"Guess what. I still alive."

Those words by my friend Volker Pekar kinda sum it all up. The ride was spectacular and spectacularly challenging. But, the experience exceeded everything I hoped it would be. We, as a group of riders, pushed our bodies and abilities to the limit. Physiologically speaking, I have witnessed the edge, that precipiece where human endurance yields to the systematic failures of metabolic systems, muscles, the nervous system, and our ability to cool through perspiration.

Could explain why this morning I feel a little wiped out, but okay. My bum, for one, hates me :)

It is time to pack, eat breakfast, and catch a shuttle to Vegas. I have bad news for my bum...it's going to be a long day with a lot of sitting!!

Done!!!

Allen called to say that he completed the ride ~45 minutes ago. I wish I could convey his energy. He encountered a few people struggling with the heat and/or dehydration but he himself escaped those dangers.

105 miles, 7 hours pedaling, and $5300 raises for JDRF in the name of Type 1's everywhere.

I love you Allen!

Jessica

Ride Day!

It's that moment when stored energy is ready to explode into something
kinetic. A navy jet, hooked to the catapult. An imminent rockslide
waiting on the smallest vibration. Every fibre stands taut in final
anticipation of something tremendous.

Here we are, everyone with some anxiety and some relief, happy to
welcome this sunrise and starting gun.

But first, breakfast.....

Had a great warm up ride today. I feel more acclimated to the temperature, barometer, and low humidity. Several of us participated in a hike in a nearby canyon. The hike was guided by a park ranger. Very informative and fun! We are having a big pasta dinner later tonight and then turning in early. Although, I might spend a little time taking twilight photos first.

I'm in a Strange Land

It was 100 F when my roommate and I went out for a short shake down
ride. It honestly didn't feel how 100 is supposed to feel. It was more
like standing in front of the oven while holding the door open. I
drank 44 oz of water during the half hour we rode, and that didn't
start to slake my thirst.

The heat may have also been responsible for my first flat of the
trip. We are having to underinflate our tires to compensate for the
temperature of the road surface, which could easily be 150 F. When the
air in the tires heats up, the pressure increases accordingly. POP!

Nightfall brings relief in temperature, thankfully. At 8:30, it is
quite comfy out.

Vegas

From the slots to the indominatable brown landscape, one can tell
this ain't Appalachia. However, it's very awesome!

I've rendesvoused with the Loon-a-Ticks and caught the bus. Were a-
rollin westward. Next stop: Wally World in Pahrump, NV.
Directions: fly west 1500 miles, turn left after departing jetway,
walk 52 paces.

Vegas...here we come!

Sent from my iPhoneBig plane, lots of happy people. I think most of these people are NOT
going to ride in the desert. Might see them at the craps table, tho.

Waiting at the Gate

A friendly, funny TSA staff is working the scanner this morning. Lots
of sleepy passengers wait at the gate. Ticket Agent says there are "a
lot" of Vegas travelers on this flight...looking around for other guys
with shaved legs. ...

Sent from my iPhone

(Only) Hours Away!

My journey to Death Valley will begin very soon.  I am excited.  People have been very kind to remember the trip, and I appreciate the many well wishes I have received here, on the eve of the big ride.  I hope to have some connectivity in Death Valley while at the hotel.  Maybe this will permit me to blog with some frequency.  Check back here occasionally for updates throughout the end of the week and the weekend. 

Braeden had a pep talk with me following my last training ride Sunday.  No doubting it, he's a ham for the camera. 

Thanks again, everyone, for the support and gifts to JDRF this year.  I am grateful for everything, especially this opportunity to help others and participate on behalf of a great cause.  Without each of my donors and the encouragement of so many, ...  Well, I don't have to think about what that would be like.  Let's go do this!!

Make Ready

I made my first list of things to pack 3 days ago just to be thorough.  I imagine it would be hard to replace anything forgotten in the valley of death.  So what goes in my bag when packing for a century?  Here's a look.

The bike, right?  And, gear for cool weather (below).  It isn't always blistering in the desert.  The 10-day forecast is calling for a low of 64 on ride day. 

Protective gear (tater sticker optional). 

Important for motion (above).  Below, the kitchen sink.  And, an ace bandage for icing the sore parts afterwards.

Final Push

The tickets are purchased.  The bikes are being shipped.  In only 11 days, Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley, CA will be burgeoning with cyclists, support staff, and a few JDRF representatives who are tasked with pulling off a safe, high-octane ride experience. 

Ride weekend is a four day affair (longer for the staff), and a ton of work goes into making everything successful.  There are meals, each prepared for a small army of REALLY hungry people.  There are activities, banquets, and classes, which cover everything from bike fit adjustment to cycling with diabetes.  There are hundreds of bikes, shipped in from every corner, to assemble.  Of course, all those bikes will have to be disassembled, padded, and boxed following the ride.  And, on ride day, SAG wagons will be mobilized, break stations will be readied, and medical staff will be on patrol.  That's just a sampling of the work to be done.

For the cyclists, it's pretty simple.  Catch a plane, show up for chow on time, put your shorts on the right way, and sweat a little in the good ole California sun. 

I am already getting reminiscent.  The buildup for me has been so long, and the anticipation has been so high.  And, I know the end comes pretty quickly.  This has been a great cycling season. I've been blessed with many safe miles and the opportunity to build a lot of friendships.  The donations and messages of encouragement have been humbling.  I'm soon going to say goodbye to my red bike, which I plan to sell upon my return.  (Since I've already shipped my new bike, I'm riding the red one on a sort of goodbye tour).  To top it off, the weather is changing, and the days are surrendering ever earlier to darkness, marking the close of the cycling season.  73 hours in the saddle seem to have flown by.  No kidding, really.

I do have two major goals left to achieve.  Reach $5,000 in donations.  Ride 105 miles in the desert.  If you can help me with the money, I'll do the rest. 

Thanks for helping me achieve and for making this great experience possible.  I can't thank you enough.

Allen