My Side Door

Making final preperations for el Tour de Tucson

Steve Belt — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:36:45 +0000

This year, I am again riding el Tour de Tucson. The event is now less than a week away, on November 22, starting at 7am for those of us riding the 109 mile distance. For the last couple of weeks, it’s been the #1 thing on my mind.

I’m having a hard time determining if I’m as fit as last year. This year I’ve been riding more rides that are 50ish miles in length, while last year we mostly rode 40ish mile rides. Last year, I rode the around the mountain ride (Fountain Hills->Rio Verde) just once, and it almost killed me, which put strong doubt in my mind about the Tour. This year, I’ve done that ride twice, on back-to-back days, and felt really good the first day, and as good as could be expected the second day.

I’m going to give myself credit for being in about the same shape. Perhaps a little better or a little worse. If so, being a gold finisher and finishing in under 6 hours is within my reach. Hopefully I don’t have any mechanicals, the weather is clean and clear, and I at least have a chance.

Anyway, because I’ve been feeling pretty good about the around the mountain ride, yesterday I decided to attempt the Bartlett Lake ride that Lance Armstrong used to do. It’s 68 miles. The ride starts by heading north up Pima, which is a mild gradual climb. Then in the town of Carefree the climbing gets more difficult before reaching the high point at the turn off to Bartlett Lake at mile 20. At that point, you drop down significantly over a 14 mile distance to the marina.

Yesterday, it was pretty breezy. In fact, it’s been windy fairly often recently, and it’s been frustrating to train in. The wind was coming from the east, and thus all the way up Pima there was a strong cross wind, making the climb all that much harder. Turning east in Carefree took me right into the teeth of the wind, so by the time I arrived at the turn off to the lake, I was pretty wiped, and just 20 miles in. I began to drop down the hill toward the marina, when after 3 miles I went through a wash that causes a climb similar to the previous descent. Just 1/4 mile up, I realized that 14 miles of this type of climbing just might kill me.

Riding alone, I did the smart thing and turned around. Back at the wash, I stopped for a couple of minutes, and prepared for the 6-8% grades that the next 3 miles were about to present. The climb out wasn’t actually as bad as I had feared, and then I was rewarded with the 35 mph descent back to Pima with the wind at my back. The ride down Pima, normally the dessert of any ride, was no joy ride at all. Again, the strong side wind meant I was unable to get over 28 mph, and there was a lot of work getting down the hill. Total distance was only 48 miles in 3 hrs 25 mins, but it felt a lot harder than the 50 mile around the mountain ride.

Today, is my final training ride, I’m going to do the around-the-mountain ride in reverse (clockwise). I’ve never gone in this direction, but it’s the direction that the Tour de Scottsdale does.

For the race next weekend, I’m going to try to ride smarter, attempting to save energy, while at the same time riding faster. My basic plan will to be to avoid leading any pace lines whenever possible, and just stick to the wheels of faster riders. Hopefully we can start a little closer to the front this year, which will allow me to be around strong riders that pull me around the course. Anyway, that’s the plan. We’ll see how it goes. The only hitch in the plan will be riding with Chris Z. He’s a slower starter, due to asthma and how long it takes his lungs to expand. Once he gets going though, he’s at least as fast as I am.

Saying goodbye

Steve Belt — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:08:57 +0000

For 42 months this was my ultimate driving machine. With the lease over someone else will now get this opportunity.

I Voted Today

Steve Belt — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:48:26 +0000

I voted today, and the experience taught me something very important about myself. I’ll explain:

I arrived at the polls at 7:30am. There wasn’t much of a line, and I quickly moved to present my drivers license. My address on yge licrense isnt up-to-date (thank you DMV), so they told me, “No problem, you can still cast a provisional ballot.”

As I waited in that next short line I began to get nervous. Would my vote count? They were handwriting information about each voter, and what if there was an error? So I left the polling center, went to my car and retrieved my car insurance and registration. Returning to the sign-in, they then noticed I had received an early ballot and again directed me to the provisional balloting line.

I took another look at the carbon copy registration sheets and with my anxiety mounting, returned home and dug my ballot out of the trash. To this point I hadn’t given my early ballot much thought as my wife had ordered it for me. I procrastinated voting by mail and missed the deadline. Now I know why. I want my vote to count. And not just a little bit. I really want my vote to count, and there’s something about watching your vote go into the counting machine that’s comforting. It’s an acknowledgement that my vote has been counted.

Today, I didn’t get that satisfaction. Returning for the third time to my polling location, I was directed to drop my ballot in a bin to be counted later. I’m sure it will be, but I really wanted it counted now.

This is the first, and it will be my last attempt at mail-in or early voting. If (or should I say when) we progress to online voting that won’t scare me. But until then I’m going old school.

And funny enough, when I arrived at Starbucks this morning for my free coffee, a neighbor and I shared consenting sentiments, as she too had voted early by mail, and very much missed her trip to the polls.

What about you? Does early voting scare you? Or are you confident it works flawlessly?

Wurdle: Thou art addicting

Steve Belt — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:25:42 +0000

I stop in to the local Starbucks almost everyday. Naturally, you eventually get to know the other regulars who transform from acquaintence to friend.

Recently a bunch of us regulars have all gotten iPhones. About a week ago, they were chatting about this game Wurdle. I hadn’t heard of it, but for $1.99 I decided it was worth the download.

Boy was that a mistake. Not because it isn’t with two bucks, but because it is so addicting. It’s ridiculous.

Wurdle is similar to the game of Boggle and employs the touch screen of the iPhone perfectly. Anyway, I now profess to being a Wirdle addict. If you see me playing it, please tell me to stop. I must cure this addiction.

Fit is go

Steve Belt — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:58:31 +0000

My mother-in-law just helped the economy with this purchase.

Sidewalk art in Scottsdale

Steve Belt — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:35:13 +0000

McCormick Ranch Greembelt

Steve Belt — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:29:24 +0000

Road my bike through a bit of the greenbelt today.

Getting ready to start

Steve Belt — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:52:28 +0000

2008 Tour of the White Mountains 67 milers.

Heading to Ride the Tour of the White Mountains

Steve Belt — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:49:42 +0000

I’m just about to leave the office, pack up and head to our house in Pinetop for the weekend. This weekend, Epic Rides is having their annual Tour of the White Mountains. I rode the event last year, and am doing so again this year. Last year I pushed through 52 miles, and this year I’ve gone insane, and signed up for the 67 mile distance.

Riding with me will be the usual cast of characters: Robert, Chris Z, and Chris M. Chris M has never ridden in an organized bike race/ride before, so that alone will be interesting. I’m hoping he can at least complete 30 miles. Personally, I’m not in great shape, so this is going to be a personal struggle.

My riding plan is to start slow and finish slow, with slower parts in the middle. We’ll see how well I’m able to stick to the plan. Regardless, the weather looks to be fabulous this year (which is a welcome surprise), and the volunteers at the event are A-1 top notch.

Absolutely Ridiculous

Steve Belt — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:56:16 +0000

Christmas in September? Apparently Lowe’s thinks so.