New Year

As 2010 ends it is hard to believe that it is over 1 year since we biked cross country. However, to this day, I must think about it every few days or so or at least every time I ride my bike. I did not think that it would be such a life changing experience, but just thinking about it brings a smile to my face and an inner feeling of happiness. Even when you want to forget about it someone will introduce you at work as that crazy person who biked cross country. At our year-end party my boss referred to me as the companies Forrest Gump. I am not quite there yet as he crossed the country 3 times, but I still have at least one more bike adventure in me.

I have even been able to get together with some of my fellow XC09 this year, spoke to some on the phone, followed them on their bike adventures in 2010 and even rode with them as well.

When I first returned from my trip in 2009, I really had a tough time getting motivated to get on the bike, but eventually the feeling of the freedom of biking returned. When I explained to people that I rode 12,000 miles in 2009 there response would be "But you rode cross country". They were right, but is was the preparation and training that enabled me to ride all of those miles. The cross country trip was easy in comparison to that and no doubt due to the fellow riders. This year my initial mileage goal was 6,000 miles. When I passed that I thought it would be nice to ride as many miles excluding the cross country trip. With the rain in my area it made it exceedingly difficult to bike, but I managed to achieve that goal.

As I write this I do not have any specific bike goals in mind in 2011, but I do know two things:

1) One pedal stroke at a time

2) Every day riding a bike is a good day

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

All in all another brick in the wall

Today was a beautiful day to ride. It is December 11 and close to 80 degrees. As I only ride on the weekends it was great that today turned out to be so nice. Another 84 miles today. My new goal was to ride as many miles excluding the cross country trip. I am a little less than 125 miles from that goal.

This past Sunday, a friend let me know that he had a ticket to The Wall. I had worn out my turn table listening to that album (yes Album, not CD or digital download and turntable) over and over and although I had not listened to the album for 30 years when they started playing the songs it was like yesterday. The concert was great and for 2 hours I was in music heaven.

Below are some pictures from the concert (in no particular order)

Million Dollars

The days are getting shorter and the weather getting a little cooler. More running and jump rope these days. The last month and half seems to be a blur as was a litte busy at work so this is the first time in awhile that I have been able to post an entry to my blog. I still dream about XC09, but sometimes it really does seem like a dream.

I will close this blog, with a photo from one of the shows my company is producing. It is scheduled to air on December 20 on Fox. And yes, the amount of money I am in front of is real cash.

Hot !!!!!!!!!!

Today Jim and I met up at Santa Monica. Nancy from XC09 has been riding down the coast from Oregon and we decided to bike up to Malibu and meet her as she was biking from Oxnard, CA and heading south towards Malibu on her way to Marina Del Rey. We ate at Malibu Seafood which is across the street from the Pacific Ocean and which you can see from your table (you eat at picnic tables which are outdoors)
.
In front of the menu and Jim and Nancy at Santa Monica (I had already left for home)

We talked about our fellow XC09 and Nancy's many adventures over the past year. Believe it or not she is planning to bike cross country next year with her daughter. She is going to take the Northern route. If I ever have the chance to bike cross country that is the route I would like to try.

After our lunch we biked back towards Santa Monica. One final farewell and I biked home. Today was one of the hottest days that I can remember. I live in the Valley and it was probably over 100 degrees for the last 10 miles of my ride today. Lots of cold water and lemonade upon my return home.

Hello Darkness my old Friend....

Each day the sun rises later and sets earlier. That means less day light to commute to work. I am riding 4 days a week, but this will most likely be changing soon.

One thing that does not change is my inability to change my tire and tubes. I am still struggling and still puncturing tubes. I am not a bike mechanic.

This week I will ride over 300 miles. The most miles in a week this year. I have achieved my goal for miles ridden this year and still have a few more months to go.

Return to Latigo and of hot weather

It has been almost 6 weeks since I had rode in the DR. Since that time I have gone back to easier (re: less climbing rides). One, I was not training for any particular ride, and two, I was a little nervous that my legs would cramp.

