PALM SPRINGS CENTURY - 102 MILES - FEB. 9 - 2019
The new year is here - and my good friend/crew chief/mechanic Brian The Nak is back ~ with an unexpected invite to join him for the Palm Springs Century ~ sounds warm and sunny - I’m in! Nor Cal winter has made for a lot of weather checks before leaving — I’ll need drive to Lake Tahoe after one storm, and before the next one hits. Ahhh, retirement is sinking in, and I’m flexible with travel plans! My new Hammer Nutrition kit arrived just in time for this event - and it should be warmer weather, so I can enjoy my new colors! As I head out, I make a stop in Folsom to pick up my fabulous custom Boots - hot PINK of course, and they are So Cool I cant’t stop smiling! And it all matches my Rudy Project PINK (of course!) helmet.
Clear skies, and the drive to Tahoe is perfect - icy roads at the summit, but safe and sane, and few drivers are here on a Thursday afternoon. Brian and I enjoy a great Mexican restaurant - my first quesadilla since my stomach flared up last fall. This weekend is a test run and I’m taking enzymes to ensure smooth digestion. I’ve been eating cheese with no issues, and longed for a good quesadilla ~ this was perfect. Tahoe was VERY icy and snowy — COLD - 20 degrees - but such a beautiful view as dusk settled over the lake. I enjoyed a short “slip n slide” kind of walk, absorbing the chill, start, white, beauty of the lake.
Our early morning start was perfect — long day ahead with driving on snowy roads at 30 mph until Crowley Summit near Bishop. The mountains were covered in snow and my brain couldn’t establish were I was on this familiar road…but by Bisho (Sunshine and Schotz Bakery, the local landmark!) I was at ease once again. Turkey sandwich - my first deli food - and it, too passed the test! Happy stomach = happy riding!
Palm Springs! Arrived at dusk to find the main street closed for what appeared to be a Friday Night Festival — and indeed it was! Four blocks were shut down for the trade fair/street festival to honor the century ride! It was a so unexpected, and so festive and fun! And I got the coolest, largest saddle bag I’v ever had — I’d been looking, and here it was - perfect for tomorrow, where the chilly start would soon open up to peeling off layers, and now I’d have a place to store them! Brian expertly mounted it - you can see the secure fitting around the seat tube. And yes, it was locked in and didn’t move or wiggle the whole next day! We grabbed a Blaze Pizza and called it a night.
PALM SPRINGS CENTURY ~
A quick meet-up with Louise Hose and Laura, and we were off! This was the coolest century start ever - the local high school band sent us off to the tunes from Rocky! So FUN! I rode several miles with Louise (as we planed our April Training Camp in Bishop!), then I found Brian rolling with the fast guys, and so I joined them until they stopped at the first rest stop. I had everything I needed, so I flew on thru and enjoyed the road — sort of! A high wind nearly blew me into traffic, and sand was … not a welcome sight…but these were both brief encounters and soon I enjoyed rolling roads and large open skies — sunshine came through and I peeled off layers at the lunch stop, again relying on my own nutrition (detailed below). Finally, I was feeling SUNSHINE on me, and although the last 30 miles were quite windy, we had many turns through the city, and so nothing lasted very long. I had more stoplights than ever, but as Brian reminded me later, RAW will have many of the same, and it does affect your pace when you constantly have to rev back up again after slowing down repeatedly. That’s bike life, and I used the mini-breaks to stand on my pedals and stretch, or twist my back and shrug my shoulders. I came through feeling fine - joyous, and relaxed, having held a 17.5 MPH pace through 90 miles, which had been my game plan. (The traffic and wind brought it down a bit in the last 10, but I was still feeling alert and somewhat fresh, which I attribute to good nutrition, again, details below.) My tweaky pre-event back was never an issue - and altho I broke every rule in the book (about Nothing New on Race Day), I finished feeling light and happy and ready for whatever 2019 has to offer.
What rules did I break? New shoes and new kit — but, both were exactly what I’ve been wearing for years (Bont and sponsor #VolerApparel - both of which have a sterling reputation). I couldn’t even tell I was in new stuff - except for all the “Love your PINK” comments throughout the day! I also used that new saddle bag, expertly installed by Brian, so I had full confidence, and it paid off when it came time to remove layers. There was no jiggling, no wiggling, no noise…now, if only it came in PINK!
