It wasn't on the itinerary when we started our ride today, but once we found ourselves at the foot of the infamous Hicks Road climb to Mt. Umunhum, the testosterone took over. Turning around (like we had planned) just wasn't an option. So, Big Dave, Stevie Z, Dickney, Scott and I pointed our bikes uphill and started pedaling. It wasn't pretty, butt we skull made it!In my case, I was carrying more than a little extra weight. I weighed my panniers when we got home - 14 pounds! I carried that load and tackled the 16%-grade sections of Hicks head on. No walking, no stopping, and no serpentines. I hereby pronounce myself READY for BikeTheCoast13. Great job today, boys!
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This is my last hard training weekend before I fly to Vancouver in 10 days. Cycling over 9 to Big Basin/Boulder Creek & back today. 5,500' of climbing over 62 miles. Live GPS tracker is running at www.BikeTheCoast13.com Taking a break in Boulder Creek. Great ride so far. Big ride going on in the mountains and I was hanging pretty well with some "real" cyclists. About ready to climb back up the coastal side of Highway 9. Power is out throughout Boulder Creek, but still scored a coffee and a piece of coffee cake.
While I'm still a couple of weeks from my launch date, our son Derek had a launch of great significance today. Derek completed a big step towards his ambition of becoming a Naval aviator. Today was his first flight in the Navy's T6B Texan II. He had the stick for about 75% of the time including take-off. Not to short-change my own goal, but Derek is truly living the dream. I've never seen him more excited! We're so happy for him, and proud of him!
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Jeff FredericksOn August 14, 2013, I'm flying to Vancouver, British Columbia and beginning a 29-day, 1,880-mile bike ride from Canada to Mexico. Archives |