Cycling, Santa Fe

Santa Fe Century Training Plan - Steve Griego

2012-01-26T02:35:50Z

Training Plan February

At this time of the year incorporating thirty minutes or so, intervals and climbing, during regular scheduled rides couple times a week helps acclimate the body to training efforts. As conditioning improves, we will join the Santa Fe Road Riders Saturday and or Sunday B group rides for endurance efforts. Again, regardless of the scheduled SFRR route, I always plan appropriate re-groups and bail out options for less conditioned riders.

About mid-February I start wearing my simple $50 calorie and heart monitor. The people I have helped complete successful centuries so as not to end up in intensive care afterwards or destroying their immune systems have learned to monitor their calories burned and re-fuel accordingly during rides regardless of perceived effort, headwind, cadence, bicycle weight, tire rolling resistance, martial status, or religion. The calorie monitor helps establish one's metabolism rate on a bike. Cyclists need a documented base line in order to efficiently increase training to the next level. Some people burn three hundred calories and others burn more than seven hundred calories in an hour of cycling. Monitoring those calories allows us to hydrate and take nutrition appropriately.

Another successful training choice is to sign up with an on-line coach for thirty bucks or so a month. An older racing buddy and his wife used this method successfully for a couple years earning between them over a dozen state championships. Training schedules and results are emailed weekly between coach and athlete using ride information from the calorie and heart rate monitors.

The following articles are good variations on a theme. Information is reputable; however, we seniors MUST adjust regimen accordingly. Important for us older folk to remember our flexibility and especially joint health is key to improving and maintaining our condition, so those of us older than fifty, do not necessarily benefit from spinning a million rpm.

Santa Fe Century, or fifty mile, or twenty-five mile leg is four months out, May 20th. Perfect time to start preparing.

http://www.santafecentury.com/index.html

http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/High-Intensity-Interval-Training-for-Beginners.htm?cmp=276&memberid=31775525&lyrisid=24181853&email=fsg@email.arizona.edu

http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/4-Training-Tips-for-Your-Century-Ride.htm?page=2

Grandpa and grandson at the end of Denver's Deer Creek Challenge in August. The young fellow wanted to complete his first century before being inducted into the air force, so we entered the hardest event in the U.S. with 12,725 feet climbing. He burned 8,000 calories, grandpa about 5,000. Eight hours saddle time not counting appropriate nutrition stops and a serious rain storm where about a hundred of us huddled like penguins under the forth food stop tents. Probably five hours climbing. Did I mention there were lots of hills?

SOBs Info Notes

2012-01-26T02:32:40Z

If you are a certified Ride Leader then be sure to be at the meeting this Friday, Jan. 27th. We will meet at the Travel Bug at 10:30. Judy Costlow will be leading the group in drafting the 2012 ride schedule to be presented at the Annual Planning Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2nd at REI. We will meet in the community room at 10:30.

I have the 2012 membership cards ready so be prepared to renew at the sign in table.

The Traffic Skill 201 class is full. Just a reminder to the 11 people that signed up we will meet on the three Thursdays prior to the start of the riding season in the Community Room at REI. Steven Newhall will be joining me to do the mechanical section of the course. The dates again are March 15, 22, & 29 at 10:30.

Also Stephen Griego is starting to prepare for the Santa Fe Century (see blog post above) If you would like to join the fun, starting about mid-February his e-mail address is: Francis Stephen Griego <fsg@u.arizona.edu>. Part of the preparation is wearing a calorie monitor and beginng to incorporate, during each sob ride, some intensity intervals or climbing work.

This is the web site of our sister club, in Bolder Co. It is interesting to see how they are organized.

http://www.seniorsonbikes.com/schedule----boulder-co.html

Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 201

2012-01-14T16:25:39Z

Smart Cycling Traffic Skills 201

A League of American Bicyclists Course

Traffic Skills 201 is designed for the intermediate to advanced cyclist. The 12 hours of instructions are based on the material contained in the text, “Smart Cycling: Traffic Skills 201”. The course. is divided into four parts with a heavy emphasis on bike maintenance.

Part 1 covers : increasing efficiency, training for endurance, what to eat, and general cycling fitness issues.

Part 2 deals with: using the gears, all things pertaining to the brakes, derailleur, chain, bearings and wheels.

Part 3 discusses the cycling environment.

Part 4 deals with crash prevention, avoidance and injury reduction.

