Feeling like a slug, go ride!

Bummed about not riding in the Tour de Palm Springs this year. Rode around the neighborhood just to get out of the house.

Ride Link: http://cyclemeter.com/edca78984f62a66e/Cycle-20130210-1225?r=e

Had a reaction to my first infusion of Erbitux so they gave me a 9-day dose of Prednisone. Broke out in the worst case of zits ever. Good thing this won't last.

More Erbitux on Monday, gastro tube inserted on Tuesday (oh boy) and start radiation on Wednesday.

Sexiest Bike Video

I admit to having a lot time on my hands (cancer and underemployed), so I've been researching bicycle videos. I like to occasionally post them on my two bike web sites: www.bicyclepalmsprings.com and cyclechico.com. There are a lot of first person vidoes on YouTube, but most of are average quality. On Vimeo.com I've found some well produced projects. These are the sexiest bike video I've seen.

https://vimeo.com/18678969
https://vimeo.com/34696115

Ride Envy

I went to the office yesterday and put in half a day, all I could stand. Shame on me, I drove the old Jeep. My excuse? It was early and cold. I left at 12:30 and took the widow canvas off, it had warmed up. On my way home I passed a dozen riders about my age at a 4-way stop on my way to the store,  Looked like they were on their way to Old Town La Quita or points south. Good for them, sad for me. Still not strong enough. Damn.

Sac Cycle Chic: Heels, Wheels...just plain sexy

Sac Cycle Chic: Heels, Wheels...just plain sexy

A good day

My dear friend Andrea took me out golfing yesterday. Sunny and mid 60's, what great weather, sorry for those in the rest of the country. It was a short course, lots of ponds (golf ball magnets) and a bargain on golfnow.com at $15 each - wow!

We were paired up with a nice couple from Wisconsin who played at our level. We all contributed balls to the water but had a great time, not taking it too seriously.

I think it's been a year since I've golfed. I'd decided not to golf until I was working full time again but couldn't pass up the price, and I needed a treat. Radiation therapy on my neck will probably start week after next.

Next Monday I start getting an infusion of Irbetux, 3 hours. Then on a weekly basis during radiation treatment. Side effects include breaking out like I was in high school again. Oh boy.

Pre-Treatment

No cycling today. Had to meet with a dentist to get pre-screened for my impending radiation therapy. I'll be getting a mouth guard that will keep my tongue out of the way and also shield my gold crown. It should be ready Thursday.

It will probably be another week before starting treatment - 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

Another oncologist appoint this afternoon too.

My dear friend Andrea has arranged for golf tomorrow on a short course. Yea! I thinks it's been almost a year since I've golfed.

Another short ride.

Finished Cycle: Jan 24, 2013, 2:09:49 PM
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20130124-1311.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20130124-1311.kml
Ride Time: 52:56
Stopped Time: 4:43
Distance: 10.74 miles
Average: 12.17 mph
Fastest Speed: 25.00 mph
Ascent: 371 feet
Descent: 411 feet
Calories: 701

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Post Surgery

With all this "free" time I've decided to experiment with iMovie to make a vlog about my cancer experience. I'm using Photobooth on the Mac to record and iMovie to edit and add titles.

Recovery

It's been a slow go cycling this winter. Cancer and surgery have kept off my bike, except for a few rides around the neighborhood, since December 18th. Doctor's removed my right tonsil and the tumor it contained, then removed lymph nodes on Jan 10th. Indications they got all the cancer and I'm looking forward to a quick recovery. Drain tubes in my neck will come out next week and I hope to get back on the bike shortly thereafter. On the upside, I've lost 10 - 15 lbs during this time. The first surgery involved some damage to my tongue, which is still swollen and limits what and how much I eat. I've also had to give up beer due to the medications, damn. And its NFL playoff season!

Country Club-Da Vall-Ramon-Washington

Ran out of work at work again, but what a great day for a ride.

Finished Cycle: Nov 6, 2012, 10:05:17 AM
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121106-0738.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121106-0738.kml
Ride Time: 2:07:20
Stopped Time: 19:36
Distance: 29.34 miles
Average: 13.82 mph
Fastest Speed: 25.19 mph
Ascent: 333 feet
Descent: 378 feet
Calories: 1901

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Real Estate Ride

Finished Cycle: Oct 20, 2012, 9:28:50 AM
Route: Real Estate 2
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121020-0748.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121020-0748.kml
Ride Time: 1:32:39
Stopped Time: 8:03
Distance: 22.55 miles
Average: 14.60 mph
Fastest Speed: 29.81 mph
Behind Best Ride: 0:56
Ascent: 462 feet
Descent: 415 feet
Calories: 1478

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Portola-Mesa View Ride

TEMP = 73F, Nice!!

