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)?