The teacher for these classes is Edwin Crosswhite, League Cycling Instructor #221. This course is available to members of the Santa Fe Seniors On Bikes cycling club at no cost. Anyone attending all three class sessions, and passes the 25 question written exam will receive a certificate and become a certified ride leader.

There is no prerequisite for this class.

The dates: Thursday, March 15, 22, and 29

The time: 10:30 to 4:00 (1 hour lunch)

The place: REI Community Room, Santa Fe Railyard

If you are interested contact Edwin Crosswhite at ecrosswhite@cybermesa.com

SOBs Info Notes 10/31/11

2011-11-01T02:08:25Z

The end of the year Recognition Luncheon was held at Richard and Karin Roth's community room. Karin's chili stew was excellent and a special thanks to all those that brought the extras that made the meal special.

The following people received recognition.

Ride Director: Judy Costlow

Certified Ride Leaders

Pam Parfitt - 11

Ian Norrish - 10

Edwin Crosswhite - 10

Judy Costlow - 8

Jim Hallquist - 8

Ramon Parcells - 6

Stephen Hazen - 5

Devon Dalzell - 5

Dave Simonson - 5

Denise Maaranen - 4

Brian Morgan - 3

Stephan Merdler - 2

Wes Horner - 1

Mark Roseman - 1

Non Certified Ride Leaders

Clare Rhoades - 1

Steve Griego - 1

Web Master: Ian Norrish

2011 Web Survery Results

Activity Director: Clare Rhoades

BBQ in Pecos _ Clare Rhoades

Silver City Tour - Lynn Pickard

Awards Luncheon - Karin & Richard Roth

Treasurer: Steve Gitomer

Media Coordinator: Gary Katz

Offical Club Photo - Tom Andrews

SOBs 2011 Jersey Design - Herb Schon

Elite 80 Recognition

Herb Schon (new member)

Mary Clark

Jim Cost

Dale Goering

Wes Horner

Club 20

Edwin Crosswhite (Perfect)

Judy Costlow

Dale Goering

Jim Hallquist

Clare Rhoades

Fred Nugent

Bill Litzenberg

Alan Wardlow

Mark Roseman

Brian Morgan

Pam Parfitt

Ramon Parcells

Karen Adelfang (honorable mention with 19)

George Gamble (honorable mention with 19)

All rides will start at 10:30 through the winter months.

Tuesdays rides meet at Java Joes in the Devargus Mall parking lot.

Thursday rides for the Month of November meet in the 599 Railrunner Station parking lot.

Thursday rides for the month of December meet in the Santa Fe Community College parking lot.

Thursday rides for the month of January meet in the El Dorado Agora Center pariking lot.

February 2 is the annual ride planning meeting and will meet at REI's community room in the Rail Yard at 10:30 (no ride planned that day) the remaining Thursday rides for the month of February meet in the Museum Hill pariking lot.

A Traffic Skills 201 class is being planned for three Thursdays, March 15, 22, & 29. This is a course for advanced cyclist and pre approval is required, contact: Edwin Crosswhite

SOB rider Ernie Atlas on the mend (courtesy Steve Griego)

2011-10-31T02:32:34Z

Ernie is doing very well, sitting up, chatting, smiling, and in good spirits. Monday he hopes to be transferred to rehabilitation for a couple weeks, and afterward depending on progress home.

Riding alone on Old Santa Fe Trail heading to Eldorado at speeds of plus twenty mph, he went down and he does not remember why. The paramedic said there was a small piece of firewood/road hazard quite near the scene.

Damage: Two fractured cervical vertebrae, which will heal without surgery, seven broken ribs in pieces, which badly bruised his lung causing blood and other leaking fluid. Two tubes were inserted to relieve pressure and drain lung fluids. Ribs had to be pinned to stabilize and promote mending. Rib plates and screws will be left in after healing. One lung drain tube has already been removed and the second tube will be removed hopefully today. Broken clavicle has been pinned. Scapula has several fractures, and head of humerus is fractured. Because all the muscles are intact in the upper arm and shoulder area, only a sling is needed while the humerus mends.

Ernie has had three bike accidents, this one being the worst, in the past few years. Sadly, at 76 years old, he has made the decision to cease bike riding. But he does hope to remain an honorary member of the Seniors on Bikes, and maybe help with some administrative or board work if a fit can be arranged. Told him I would pass this information to the gang.

He said to mention that he will be selling his custom medium size Parlee. He is 5' 8", so I estimate the frame is in the 52 to 53 centimeter range. He paid 10K, three years ago, and this is the one spill on the Parlee. Only damage he believes is torn handlebar tape and saddle.