Highlights: The high school band at the start, the pep band and cheer leaders at the finish, the sheriffs at nearly EVERY intersection, the smiling volunteers at the stops, and something I’ve NEVER seen before: a long line of high school kids holding out their arms and calling out, “BIKE HOLDERS!”. YEP, When we came into the stops, there they were, lined up and holding our bikes while we refilled bottles and grabbed a banana. AMAZING ~ every century ought to get the local high school involved - they earn $, and get exposed to cycling and the wide variety of riders (and fitness) involved. And we get their youthful exuberance, which was welcomed by all - a WinWin!
Bike Valet at the finish was also a very nice touch, since Louise and Brian were not in when I finished. I tried out my new cleat covers (perfect!) and left the bike in good hands to wander through the trade show. Some many colorful bike goodies! Again, that saddle bag sure casein handy to store my Garmin and spare clothes. Volunteers handed us water, and I wandered the trade show while awaiting my friends. Many centuries offer a post ride meal, and this did not. While I was indeed starting to get hungry, I realized how much nicer it was NOT to eat event food, and to enjoy a healthy, fresh meal with my friends at a local cafe. And so many cafes in Palm Springs ~ all with pleasant patio seating, since the usual temperature here is so balmy. And as it cooled off - heaters! Good friends, good food, outdoors, and warm as dusk approached. I was in heaven, and enjoyed free range chicken and a baked potato — and NO stomach issues! I’d fueled carefully on the ride (details below) and finished with NO stomach discomfort, which is saying a LOT, considering I was undertrained for this early event. As #HammerNutrition says: “Fuel Right - Feel Great!” The evening ended with a hot tub at the hotel, and rerun of “PRETTY WOMAN”, good, fun laughs.
Sunday was sunny and inviting, so we rode an easy relaxed 15 miles before heading to the Palm Springs Art Museum — what a JOY to surround myself with ART! My eye sped right to a small Georgia O’Keefe painting, and we enjoyed wonderful, inserting, contemporary pieces, and historical work as well - a Picasso sculpture and a Henry Moore piece, works from my art history books so long ago. It awoke my eyes and my soul, and I departed knowing that i’ll be home painting new pieces very soon. It was so refreshing to be surrounded by such variety — works that had a social message, and works that were all about shapes, colors, light.
Another fabulous meal at the most creative restaurant I’ve ever seen - Blue Coyote Cafe, with murals and pottery, and great food. Palm Springs is a very inviting, creative, open, upbeat, artistic town, and warmer than home as well! I’ll be back!!
Nutrition Notes: I’d used #HammerNutrition Sustained Energy successfully last year, and practiced two rides in the weeks preceding this event, and I’m happy to report that it worked very well! I did not eat any of the event food, as I also had my Espresso Gel with me, and I ate half an apple Hammer Bar mid day. My legs, body, stomach, and brain all did just fine! I’d started the morning by skipping my vitamins (thinking that might have been an issue in last fall”s demise), and ate just a banana and Hammer’s Fully Charged before the start. My hourly caps are: Endurolytes, Anti Fatigue Caps, BCCA/Endurance Amiino, and Race Caps. I felt strong and had brains throughout the day. (Brain fatigue is due to either dehydration or lack of calories, so I stay on top of these issues for a successful ride.)
My Gear: I ordered my #BontShoes through Bruce Hendler, owner of #AthleticCamp in Folsom CA. They are identical to the ones I’d been wearing, except that I got to totally customize the colors. With a wider toe box and a very stiff bed, I am more comfortable and more powerful than ever! And definitely more colorful!
My #HammerNutrituon #HowiHammer #VolerApparel 2019 kit is everything I’m looking for - perfect fit, stylish design, improved pockets, quiet, smooth zippers…and a lovely new design and color, and yet, still pink-ish! A definite Win-Win…and you do not have to be a Hammer athlete to wear this kit! Feel free to use my 15% off discount code on your first order: #12330.
The Cool saddle bag I used: EO GEAR and I highly recommend it if you are tired of trying to fit jackets and leggings in your back pockets. You are welcome to use their discount code for 20% off: “SHOW2019” - www.eogear.com They also carry a larger rando-bag, and other saddle bags and items. I was very impressed by the quality and design, and no, they are not paying me to say that!
