Last day of Rapha 500

Hard to stay in when it is this nice out.

My backyard area

My house is just there on the left

Ride: 6.1 mi
Total: 112 mi
http://app.strava.com/rides/2979792

Today is the last day and I didn't make the challenge.  I knew I wouldn't since we were up in the mountains and although I could have ridden all days I couldn't justify the time away from family.  I figure that I wouldn't be able to complete this challenge until my kids are older and I'm not racing cyclocross.  At least I was able to ride all four bikes at least once.

Bass Lake day 2

Pictures pretty much says it all.  Gorgeous sunset ride.

Ride: 9.9 mi
Total: 105.9 mi
http://app.strava.com/activities/2944478

Today was a late ride and I squeezed it in before sunset.  My son had a low grade fever so I stayed with him until after his nap then my wife gave me the okay to go.  I wrote off riding today but she knew I wanted to get out.  I've got a good woman there.

I rode up Beasore and only got the the bridge which is about 4 miles up.  It was still about 6 or 7 miles to the summit.  Still for a 48 minute ride, it has beautiful views and only saw four cars.

Bass Lake day 1

Heading up the 222

Riding along the back of the lake.  There are rollers along this road and I forgot how much I love riding rollers

I've ridden by here during the summer and it's crowded.  Funny seeing it closed for the season

An actual street sign out here and pretty much the theme of this ride

Manzanita Lake

Funky seeing a totem pole by North Fork

Nothing like riding in the Sierras

Great views of the lake

Ride: 31.5 mi
Total: 96.0 mi
http://app.strava.com/activities/2914539

I am lucky that my in-laws have this cabin with several other families.  Between them they have their own time share and works out great for us.  All the kids are grown up and we're now bringing out kids.  Being in Bass Lake is great.  We are 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley (only 30 minutes to enter the park) but we are in the Sierras.  I love big mountains.  Unfortunately this year, the snow is late but that works out great for riding.  Of course, I would rather take my daughter out to play in the snow since that will be much more memorable for her.  Even without snow, starting out in the morning wasn't easy.  It was 38 degrees at 9am.  I know this isn't cold for other parts of the country but I live in Southern California. Actually I can't complain since I really prefer colder weather.

This loop essentially goes around Bass Lake but before I started, I headed down to the 41/222 junction.  When I started road riding again 7 years ago, I came here with my girlfriend (now wife) and this hill seemed really long.  Since then I've been on bigger mountains but it was a mental barrier and it was a good day to ride it.  Turned out it was really no big deal after all but funny how mental barriers work.  I had a great ride in the mountains and I was back in time for lunch and to take my daughter out riding her first bike.  It was a good day.

Christmas and day 3

This is "Big Wheel" and is usually my single speed 29er.  Since I'm in cyclocross season right now, I have it in 4 speed gear mode so that I keep spinning instead of grinding out the gear.  Besides my legs are pretty weak for single speed.  This is bike 3 of 4 that's been used.

I have this open space area in my back yard.  The trailhead is just 1/4 mile from my house so I usually ride on the dirt.  It is steep here so I get plenty strong (for me) riding out here.

Pictures are so much better during the golden hour

Ride: 5.4 mi (8.7 km)
Total: 64.5 mi (104 km, 396 km left)
http://app.strava.com/rides/2883233

Today is Christmas day so it was a busy day with family activities.  The kids were super excited about opening gifts and then we were getting them ready to see Grandpa for lunch.  My oldest got her first bike and we spent the afternoon riding in the park.  She loves it.  When we got home, I had 35 minutes to sunset so I went for my usual mountain bike loop.  I love having this so close to me.

Day 2

Early morning start.  40 degrees with medium Santa Ana winds (so gusts to 30 mph)

Getting ready to cross the Santa Susana Pass when I saw this train station.  This isn't on the mainline when I'm on the Metro and looks like from another decade.