I asked him if he liked mysteries in case someone wants to take him some reading material. He is happy to receive visitors. I dropped off a couple esoteric bike serials, Bicycle Quarterly and Cyclocross and he brightened up even more.

Rubber side down everyone.
Steve

SOB Route Slips - October 27th 2011

2011-10-25T21:55:23Z

Route slip

Las Campanas Area

A Group

Start: Solano Center parking lot

L: Placita de Oro

R: Rio Vista

L: Cameo De Las Crucitas

R: Buckman Road

R: Las Montoyas (cross Hwy 599)

L: Tano Road (regroup)

L: Tano West

L: Sundance Drive

L: Palentine

R: Lluvia de Oro/Fin de Sendero

Regroup: Camino La Tierra (stop sign)

* check your time

R: Camino La Tierra

at Y go L: to La Tierra

Becomes: Ruta Sin Nombre/Paseo de Vista

R: Nopal

R: West Alameda

End: 2300 West Alameda **

Total : 1.5 hours

* make a left turn based on time

**meet in the Community Room

Route slip

Las Campanas Area

B Group

Start: Solano Center parking lot

L: Placita de Oro

R: Rio Vista

L: Cameo De Las Crucitas

R: Buckman Road

R: Las Montoyas (cross Hwy 599)

L: Tano Road (regroup)

L: Tano West

L: Sundance Drive

L: Palestine

R: Lluvia de Oro/Fin de Sendero

Regroup: Camino La Tierra (stop sign)

L: Camino La Tierra

Becomes: Ruta Sin Nombre/Paseo de Vista

R: Nopal

R: West Alameda

End: 2300 West Alameda **

Total : 1.5 hours

**meet in the Community Room

Route slip

Buckman Road

C Group

Start: Solano Center parking lot

L: Placita de Oro

R: Rio Vista

L: Cameo De Las Crucitas

R: Buckman Road

Regroup: Camino La Tierra (stop sign)

L: Camino La Tierra

Becomes: Ruta Sin Nombre/Paseo de Vista

R: Nopal

R: West Alameda

End: 2300 West Alameda **

Total : 1.5 hours

**meet in the Community Room

SOBs Info Notes - October

2011-10-25T21:49:14Z

The weather forecast for Wed. and Thur. is for snow in the mountains and cold mornings. Even though the ride starting time is 10:30 it may be too chilly for some people to ride. Richard Roth assures me that there is adequate parking at 2300 West Alameda for anyone that wants to just go to the luncheon at 12:00.

The schedule is a little different in that the rides are for one hour and thirty minutes not a set distance. The A ride is lead by Mark Roseman and goes out Camino De Las Crucitas crosses at Montoya to Tano Roads and then heads towards Las Campanas and returns via Paseo De Vista and Nopal (a new route). The B ride leader is Edwin Crosswhite and is a shortened version of the A route. The C ride goes out Buckman Road but does not go to Las Campanas. Pam and Brian will lead this group.

The luncheon has 40 signed up and starts at 12:00. If you want to have a “drink” you will have to make some kind of arrangements to get them to Karin. There is no cost to SOB members for the food but you must let Karin know you are coming so she knows how much to prepare. Her e-mail is KarinRoth@msn.com

Anyone wanting their new 2012 jersey/kits delivered must let Herb know and he will bring them to the luncheon. They can contact him at schonherb@comcast.net.

The ride will end at Richard and Karin Roth’s community room at the corner of Alameda (2300) and Camino Carlos Rael. Anyone riding to the luncheon will have to ride the 2 miles back to the Salano Center via Alameda or on a paved bike path along the Santa Fe River.

There is a business meeting scheduled for 1:15. The agenda is:

A. Winter Informal starting location for Thursday Rides should have good parking and at least 3 different possible routes from that point. These are the proposed starting points:

-599 Railrunner station

-Santa Fe Community College

-Eldorado Agora Center

-Museum Hill

-Suggestions

B. Tuesday’s Ride starting location

Java Joes, Devargas Mall

Suggestions:

C. Starting Time

9:00

9:30

10:00

10:30

Suggestions

D. Ride Planning Meeting for 2012

Thur. Feb.2

Thur. Feb 9

Thur. Feb 15

Suggestions

E. Ride Leader Training sign-up

F. Favorite Ride Survey

G. Feedback on club sponsors

New Mexico Bike N’ sport

Rob & Charlies bike shiop

Java Joe’s

H. Board Members for 2012

Edwin Crosswhite

Judy Costlow

Dave Simonson

Ian Norrish

Clare Rhoades

Steve Gitomer

Gary Katz

There is an awards/recognition program following the business stuff so plan to stay till around 3:00 pm.

