I feel like I've been busy on the bike since 22 November. So I thought I would look at my Garmin file and see what I've done. A few of the events were elsewhere- the NM state cx championship race, two races at maybe 15 miles total; and the ride at Palo Duro Canyon, for 20 miles. Subtract that from my bike total and I've done 464 Clovisss miles.
Doesn't seem like much at first, but then I realized this was done only on weekdays- rides to and from the cannon, and lunch rides. Weather has been a factor sometimes, and I decided my low temp cutoff would be 20 degrees in the morning. BRRR! But otherwise, it's been great riding here.
I brought the SX out for the last two weeks, and started using a different route to the cannon. I call it the High Road. Laugh it up. Instead of the long straight LLano, paved, nice shoulder, traffic, I started taking Wilhite from Prince. This turns to dirt after a mile, and it's dirt all the way to the left turn for the cannon.
It's darker at night, no lights most of the way, and no traffic except the paved stretch. A quiet and peaceful ride away from the cars, and it has a few dog sprints. Mostly, I talk to the cows all the way.
Moo!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Winter Solstice Ride
 Came back I to town and met one of the Clovis cyclists for a huge (25 oz) Guinness and a Burger, at Kelley's. What an awesome winter solstice evening. |
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Lunch ride
A beautiful Monday lunch ride! Close to 65 degrees, and a wind-hill of 35-45! Someday, I'll get all scientific and come up with a relationship between percent of grade and headwind speed. |
Morning ride to the cannon
It was 40 when I got up, so I had to enjoy the summer temps. Wind was slow also. |
Monday, December 13, 2010
palo duro canyon
NOT IN CLOVIS
With nothing else to do yesterday, I went over to PDC. I wanted to ride all their trails, yes, all. I think I did, not too sure with the weak map I got at the entry. Did 20 miles, would have done more, but I was getting tired. I was feeling the Saturday road ride.
As I was sitting at the car, all these runners were coming out of the trails. I couldn't resist, tired or not. Put on my new salomon trail runners and did the capital trail loop. I knew not to get on a longer loop, because I'd run whatever was in front of me. I enjoy trail running almost as much as riding them. It was a nice 3.5 miles. Those shoes are awesome!
With nothing else to do yesterday, I went over to PDC. I wanted to ride all their trails, yes, all. I think I did, not too sure with the weak map I got at the entry. Did 20 miles, would have done more, but I was getting tired. I was feeling the Saturday road ride.
As I was sitting at the car, all these runners were coming out of the trails. I couldn't resist, tired or not. Put on my new salomon trail runners and did the capital trail loop. I knew not to get on a longer loop, because I'd run whatever was in front of me. I enjoy trail running almost as much as riding them. It was a nice 3.5 miles. Those shoes are awesome!
Moo
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Nice road loop today
It was a long debate, as all rides are for me, especially after I come up with a couple of options. Today, the debate was between a 50ish mile loop into Texas, and an 85ish mile loop to the west. I tried to incorporate the windhills as much as possible, but I wanted more than 50 miles. Selfish is OK when you have nothing else to do.
I heads west, using the dirt roads as far as possible, and I think I could have done more, but Google hasn't been kind to the farm roads.
At Melrose, I had a Snickers and and Payday, and some Gatorade. I asked the store clerk how many miles to portables, 42. That sounded like a few than I had estimated, but, what else did I have to do today? Nothing!
I made my second call to Bend, to check on A before his race (CX Nationals). It was 40 and snowing in Bend, about 43 and sunny in Melrose. I was sitting I front of the store, with my shoes off, drying more comfy feet.
I headed south, sort of with the wind. The wind began changing directions, of course. And I began a zigzag ride to portales.
I met a few dogs along baseline drive, they were friendlier that they thought. I'm a dog Whisperer when on the bike.
I was planning to get more health food in portales, but I came in on the north side of town and didn't want to get a snack at LargeMart.
Heads towards Clovis, got water at the peanut factory. Must go back there and get peanut butter. Further north was the southwest cheese factory. I love cheese and peanut butter.
