very nice lady offered to do some hot dogs for me - with beans!!   I was then ready for a good night's sleep!!

More Snow!

By this stage sitting beside the bonfire I had made I am feeling really sorry for myself.  I had had enough!  What was I doing?  This is stupid.  My ankle hurts.   Every negative thought you can think of.   The fire cheered me up a little - I grilled my cheese sandwich and I slowly started to feel better. I pretty much repacked my bike and I was there for quite a while - probably a good hour - just messing around - playing with stuff.   Finally I felt good enough to leave - and rode pretty well from then onwards.  It wav a fairly good rolling road and I made good time all the way through the rest of the day.  Then I came to the section where I got super lost last year - so I really concentrated and made my way through easily.  Then I realised we weren't actually riding the bit I got lost on after all!!  It was a different route!  
Had a good climb - a big one - up and up until I hit the snow.  I am so fed up of hiking through snow.  My bike's not light and its just way too much hard work!   So trudging uphill thinking I have to climb 200 maybe 400 feet in this.  This snow was different to the rest - more sunbaked.  But the hike went OK. On the way up I was caught by two other riders - one of them was also suffering from a swollen ankle so we were able to compare notes!   Over the top of the hike and the down was quite steep.  But at least it is a sunny day!  We got a bit lost at the top.  Then we were able to pick up speed - hopped on the bike at the end of the track and flew downhill.  Then the trail flattened out and I was able to ride well into Ovando feeling really good.   I pulled into the cafe I remembered from last year only to find it closed - but a helpful guy ran out and directed us to another place up the road.  It was a mini Tour Divide reunion.  Several guys who were cyclo touring round the US - two of them fellow Brits - and then 4 more riders arrived - everyone is talking about making it to Lincoln - about 40 miles away over Huckleberry Pass - a 5/6 hour trip.  So I am just eating and then getting ready to do just that!!

 

Cabs and Campfires

Morning of Day 5:              After an interesting night's sleep in the beat up old truck I got up and was just freezing.  I had set my alarm to wake me after 2 hours but that never happened.  I was so cold and really couldn't move much inside the cab - it was so small.  There were two seats with a huge gap between them and a gear lever in the middle which I managed to lay across all night.  No idea how.  I guess when you're that tired you can sleep anywhere!!I then rode for a while this morning - unfortunately my ankle is killing.  My ankle always hurts on these rides and its normally my achilles and usually hurts for a couple of days - I ignore it and the pain goes away.  This time its different - feels as though I may have twisted it - maybe hiking through the snow or maybe it is my achilles which has caused the whole ankle to swell.  I remember it being really swollen when I rode Land's End to John o Groats - but I could ignore that knowing I was nearly finished.   So I dont really know what to do - keep struggling on I guess.  Rode with another guy for a while.  Then stopped to eat my cold cheese sandwich.  then I decided I would find a good spot to stop and build a little fire, warm up my sandwich for breakfast.  So that's what I am doing right now.   Then I plan to try to repack my bag - get rid of some stuff I don't need.  Then there's a pretty good hill coming up this afternoon so I'd better get on with that!!     BYE!

Bike Shop and Beyond!

So I carried on hiking through the snow - I clocked it so know that it was 2.8 miles, followed by a short  section where I could ride and then another trek in the snow to make it about 4 miles of hiking at that time.   Was quite nice in the snow though as it was a lot brighter - before that it was pitch black - couldn't see anything at all.  There could have been a bear right next to me and I wouldn't have known! So at least in the snow I could see around me a little more.  After that there wasn't much of a downhill - it was more rolling.  Finally I was out on to a tarmac road and feeling pretty good - I was making sure that I ate a snack every half hour and drinking a bottle every hour - seemed to be working.  Made it into town and found a bike shop although it was too early to be open yet - looked up and there was a cafe across the road.  Ordered breakfast and then went to the washroom where I found a laundry machine - brilliant!! - my morning couldn't get any better!!  Did my laundry and took the bike to the shop for repair - they let me sleep in their storeroom while they worked on it - for about an hour and a half. I didnt actually sleep but lay down and rested.