The new year is here - and my good friend/crew chief/mechanic Brian The Nak is back ~ with an unexpected invite to join him for the Palm Springs Century ~ sounds warm and sunny - I’m in! Nor Cal winter has made for a lot of weather checks before leaving — I’ll need drive to Lake Tahoe after one storm, and before the next one hits. Ahhh, retirement is sinking in, and I’m flexible with travel plans! My new Hammer Nutrition kit arrived just in time for this event - and it should be warmer weather, so I can enjoy my new colors! As I head out, I make a stop in Folsom to pick up my fabulous custom Boots - hot PINK of course, and they are So Cool I cant’t stop smiling! And it all matches my Rudy Project PINK (of course!) helmet.
Clear skies, and the drive to Tahoe is perfect - icy roads at the summit, but safe and sane, and few drivers are here on a Thursday afternoon. Brian and I enjoy a great Mexican restaurant - my first quesadilla since my stomach flared up last fall. This weekend is a test run and I’m taking enzymes to ensure smooth digestion. I’ve been eating cheese with no issues, and longed for a good quesadilla ~ this was perfect. Tahoe was VERY icy and snowy — COLD - 20 degrees - but such a beautiful view as dusk settled over the lake. I enjoyed a short “slip n slide” kind of walk, absorbing the chill, start, white, beauty of the lake.
Our early morning start was perfect — long day ahead with driving on snowy roads at 30 mph until Crowley Summit near Bishop. The mountains were covered in snow and my brain couldn’t establish were I was on this familiar road…but by Bisho (Sunshine and Schotz Bakery, the local landmark!) I was at ease once again. Turkey sandwich - my first deli food - and it, too passed the test! Happy stomach = happy riding!
Palm Springs! Arrived at dusk to find the main street closed for what appeared to be a Friday Night Festival — and indeed it was! Four blocks were shut down for the trade fair/street festival to honor the century ride! It was a so unexpected, and so festive and fun! And I got the coolest, largest saddle bag I’v ever had — I’d been looking, and here it was - perfect for tomorrow, where the chilly start would soon open up to peeling off layers, and now I’d have a place to store them! Brian expertly mounted it - you can see the secure fitting around the seat tube. And yes, it was locked in and didn’t move or wiggle the whole next day! We grabbed a Blaze Pizza and called it a night.
PALM SPRINGS CENTURY ~
A quick meet-up with Louise Hose and Laura, and we were off! This was the coolest century start ever - the local high school band sent us off to the tunes from Rocky! So FUN! I rode several miles with Louise (as we planed our April Training Camp in Bishop!), then I found Brian rolling with the fast guys, and so I joined them until they stopped at the first rest stop. I had everything I needed, so I flew on thru and enjoyed the road — sort of! A high wind nearly blew me into traffic, and sand was … not a welcome sight…but these were both brief encounters and soon I enjoyed rolling roads and large open skies — sunshine came through and I peeled off layers at the lunch stop, again relying on my own nutrition (detailed below). Finally, I was feeling SUNSHINE on me, and although the last 30 miles were quite windy, we had many turns through the city, and so nothing lasted very long. I had more stoplights than ever, but as Brian reminded me later, RAW will have many of the same, and it does affect your pace when you constantly have to rev back up again after slowing down repeatedly. That’s bike life, and I used the mini-breaks to stand on my pedals and stretch, or twist my back and shrug my shoulders. I came through feeling fine - joyous, and relaxed, having held a 17.5 MPH pace through 90 miles, which had been my game plan. (The traffic and wind brought it down a bit in the last 10, but I was still feeling alert and somewhat fresh, which I attribute to good nutrition, again, details below.) My tweaky pre-event back was never an issue - and altho I broke every rule in the book (about Nothing New on Race Day), I finished feeling light and happy and ready for whatever 2019 has to offer.
What rules did I break? New shoes and new kit — but, both were exactly what I’ve been wearing for years (Bont and sponsor #VolerApparel - both of which have a sterling reputation). I couldn’t even tell I was in new stuff - except for all the “Love your PINK” comments throughout the day! I also used that new saddle bag, expertly installed by Brian, so I had full confidence, and it paid off when it came time to remove layers. There was no jiggling, no wiggling, no noise…now, if only it came in PINK!