Almost back in Clovis, and I get a flat. While putting in a tube, I notice the rear tire is ready for the trash, and especially not any more rides. Dang, where's my sponsor when I need her?
In town, I finally catch the Bike Dude at his store. Nice Guy, works a.morning show at a local radio station. I might have known this if I weren't a radio snob: I only listen to NPR and XMU.
Finally got back to the Hollywood Hot Tub Condo, 83 miles. Great ride, would have been better with a little company. But not bad alone, especially with the constant race updates over the phone, from my sponsor!
A had a good race, it was typical CX conditions (not NM cross conditions). He came in with a 30th place, in miserable conditions. I am so very proud of him for racing in that!
Tomorrow? Palo Duro Canyon!
Chris
I heads west, using the dirt roads as far as possible, and I think I could have done more, but Google hasn't been kind to the farm roads.
At Melrose, I had a Snickers and and Payday, and some Gatorade. I asked the store clerk how many miles to portables, 42. That sounded like a few than I had estimated, but, what else did I have to do today? Nothing!
I made my second call to Bend, to check on A before his race (CX Nationals). It was 40 and snowing in Bend, about 43 and sunny in Melrose. I was sitting I front of the store, with my shoes off, drying more comfy feet.
I headed south, sort of with the wind. The wind began changing directions, of course. And I began a zigzag ride to portales.
I met a few dogs along baseline drive, they were friendlier that they thought. I'm a dog Whisperer when on the bike.
I was planning to get more health food in portales, but I came in on the north side of town and didn't want to get a snack at LargeMart.
Heads towards Clovis, got water at the peanut factory. Must go back there and get peanut butter. Further north was the southwest cheese factory. I love cheese and peanut butter.
Almost back in Clovis, and I get a flat. While putting in a tube, I notice the rear tire is ready for the trash, and especially not any more rides. Dang, where's my sponsor when I need her?
In town, I finally catch the Bike Dude at his store. Nice Guy, works a.morning show at a local radio station. I might have known this if I weren't a radio snob: I only listen to NPR and XMU.
Finally got back to the Hollywood Hot Tub Condo, 83 miles. Great ride, would have been better with a little company. But not bad alone, especially with the constant race updates over the phone, from my sponsor!
A had a good race, it was typical CX conditions (not NM cross conditions). He came in with a 30th place, in miserable conditions. I am so very proud of him for racing in that!
Tomorrow? Palo Duro Canyon!
Chris
Friday, December 10, 2010
V and A at The Cyclocross National Championships
The CX Monkey just finished her first Cyclocross National Championships race. Cold, mud, cold, and mud. She said her feet were numb and she was all covered in mud. I don't know what position yet, maybe around 8th place. I am so proud of my CX Monkey!!!
A races tomorrow morning!
Moo!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Big Hill This Morning!
8 miles uphill, it was awesome!
Interpretation: it was an 8 mile headwind of about 20-25. Wind is the same as
hill, over here in Almost Texas. The long straight east to west, on my commute,
Llano-Johno. Hopefully, it'll change direction by evening and I can go uphill on
the way home.
Moo!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Beer?
I know you're thinking this was supposed to be about biking in Clovis, but bikes and beer sometimes happen on the same day. And since this is about Clovis, it is a legit posting.
So far, I have to give walmart a vote for good beer. Albertsons has black butte Porter, and largemart has Cutthroat Porter. Why would I choose fish over butte? Really seems like a crime since CX NATS is in effect at the butte source this week. But the butte Porter is almost becoming a standard in many stores. Too bad the obsidian isn't. Back to the rant.
There is, what I thought would be an Irish bar, KELLY'S, Guinness on tap, but other than the name and the brew, it looks like a bad Patrick swayze cowboy drunken dancehall. The Burger is good too.
There must be someplace here that specializes in real beer. That ICE COLD YELLOW LIQUID is not really beer, no matter what the name and marketing says. Where's the secret place? Where the secret package store? Heck, where's any package store?
Am I in Alabama again? "We don't drink, but when we do, we drink." Am I deep in the Bible belt again? Where are the Catholics when you need them?