SOBs Info Notes - October

2011-10-12T02:37:02Z

The October 13th ride is the 29 mile Bandelier counter clockwise Loop. The A-B-C rides follow the same route with the A group adding 10 miles (which includes a significant climb) lead by Dave Simonson. Stephen Hazen is the leader for the B’s and Pam & Brian will lead the C riders. At 8:15 a car pool will form in Java Joes parking lot at 600 Guadeloupe for those that want to save on gas.

The October 20 ride will meet in the Museum Hill parking lot and head out towards Eldorado. The A ride will do the 50 mile Galisteo Loop lead by Ian Norrish. The B ride leader is Jim Hallquist and goes to Galestio, 26 miles. The C riders will be lead by Devon Dalzell to Lamy for 15 miles total. The 2011 jersey/kits can be picked up at this ride.

Herb Schon wrote, “Please note that at all venues, be them at Balsa Rd, the Oct 20th and/or 27th ride or at the Roth's, the only items that will be there are ones that people requested (in advance) to be there. If someone didn't call or email they shouldn't expect to find their item(s) waiting for them.

Stripped down, the above reads, "You call, you email...you get." Herb’s email is schonherb@comcast.net

On October 27th there will be a new starting point and time. Please note the riders will meet in the Solano Center parking lot at 10:30. These three new rides will end at 2300 Camino Carlos Rael for the annual Awards Luncheon.

The schedule is a little different in that the rides are for one hour and thirty minutes not a set distance. The A ride is lead by Mark Roseman and goes out Buckman and Tano Roads through Las Campanas and returns via Paseo De Vista and Nopal (new). The B ride leader is Stephen Hazen and is a shortened version of the A route. The C ride also goes out Buckman Road but does not go to Las Campanas. Pam and Brian will lead this group.

This ride will end at Richard and Karin Roth’s community room at the corner of Alameda and Carlos Rael. The luncheon starts at 12:00 and if you want to have a “drink” you will have to make some kind of arrangements to get them to Karin. There is no cost to SOB members for the food but you must let Karin know you are coming so she knows how much to prepare. Her e-mail is KarinRoth@msn.com

There is an awards program after lunch so plan to stay till around 3:00 pm.

If you would like to serve on the SOBs Board next year please let Edwin know. His e-mail is ecrosswhite@cybermesa.com

SOBs Info Notes

2011-10-02T03:38:47Z

It was SO GOOD to see Roy Cope and Bill Pollock back in the saddle at the last ride. Also Herb Schon is back and completed the Acoma Century last week.

These SOBs are in Club 20 for 2011.

Crosswhite, Edwin

Costlow, Judy

Goering, Dale

Hallquist, Jim

Rhodes, Clare

The following are close. With only 4 scheduled rides left in 2011 you can do the math.

Nugent, Fred 19

Parcells, Ramon 18

Litzenberg, Bill 18

Wardlow, Alan 17

Parfitt, Pam 17

Morgan, Brian 17

Maaranen, Denise 17

Roseman, Mark 16

Merdler, Stefan 16

Gamble, George 16

Adelfang, Karen 16

I want to thank the SOBs that served on the Board this year. Our board is all volunteers and do valuable, mostly behind the scene work to make the club the success that it is. The 2011 Board members are:

Edwin Crosswhite, President

Judy Costlow, Ride Director

Ian Norrish, Web Master

Clare Rhoades, Social Director

Steve Gitomer, Treasurer

Gary Katz, Media

Anyone wanting to serve on the Board needs to let me know by October 27 at the “End of the Year Luncheon”.

Someone not on the Board but deserves a very special thanks is Herb Schon for developing the new SOBs jersey/kits.

Herb writes, “ The kits should be arriving here on October 18. You can arrange to pick up your order from here in El Dorado. We're at 4 Balsa Place. Directions from 285 South. Turn right at traffic light on Ave. Vista Grande and proceed to end of paved road (stop sign). Turn left onto Ave Casa del Oro and continue to the bottom of hill where you turn left onto Balsa Road. Go up Balsa Rd to first street, Balsa Place. Turn right, we're at #4 on left. Phone if you're picking up... 466-2955. There is an SOB ride on the 20th of October and if you request your items will be brought there. (this could be a good tune up for the White Sands Century on Oct. 22...is anyone doing this epic ride?) Finally, the following week, they should be available at the Old Souls Fiesta, wherever that is.”