Then I headed back out on to the trail.  It wasn't actually a great morning riding - struggling against a headwind - but felt happy enough - riding past a lady all geared up and sporting the British flag made me smile - we said "hello" briefly!!  It was hard work and my stomach didn't feel great again - I was struggling to eat - which was a shame after feeling so good last night.  Lunchtime I found a restaurant but again struggled through a bowl of chicken noodle soup. 3 more bikers came in and I chatted with them - they said there was a campground about 50 miles along - the next town was 127 miles away. The campground sounded like a plan so i headed off again.  Finally felt a little better - sticking to my previous eating plan - so am feeling pretty good again.  It was a long ride - I was looking for the camp site and getting a little worried - there were a lot of bear droppings everywhere and I am carrying a lot of food with me so I do not want to camp by the side of the road.  Can't really remember where the campsite should be - so when I turn a corner and see a big old truck I think to myself "That could be good". I try the door and it opens.  So right now I am inside this old truck in the middle of a field ready to bed down on the front seat - I feel nice and safe!!  I am planning on grabbing 2 hours sleep and then continuing.  There is a big Pass to go over and then down to the next town.   I have ridden quite a lot in the last 24 hours and so am ready for some sleep before I start riding again!!

Day 3 Still No Bears!!

Well I decided to tell you about my day as I travel along  - its 5.30 in the morning and I am currently at the top of a mountain, hiking through the snow on day 3 of the TDA - whoops I mean Tour Divide - get the right trip Paul!!    ( I am recording this blog and will later email it to mum for her to write up!). 

Woke at the casino after an hour's sleep feeling dead - so tried to get a room. Nothing available at the first place I tried so went for breakfast instead with a lady who was also sleeping in the casino!  After breakfast she headed off and I found a room. Everything I have was soaked so I strung it all out around the room and went to sleep. Woke at about 12 and was going to start riding then but thought about it and decided that would mean that I would arrive at about midnight ( it was about 100 miles to the bike shop and there was no point trying to go further until my bike was repaired!). At that time everywhere would be closed.  So I decided on a change of plan - I would sleep all day and leave at about 8pm and plan on arriving at about 8am.  This way I would be able to find somewhere for food and then drop my bike off for repair - hopefully they would be able to fix the hub for me!!   

So I went back to bed - I still had left over pizza from the night before so every time I woke I would have a slice of pizza and a drink!! So by the time I actually got up I felt pretty good. Ate a sub and set off at 8pm feeling good.  I also made a plan to make sure I had something to eat every half hour all day and drink a bottle of water every hour!! I've been sticking to that plan all night and I do feel a lot better.  It's been a good ride - kind of strange totally in the dark - seen a lot of signs warning about bears and bear poo all over the road - luckily haven't seen an actual bear though!! 

Think I am getting to the end of this hike and then it should be 30 miles downhill to White Fish and breakfast time which I am really looking forward to.  Feeling much happier and looking forward to getting back on track when my bike is repaired.  The gears are still all messed up so I have simply not been using those ones - I stay in the good ones and stand up when I need to go up a hill.  Seems to work OK - however hopefully I will be able to get them fixed as I don't think that strategy will work in Colorado!!  Bye!!

