Triple H Top 11 List

In looking back on the overall experience of the trip, the ride, the blogging, here is what was my top 11 parts of the event:

11. Being back in Texas
10. The artic freeze at a motel
9. The start of the ride (anthem, fly over, cannon)
8. The pace lines at 25+ MPH
7. Passing thousands of riders like they were standing still
6. El Chico’s sizzling apple pie
5. Madden 2006
4. The fire hose
3. Cole Trickle bunny hop
2. The blog “trash” talk
1. Suffering through 100 miles in 106 degrees with your friends!

Thanks again to everyone, Cole, Hogg, and even OB12OLD, who called to offer his prediction. It was a most memorable event. Next year will be even better. Get it on your calendars now because it will be happening, the 26th Annual Tour de Wichita Falls.

Let's go. Heck, it can't be much hotter than it was this year.

The tale of the tape

After all of the hype, posts, blogs, and trash talking, it all came down to the ride. In the end, the ride lived up to it all, especially its name. The newspaper will tell you that the “official” temperature was 106 with a heat index of 110 in Wichita Falls. The clock tower showed 109 at 2 PM. The riders will tell you that it was torturous. It was just hot out there. I am glad to have had several previous experiences on the bike that helped to pull me through the ride. One was last year’s MS 150 Bike to the Beach where many of the riders SAG’d due to extreme weather conditions. Another was the climb up the Col du Mont Hamilton. The last one was last year's HHH. All were needed to get through the ride.

The Road Trip Details

The Hogg came down on Wednesday night. He and I got started about 6 AM from Simi the next morning. Thanks to Christine to seeing us off and helping me to get packed. We drove all day, only stopping in Amarillo to catch some sleep and get out of the car for a while. We got up on Friday and drove the final 4 hours into Wichita Falls. We met Yoda at the hotel. He looked as if he’d spent some time on the bike.

We unpacked and got into the room. It all fit in it but I’d bet if all three of us stood with our arms outstretched in a line, fingertip to fingertip, we’d touch opposing walls. But, it was a whole lot better than last year’s accommodations and there were no bugs to contend with, no imposing clock tower that constantly reminded you of the time and the temperature, no tent to set up, no community restrooms, no horse shower, and the list goes on. Thanks to Yoda for hooking us up with the accomodations.

The next part of the afternoon was spent picking up our registration, getting the last needed items from the consumer show, and taking care of business at the spaghetti dinner. I don’t know how they do it or what they put in the sauce but the spaghetti was good. It is hard to believe that food made for the masses could taste so good. We got back to the hotel, got changed, and got on the bikes for the final check of both bike and route to the start. It was about 2 ½ to 3 miles to the start from the hotel. Not bad at all, even better was all the “ladies” were in order and working well. In the short ride, we even caught this rider going up the bridge and passed him, a little warm up for ride day.

The remainder of the evening was spent in final preparation: putting numbers on jerseys, prepping food, water bottles, and Madden. Yoda got to see up close how I play and figured me out in short notice, taking me out 34-14 in the second game. I didn’t score till the final minute of the game when a botched kickoff return got me close and an onside kick was recovered due to a formation issue. I might have lost, but I went out strong.

We did fight with the A/C for a little while, finally calling the front desk for a little help. After a part change, it started to cool off. It didn’t really cool off till after we’d went to bed, only to wake up in the Artic. But, even the Artic was much better than last year.

We got up at around 5 and headed down to breakfast. The HHH feast turned into a nice continental breakfast. It had all of the necessary for a good ride: bagels, juice, yogurt, and bananas. The ride over was easy and as we came over the bridge, we could only just make out the length of the ride. Turns out, some 11,800+ were in the ride. We sat, talked, took pictures, and waited. Finally, the national anthem was played, the jets flew over, and the cannon fired, signaling time to get on the road. All that pent up energy from the almost twelve thousand finally being focused at the ride.

