In early May, I decided to try a different approach to getting physically prepared for a summer bike trek. In the past I have put in two-to-three weeks of daily riding ... rides of forty to fifty miles, some without loaded panniers, some with. This year I decided to put in some serious "couch" time, with an occasional ride up Mt. Lemmon with the usual Tuesday group and with 300 of my closet GABA friends.
As it turns out (so far) my new training program is working. Upon waking this morning my body was relatively pain-free ... just the usual stiffness that this old body typically feels first thing.
Today's ride included a significant climb of approximately 900' elevation gain in about 3 miles. The elevation gain pales in comparison with the weekly ride up Mt. Lemmon; however the rides up Mt. Lemmon are on a bike that weighs approximately 18 pounds ... my touring bike, with loaded panniers, weighs around 70 pounds. But then I should also point out the gearing ratios on the touring bike allow for such weight. The picture with this post was taken at the top of the climb ... Cape Horn ... looking eastward up the Columbia River.
A quick note about this summer's trek, and why I am heading west along the Columbia River. This summer the plan is to ride from Astoria, OR to Maine by way of Central Oregon, Yellowstone, Iowa (RAGBRIA) and then on to Maine. I am meeting up with two friends in Astoria ... Roger Simmons and Frank Preston (actually due to current health issues, Frank will be meeting us in Tillamook, OR ... apparently cheese will cure what ails him). Both Roger and Frank rode across the country last summer ... experienced riders both.
As I am composing this it is pouring rain ... first night of camping still has not come to be.
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