Tour Divide Day 1 Part 1

Started the day with a breakfast sandwich at the same bakery Tori and I ate at last year. Unlike last year I was actually able to eat and enjoy this time! Super excited!  Town is funny - bikes loaded up everywhere - outside every shop and restaurant - people all over the place.  Looks like there are going to be a lot of people out on the trail.    So I headed on up to the Y.  There were people everywhere - every sort of bike you could think of - some with tons of stuff and some with not very much.  There was a guy with a trailer, a couple on a tandem - it was great!  Guy called Larry who set us off last year took a photograph ( who was that who stood up in front of me just as it was taken??) He rode us out last year but seems his bike is broken so someone else had the honour.  We left early at about 10 to 8.  Me on my brand new bike - which I haven't had a chance to try out! Almost immediately I am aware the gears do not sound quite right. The day before I had concentrated on setting up my lights and USB phone charger and all sorts of other stuff.  When I rode a little it was in the higher gears which were fine so I didn't even consider there might be a problem.  Of course it is the lower gears which are grinding like crazy.  Probably at this point I should have returned and got it sorted but of course I didn't - I carried on.

I felt great and had a good first day - felt really happy.  It was a tough day however - raining as soon as we got a little higher.  Good trail down to the rest stop though. I had forgotten where it was - thought it was earlier  then thought I had missed it so stopped to fill my bottle from a tap only to find the stop just round the corner.  Didn't really matter - by this time it was pouring with rain - I stopped in the washroom to put on my waterproofs.  It was pretty miserable.   Made it to Elkford - last year I stopped at a restaurant here - this time I carried on past to the garage to buy some snacks.  There was a crowd at the garage trying to decide whether to carry on or not. We were told it was snowing up at the Pass - I carried on.  I don't remember the hill out of Elkford being anywhere near as  long - seemed to take forever.  And then on to dirt - a long dirt road down to Scarwood - probably about an hour ahead of last year at this point.  Did push pretty hard though as I was trying to keep to 10 mph - but feel I probably pushed a little too hard and suffered later.  When I arrived at Scarwood I really wanted to find some food but there was nothing open and that's where I suffered.   So I found a hotel room and went to bed!!

Tour Divide Day 2 in the Snow

I had planned on leaving a lot earlier but that never happened and in the end I woke just in time for breakfast so worked out well! All my gear was really soaked somI hadmhadmtomwash and dry it - it wasn't quite dry when I got up so I just hung out for a while to give it a little more time! As I headed out my bike really began to sound bad - gears 1 through 8 were grinding. Feels like on a spin bike in the gym - that sort of resistance. I also notice that my chain is really slack - not sure why but it needs adjusting. The worse thing today is that I just didn't seem to have any energy - maybe because I didn't eat last night - although I had a good breakfast and have plenty of snacks with me. In fact I have been eating them like crazy all day and yet still don't seem to have any energy. Tried to ride a little more cautiously than energy - maybe I was a bit too quick? But just can't seem to get going. Then I reached Pass 1 with a great hike through the snow with more falling. There was then a good descent to another long winding road and then another challenging pass where I had to push the bike up through the snow, hike across the top and then down. I knew it was a 100 mile day and I kind of thought at was the end of it - assumed there would now be a gravel road all the way to the border and although I was a little slower than planned I was pleased with my progress. Couldn't have been more wrong! the trail went further and further down and then suddenly there was a sharp right hand turn onto nothing more than an animal trail it seems. I can see one set of tyre tracks so I continue - end up wading across two rivers and thinking to myself this just can't be right. Getting worried. The weather all day has been miserable and I am soaked to the skin and I am now wading through more water. So I turn around and go back. And end up on a dirt track that seems to parallel where I want to go- turns right when I want to - just seems to be about half a mile off - I assume I must have dean my line wrong in my GPS. Then it turns completely the wrong way and starts heading in the opposite direction to where I want to be and now I am getting really really worried - why would the be two trails so close? And then this one dead ends!! I nearly burst into tears at this point - I was having the worst day ever anyway and now I had gone the wrong way!! So I turned round and rode as quickly as possible to try to get back to the right path before it got dark. I now see another set of tyre marks so am happy this is the right path. I decide now would be a good time to have something to eat and just as I stop I get a flat - my back tyre just exploded! Could this day get any worse? My bike sounds awful ........... Anyway I fix the tyre, have some food and head off again. It's a hike - across the rivers, then up through the woods - impossible to ride - its a hike - and then it goes straight uphill! It would have been a difficult hike with poles and walking boots - just imagine it with a laden bike! Anyway I eventually ended up on a road which was great. Of course all this time in the woods I am scared of bears so I have been ringing my bell, blowing my whistle and singing to myself - just making as much noise as possible. Good to be on the road again!  