I’d like to report that the ride was without incidence but at mile 9 our worst fears came true. Wreck! Yoda got caught behind some fools not paying attention or not speaking out. They got tangled up and Yoda tried to brake, only to attempt to bunny hop off of one of the downed riders angled front tire. He almost landed it but his front wheel turned, dumping him on the pavement. Luckily, his feet came unclipped and he “Sweetness”-like rolled but coming down hard. We had been cruising at 20+MPH when all of this happened. He got up and being the warrior that he is, kept riding. After making sure he was okay and able to continue, we began to do what all guys do, talk about the crash. Yoda earned a new nickname, Cole Trickle, as in the character from Days of Thunder. Instead of stopping, which he probably did not have time to do due to the pace, he rode “through the smoke.” We had one of our top 10 moments of the trip, if not the #1. All joking aside, we all are wishing the best for Cole and hope nothing is broken. His spirit definitely was not.

We stayed close to each other for the first 42 miles, with each passing the other in various groups until rest stop #4 at mile 42. We refueled, refilled, and deposited. Nothing like a one-stop rest stop. Cole got his bike checked out and we were off. Soon after we left, Yoda disappeared. I didn’t see him again till the finish. The Hogg and I went on to Hell’s Gate, the 100 mile cutoff. Along the way, I got a bottle of water in Burkburnett from a guy handing out water. It really helped me the rest of the race. I kept in the back of my jersey, full, and used it to “Floyd” myself, frequently dousing myself with water in an effort to keep cool.

We stopped at the 75 mile rest stop to again refill and prep for the last 25. We had been moving, above last year’s pace. In fact, we were on pace to finish in less than five hours, with minimal stopping time. The heat had really kicked up but I hadn’t really been affected by it. It was here that I left the Hogg. I got on the bike with the notion of closing the deal under five hours. At mile 80, I was at 3 hours, 56 minutes. I could do this I thought. Then I turned into the hot, Texas wind. Over the next twelve miles, the heat, hot wind, and blazing sun took its toll. It took me over 39 minutes for the next 10 miles. I got on the wheel of two riders and stayed with them to almost the next stop, mile 91. Ice towels, ice water, and a huge fan helped to cool me down. I sat for a little while, partially to cool off but more importantly to motive me to finish. After eating a pickle, I got back on the bike and rode the wheel of a couple of people for the next 6 miles. Finally, we turned out of the wind. Just knowing that there was only five more miles was motivation enough. I talked to a guy, Dean, who was riding in his first HHH. After getting over the overpass and into downtown Wichita Falls, I had a burst of energy and closed the last mile strong. The last ten miles had taken over 38 minutes to complete. I finished in 5 hours, 20 minutes of bike time and just a bit over 6 hours event time. We started at a little after 7 AM in about 81 degrees. I finished at about 1:15 PM in 105 degrees.

I went and found some drinks and the fire hose. It felt great to just stand there and cool down. I then laid down in some shade, under a misting canopy and took a short nap. I waited a little while for the Hogg and Cole to show up. They came over the line together, telling me how they had hooked up at the rest stop at mile 91. It was good to see them. We then went over to the fire hose and just sat there for about an hour, talking and cooling off. We still had to ride back to the hotel. At least it was a nice slow ride back. We’d done it. We had suffered through one of the hottest HHH.Yes!

The Hogg summed the weekend up quite well when he said it all goes too fast. After all of the preparation, fun, etc., it was all coming to an end. We went to El Chico’s to celebrate, played some more Madden (I lost again), ate again at Whataburger, and crashed. It felt good to lie down and rest. Rest was a definite need since we were driving back to Simi on Sunday morning.

The drive back to Simi took us just a bit over 19 hours. Although the drive was long, we had time to relive the ride, gab, sleep, and watch the beautiful scenery pass by. Christine was waiting for us when we got in around 11 PM. Cassie, Craig, and Colin had made us a “Welcome Home” poster and put it on the garage. Great!

We’d just got the car unpacked and Christine asks us if al of it was worth it: the drive, the heat, the pain, the training. The answer is simple. We’ll be back again.

Thanks to JD and Cole for a memorable, enjoyable, and great weekend.

No really, these are my last thougts on Saturday...

Yoda is right. There are nice things to say about all aspects of this weekend. In the end, Yoda can have all "the looks" that he wants. It comes down to this: The Podium. Here is me (in yellow) and my two friends.

Last thoughts...

In an effort to sum it all up before the ride, it comes down to what this is all about. It is about friendship and keeping it real.