Highlights: The high school band at the start, the pep band and cheer leaders at the finish, the sheriffs at nearly EVERY intersection, the smiling volunteers at the stops, and something I’ve NEVER seen before: a long line of high school kids holding out their arms and calling out, “BIKE HOLDERS!”. YEP, When we came into the stops, there they were, lined up and holding our bikes while we refilled bottles and grabbed a banana. AMAZING ~ every century ought to get the local high school involved - they earn $, and get exposed to cycling and the wide variety of riders (and fitness) involved. And we get their youthful exuberance, which was welcomed by all - a WinWin!
Bike Valet at the finish was also a very nice touch, since Louise and Brian were not in when I finished. I tried out my new cleat covers (perfect!) and left the bike in good hands to wander through the trade show. Some many colorful bike goodies! Again, that saddle bag sure casein handy to store my Garmin and spare clothes. Volunteers handed us water, and I wandered the trade show while awaiting my friends. Many centuries offer a post ride meal, and this did not. While I was indeed starting to get hungry, I realized how much nicer it was NOT to eat event food, and to enjoy a healthy, fresh meal with my friends at a local cafe. And so many cafes in Palm Springs ~ all with pleasant patio seating, since the usual temperature here is so balmy. And as it cooled off - heaters! Good friends, good food, outdoors, and warm as dusk approached. I was in heaven, and enjoyed free range chicken and a baked potato — and NO stomach issues! I’d fueled carefully on the ride (details below) and finished with NO stomach discomfort, which is saying a LOT, considering I was undertrained for this early event. As #HammerNutrition says: “Fuel Right - Feel Great!” The evening ended with a hot tub at the hotel, and rerun of “PRETTY WOMAN”, good, fun laughs.
Sunday was sunny and inviting, so we rode an easy relaxed 15 miles before heading to the Palm Springs Art Museum — what a JOY to surround myself with ART! My eye sped right to a small Georgia O’Keefe painting, and we enjoyed wonderful, inserting, contemporary pieces, and historical work as well - a Picasso sculpture and a Henry Moore piece, works from my art history books so long ago. It awoke my eyes and my soul, and I departed knowing that i’ll be home painting new pieces very soon. It was so refreshing to be surrounded by such variety — works that had a social message, and works that were all about shapes, colors, light.
Another fabulous meal at the most creative restaurant I’ve ever seen - Blue Coyote Cafe, with murals and pottery, and great food. Palm Springs is a very inviting, creative, open, upbeat, artistic town, and warmer than home as well! I’ll be back!!
Nutrition Notes: I’d used #HammerNutrition Sustained Energy successfully last year, and practiced two rides in the weeks preceding this event, and I’m happy to report that it worked very well! I did not eat any of the event food, as I also had my Espresso Gel with me, and I ate half an apple Hammer Bar mid day. My legs, body, stomach, and brain all did just fine! I’d started the morning by skipping my vitamins (thinking that might have been an issue in last fall”s demise), and ate just a banana and Hammer’s Fully Charged before the start. My hourly caps are: Endurolytes, Anti Fatigue Caps, BCCA/Endurance Amiino, and Race Caps. I felt strong and had brains throughout the day. (Brain fatigue is due to either dehydration or lack of calories, so I stay on top of these issues for a successful ride.)
My Gear: I ordered my #BontShoes through Bruce Hendler, owner of #AthleticCamp in Folsom CA. They are identical to the ones I’d been wearing, except that I got to totally customize the colors. With a wider toe box and a very stiff bed, I am more comfortable and more powerful than ever! And definitely more colorful!
My #HammerNutrituon #HowiHammer #VolerApparel 2019 kit is everything I’m looking for - perfect fit, stylish design, improved pockets, quiet, smooth zippers…and a lovely new design and color, and yet, still pink-ish! A definite Win-Win…and you do not have to be a Hammer athlete to wear this kit! Feel free to use my 15% off discount code on your first order: #12330.
The Cool saddle bag I used: EO GEAR and I highly recommend it if you are tired of trying to fit jackets and leggings in your back pockets. You are welcome to use their discount code for 20% off: “SHOW2019” - www.eogear.com They also carry a larger rando-bag, and other saddle bags and items. I was very impressed by the quality and design, and no, they are not paying me to say that!