Luigi is my Colnago Master road bike.  I've wanted one of these since high school and it rides great.

One flat with 5 goatheads.  I only had one spare tube and not enough patches if I got another flat.  Luckily I made it home without an issue

When I got to our driveway, my welcoming committee was there to greet me.  Actually they just found a praying mantis and was watching it.

Total for the day.

Ride: 48.7 mi (78.5 km)
Total: 59.1 mi (95.3 km, 404.7 km left)
http://app.strava.com/rides/2865147

Rapha has come up with a great idea to get people out riding during the holidays. For me it is great incentive to put in the miles. I normally average 3 hours of exercise a week between family and work so this really works on my Type A personality. Reality will come back though when we start a road trip from Monday to Thursday. We'll be up in the mountains but there is no snow so there is a chance of getting some miles in.  Of course, it will be a lot less since the hills will be tough.  I'm not sure if I can fit it in since it is family time. With next weekend being my last cyclocross race, this training block may help (I hope).

Rapha Festive 500 - Day 1

The ride started at sunset

It ended after dark but at least I had Christmas lights to see

Ride: 10.4 mi (16.7 km)
Total: 10.4 mi (16.7 km, 483.3 km left, whew)
http://app.strava.com/activities/2855739

Today is the first day of the Rapha Festive 500.  It is an activity that starts on Dec 23 to Dec 30 and the goal is to ride 500 km.  Last year was the first one but we just had our son so it wasn't possible.  This year I want to try and get close to it.  It doesn't help that we are heading away on Monday and back on Thursday.  I'm hoping to ride during that time but who knows.

Today was my last day working for this year so as usual it was a mad rush to get my work done.  Taking next week off means that I have to be ahead.  I was hoping to be done by early afternoon but it ended up being 4:00 which is 45 minutes to sunset.  Then our son was in a bad mood and didn't want to nap so it was my turn to put him down.  By the time he was down it was sunset.  No worries, I took out my rain bike which has fenders and lights.  The lights are powered by a generator hub so the light was bright and I had no issues.  "Worthington" is a 1980s Holdsworth Mistral that I have set up with a Nexus 8 speed internal hub, fenders, front rack and lights.  It is the perfect rain bike even though it doesn't rain much in Southern California.  I love riding in the rain so it is out every time it rains.

It was a short ride since we had dinner plans at 6:00.  It wasn't a long ride but it was good to get out and clear my head after a busy day.  Hoping to put in more miles tomorrow.

My goal is to ride as much as I can with every bike since I don't have the time to ride 500 km.  So I still have the cyclocross bike, road bike and mountain bike.

Day 21 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
12.3 miles, 1913'
TOTAL:
211.2 miles, 25607'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 20: Cadel takes second and the yellow jersey.  Stage 21: Cav wins again and Cadel did it.  This was one of the best Tours in years.  Favorite moments:

• Gilbert taking yellow when he was severely marked.
• Garmin winning the time trial
• Thor getting yellow and holding it.
• Thor wins a mountain stage
• Voeckler fighting to keep the yellow through the Pyrenees & Alps.  The guy knows how to suffer.
• Andy finally attacking and from way out.  Cadel bringing back Andy on his own.  
• Contador attacking from way out and going out in style.  Cadel bringing back Contador on his own.  
• Cadel decisively beats Andy in the time trial.
• Cadel in yellow going into Paris.

Started late since I was watching the last stage of the Tour.  It got hot climbing up to China Flats.

Another nice Southern California day.  Actually, I like it cooler but having the sun out is nice.

I really wonder if this was the original trail that was used.  Must have been amazing in the day.

The challenge time frame is over and although I didn't get to the goal, I did reach my personal goal of 25000 feet.  That is only a third of the total but all the time I had.  Still I am able to see improvements in fitness from this.  No wonder bikers talk about training blocks.  This has worked wonders on my limited riding time.