Thanks to my good friends for the motivation and the sacrifice. For the kind, humorous, and uplifting words - both by phone and on your blogs.

Thanks to their families and my own for the support in this crazy endeavor. Without y'all, none of this happens.

It has been a long road to get to here. But remember, the road does not end here. The will be more rides and better times. We have to continue to make this happen. We'll talk more at the victory celebration.

Remember, the pain train stops for no one, except in the case of mechanical issues.

Wear Sunsceen!

Saturday Off

I had these plans on riding 50+ miles Saturday. Well, I got up Saturday and said to myself that I am ready. No need to kill myself anymore. I spent it with my family all day. We hung out at the beach most of the day and then went to a church party that evening. It was a good day. I did ride a little, to the park on my mountain bike hauling Colin in the trailer. I figure my legs have been there. I am ready to go. With only six days left, not much more to do except try to keep the legs loose and fresh. It is a short work week, only three days. It almost like Christmas, anticipation is killing me!

There will be no more smack talking, well, except for this piece.

Which sausage are you?

#1, Brett Wurst is a bratwurst and wears green Austro-Bavarian lederhosen.
#2, Stosh Jonjak is a Polish sausage and wears dark sunglasses and a blue and red rugby shirt.
#3, Guido is an Italian sausage and wears a chef's outfit.
#4, Frankie Furter is a hot dog and wears a baseball uniform.
#5, El Picante is a chorizo and wears a sombrero. (To be added full time in 2007)

Just don't be the "burnt" sausage pulling up the rear and paying for dinner.

Pain Train Schedule

The next scheduled departure is 7:04 AM CST in Wichita Falls, TX on 8.26.06. The conductor is on board and ready to bring it to all those who wish to ride.

In reading the Hogg's blog, we are preparing much in the same manner - in the hills gaining and solidifying leg strength. Today was day 5 in a row on the bike. It was spent climbing in the Santa Monica mountains. Up and down, over the same course that I rode the century on back in May. I only did the first half with all of the climbing, roughly about 5K worth of elevation gain. Not all on one hill, it was spread over several. On the first climb, there were two riders up a ways on the climb. After each switch back, they continually came closer until I caught them and passed them. There was some irony in this as one of the riders had the Alpe D' Huez jersey on for climbing the Alpe and the other a Cofidis jersey on. These guys had gone all the way to France to climb one of the most famous climbs in the world and they got dropped by a local in the Santa Monicas. They looked stunned as I sped past them as we summitted the first climb. They tried to hold my wheel but to no avail. When we hit the next climb, it was if they had started picking up rocks on the descent and got weighed down considerably.

This next climb is the toughest. It is a 3.5 mile climb up to Kanaan Road on the Mulholland Highway. The last time I climbed this I couldn't see the top because of the fog. This time, no fog and I could see the top. It made the climb easier, much like seeing the observatory on Col de M. H. The climb is a page out of the 7 mile climb up the Col de Mont Hamilton, steep and no points to rest. What made even better was that it was 90+ degrees during the ride, no problem with the heat. The heart rate was up but no problem, proper hydration and proper fueling made it all work right. After all of the climbing, it was time for some free miles down to the beach. I chased this Benz down the mountain, literally. In fact, when we stopped to cross the PCH, he rolled down his window and apologized for holding me up! It was great. We talked for a moment about riding and the ride down. He went on his way down the coast and me mine.

This next week will be spent off the hills for the most part and focusing on turning the power and strenghth into greater speed. Next Saturday will be a 50+ mile jaunt at 75% effort, the final puzzle piece.

Less than two weeks and it will be time to walk the walk after all of this jabber jawing. To the loser as well, they will receive the Jabber Jaws award. All talk but no spoils...here he is, the Mr. Jabber Jaws himself! Who will be buying and receiving the Lantern Rouge de Jabber Jaws (say it with a French accent)?

The Program

I rode up to the gas station the other day and said to myself enough is enough. No more paying these ridiculous prices for gas. I only live three and a half miles away from work. It is time to get with the program. So, I have started to ride to work each day. Granted, there has been two days of driving due to the need to take my laptop back and forth but that too will be remedied. Biking to work has given me an additional 45 to 50 minutes of riding daily. Plus, here is a picture of my gas prices now. How do you spell apples? How ya like those apples?