The road begins to get steeper and steeper and I realise its another up and over!  Up and up until I am in the snow again - this time the worst of the lot! Trekking through a foot of snow, in the dark as the snow continues to fall - still ringing my bell!   I passed some people camping at the side of the trail - but I am determined to make it through - I do NOT want to camp - everything I own is soaked through.  I did open my bag earlier to pull out my down jacket and thats when I realised that everything - sleeping bag - everything - is absolutely soaked - there is no way I can camp  - I would freeze to death!  So I keep pushing, hiking for hours through the snow - and finally get out the other side to the downhill.   My gloves were soaked so I took them off - but my fingers were so cold they feel like they are going to fall off. I go as fast as I can for a mile or so and then stop to try to warm my fingers in my pockets - and repeat the process. I finally make it to the border and cross at 2am.  The security officer asks what I am doing at this hour - "Same as all the other riders" I answer!!He tells me the bar closes at 2am so I quickly run across and luckily just in time - a very kind lady let me buy some crisps and a can of pop or soda or whatever its called here in the US!!! Too tired to know!  So then I set off to complete another 15 miles to Eureka hoping to find somewhere to dry out!  My bike is now sounding really bad but I arrive safely - however I couldn't find the promised 24 hour garage to buy some food and the hotel was closed. However I then find another hotel/casino with an open door and inside I find a couple of riders in a corner in their sleeping bags and  the cleaning lady said I was welcome to also sleep there on the floor but we would have to move at 5am when the manager arrived!  It was 3.30am!  She then offered to get me a pizza - brilliant I thought. However I ended up having to wait half an hour for this pizza - and I was SO tired - but eventually lay down for an hour!!

Tour Divide Day 1 Part 2

Part 1 will be added later!!! A little about my bike- at the end of the first day I am really liking it. The only thing is that the bottle cages managed to work loose - exactly the same thing happened on the first day last year funnily enough!! So I had to stop to take them off and then reset tightening all the screws etc. Then I realized that my dynamo light that runs off the front hub, although it works wonderfully, the only trouble is that where I placed it when I turn on my suspension as it bounces my bag then pushes the light down so that it is shining straight at my front wheel. This meant I couldn't use my suspension - I am going to have to alter that as soon as I get a chance! Also as I was in a hurry when I put my aero bars on I didn't quite get the pads at the right angle so when I lean on them it feels as if I am falling off!! So yes a few last minute adjustments which I would have been able to sort out if I'd had my bike back earlier and actually practiced on it!! But all in all it seems really good and I am enjoying it. Must be a very different angle than my other bike though as my bum hurts in a different place ........ Ah well!

Canada At Last June 7 2012

Eventually arrived at Tori's last night - she gave me the handle bar bag she had made (great!) and lent me a half frame bag - so bike is now looking really good with all the bags fixed.  Was still worried about my lights and USB charger - just couldn't get it all to work properly - but thinking about it in bed I finally figured out a way to attach them securely and so did that this morning!  Also I was worried about controlling the lights - thought I might have to add a switch - but I worked out that I had to stop it to make it stay off (I know that doesn't make sense but I know what I mean) - I will tell you more about my set up later down the road!          Anyway after wiring everything up Tori gave me a lift to Banff - we stopped off at a bike shop she knows on the way and they gave me some shims for my tri bars as they were being held on with inner tubes and were wobbling a bit.  After leaving me at my hotel room Tori returned to Calgary and I was able to play around with a few things on the bike - the tri bars were still wobbling but eventually I found a washer which seemed to do the job!      So am happy with that!  Just also added some  little leashes to all my water bottles so they don't fall off on the road!  The bike is ready to go!   It's funny here in town - there are bikes and bags all over the place!  Just returned from eating steak and eggs and am getting ready for   good night's sleep!  8am start in the morning!!!!