Day 20 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
8.7 miles, 1116'
TOTAL:
198.9 miles, 23694'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 19: Rolland wins for France's first win this Tour.  Of course Voeckler had the yellow jersey for 10 days.  What can I say, Contador went all in.  I was on the edge of my seat and hoping Cadel could pull it together.  Can't believe the timing of the bike change either.  Andy gets yellow and hopefully for one day only when he hands it off to Cadel tomorrow.  Oh, this is such a great tour and absolute nail bitter. 

Again short ride due to a busy work day.  At least I'm not working this weekend.

A nice riding day.  Not too hot although the forecast for this weekend is to heat up again.  I will likely only get a short ride in since we are going to Irvine and have a work family play day.  I'm sure it will be a fun time for the Peanut

Hot enough for the snakes to be out.  I was too slow getting the phone out and the snake was in the bushes by the time I was ready.  It was a 3' rattlesnake.

Day 19 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
10.2 miles, 1461'
TOTAL:
190.2 miles, 22578'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 18: Andy finally attacks.  He's too tentative but finally this shows he actually wants to win.  Cadel chased hard to keep Andy in his sight and Contador got dropped.  I think he Tour is over.  Voeckler stays in yellow for another day but I think tomorrow might be it.  I would think Andy would take yellow tomorrow and lose to Cadel on Saturday.  That's my prediction.  Cadel all the way!!

Short on riding time so it was hill repeats.

Repeats starts at the country club entrance.  Next time I need to bring chalk since I keep forgetting how many laps I do.

The challenge is almost done and I have 2422' left to reach my personal goal of 25000'.  That should totally be doable.  I'm sure to get at least 1000' tomorrow and Saturday can be a ride in the Santa Monicas before we go to Irvine for my work family day at the park.

Day 17 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
7.6 miles, 968'
TOTAL:
180.0 miles, 21117'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 16: Thor does it again and this time Ryder gets on the podium too.  Contador attacked like I knew he would but Cadel was the man and put time into everyone.  Cadel is now in second place on GC and 1:45 from Voeckler.  I think Stage 18 and 19 will blow the race apart.  As long as Cadel still has 30 seconds on Contador, he should be okay but with the big mountains up ahead, Contador can do amazing things.  Go Cadel!

Another short ride today.  Yesterday I got swamped at work and couldn't get out for a ride.  You would think working from home has flexibility.  It does and doesn't.  I had time to take and pick up Peanut from preschool but not enough to ride.  Oh well, I knew I wasn't going to complete the Rapha Rising but I still wanted to get some climbing in.   I'm 3883' from my personal goal but tomorrow is a commute day and Thursday may be too.  Going to be tight...

Day 16 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

7.7 miles, 959'
TOTAL:
172.4 miles, 20149'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 15: Cav wins #4 in this tour.  Voeckler sends another day in yellow.  Some are speculating he could take it to Paris.  I'm hoping for Cadel but who knows?  Voeckler is looking strong and determined.

Today was a short ride since we had a family beach day planned.  We also had a guest for the weekend so it was a short ride.  Not quite 1000' but close.  We had a great beach day.  Megan and I played in the sand by the water for a while.  Shayna tried stand up paddling and I got about 10 minutes in the water.  A little bit bodysurfing and a little stand up.  When we got home, we swam and Megan did great.  She's doing well in the pool.  

Day 15 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

38.5 miles, 3691'
TOTAL:
164.7 miles, 19190'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 14: Vanendert wins (I think he's one to watch in the future).  The GC contenders tried getting away but none stuck.  Cadel stays with the winning group.  Voeckler sends another day in yellow.

After missing out the last two days of riding, I was raring to go.  I did the Rock Store loop and it was a cool morning.  Starting tomorrow, it will be hot again.

In the Santa Monicas and the roads are starting to curve...

Already sucking wind but I'm feeling much stronger from the last 2 weeks of climbing.

About 1/3 up the Rock Store hill.  In the Tour of California two years ago, this was all lined with people.