On the bike, day and night, training, getting it done. It will all prove out in a few weeks when we ride the HHH in four and a half hours. Cueing up Morris Day, "Yyyyeeeeessss!"

Life as Sesame Street

Yoda has inspired me. To what you may ask? Well, he has inspired me to seek to explain life, at least this portion of my life. It took me a while to get to this point where I can explain it. In fact, during my ride yesterday it all came to me. I got on the bike and rode hard. I had not planned on riding that way but after getting out and getting going, it felt right. My ten mile splits were 30:46, 30:45, 29:48, 29:33, and 29:07. I just kept getting stronger and stronger on the ride. 50 miles in a few seconds over 2.5 hours. Just what the doctor ordered. In fact, these three riders came around me at about mile 25. They were working well together and riding a little bit faster than me. I let them go. They must not have been working that well together since at mile 35 I passed the first of the group who had gotten dropped. It was then only a matter of a few miles and I passed the other two. I did take the time to talk to one of the others. He was riding this Trek Madone 5.9. What a beautiful bike! He told me he had a Trek 1200 before and the ride on the carbon bike was so much better. Yeah, it was nice to pass and pedal away from him on my Trek 1500. The $1000 dollar bike flew past the $5500 bike. "It's not about the bike!" I got off the bike at Zuma Beach, feeling on top of the world. I had just improved my time to Zuma by over 15 minutes. It must be the daily riding to and from work with the back pack. Or it is the few more pounds I have dropped. I have 200 in my sights. I don't know but it was a good ride.

Last year before the HHH, longer ride averages were around 16 to 17 MPH. This year, I am able to get into the 18 to 20 MPH range. Heck, on the STP, I averaged 17.8 over the 200+. I'd like to hit the 4.5 hour mark at HHH but a more realistic goal would be 4.75 hours. That would be 23 minutes faster than last year. I have to keep reminding myself that there are many more factors in riding a race than just the rider's fitness, although it is a major one. There is weather, sleep, nutrition, among them. Do I think we can improve our average speed by 3 to 4 MPH over the training rides? No, not at this time although 1 to 2 can be expected and that is my goal.

So what was this epiphany I had on the bike. Well, life is like Sesame Street and we are its players. Who would we be? Well, during the suffering, staring into the deep, blue waves of the Pacific, it came to me.

Please join me in welcoming the cast of Alamo Street.

First, there is Big Bird (aka Hogg). "Big Bird is the "everychild" of Alamo Street. Fine feathered friend to all, he may get overly excited about new discoveries and extremely disappointed when things don’t work out, but this bird is always willing to try again, correct his mistakes, and find a solution to his problems. " This is the Hogg. Plus, he is tall and is naturally yellow. This is not the cowardly yellow but the yellow of the victor and champion. May we not eat too much of your dust in the race. Or may you not be too disappointed in failure.

Second, there is Bert (aka OB1 or chillyC). "Bert is analytical, responsible, and the complete and utter opposite of his eccentric roommate, Ernie. When he’s not playing checkers with his pigeon Bernice, Bert, a true model of dignity and decorum, spends his days collecting bottle caps and paper clips." Although I have done away with my pigeons, I do collect bottles and cans for money while at the beach. Bert is simply down to earth and recognizes his inability to wear a hat. He is related to the cone heads and is constantly eating food at an alarming rate. His weight could be a problem this year.

Finally, there is Snuffleupagus. For many years a mythical creature on the Street. He has yet to be seen on Alamo Street. It took him years to be seen on Sesame Street and it may take years for him to be seen in the Alamo area. Snuffy, are you out there? Can you ride a bike? Who has seen you on the bike? Do you have pictures while on the bike? Here is a rare one of Snuffy out and about on Sesame Street. Come on over to the Alamo and let's see what you got.

Less than three weeks to go...it is on!

Remembering and Looking Forward

Just a friendly reminder, the DEFENDING Super Bowl Champions are in camp.

Let's Go Steelers!!!

What month is it?

This is the month when it all happens.

'Nuff said!