This year Karin and Richard Roth have volunteered to host the “End of the Year Luncheon”. Karin will prepare the food and the SOB’s treasury will pay for the ingredients. For that reason she needs to know how many people to plan for. If you just think you are going to attend please e-mail her your intentions : KarinRoth@msn.com.

The luncheon is for members only and will follow the regular scheduled ride that leaves from Solano Center at 10:30. Anyone wanting to drink alcohol must provide their own. If you are not doing the ride the luncheon is planned to start at 12:00.

This year’s awards will include: Board Member Certificates, Club 20, Elite 80, Ride Leaders, Silver City Tour participants, SOB Newcomers and who knows what else. So plan to attend!

SOBs Info Notes

2011-09-20T23:02:32Z

This weeks scheduled ride is a special event. These are the three different scenarios; a mountain biking course, the Mora loop, and a ride from Eldorado through Seton Village.

For the mountain bike and Mora rides you can carpool leaving the Agora in Eldorado at 8:00 am. These rides meet up at Sapello (15 miles north of Las Vegas on NM 518). The off road course is half on a paved surface and the rest on a nontechnical dirt/gravel county road. The Mora loop is one of our treasures.

The Eldorado/Seton Village ride leaves the Agora shopping center parking lot at 9:00 am. Judy Costlow is the ride leader and she is quite open to extending the distance from the posted 15 miles.

Seven SOBs were in Silver City last week which experienced unseasonable rain. The first day was 61 miles of clear skies and mild temperatures. However the other days plagued the riders with rain and hail. The night life and coffee shops made up for the lack of riding.

Herb Schon is looking for some riders that want to do centuries.

He writes, “The training and participation additionally offer opportunities to go beyond an occasional ride and build up strength and endurance which drop off as we age. Here are a few coming up soon. They can be accessed by searching the name.”

Tour de Acoma, NM..............9/24

Tour de Ruidoso, NM............9/24

Durango Fall Blaze.............. 10/1

Gila Monster Challenge, NM..10/1

“These are pretty much the end of season rides coming soon. .... It's disheartening to see so few (or none) SOBs doing most nearby centuries. Consider a spring training series with add-ons to stay in the mindset thereafter.”

Edwin Crosswhite

Federal funding extended for transportation enhancements (biking)

2011-09-16T19:53:57Z

Dear David,

The U.S. Senate affirmed its time-tested support of bicycling Thursday by forcing Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma to withdraw hisproposal to eliminate dedicated funding for the Transportation Enhancements program.

Peopleforbikes.org supporters and our advocacy partners influenced this outcome by sending close to 50,000 emails and making thousands of phone calls to their U.S. Senators in just 48 hours. Thank you!

As a result, funding for all federal transportation programs has now been extended to March 31, 2012. The key, cost-effective programs that make bicycling safer and easier -- Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School, and Recreational Trails -- will continue to receive modest, dedicated support -- about 1.5 percent of the total federal transportation investment.

Every U.S. Senate office received an unprecedented number of well-crafted emails and articulate phone calls this week from people who bike. This powerful show of support for bicycling made a strong impression on Congress and influenced the positive outcome.

We reminded the Senate that bicycling investments support a growing number of transportation trips coast to coast, and save government agencies money on road repairs, parking infrastructure costs, and health-care costs. They recognize that this is a small investment with a big payback that makes Americans safer.

A huge thanks to the thousands of Americans, our supporters, who rallied quickly to contact their elected officials on this challenge. We will continue to keep you posted on key issues and opportunities that affect the future of bicycling in the United States.

I hope you'll join me in taking a ride this weekend to celebrate!

Tim Blumenthal
Director, Peopleforbikes.org

SOB Kit update from Herb

2011-09-01T00:43:24Z

Thirty cyclists stepped up to order one or more items of the new(er) kit. Thanks to these (unofficial angels who bought on this final order. As seems to be the way of SOBs, a very special award is engraved in titanium in the cyclist's hall of fame up above.

Those SOBs who chose not to purchase anything this time or in the Spring will have to wait a bit while the designer dentist recovers from a last late hour extraction of the final order from Irene Jackson for the last item, a pair of shorts.

Unofficially, my sentiments are to recognize those who went beyond the call of duty. Huge thanks. It was their largesse and not the commitments from non members or the flow of (not really annoying) messages which got us in the black. As a matter of fact, I received an offer for a marketing management position. Those to whom we owe big time:

Devon Dalzell....4 items J.P. Farrell....3 items

Karin Roth........3 items John Sumner..3 items

.....and everybody give a deep bow and hug to Robert Pierce....FIVE ITEMS!!!!!!

