Where are my clothes ?

I continue to bike to work. Once I get there I change into jeans and a shirt and hang my bike clothes outside on the fire exit. When I went to get them to prepare to leave for home they were gone. I searched and searched and asked the security guard, Claudia whether anyone had taken them. She had determined that perhaps they were thrown away in the garbage by the cleaning crew. Two buildings and 3 dumpsters later I had found them. Thanks for your help Claudia. And thanks to Rob D for giving me a ride home (it is getting to dark earlier in the day so I could not ride home).

Today is the 3 month anniversary of our ride into Boston and the end of our trip. Was it a dream ? Did I really do it ? Based on the emails going back and forth between the group I know I did it, but it seems such a long time ago.

Apparently, in celebration of the 3 months, I got a flat tire. My first since Liberal, Kansas. Fortunately, I was in front of a bike shop so at least I had access to a tire pump. After observing Harry, Alec and Karen for all of our flat tire repairs (I usually held the bike), it only took me about 10 minutes to fix. Not bad and it was the back tire. Let's see how it holds up tomorrow. Total miles today 62 (20 after the flat).

I tested the Cannodale Synapse 3 and Trek Madone 4.5 road bike today. Getting used to the compact and the gearing will take some time. All of the bikes ride so much lighter and I feel so much faster.

Bob is recovering from his injuries and has ordered his new bike which he should receive in a few weeks. Pictured below is his new bike.

Shout out

Today is Tom Dunn's birthday. He let me know that although it is cold he is going to try to bike 59 miles today. I always appreciated when George and I would secretly meet Tom and he would drive us to the morning restaurant instead of us having to bike over there. Happy Birthday, Tom.

Tom shares a birthday with my favorite musicians, Bruce Springsteen. During the tour I would find myself humming "Reason to Believe" or "Badlands". There is nothing like seeing him in person in concert. I have seen him around 17 times and each time you feel so rejuvenated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq9uj8YjoKY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFAr2AbvvF8

10,000 and going

This past week I went on a business trip to Miami so not much riding during the week. However, I did get the opportunity to see my parents. It was the first time in 2 1/2 years that I

have seen them. Flash forward 30 years and I will look like the man in that photo.

Today I passed the 10,000 mile mark. As the person who I live with to whom I am related to marriage, it is really not that impressive when you consider that by training and then biking cross country I rode over 8.800 of those miles. Still it seems pretty amazing to bike more than you drive, especially when you live in LA and a car is so essential.

Now on to my next goal, whatever that may be.

Half of the Daltons ride together again

As mentioned in yesterday's blog, Two of the Dalton Gang rode together this past weekend - Alec and Karen. They rode around Tahoe. According to Karen they were still strong. Alec rode his new bike in the event. Pictured in the jeep is Alec's girlfriend, Ann. All this time we thought he was on the phone to CIA headquarters, but perhaps he was speaking with her.

Manhattan Beach

Today's ride was to Palos Verdes. It was overcast today and the sun did not come out until around 10:30. Even though it was hot today, because there was no sun it made it a nice day for biking. On my return trip home, I took a picture from Manhattan Beach Blvd. If you look closely you can see the blood of Willie and Rich from their collision still on the Pier.

Apparently, Harry is still in Cyprus and enjoying himself. Before and after pictures.

Why does this not surprise me.

Don't worry. He was drinking with two other persons.

I believe that Karen and Alec were going to ride in an organized 72 mile event around Lake Tahoe this weekend. Hopefully, it was not too hot up there and if I receive any pictures I will post them on the blog.

I am going on a business trip to Miami. I also get to see my parents for a day which is the best part of the trip.

Harry goes to Cyprus

I received these pictures from Harry. He is in Cyprus. He brought his bike, but it is hot and he has not really ridden. However, he has found a new "one".

Trancas

The labor day weekend and 3 days not working and hopefully some longer bicycle rides. Today turned out to be such a day.

I started out at around 6:30 AM and met the Saturday group around 7:30 AM. I live in the valley and they live on the Westside (a hill separates the Valley from the Westside (and also 10 degree cooler temperatures). We rode on the Pacific Coast Highway. It is a pretty flat and nice terrain. There are some climbs, but not that bad.

We pass through Malibu.

A few miles past this we pass by Pepperdine University. There is a nice little climb and I speed up and lead the group up the hill. I am joined by Moshe and we wait at the top of the hill for everyone. After we all continue on past Pointe Zuma and finally to Trancas. As it was Jay's birthday and he turned 62 yesterday he wants to continue further north so he can bicycle 62 miles. We bike the additional miles and then turn back. Dan suggests another ride with a 15% grade climb of about 200 feet at Pointe Zuma which is right next to the Pacific Ocean.

We make a left and we pedal over a few LA rollers. A little different from Missouri and about 145 less hills.

As we are heading back I stop to take a picture. I am quite behind the group and out of nowhere comes another rider who must be around 6' 5". He was drafting on me for a little bit and all of a sudden he tells me that he will take the lead and I should follow him. I get up to around 24-25 mph and the pedaling is easy following him. He paces me up to my group and i thank him.

The group pedals back to our meeting point and I bike the 15 miles back home alone. The temperature is now around 87 degrees, sunny and hot. I had drank enough liquids and at filled up an extra bottle at a water fountain so I was properly hydrated.

Total miles biked today was 89. It is the most miles I have biked and I feel that my conditioning is not that bad even though I do not ride as much during the trip. Let's see how I feel tomorrow.

Lastly, if any of my fellow cross country riders are reading this, September 8th is Champ's birthday. Below is a buffed picture of Champ taken from his website. Happy Birthday Champ.