Well, this is "almost Texas", and Texas is (well, just a little too southern). Maybe if I ride with the locals, they'll share the secret elixir source. Or they will offer a nice cup of Texas tea.
Moo
So far, I have to give walmart a vote for good beer. Albertsons has black butte Porter, and largemart has Cutthroat Porter. Why would I choose fish over butte? Really seems like a crime since CX NATS is in effect at the butte source this week. But the butte Porter is almost becoming a standard in many stores. Too bad the obsidian isn't. Back to the rant.
There is, what I thought would be an Irish bar, KELLY'S, Guinness on tap, but other than the name and the brew, it looks like a bad Patrick swayze cowboy drunken dancehall. The Burger is good too.
There must be someplace here that specializes in real beer. That ICE COLD YELLOW LIQUID is not really beer, no matter what the name and marketing says. Where's the secret place? Where the secret package store? Heck, where's any package store?
Am I in Alabama again? "We don't drink, but when we do, we drink." Am I deep in the Bible belt again? Where are the Catholics when you need them?
Well, this is "almost Texas", and Texas is (well, just a little too southern). Maybe if I ride with the locals, they'll share the secret elixir source. Or they will offer a nice cup of Texas tea.
Moo
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Complain About the Cold, and it Warms Up!
After my lunch ride ride yesterday, the thermometer hit 72! It was about 65 during my short one lap in the wind. The temp rose all week. I'd say that was a nice "welcome to Clovis" gift. From about 24 Tuesday morning on the bike, to 35 on Thursday morning. Yes, there is a big difference in those two temps on the bike. It takes longer for your toes to come back from being numb as the temp goes lower.
I did 142 miles last week, between lunch on Monday and lunch on Friday. Not a bad week. Hopefully my legs are awake now for the NM State Cyclocross Championships, today. Set up the course, race singlespeed and then CAT 1-2, take the course down, go home and nap. Ahh.
Moo
I did 142 miles last week, between lunch on Monday and lunch on Friday. Not a bad week. Hopefully my legs are awake now for the NM State Cyclocross Championships, today. Set up the course, race singlespeed and then CAT 1-2, take the course down, go home and nap. Ahh.
Moo
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Cold Ride to the Office Today
I had decided Monday night, that if it was 20 degrees or colder, Tuesday morning, that I would probably drive to work. at 530 am Tuesday, the internets said it was 25. I put everything on, even the leg warmers under the fleece bib knickers. I had not used my new Spec lobster claw gloves, so I was excited to try them out. And the plastic grocery bag corners were over my toes, inside the shoes.
A little wind from the west/northwest, mostly cloudy skies, and I was out the door about 630. Nice ride in , about 12 miles, from the golfcourse, all fairly flat. My toes were going numbish, with about 4 miles to go, and my right index finger was getting a little cool. Otherwise, my first ride in to the cannon was uneventful. I guess I'll find out how cold it can get until spring comes. I think my cutoff will be 20 degrees, or a stronger headwind.
The wind should be at my back all the way home!
Moo
A little wind from the west/northwest, mostly cloudy skies, and I was out the door about 630. Nice ride in , about 12 miles, from the golfcourse, all fairly flat. My toes were going numbish, with about 4 miles to go, and my right index finger was getting a little cool. Otherwise, my first ride in to the cannon was uneventful. I guess I'll find out how cold it can get until spring comes. I think my cutoff will be 20 degrees, or a stronger headwind.
The wind should be at my back all the way home!
Moo
Not Snowing
It was supposed to be snowing at 5:00 am Monday. I had been watching the weather all weekend, from ABQ, wondering if I would even be able to drive into Clovis Monday morning. I was wanting to ride at lunch, but weather under said it would be snowing and raining all day.
I left around 4 am, saw a few flurries (thin) as I headed east on I-40. Before I turned off at Santa Rosa, I could see nothing but clear skies. Beautiful typical NM sunrise, but different without "coming over the mountains" first. It would be a blue sky day.
I left the office on the bike around 1130, headed over to another building to meet another rider, Rob, for the tfirst time. We did two loops of the cannon, a little over 10 miles each, had a great ride, even with the wind as it was. It's only a head wind one direction. As we started the second loop, the clouds were coming in and getting dark; the sun was gone after a few miles.