Stuck in Seattle June 6, 2012

Spent a very hectic day (yesterday) in Denver trying to get the few last minute things together - a few items I never did receive in the post - am missing a phone holder, a watch and most importantly the frame bag I ordered - rather an essential piece of equipment!!  Found out the frame bag is still at the bike shop so they are going to forward it to me en route!!   Finally picked up my bike about an hour before I had to leave - rode it the mile home - it seemed great but obviously couldn't really tell!!  Let's hope!  Arrived at the airport to find my first flight had been delayed - however when I checked the board again it was no longer delayed - nearly missed it!   However when I arrived at Seattle I discovered my second flight really was delayed due to bad weather - eventually set off to spend an hour in the air flying through turbulence only for the pilots to decide we needed to turn round and fly back through the same turbulence to Seattle!    So now here I am stuck in Seattle - spent the night in a hotel and I should fly out later today at 3pm.   Rather annoying as I am sat here in a hotel room with a million things to do but unable to do any of them! So I will just have to hang out for the day - should get to Calgary to meet Tori at about 6 pm this evening, when hopefully I can start  to put my bike together properly and get myself ready!  
 
  Of course my phone charger is packed in the box with my bike so it will soon die.  All I have with me is a small backpack with my passport, wallet, phone and GPS - not even a toothbrush!!  What a fun 24 hour layover!! Rather crazy - makes me laugh really - tried my best to get there early and have plenty of time to get ready - and then all this happens!! Ah well - I will just have to spend today eating!!

Last Minute Preparations

The last few days I have been busy trying to get my bike and supplies ready for the Tour Divide.  I eventually managed to get the maps sorted and transferred to my Garmin  - despite the fact my computer has been in pieces the last few weeks - I plugged what was left of it into my TV screen and a miracle happened!!     As mentioned in my last post I have signed up for the time trial at Vail Pass next Sunday - thought it woul dbe fun and wanted to compare my time with the pros - as they did the same TT course in last year's US Proc Cycling Challenge.  Should be fun - its quite short - about 10 miles - so about an hour or so!!.  Then that will probably be my last chance to ride until Canada.  Unfortunately my new bike i sstill at the bike shop - just waiting on a few things - which is a shame as I was hoping to actually ride it a few times before the Tour!!  But doesn't look like that is going to happen - so fingers crossed it all works!!                
         
By the way - well done mum and dad for completing their first 5K run today!!!

Vail Pass

Last Sunday itwas a friend's birthday and to celebrate a group of us decided to ride Vail Pass.. We set off from Edwards - it was about a 30 mile ride - but the middle section would be where next week's time trial is to take place - so it was good to see the course and how big the climb is.   Super windy on the ride though - strong headwind on the way up - and my friends warned me it would be the same on the way down !  No way - couldnt possibly be - but guess what? Somehow they were right and there was indeed a strong headwind on the descent also!!  Pretty tiring ride overall - I didn't realise how tiring till after the shower when I got home - I was exhausted!!  But it was fun - really great to ride with a group again!!  And yes - the birthday party afterwards was great fun also!!