Finished Cycle: Oct 13, 2012, 10:07:50 AM
Route: Portala- Mesa View
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121013-0804.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121013-0804.kml
Ride Time: 1:52:04
Stopped Time: 11:10
Distance: 24.18 miles
Average: 12.95 mph
Fastest Speed: 30.67 mph
Ahead of Best Ride: 8:28
Ascent: 817 feet
Descent: 796 feet
Calories: 1530

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Worked 2 Big Wheel Tours this week too. Hike in Indian Canyons and bike down thru Box Canyon. Nice bunch of Canadians.

Monday am ride.

Office ran out of work again so I took a short ride while it was still cool.

Warner Trail to Hwy 111 to Cook St to Varner Road and home. Watch for cars dropping off in the bike lane at Palm Desert HS on Cook.

Finished Cycle: Oct 1, 2012, 8:32:48 AM
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121001-0709.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20121001-0709.kml
Ride Time: 1:14:42
Stopped Time: 8:28
Distance: 17.27 miles
Average: 13.87 mph
Fastest Speed: 26.13 mph
Ascent: 281 feet
Descent: 268 feet
Calories: 1123

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Commuting to Work

Now the the mornings are cooler I've started commuting to work by bike. Upper 70s in the am (2.5 miles) but still triple digits on the ride home (4 miles). It's good to have a pool.

Ordered straight handlebars and brake levers for my 1978 Peugeot road bike. The old brake levers broke and I don't need a drop bar. Maybe aluminum 700c wheels later.

Finished Cycle: Sep 22, 2012 9:48:22 AM
Route: Portala- Mesa View
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120922-0734.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120922-0734.kml
Ride Time: 2:02:01
Stopped Time: 11:36
Distance: 25.46 miles
Average: 12.52 mph
Fastest Speed: 40.34 mph
Behind Best Ride: 1:29
Ascent: 738 feet
Descent: 727 feet
Calories: 1625

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Ride to Lake Cahuilla County Park

Finished Cycle: Sep 8, 2012 9:16:46 AM
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120908-0706.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120908-0706.kml
Ride Time: 1:56:52
Stopped Time: 13:21
Distance: 27.26 miles
Average: 14.00 mph
Fastest Speed: 37.90 mph
Ascent: 176 feet
Descent: 216 feet
Calories: 1810

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Face meets asphalt.

I've been a slacker since crashing Aug. 20 but all better now. We have concrete cross gutters at street intersections. Still not sure why. Came around a corner and the tire slid on the slick concrete then stopped sliding when I hit asphalt. Bike is ok, helmet is trash and the face healed in about a week.

I've updated the 100 and 50 mile route maps on my site for the Tour de Palm Springs. This year's Century route travels a couple of very busy streets, Washington St and Monterey Ave. They both have three lanes of traffic each way and 50 mph posted speeds. Each will also require the cyclists to make a left hand turn so be very careful.

82 F here this morning at 5am but the sky is clear. Hope the monsoonal flow is done and the humidity drops back to the low teens. Humid and 100F make for tough riding.

North Side Ride

Finished Cycle: Jul 19, 2012 7:28:54 AM
Route: North Side 13
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120719-0633.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120719-0633.kml
Ride Time: 54:12
Stopped Time: 1:28
Distance: 13.00 miles
Average: 14.39 mph
Fastest Speed: 24.71 mph
Ahead of Worst Ride: 0:06
Ascent: 58 feet
Descent: 47 feet
Calories: 950

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Portola-Mesa View Ride

Fancy gates.

Another project unfinished.

Finished Cycle: Jul 17, 2012 8:53:21 AM
Route: New Route
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120717-0633.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120717-0633.kml
Ride Time: 2:04:32
Stopped Time: 15:23
Distance: 26.76 miles
Average: 12.89 mph
Fastest Speed: 41.98 mph
Ascent: 743 feet
Descent: 795 feet
Calories: 1669

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Finished Cycle: Jul 16, 2012 7:55:50 AM
Route: Real Estate Ride
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120716-0614.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120716-0614.kml
Ride Time: 1:31:14
Stopped Time: 9:51
Distance: 21.91 miles
Average: 14.41 mph
Fastest Speed: 39.46 mph
Ascent: 275 feet
Descent: 305 feet
Calories: 1448

http://www.cyclemeter.com

Joe Redmond, La Quinta Cove

Finished Cycle: Jul 6, 2012 9:09:17 AM
Route: La Quinta Cove
Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120706-0636.kml
Import URL: http://share.abvio.com/edca/7898/4f62/a66e/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20120706-0636.kml
Ride Time: 2:05:51
Stopped Time: 27:05
Distance: 28.70 miles
Average: 13.69 mph
Fastest Speed: 40.65 mph
Ascent: 600 feet
Descent: 572 feet
Calories: 1932