I'm Going the Distance for the Rapha 500

That's right. I"m going make this thing with one easy ride to Benetti's Coffee Experience tomorrow. I really had some doubts about the idea after the weather took a nose dive. Somehow I managed to hang tough for two absolutely shitty days. Now tomorrow they are calling for 59 degrees. Really it doesn't bother me that the winds will be 25miles an hour. Cake walk after doing that in 10-20 degree shit with the same winds. So excited to wrap this baby up and deliver it to Rapha.

Tomorrow I will download my rides via Map My Ride since I totally blew it with the download of total debacle. I almost did it again tonight. Tired, a little tender all over the whole body. Miraculously the rig is starting to feel the same. I can tell by the little noises that it started producing today. Or maybe it was the shear silence in the fog amplified everything.

Very strange day of riding. The drizzly was more of a sprinkle the entire time going south. Until I reached my furthest point. Then suddenly the mist stopped. The fog, well it hung tough although on the southeast side it subsided just a little. I wasn't quite as afraid of the Loch Ness Monster coming out of the woods. Although I've heard the chupacabra are in the woods out south. Just saying they can migrate you know.

Photos

Total

138.1+143.8= 281.9 total mileage

281.9-310.6= 28.7 left to go

Just remember that you have to go back a couple days before I downloaded & cleared my running total.

Tequila Sunrise Goes Well with the Rapha 500

After last's night pitcher today was going to be a rough one. Well so I thought. With the temps rising, the sun out, plus a little hung over from margaritas I donned my kit. Rolled out the door.

The route was to be the Cultural Enhancement Tour. Why the name? Well it leaves from the suburbs; travels to the urban core via a mix of countryish outcrops to full on golf course locals along the spin. The route visits five different cities along its path. One dedicated gravel path, a greenway trail, then urban streets to reach the destiny for today: Broadway Cafe.

Along the route today ran into several riders which was nice to see. The PRO's from 360 w/Marshall. Then stopped One Eyed Z for a little catch up, then off I rolled.

Todays reward

Double Soy Macchiato & Vegan Pumpkin Bread

Photos.

Totals

Here's where that higher education + ADHD=crusty's total mileage

138.1+30.61-92.12=230.22

I actually can relate. Just substitute 'Mr. Brownstone' for Rapha 500

Rapha Day 5 Late

All well laid out plans are made to be broken. Especially if you decide to stop my your favorite Mexican eating establishment, Fiesta Azteca. Usually when the boss and I stop there we get a half pitcher of margaritas. Well this time I decided to go the full monty. Which was a gooood idea at the time but today it might not be. Only time will tell.

I did ride yesterday. The previous days effort played a big role in the later than usual start. The weather really took it's toll on me. Not that I was pushing pace. I'm thinking the 20 degree temp that effected more than I thought it would. Oh well, living to fight another day.

Yesterday's route was a favorite of mine, in the summer. Now I know why. To many hills, not enough rest in between. Who said Misery was flat? I will show them the opposite. We may not have 10-30 minute sustained climbs. It the endless rollers that will wear on a man's soul. So today's plan is to hit the cultural enhancement tour. With the temps climbing and the possibility of rain I need a big push today and tomorrow to secure the 310.6.

Photos.

Total

138.1+30.61=168.71miles

I made the mistake of leaving the computer on to charge the Garmin. Then it downloaded my history. Damn. Now I have to add this stuff up. Guess that higher education will come in handy after all.

Celebrating Boxing Day by Riding for the Rapha 500

Boxing Day? When I first heard that I thought it was celebrating actual boxers. You know another holiday commercialized by the man. Except this time Don King stepped up.

Enough of that...Today has been the coldest day so far on this Rapha Festive 500 Challenge. When I started it was 19degrees with windchill dipping into almost single digits. Really, really, really cold. After yesterdays mistakes I made sure to correct the issue. Proven windproof fronts. Complete comfort was reached. Actually enjoyed todays ride even been the extreme range of my riding delight.

From this point on it's looking alot easier. Mother Nature didn't break me today. With the weather turning warmer over the next few days I'm feeling confident I will get my patch.

Alot of shots today.

Running Total So Far

Mother Nature Can Be A Real Bitch For The Rapha 500

I'm not kidding. I really mean it. All I want to do is ride my bike for 50+ miles a day. Look that should be simple. Unless Mother Nature & Rapha Festive 500 have a deal going I don't know about. If so, I will overcome. If not I'm going down trying. Both fist's flying, legs a spinning, and with lungs burning to get that patch.

Snow was in the forecast. Well this time the weather folks got it right...

Temps just above freezing made sure it wouldn't stick. Unfortunately I figured it would be a better call to take the MTB out for a spin. That was the right call until I discovered some very busy trail gnomes have cut and signed some new trail. Very fun trail if I should say so myself. The next time I go I will make sure it's a little drier. Rocks and roots covered in snow are a little treacherous. Fun, just a little more than I was ready for.

Today's ride started to push my limits. Toe's got wet, then cold. Glove's became wet from all the snow, then a bit chilled. Mind began to wonder. Luckily I had iPod cranking out some tunes. Tried again to get some shots. Big gloves, snow, fogged up lens caused some problems.

Totals

I'm thinking I should get some extra credit for total mileage. Seriously!

I'm totally shelled.

It Has Begun: Rapha 500

I took the first step err pedal into reaching the final goal of the Rapha contest Festive 500. Knocked off 69km(49mi) not exactly what I wanted but you have to start somewhere. I tried to take some shots of riding in the country from dusk to night time. Its kinda of difficult taking shots with winter gloves on.

Amazing how riding in the country takes on a new perspective from daytime. I've ridden at night in the woods plenty of times. Riding on the road on County Maintained roads is one thing during the day. At night following two separate lights(one on the bars, the other on the helmet) at adds an element all its own. The country dogs really don't know what the hell to do when they saw a couple of lights moving up the road at them. Possums well they played possum. No photos of those guys, those teeth scare the shit out of me. So I just kept moving on.

Ok tomorrow's plan is still up in the air. The weather is going to make it a challenge. But I want that patch. Might have to try and bag 50miles on the MTB.

Merry Christmas Eves Eve...

Day One