There are lots of wineries popping up in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Left down the hill to to the beach or right and up the mountains.  It was right.

I've seen this a couple times riding past but never stopped.  There are a couple boulder problems here.

There is a steep face with some holds.  The rock is volcanic and looking pretty solid.  I should bring my climbing shoes next time and  check it out.

Day 14 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

Another forced rest day due to a crazy busy work day.  No time to get out and I barely had time to go swimming with my little girl before dinner.  She was waiting all day to go with me.
TOTAL:
126.2 miles, 15499'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 13: Thor does the unthinkable and wins after climbing Aubisque.  He picks up over 2 minutes on the descent and drops Roy and Moncoutie.  Amazing. Thomas Voeckler sends another day in yellow.

Day 13 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

Rest day (really it was a work day and my 5 hour commute took away any chance of riding
TOTAL:
126.2 miles, 15499'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 12: Sammy Sanchez wins in the first true mountain day and Contador loses a couple more seconds.  Thomas Voeckler amazingly stays in yellow.  When Veockler has yellow, you have to pry it out of his hands.

Day 12 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

6.1 miles, 839'
TOTAL:
126.2 miles, 15499'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 12: Cav wins his third in this Tour and takes the green jersey.  Hoogerland stays in polka dots all bandaged up while Thomas Voeckler stays in yellow.

Only had about 30 minutes to ride before lunch so this was it.  Definitely one of the benefits of working from home otherwise I would be able to ride even less.  Took out Worthington and after the last couple days on Luigi up the same hills, I can feel the 9 pound weight difference.

Day 11 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

5.5 miles, 910'
TOTAL:
120.1 miles, 14660'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 11: Andre Greipel beats Cav for his first Tour win.  Thomas Voeckler in yellow. 

After yesterday's ride, my legs were tired.  No surprise since it was only 12 hours ago.  I was supposed to go to work today but the train got cancelled since a semi got stuck before it got to my station.  Looks like I will go to the office on Thursday.

Everything is getting more dried out.  No longer my spring flowers.

Day 10 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

6.0 miles, 871'
TOTAL:
114.6 miles, 13750'
TOUR DE FRANCE Rest Day: Thomas Voeckler in yellow. 

Today I tried out Strava for the first time and saw my neighbor was on the first page of results.  Of course, that meant I had to try and beat it.  Not as easy as it seems.  His average speed is about 0.5 mph faster than me and that's substantial.  I did this ride at 5:30 right before dinner and just had 30 minutes to squeeze this in.  Since tomorrow I'll be at work, it will be a rest day for me.   

Day 9 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE

22.6 miles, 2170'
TOTAL:
108.6 miles, 12879'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 9: Luis Leon Sanchez wins from the breakaway and Thomas Voeckler gets yellow.  Lots of crashes that took out Vino (broken femur), Zabriskie (broken wrist), Van den Broeck (broken shoulder blade) and more.  A crazy crash from a french tv car that also took out Flecha and Hoogerland in the breakaway.  Not worried about Voeckler in yellow but Sanchez is now 0:37 in front of Cadel.  Considering he's done well in other grand tours, they better watch out for him.

I had to do some work today but the nice weather and being a Sunday, I got out for a bit.

The weather finally cooled down so I was a bit chilled when I started.  Once the hills started, that was no longer a concern.  

I definitely will not be able to complete this challenge.  The last month has been super busy at work so I've been working 50-60 hours a week.  On top of trying not to spend too much time away from family, there's not much to give.  This year I realized that I can get away with 2.5 hours of exercise a week (20 minutes a day minimum) to balance family, work and my sanity.  Last week, I worked out 6:16.  Back in my younger days, that would be just one day but now that is too much time away from family.  I'm really torn.  Today, I can feel the benefits of the last 9 days but at the sacrifice of my family.  I think I have two options.  Ride less or ride before they wake up.  Let's see what I come up with.