Not to be ignored in any sense are the others who must be counted:

Tom Andrews Gretchen Guard Pam Reynolds

Ernie Atlas Jim Hallquist Karin Roth

Caryl Baron Wayne Hoover (non-SO Herb Schon

Pamela Betts Wes Horner Irene Jackson

E. Crosswhite James Jimmerson John Sumner (non-SO

Devon Dalzell Ian Norrish (GIFTS!!!!!!) Alan Wordlow

Lisl Dennis Fred Nugent Pam Parfitt

John Farrell Angelo Otero(Texas) Lynn Pickard

George Gamble Robert Pierce

Shipping date is October 21 and distribution will be, as in the past, by way of "will call" or at rides. If there are no scheduled rides, I plan to continue announcing unofficial ones and if you care to participate, the kit items will be in my possession at the starts. In the next couple of weeks, design work will be finalized for long sleeve and bottom items. They will be in harmony with the already designed and issued short sleeve items.

Personal thanks from me. Designing these kits was a labor of love.

Be well...ride strong.......HERB

SOBs Info Notes

2011-08-31T18:03:15Z

This Thursday’s rides (Sept. 1) leaves from Ohkay Owingeh casino’s parking lot at 9:00 am. A carpool will meet at Fort Marcy’s parking lot off Murales Rd. at 7:45 leaving around 8:00. If you don’t know the way to Ohkay Owingeh you could follow the carpool.

Herb reported that the club has reached the minimum orders from Voler for the jersey (both long and short sleeve) and the new short design.

The Silver City Event is on September 12 - 16. Presently we have these people signed up:

Edwin and wife (who is a non rider)

Lynn

Judy

Clare

Lisl

Karen

Lynn Pickard will be coordinating the trip, you can contact her if you are planning on doing this event and your name is not on this list. You need to make your own hotel reservations for the Silver City trip.

The information is at: http://blog.santafesobs.com/2011/07/19/sobs-info-notes.aspx

Once you have made your reservations, please send an e-mail to Lynn at lynnpickard1@yahoo.com

and tell her where you are staying, how many will be in your party, and what days you have reserved.

A group planning meeting will be held next week to finalize things.

She's reserved for a Monday arrival and Friday departure, with a late check-out request. According to Google maps, the mileage to Silver City is 297 and it takes about 5 1/2 hours to get there.

We are tentatively planning the club photo for Thursday, Sept. 8. The ride is scheduled to leave from Frank Ortiz Park at 9:00 and we’ll take the picture around 8:45. Tom McLaughlin has a wide angle lens and has agreed to do the picture.

If you are interested in doing an off road ride with the club meet at Java Joes at DeVargas mall next Tuesday, Sept. 6th at 8:30 with your bike. We will ride the short distance from JJ's to the park entrance for this non technical route. Tom McLaughlin will be “the man” for this event.

Roy Cope sent me this account of his ordeal:

After sixty-eight days my nightmare is slowly coming to an end, sixty-eight days ago I developed a blood clot in my right leg which initiated a sequence of events that puts me where I am today, in recovery but still not back to where I was before first day of summer, the 21’st of June.

On the evening of June 21 while race walking with the local running club, I developed a blood clot in my right leg. 6:00 am the following morning I was in emergency surgery at St. Vincent’s hospital.

In the process of emergency surgery to address the blood clot, an aneurysm was discovered that I was totally unaware that I had. It is my understanding that this was the source of the blood clot. In a second surgery a couple of days later a abdominal stint graft was implanted.

In an odd sort of way, the blood clot was a fortunate thing. I consider myself fortunate in that a life threatening aneurysm was revealed, I did not lose my leg, and that I am still alive.

Twenty-one days in Christi's St. Vincent and forty-eight days in recovery at home puts me where I am today, the Wound Vac is gone, the wounds are healing, the swelling is going down and I am walking on my own.

I have started riding again, but after two months of inactivity, I am out of shape and my rides are short and slow. I am gradually building up my endurance, when I feel that I am in good enough condition to keep up with the group, I will return.

I hope to return by the middle of September.

Last chance for SOB Jerseys etc.

2011-08-23T02:37:10Z

Sorry to have to review the status of my incredibly handsome SOB/Santa Fe kits but as the final 7 days before the order closing date I find we are shy:

3 Short sleeve like items

5 Long sleeve like items (includes arm warmers)

4 Bottom like items

A short sleeve jersey and a pair of arm warmers is a great way to get a long sleeved look and at a nice savings.