Once I was back at the office, changed clothes, and looked outside about 20 minutes later, the snow was coming down hard. It didn't last more than about 30 minutes, and only moistened the ground a bit. Not much of an all day snow and rain storm.
We had a great ride in the sun, mostly. Wind is just a constant "hill" feature here, adds training resistence. Otherwise, it's all flat. The 42x15 fixie mode worked great, but I wasn't able to stand anywhere. Getting off the saddle is nice sometimes, but it was only an hour, kind of like the cyclocross races.
Moo
I left around 4 am, saw a few flurries (thin) as I headed east on I-40. Before I turned off at Santa Rosa, I could see nothing but clear skies. Beautiful typical NM sunrise, but different without "coming over the mountains" first. It would be a blue sky day.
I left the office on the bike around 1130, headed over to another building to meet another rider, Rob, for the tfirst time. We did two loops of the cannon, a little over 10 miles each, had a great ride, even with the wind as it was. It's only a head wind one direction. As we started the second loop, the clouds were coming in and getting dark; the sun was gone after a few miles.
Once I was back at the office, changed clothes, and looked outside about 20 minutes later, the snow was coming down hard. It didn't last more than about 30 minutes, and only moistened the ground a bit. Not much of an all day snow and rain storm.
We had a great ride in the sun, mostly. Wind is just a constant "hill" feature here, adds training resistence. Otherwise, it's all flat. The 42x15 fixie mode worked great, but I wasn't able to stand anywhere. Getting off the saddle is nice sometimes, but it was only an hour, kind of like the cyclocross races.
Moo
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
First Ride in Clovisss
Well, actually it was my lunch ride at CAFB. 23 November, a little wind, maybe 15-20. Always a head wind no matter where I ride anyway.
If it doesn't change direction, then in a loop ride, I can get a tailwind too. Well, the tailwind yesterday made me realize I need to change the ratio on the London (Specialized Langster London Edition). First I'll go to my 16 tooth freewheel, that'll do better with the standard 42 ring. If that doesn't work, I'll put on a bigger ring, or put the 15 fixie cog on the back.
Why not just put the cog on anyway? Riding fixie is enjoyable, but I'm not ready to grind my contact points away yet. Without being able to stand and coast occasionally, relieving high friction is not possible. Yes, butt butter does the trick, but I start to feel like I can't get on the bike without it sometimes.
My ride to work could turn out with "wind advantage". Looks like there may be little wind in the early morning and somewhere between south and northwest in the evening.
Moo!
Clovisss
What? Well, semi-acronymical- Clovis singlespeed.
Just "moved" here, 22 Nov. Will be biking in the area, and of course, on various singlespeed bikes (just goofy that way). Hopefully, I will join the local cycling community, if I find it. I've heard their are other bicycles in town and people who ride them. And, no, I don't care if you have those shifter thingies and deraillieur thingies. I just like to ride.
I'll be riding to work at CAFB, as often as possible, and practicable (?). I know there is a wind thing here, but it justs add to training. I've never been blown off the road, but I'm sure it's exciting.
For now, I'll be driving in on Monday mornings and leaving Friday evenings, headed to my family in ABQ, or to races. Hope to see you out there. I'll be posting ride info, when it's worthy of the time to type.
Chris
(C Cow)
Just "moved" here, 22 Nov. Will be biking in the area, and of course, on various singlespeed bikes (just goofy that way). Hopefully, I will join the local cycling community, if I find it. I've heard their are other bicycles in town and people who ride them. And, no, I don't care if you have those shifter thingies and deraillieur thingies. I just like to ride.
I'll be riding to work at CAFB, as often as possible, and practicable (?). I know there is a wind thing here, but it justs add to training. I've never been blown off the road, but I'm sure it's exciting.
For now, I'll be driving in on Monday mornings and leaving Friday evenings, headed to my family in ABQ, or to races. Hope to see you out there. I'll be posting ride info, when it's worthy of the time to type.
Chris
(C Cow)
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