Did I mention I love the wide roads of Thousand Oaks area?

Day 8 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
10.8 miles, 2064'
TOTAL:
86.0 miles, 10709'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 8: Rui Costa wins after a long day in the breakaway and Thor amazingly stays in yellow.  Thor stays with Cadel who took 3rd in the first mountain stage.  Amazing what the power of the yellow jersey can do.  Horner drops out after a severe concussion and a broken nose.  Cadel stays 1 second down on GC.

A good ride and still getting to know Mama Celeste.  She's a great bike.  Handling is spot on and can't imagine wanting any different.

Hmm, which way to go?  Left for the big hill or right on the short hill.  Left, of course.

Started riding a little later than usual and the sun is already pretty high but not so hot yet.

On this stretch there was no wind and I was debating about turning around but couldn't since that is the only way I can get more climbing.

I love the hills in my backyard.

Day 7 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
5.8 miles, 880'
TOTAL:
75.2 miles, 8645'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 7: Cavendish and Thor stays in yellow.  Cav wins 2nd stage of tour.  Wiggins crashed out, Boonen stopped from his injuries on Stage 5, Horner and Levi crash.  Horner loses over 12 minutes today and I was hoping he'll do well too.  Damn.  Cadel stays 1 second down on GC.

Short riding day but first ride with Mama Celeste on the dirt.  Just getting acquainted with each other.  I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship.

First ride with Mama Celeste.  On my road rides the bike felt a bit twitchy.  Well with cross tires on dirt, it handles perfectly.  The reactions are great, not too fast and not too slow.  Even going slow uphill, the handling is stable (much better than the Surly).  Descends well and when climbing out of the saddle, it goes and just wants me to go faster.  Balance real well and added bonus is no toe overlap.  Can't believe it since I'm a midfoot cleat rider now.

Mama Celeste in her element.

Day 6 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
Rest day.  I had to go to the work office and left at 5:15am and got home at 6:00pm for dinner.  No time for riding.TOTAL:
69.4 miles, 7765'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 6: Boasson Hagen and Thor stays in yellow for a Norwegian win.  First Tour win for EBH and more importantly, first Tour win for Team Sky.  After all the hype, they really needed this. 

One of the benefits of going to work is getting kbbq from the korean market.  It's close to my office.

A beer was sure tasty after my 3 hour commute home after only going 86 miles.  That's what I get for having to cross all of Los Angeles county.

Day 5 - Rapha Rising

TODAY'S RIDE
8.1 miles, 1074'
TOTAL:
69.4 miles, 7765'
TOUR DE FRANCE Stage 5: Cavendish and Thor stays in yellow.  Cav gets his first win this Tour on a crash filled day.  Brajkovic & Boonen both went down hard.  Not sure if they will be riding tomorrow.  Cadel stays 1 second down on GC.

Today is another hot day so I'm only doing hill repeats but only got 2 in before the heat got to me.  Also checked out the difference between Mama Celeste and Luigi.

Mama Celeste in road mode.  RL is more reactive than Colnago and accelerates really well (of course, RL was designed for dirt with 32 tires, not road tires).  On hills, it feels like flying and you can climb longer standing up. 

The first downhill.  This isn't so bad...

This is my road bike.  A 1990s Colnago Master Competition called Luigi.  I've wanted a Colnago since high school so a couple years ago I found the frame and fork on ebay.  As you can tell, I like steel bikes.  Comparing the ride between Celeste and Luigi, this feels more comfy and seems to be a better longer (3+ hour) ride bike.  Doesn't accelerate as well and not as reactive but not in a bad way.  In the way that after a long day in the saddle, when my mind wanders, I won't crash.  Not sure if it's more flexy but when climbing up hills I can't stand as long and tend to sit earlier.

Wide open climb.  If there was more shade, I could have done a couple more repeats but I didn't have the time to do it.  Busy work day and I had to get started.