As to number one,I think I may have found a ride. According to Bicycling Magazine on October 24 there will be a Gran Fondo which is a one day 100 mile ride. The reason I say is that for the last month, every time I check the website, I received the message below (including two seconds ago):

Please pardon our dust,we’re preparing to launch our October 24, 2010 Event website.
Check back in a few weeks,when the new site is launched.

So maybe I will not be riding in the above.

As to number two, I decided that I would climb Latigo Canyon which was one of my training rides. It was rather hot today and that might be the reason that I was the only person climbing up in my direction. After the DR, this was a much easier climb. In fact, all my so called "climbing rides" have been so much easier in comparison after the DR. No leg problems and no cramps. However, the heat took its toll on me (I lost a little over 4 lbs). Each time when I return home, I pass an in' and out burger. I always think it would be nice to order a chocolate shake and ride the last 10 miles home. Today I stopped by and the sales person was a little confused as I guess not too many people bike up to the sales window. I purchased the shake and poured it into one of my empty water bottles and continued on my way. It was the extra energy that I needed to get back home.

Bike + Car = Accident

During my bike commute this past Thursday I had come to a stop at an intersection. I started to bike and I noticed to my right a car coming to a stop at his stop sign. Or I should say, I thought he was stopping. Before I knew it he is heading towards me and all I am thinking is he is going to run me over. I was able to brake and turn my wheel so I crashed into his car door. I fell and had some rode rash and re-injured my right hand wrist, but other than that I was (and am) fine. He stopped and asked if I was okay and he told me that he did not see me. I thought that was strange as their was another car next to him at the same stop sign who did not start

driving because he did see me. Fortunately, I was not going fast and neither was the driver or I would be writing this blog from a hospital bed.

Even with my sore wrist I managed to ride 96 miles today.

Harry, Tom and Peter left last Sunday on their ride from tip to tip in the UK. Apparently, a Dalton from Meade, Kansas have made their way to the UK.

Different equipment

Since the end of the DR, I have not been riding as frequently as before. I need to set my sight on a new goal. However, I have been acquiring some accessories along the way and have noted a big difference.

Bike pump vs. floor pump- Such a difference to be able to pump up your tires with a floor pump that lets you know the PSI.

Sneakers vs. clip on bike shoes- I ran for 7 years before buying the bike. I do not miss running at all as biking is easier on the knees. I ran 3 miles on Saturday, so maybe if I find some place to swim; maybe I can try a tri.

Road bike vs. touring bike - It took me a long time to emotionally be able to buy a new bike as the Trek 520 was with me every day of the cross country trip. However, the Trek Madone 5.2 is so much lighter. It also has quick release brakes and shifting is from the handlebars so I can ride in a few different positions and has made riding much more enjoyable. I could not have made the cross country trip without the 520 and I could not have made the DR without the 5.2 (although I wish I had a triple for that ride).

And finally a picture from the UK. Peter, Harry and Tom will be riding from tip to tip starting this week. Hopefully, not on the bike below.

Hiking

After completing the biking event on Saturday, we rested and recuperated on Sunday.

On Monday we drove down to Mammoth Lakes to hike.

We decided to hike Duck Pass (#1 on the map above).

Total mile: 10+ miles

Started: 3:20pm

Finished: 7:50pm

The trail head is at the southwest edge of the Coldwater Creek parking lot. This lot is at the top of Coldwater Creek campground at the far (southeast) end of Lake Mary. You will pass several lakes along the way. Duck Lake lies beyond and below Duck Pass; the lake cannot be seen from the pass, but continuing south a short distance gives you a fine view.

to Arrowhead Lake (1.25 miles, one way)
to Skelton Lake (1.5 miles, one way)
to Barney Lake (2.5 miles, one way)
to Duck Lake (5 miles, one way)

As we had to hike over snow and the trail was difficult to follow we actually passed Duck Lake and made it to Pika Lake.

