Countdown - One Week to Go!

Ride starts in about a week.  As previously noted, Cathryn and I headed to Palm Springs for the month of February so I could get back into riding shape.

So far what a month!

First, Squaw Valley has received over 10 feet of snow in the last two weeks and I have missed out on the most epic skiing that Squaw has every experienced.  Here is a shot of our front door that a friend sent....

I can't believe I missed this!

In any case we came to Palm Springs for my training.  The place is in the middle of the desert and the weather was supposed to be perfect.  Friends advised me that I would have to get up early for my rides to miss the sun and hot weather.  

Wrong!

So far in the last 20 days the highest temperature has been 62.  The winds have been averaging around 15-20 mph.  Rain has been in the forecast a good part of the time.  

Last week we experienced the 3rd highest rain day in Palm Springs history.  And that dates back to the 1800's.  Roads have been washed out - the water has no place to go - and traffic was snarled up for hours.  

Here is a shot that one of the newspapers posted.... 

This is a real shot!  Really tough to ride a bike through this....

One bright spot I did get a chance to ride the Tour de Palm Springs Century.  

It was scheduled for the second day after we arrived - so nothing like a 100 miles to start your training off with.   Ride started in downtown with about 1000 riders.  The ride took us through the windmills that have been erected just outside the town.  Quite the sight.....

And as you quickly learn....  they put windmills where the wind is......  It was so strong that a couple of times I almost got blown off the road.  And with 1000 riders all passing you.... it was pretty scary.  But all in all it was a great ride.  Tough first day though (first stop after the ride was to buy beer).

Cathryn and I head to San Diego next week to drop me off.  All the riders have been emailing each other with advice on what to bring, what not to bring, what to wear, etc.  The two most followed topics have been what to do if a dog chases you and how to prevent your ass from getting sore.

It's clear everybody has their own (very strong) opinion on both subjects.  Recommendations ranged from dog spray to riding with a slower rider so you can sprint ahead so as to leave your partner to deal with the problem.  Someone suggested getting off your bike and petting the dog .   I suggested a gun.  I told them I was going to carry,  This suggestion did not go over very well - particularly with the rider that suggested the petting solution.

As for the "ass conversation", I never knew that there were so many products sold to solve this problem.  Some people have a favorite cream.  Some people concoct special mixtures.  Others suggest you tough it out.   Me, I'm a A&D Diaper Rash ointment kind of guy, though I am going to check out some of the newer products on the market being sold to prevent diaper rash in adults.  

I think it's probably the same cream as sold for babies - just repackaged so it doesn't look as stupid in your bathroom.  

The ride was supposed to start off with 43 riders.  So far we have lost one rider to getting attacked by a dog on one of his training rides (this dog thing is real) and a second rider to emergency surgery. 

And t he ride hasn't even started.  I sure hope this is not a foreshadow of things to come...