Consider getting something and put it away for a fast-approaching holiday gift or stick it in the back of a drawer until some years pass and it becomes the collectors item it is destined to be or wear it on a big ride and when someone asks about getting one (which is bound to happen) sell it to them or ask me about terms for a lawaway purchase (I always get desperate when the final week approaches.

(for out-of-towners)

And finally, aren't you at all eager to take me up on my visitation offer? If you need a menu, we can work on it.

Here's how to order:

Welcome to the Voler Online Ordering System

Your cycling team has chosen to use Voler's new online ordering system for your next clothing order. Please follow the steps below to place your portion of the teams order:

1. Follow this link to access your teams order: https://custom.voler.com/Custom_Ordering/?OrderID=m9qseSZ+FCg=

2. Create a "New Account". Once you log in, click on "Get Started" to begin your order.

3. Choose your items and options from the Like Item Categories.

4. When you are finished, open your shopping cart and carefully review your items. Because each item is custom built, refunds and exchanges will not be accepted. When you have confirmed your order, continue to the secure Checkout.

5. After you process your order, you will receive an e-mailed order confirmation for your records.

6. Once the order deadline date has been met, you will not be able to add or modify your order. The order ship date is listed on the homepage. This is the date that your order will ship to your Coordinator.

Thank you for your order. If you have any questions, please call 800-488-6537.

Be well and enjoy your riding.

Herb

Los Alamos to Bernalillo, an epic ride, by Bob Krakowski

2011-08-15T19:51:20Z

From LA to Little Bernal

August 14, 2011

Early one August dawn a cool and dank beginning began

Three riders launched at the base of a hilly winding climb

Pedal strapped and pulling bar, with wheels in lowly gears,

Moved towards a caldera, a dormant crucible long sleeping,

But yet scarred in spotty blackness from recent fiery fumings

The road trekked from the eastern portal to the southeast rim

That luscious lip of a grassy bowl named the Valle Caldera

Ascending in windy steepness for nearly a panting league

And then releasing these velo riders, moist and parched,

Into the cool and expansive embrace of the ancient calderas

While skirting the most southerly brim of the verdant basin,

Propelling each with cyclonic force, these wheeled riders

Traced a deep descent along a treed perimeter to the low land

Slinging them beneath ancient Redondo’s spreading wings

Laying lazily betwixt Calderas Grande, Toledo, and Antonio

This dished trio collectively forming the grand Valle Caldera

Slung as primordial pebbles ejected from earlier eruptions

Floating past smoldering Las Conchas and ashen East Fork

Along the dark coarse and undulating band of tarred gravel

Past the rough-hewn structures of La Cueva’s conveniences

Offering water, fuel and hard-baked grandma’s apple pie

And a place of unwinding respite beneath a shaded portal

Before gently convening a roadway within a narrow gorge

Canyon San Diego defined by Mesas Virgin and San Juan

Through which flows a quiescent thread of watery runoff

Riders skimming the edge of the brown and roiling Jemez

Warmed by the steamy and sulfurous plumbs therein arising

Decorating this patched roadway, rough and pebbly worn

Vibrating each iron steed and reining arms tautly gripping

Chattering the aching bronzed legs rounding in to and fro

Propelling the wheeled beastly whine and whirl attending

To choppy progress against the pull of road and gravity

Along San Diego’s narrow and downwardly thrusts pass

Battleship Rock, Soda Dam, Jemez Cave and Jemez Springs

And beyond La Cueva’s fork descends the red-walled shoot

Channeling into ever narrower confines with relaxed strokes

Spurting effortlessly wheels and pushers past these venues

Both road and river falling together, engulfed in a tepid wind

Entwined ribbons of burnt-brown water and blacken tarmac

Compressed by the dusty rusty walls of Canyon San Diego

Baked under the relentless sun hanging from a thin azure strip

Populated with inviting resting places, churches, monuments

Cafés and intimate inns invite and allure the scorched riders

As they swiftly traverse the narrow and white-lined road’s edge

Winding through the Pueblo lands, racing, ever descending

Buffeted by relentless waterless heat and desiccating breezes

Growing intensity as altitudes earlier gained are duly repaid

Moving towards San Ysidro’s cool respite, and iced slurps

Finally meeting the broad and wrinkled road, rolling dry and dusty

pinon-laced and steel-girdled, trafficked by roar and fumes

The roiling Rio Jemez replaced by rolling hills, long but gentle

As Pueblos of Jemez. Zia, and Santa Ana arise and then retreat

Ultimately convening in the congested of town of Little Bernal.

