Circumventing Lake Tahoe with friends, and surviving.

Here I am just finishing a training ride for my ride across the great state of Nevada. This picture was taken in Incline Village after circumventing Lake Tahoe. I was joined by my friends Brent C. and Steve D. (see below) for the 72 mile scenic journey around the "most beautiful lake in the world".

Notice my attire here. The Pink Breast Cancer Jersey in short sleeves (it also comes in long sleeved version), and my Pink Breast Cancer biking gloves. I just need a pink helmet, and shoes to be decked out in total support of the cause?

I wasn't too sure what to expect before starting out this ride? I had talked with a few people that have riding round the lake, but hadn't gotten a lot of information about the difficultly we we're to encounter? After this photo was taken, we set off around 10am riding south on hwy 28 from Incline Village towards Spooner Lake. Interesting how the three of us were chatting quite readily during this section of the ride; however, by mile 50 or so, not much was being said to each other as the legs and butt's started their conversations about how they were making our ride much more difficult. The first climb (Spooner Pass) was about 500-600 feet, and got our attention, but the decent into South Lake Tahoe was soooo fun (I love how you smack the Cave Rock tunnel button to signal the traffic that three crazy bicyclist are trying to beat the cars through the upcoming tunnel, then you attempt to ride as fast as you can through the danger laden hole in the mountain before the cars and trucks can get there).

As we three Amigos reached South Lake Tahoe, I made sure to tell the other two about how the most dangerous part of this ride was getting though the overly used two lane road that runs though this gambling town. Watch out for the summer tourist that while driving are texting all their relatives about how they "almost" win the big jackpot.  For everyone that doesn't know this, when you ride your bike though a town with numerous stop lights, you might as well plan on getting to the other side late, because when on a bike you will hit all the RED lights. Just a fact!

As we FINALLY get through South Lake Tahoe, we pass the "almost halfway point" as pointed out by myself (I'm always looking for ways to motivate my riding partners) we pass Camp Richardson and start our second big climb of the day. Getting to the "Viking Castle" is 4-5 mile climb and around 400-500 feet. As I ride past the famous 1900 century (20th century?) castle, I realize that I never visited it. I kind of got mad at myself that I have lived much of my life in the area and I have never visited this top rated California State park. We crested the top of the pass (or I thought so) and I promised myself that I would visit here in the next year.

Here's where the ride for me quickly got tougher. I'm not sure why, but it seemed out of nowhere my butt started hurting, and my energy level dropped (this is what most bikers call "hitting a wall," or "bonking"). I thought I had done a pretty good job at feeding and hydrating during the last two hours? I just sucked down some water, and sucked up my pride, then peddled on. I have found this is the best way to beat the "Bonking" monster.

Finally Tahoe City! I had to pee, and been waiting since "Viking Castle" to go, so we rode through Tahoe City looking for the best place to pit stop? Would you believe that we choose a McDonalds? Oh well, bathrooms here a "kind of clean". Except I had to follow a NON-HANDWASHER out of the bathroom, and McDonalds has years ago gone green (no paper towels), so I had no choice but to open the bathroom door with my newly clean (and still wet) hand. I couldn't stop myself from thinking that as I put on my helmet I was getting pee pee (or worse) on my head? Not to mention putting my contaminated hands into my Pink Breast Cancer Biking gloves? I do have to say these thoughts rapidly left my exhausted head, probably because as soon as my chaffed hurting butt hit that saddle all I thought of is riding Lourdes (see previous blog for explanation of bike's name) "out-of-the-saddle" for the last 12 miles back to Incline Village.

After 4+ hours of mainly bike riding in our Pink Jerseys, we found ourselves carefully negotiating our way through construction cones at the junction of 28, and Mount Rose Hwy 431. Secretly I was happy for once that the construction crews had the road torn up, because now I had an excuse to slow down for the last few miles into Incline Village. As we arrived back at the truck, I had mixed emotions. I was happy that I spent this day riding with two good friend in such a wonderful place as Lake Tahoe is, but I also couldn't shake the thoughts of "was the suffering" that much fun??? Funny thing is after completing a big goal such as this was, I frequently have thoughts of "why did I just do that,"  "I'm glad that's over," and commonly "I'm not doing that again". However, when the dust settles (usually after a week, but sometimes sooner) I'm planning the next date when I'm going to ride my bike around Lake Tahoe. This is just the way an obsessed athlete thinks.

One final thought. I do much of my training solo, and I couldn't help but think during these 72 miles, and 4 hours, just how much better this experience was riding with friends. I give God thanks for see us through without being ran over (though we had a couple of close calls), no injuries, and most of all getting to share one of my life goals with great friends (that also share the passion of bike ridding).

How I became obsessed with biking from Canada to Mexico?

During the last Tahoe City xterra as I was suffering through another off road triathlon, I was thoughtfully contemplating my bike ride across Nevada. As you can see from my photos I'm wearing my Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Jersey. I have been supporting breast cancer research, survivors, and really everyone touched by the terrible disease by wearing this Jersey for the last three years at all my racing events (I think it makes me look fast, and thin too?).

For anyone reading this blog, that might not know the adversities my family has faced (and so far conquered) in the last three years, my wife of fifteen years was diagnosed with stage III estrogen positive breast cancer in June of 2009. www.todayluluwins@blogspot.com We have spent a great deal of time receiving blessings, love, and support from everyone, and will all the wonderful people touching our lives, I wanted to something to raise awareness that more can be done.

Back to the thoughts of riding my bike across Nevada. Sometime during my 2012 training/racing season I conjured up this idea that if I'm joining to do this much training why not just jump on my Specialized Roubaix for a month and half journey down the famed Pacific Coast Hwy? I could raise awareness for breast cancer, and even possibly get donations for a local breast cancer support group? Could I do it? Would it be big enough? Does anyone really care? All these thoughts invading my grey matter on a daily basis (for anyone that isn't a triathlete, we train daily in one of three disciplines swimming, biking, and running, and on occasion, a triathlete trains doing two or all three of these in the same day). So how does a crazy thought of riding one's bike from Victoria, BC to San Diego, CA fit into one riding his bike from the border of California to Utah? All I can say is, "You have to start somewhere?" 

 My plan is to Start on Sunday September 16, ride the "Loneliness Highway in American" highway 50, from South Lake Tahoe to the Nevada/Utah border, arriving the evening of September 20th. This will include about 410 miles of Nevada desert, 20,000 feet of climbing over 7 Nevada passes, and an average of 80 miles/day on the Specialized Roubaix bike (that I have named "Lourdes," after my wife and only daughter, Lourdes). Because this ride is preparation for next summers Canada to Mexico ride, I will be riding alone (solo), just as I will be doing then. I have arranged to be picked up at the Nevada/Utah border at the end of the five days and 410 miles (I just wasn't sure I could make the return trip on the bike, who knows I might try?).

During this journey I plan to blog daily my thoughts. How this experience has effected me, what I can possibly do to make a difference, what there is to be thankful for, and how we all can contribute? Oh, and of course, anything exciting that could happen while I'm peddling the 410 miles? Hard to tell what might happen to a 46 year old male that is testing his limits of endurance, will, and most probably battling shear boredom?