The next day, we hiked to Shadow Lake from Agnew Meadows (3.5 miles, one way) then took the John Muir Trail back to Devil's Postpile.

Total Mile: 13+-miles

Started: 7:00am

Finished: 3:00pm

This westbound trail to Shadow Lake descends into and crosses the canyon of the San Joaquin River before climbing into the Ritter Range. The trail follows an exposed face and climbs steep switchbacks.
Shadow Lake @9:00am

Rosalie Lake @ 10:30am

We then continued onto a long, rather boring part of John Muir Trail back to Devils Postpile. Therefore, no pictures beyond this point as it was just a long 5 mile descent.

Our next challenge would be to climb Mt. Whitney. As we did not have a permit to climb Mt. Whitney we needed to see if they had any permits. The permits become available at Lone Pine Ranger Station a day before your planed hiking day. They did and we would be able to climb the mountain. Since back-packing was not an option for us and we needed to complete the hike in a day and wanted to adjust to the altitude we decided to camp out in our tent at 8,000 feet elevation just below the trail head.

Driving up to the mountain.

As you can imagine, we did not sleep well, not only because of camping out (the first time for Mrs. Dalton), but as the Rangers at the station did a good job scaring us of bears. We did hear something going on outside of our tent, but we were too afraid to see what it was.

Mt. Whitney Trail

Total Distance to hike: 22mile / 35.4km

Trail Head Elevation : 8,360 feet / 2,548m

Mt. Whitney Summit Elevation : 14,497 feet / 4,419m

Starting out at Whitney Portal at 5 AM. Sunrise along the trail.


The trail from the parking lot to Lone Pine Lake is long switchbacks with a moderate grade. At the top of these switchbacks, there is a fork and a sign. To the left one goes to Lone Pine Lake, to the right one goes to Mt Whitney. The trail from this point to Mirror Lake is relatively flat.

Heading towards Lone Pine Lake

Lone Pine Lake

After passing through the Outpost Camp (at 10,360 feet, 3.7 mi / 5.8km from trail head), and Mirror Lake (at 10,640 feet, 4.0 mi / 6.4 km from trail head), the trail starts getting steeper and runs along a creek and leads you into the camp where most back-packers stay over night to climb to the summit on the following day.

If you look to your left (past the creek), at some point you can see Consultation Lake down below. You are not far from trail camp.

The Trail Camp at 12,000 feet where we ate lunch. And a very special guest.

Time: 9:30 - 10:15am

Beyond the Trail Camp at 12,000 feet is where you are likely to feel the altitude. From the camp you head for the face of Mt Muir at 14,015". The 96 switchbacks" (there are actually more than 140, apparently) take you to the Trail Crest. The switchbacks are a mild grade, but they are very long and the altitude kicks in. Mrs. Dalton thought she reached her limit at some points along this long hard climb up, taking rests every 5 minutes to breath. Below is a picture looking up at the summit of Mt. Whitney.

At the Crest you crossover to the other side, with incredible views of the Sequoia Park wilderness. After the long hard switchbacks, what a reward it was to see the open sky and the mountain ranges continuing as far as you can see.

At the Trail Crest (13,777" / 4,199m, 8.2mi/13.2km from trail head).

Time: 12:30pm

From this point, you turn right towards Mt Whitney. The trail goes up mildly. You will see three giant spikes sticking out of the mountain on your right-hand side. When you get to its base, you still have to climb some steep switchbacks.

The elevation really took its toll on me. We still had to hike half an hour after this photo

We made it to the top !!! Time: 2:25pm -- 9 hrs 25 min after we began climbing.

As we started to head back, rain clouds were forming westward and we saw lightning.

A little break while rushing against time to get back before sunset.

Finished - Tired, but happy that we successfully completed our hike.

On July 15, 2010, we climbed Mt. Whitney!

Woke up: 4:00am

Started: 5:00am

Finished: 8:25pm
Total Distance hiked: 22 mi / 35.4km

Total amount of water consumed: 1 gallon each.