SAGing to Liberal, KS

The weather today is even worse than yesterday. Yesterday, at least it was not raining (or snowing) and the temperatures were in the mid-50s. Today, the temps are in the mid-20s. And, Dalhart, TX and Liberal, KS. are expecting snow.

So, we are not riding today. Instead the two SAG vans are making two trips between Dalhart and Liberal to shuttle 23 bikes, 23 riders and all their luggage. I and my roommate are going in the second wave. So, I have some time this morning to take it easy and blog from the hotel's computer.

The only cold weather clothing I brought is my cycling clothing. It is very warm though. I have UA compression tops and bottoms, a Shower Pass jacket, a balaclava, long fingered gloves, wool sox, etc. So, I am pretty comfortable although all the other riders keep commenting I look like I really want to ride today.

Riding in Aero Bars

Aero bars are those funny looking sort of poles that stick out in front of the regular handlebars on a road bike. If you watch cycling on TV, you see them used in time trial races where the riders are crouched way down with there arms together out in front of them almost like they are praying.

I put Aero bars on my bike back in February this year because I learned that they can improve your speed by as much as 1 to 1.5 mph for the same effort due to the reduction in wind drag. Only problem is that when you are in your Areo bars, the bike is no where near as easy to steer or handle. Side winds and bumps and potholes in the road surface can be bad news. You can wind up on the ground quickly. Also, you should never be in you Areo bars when you are a paceline except perhaps when you are at the front. Thats because you are too far from your breaks to react quickly when necessary.

One reason I really like areo bars is that it gives me another, very comfortable, riding position. I can ride with my hands on the hoods, the bar tops, the drops or the areo bars. I find the areo bars by far to be the most comfortable. In the hot, windy first three days of this tour, when I was riding mostly alone, I probably spent 70% of the time in that position.

My areo bars also serve as wind chime. When we get side winds above about 10 mph, they wistle. When I first got them, I found that really annoying. Now, its kinda quaint I guess.

The Love of My Life

She's been in my life for more than 30 years. When I first saw her, I thought she was beautiful and definitely made for the long haul. We have been through so much together, so many challenging times, so many miles and I am still so comfortable with her than anything else. You know what I am talking about...yeah, my Centurion Pro-Tour 15 touring bike ;).

I have had my bike for more than 30 years. I did 3 Davis Doubles on it back in the mid-80s and I used to ride with my roommate several times a week out to Lake Berryessa. But, I set it aside for several years in graduate school and did not return to cycling until the mid-90s.

I really did try riding a modern bike; a Trek Pilot 2.1. But, it was a bit of an impulse purchase and the cycling shop that sold it to me really did my a disservice by selling me a bike that was far too small for me. It was a 54cm compact frame and I am 6' 1" tall. I need a minimum of a 58cm frame and maybe 59 or 60. I struggled for several years to ride comfortably on that Trek. I did several doubles on it and 4 of the 5 passes in the Death ride. But, 170 miles into the 2011 Davis Double, I was having so much trouble with my left knee that I abandon at the Guinda stop. When I got home, I put that damn Trek bike away and have never ridden it since. I have been riding my 30 year old Centurion Pro-Tour ever since.

I have modified the Centurion in several ways from its 'stock' configuration. I have newer, wider handle bars (which accommodate the areo bars). I have newer break leavers with cables out the side (instead of the top), I even found a Suntour ultra-6 freewheel (thats a design that came out in the mid-80s to accommodate 6 cogs in the same space of the ole' standard 5-speed freewheel) with 12-30 gearing. It has a triple crank set (that means 3 cogs called chainrings). So, it has a total of 18 gears. The lowest gear is 28 tooth front driving a 30 tooth rear cog. That means that 1 turn of the cranks is less than one full turn of the rear wheel. Thats a very low gear! We'd call that 80 inches. Thats the distance the bike will travel in one turn of the cranks in that  gearing. At the other extreme, 53 tooth front chainring driving a 12 tooth rear cog, the highest gear is 379 inches.

Fully loaded with 3 water bottles, Misty Mate (for hot, hot weather), tool bag, rear rack with extra clothing, etc. it probably weighs close to 40 lbs. I tell the other riders its a pack mule, not a thoroughbred race horse ;) but it'll get you where you are going.

The Love of my Wife

Couldn't have even considered this ride without the support of my dear wife, Sandy. I started training for this ride January 1 of this year. It meant pretty much every weekend since then I have been on the bike and unavailable to do much else. Nonetheless, Sandy has been very supportive of my training for and participating in this ride. She knows that riding my bike cross-country has been a long time goal of my since I was a kid.

Sandy has been very helpful in keeping me going while on this tour sending me care packages and various lotions and potions for all the aches and pains I am facing as well as advice on how to protect my skin and eyes from the elements. I have needed all of her encouragement, prayers and well-wishing.

Even on the hardest days of this ride, I know that what I face in the way of challenges riding a bike here in no way compare to various of the challenges Sandy as well as some of our close family and friends have faced over the last several years. At any time, I can simply decide to stop pedaling and jump in the SAG van. That isn't true with real life challenges.

But, one of the many things I really love about Sandy is how positive, strong in spirit and loving she is. She demonstrates this in so many ways to so many people, few if any would even think to consider that she might   ever go through some pretty difficult lows.

Sandy has told me she has found the adventures I am going through on this ride inspiring and it is great to know that. The love and strength of faith that Sandy demonstrates each day to me each day throughout or marriage has been a huge source of inspiration and comfort to me. I didn't used to really care too much about celebrating my birthday (or Sandy's). It was just another day. I have learned from Sandy how important it is to celebrate milestones in life. Life is too short not to!

Sandy together with my parents have been my ground-crew on this ride, offering prayers and advice and encouraging comments on this blog and sending me extra equipment and supplies. I truly appreciate all the love and support.