Robert Krakowski

SOBs Info Notes

2011-08-03T03:43:22Z

Would you please complete the recently e-mailed question survey. Click on the link enclosed and follow the easy directions. The results will go to Ian who will compile the results..

Herb reports that as of 8/1/11 he has commitments for:

Short Sleeve Tops....10

Long Sleeve Tops.....7

Bottoms...................7

The SS tops go at the earlier 25-49 prices

All other items are based on the 15-24 prices

For anyone wanting the rew jersey but missed the initial order here is your chance. Contact Herb to register your intentions at: schonherb@comcast.net.

Clare Rhoade's reminder:

We're planning to spend Labor Day weekend mountain biking at Vallecitos again this year, and I hope you can join us. We learned last year that the area is rich in trails, both single track and double track, and we had some wonderful rides. This year we'll explore some more and revel in the wilds at Vallecitos.

Mountain Biking at Vallecitos Mountain Ranch

Labor Day Weekend September 2-5, 2011

Friday afternoon through Monday morning

The mountain biking weekend is intended for bikers, their friends and families. The biking trails are suitable for beginners and experienced bikers. For non-bikers, there is a lot to do: hiking, swimming, fishing on the river (off of the ranch/fishing license required) and relaxing in one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in New Mexico.

The high, rolling mountains 50 miles west of Taos shelter some of the last stands of old-growth ponderosa pines in northern New Mexico as well as crystal clear mountain streams and high, sub-alpine meadows, orvallecitos. The vast Carson National Forest embraces much of this spacious and largely roadless mountain country, but a homesteader carved out a ranch here in 1898 and managed to stick out enough winters to make good on his claim. Operated for most of the subsequent decades as a private getaway, the Vallecitos Mountain Ranch has been managed by a nonprofit organization as a wilderness retreat center since 1993. Now, the ranch is opening up to new activities, including, mountain biking.

The terrain around Vallecitos offers superb opportunities for both single- and double-track biking. A maintained forest service road traverses the area from north to south just east of the ranch, and much of the country is crisscrossed with abandoned logging roads. Additionally, the newly-designated Continental Divide Trail cuts through the mountains, less that half a mile from the ranch, offering the possibility of long-distance single track through the forested mountain landscape.

The main lodge at the ranch, built from local logs in 1926-28, has been superbly maintained as a comfortable place for meals and conviviality. Twenty casitas (cabins) and yurts, single and double occupancy, nestled in an aspen grove behind the lodge provide cozy sleeping quarters, and a central bathhouse includes hot showers. Nearby swimming ponds, and the Vallecitos River itself, present the temptation of a cold plunge at day’s end.

On this mountain biking trip, we will take full advantage of the amenities to be had at Vallecitos, including the services of a professional cook from Taos with long experience at the ranch. This will allow us time to ride to the edge of daylight and to get early starts—or to take leisure time in the meadow or by the river, without a worry.

This will be the second mountain biking excursion at Vallecitos, and we’ll build on everything we learned last year. There are new trails to explore! The trip will combine the best of biking in the mountains with the best in ranch-style creature comforts—at one of the finest times of the year in northern New Mexico.

Cost and Registration: The cost of the weekend is $375. Fees are all-inclusive and cover meals and three nights accommodation. 50% deposit due when registering.

Balance due by August 19, 2011.

Breakfast and dinner served in the dining room. A bag lunch will be provided to take on the trail each day.

Go to www.vallecitos.org to register online or contact Leigh Lauck at refuge@vallecitos.org or call our office for more information and to reserve your space: (575) 751-9613.

Rustic, comfortable accommodations, single occupancy, are in our individual solar lighted and heated cabins, yurts and walled cabin tents.

About Vallecitos. Homesteaded in 1898, the ranch is a spectacular 135-acre private inholding innthe Carson National Forest, 11 miles from the nearest paved road. The ranch is surrounded by 300,000 acres of the Carson Forest, including some of the most majestic old growth forest in the Rocky Mountains, subalpine meadows, mountain lakes and wetlands, towering stands of ponderosa timber, sweeping groves of aspen, and bountiful game and wildlife. The exquisite Vallecitos River, designated wild and scenic, runs through the ranch. There is no place like it. Visit Vallecitos online at www.vallecitos.org.

Edwin Crosswhite