Preparing for 2012 Tour Divide

Not too far away now and I am definitely getting excited!  Excited by the fact that I am at last feeling a lot better - excited by the prospect of making a good start on the Tour Divide this time!!       I am in the process of putting together a new bike which I think will be perfectly suited to Tour Divide - something that people before have used with a few modifications of course - more about that later in a future blog!   It's been rather like christmas as all the various components have been arriving!   Also am getting together the bags and other equipment I will be taking with me  and looking at the route and planning how to tackle it.  Of course I have also been training - not only riding in the mountains but also some sleep deprivation training - which is very hard - find myself very tired/falling asleep!!  Quite funny really!  But all good training!!   Really can't wait to start!   Can't wait to get back to Canada and meet up with Tori again - Tour D'Afrique friend who completed the Tour Divide last year - she doesn't plan to repeat it this year but is helping me get to the start line!  She has started up her own bike bag company so I will be testing some of her prototypes!!  I will be blogging about that later!!  
No snow on the passes this year which means no detours and that we will be able to race the original Great Divide route - and this means I will be able to compare my Finish time with Matthew Lee's record!  Should be fun - can't wait!  
Did I say I was excited to be putting my bike together??   The frame is sitting in my living room,  the wheels are on their way, the cranks and suspension fork are with the bike shop!!  Hopefully by next weekend it should be ready to take out on a test ride!!   Other than that I am looking in pretty good shape as far as organisation goes ..................   more later!!

Get Up and Ride National Challenge

Get Up and Ride

This challenge is now well underway - having started May 1, but it's not too late for you to join in.  Just follow the link above to find out more!

I have been cycling the 27 miles (uphill in Denver) to and from work most days and trying to add a few training miles to that distance as well!!

Am now firmly settled in Denver for a while, having bought a house here (which needs a little attention).  However that wont be stopping me from travelling to places worldwide as I continue to participate in various endurance events!!

The last 12 months have been difficult for me as I am not used to being less than healthy and below peak fitness.  However if nothing else it has given me a greater appreciation of life for my sister and all those who suffer from Lupus and similar diseases and also made me even more determined to get back on the road/track/mountain!!

More news later about this year's Tour Divide and Paul's 100 Mile Challenge!!

Boston Marathon/TDA Reunion

Now there's a confusing title. No I am not running the Boston Marathon as I am in Kefalonia, Greece for a TDA reunion organised by fellow rider Bastiaan. More about that later!!

Would like to offer support to an amazing person - Janice St Hilaire, who is running in the Boston Marathon today. Janice has always supported all my ventures - but today is facing her own challenge! She has trained hard for the last 4 years to get to this point and I wish her every success today. Enjoy the day, Janice and take care in this heat - the elite runners have already set off at a slowish pace in respect for the conditions today! Janice is wearing Bib # 21804 and is running to support the American Liver Foundation!

Get Up and Ride

Today in Washington at the National Bike Summit Kimberly Clark Corporation announced its Get Up and Ride bike initiative - encouraging people to sign up and log in their cycling miles using endomondo. You can sign up beforehand but the miles start counting from May 1 2012 to August 1. Was a great experience to be there in Washington and I met up with some great people (more later) but I was especially proud that it was my dad who announced this challenge today on behalf of Kimberly Clark!!

"We're pleased to be the national sponsor of the Challenge as it supports the wellness of our employees and the communities we serve, while contributing to improved air quality by replacing car travel with clean, healthy bicycle trips," said Jan Spencer, K-C's senior vice president of continuous improvement/procurement/ sustainability. "This year, K-C is providing an extra incentive for our global team members: The Kimberly-Clark Foundation will donate 10 cents to the League of American Bicyclists for every mile logged by a K-C employee during the 2012 Challenge."

And I'd like to add that my dad definitely acts as well as talks - he and my mum completed their own challenge last November when they cycled their very first century together (and yes thats 100 miles not km).

I know they will both be signing up for this challenge - who will join us?

Click here for the full press release or link to it via my facebook page.

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Get Up and Ride

Just coming to the end of my season in the mountains working on the ski slopes! Ready to get back on my bike and really looking forward to it! Tomorrow am attending the National Bike Summit in Washington DC, where among other things Kimberly Clark Corporation will be launching its Get up and Ride National Bike Challenge along with Endomondo (cycling app), the League of American Bicyclist and Bikes Belong. More news about that later!!

National Bike Summit