Solvay Hut_On Top of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps

So rad!
Dreaming of Adventure at the moment...when I should be writing reports instead.

Climb all day, reach the 13,000+ ft high cabin and hang out for some coffee and donuts??
Sounds like a dream.
The nice thing about this hut is the Swiss Alpine club keeps it up.  Unlike say, huts in the Sierras where you're likely to find ice two feet thick inside from daily snow melt and nightly freeze cycles in the winter time.

Matterhorn, Hornelli Ridge, Video

Matterhorn, Hornli Ridge, Roy LaChica

So many memories dancing in my head .
Like the time when Pepper Jack invited me to join him on a climbing trip to do a route on The Eiger with some buddies.

I was married at the time and considered it way out of my league. Jack didn't think so, as he said my fitness and current level of experience and skill would be enough with the party he was going with and anyway there were all sorts of routes..."ahhh, we'll figure it out, you know."

Wow.
Sigh.

I day dreamed a lot about it for some time after that, wondering what that would have been like. Going on that trip would have changed the course of my life.  I was just starting to compete on my bike.  Climbed more than I rode.  Eventually, it was riding that took me away from climbing.

Funny, not too long after, I was invited to submit a resume for a guiding company that would fly by helo, tourists and adventurers to the top of high summits in Alaskan and South American ranges; and then lead them down on mountain bikes.
Day dreamed for a while on that one too.

Of course I harbored no regrets.
I haven't been married for almost five years now and today as a vendor rep in the Outdoor Industry, I am for the first time in my adult life, in a position to do wild, time consuming adventures.  However, I seem to have arranged things in a way that doesn't actually support such endeavors.
Got myself all questioning the way I am going about things, yet again.
What am I doing?
Oh yeah!  Important preparations...
I guess this is just another one of those reminders that I should be pretty solid on knowing what exactly I'm 'preparing' for and just what my visions entail.
...and to not forget the nourishment of my soul.

The truth is, I have been on such a long hiatus from a athletic lifestyles, that my body is a little, um, tight.  Gotta take it slow.  These connective tissue injuries continue to present themselves.
Here I am.  Just gotta take it slow and from the beginning.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a...

Check out the links for the original articles here:
Viral Nova
Amusing Planet


And now, a short 6:20 min video a climb on the Eiger's Mittelligi Ridge

Dave Linnett Climb, Eiger- Mittellegi Ridge

World Class Endurance Athlete, Steve Larsen, passes away

Wow.

At first it was suspected he died from cardiac arrest or blood clot, but the latest news is it might have been viral or related to allergies...the man was having breathing troubles.
What the heck happened?

"Mike Larsen said the autopsy ruled out a heart attack and a blood clot. The cause of death may have been viral or related to allergies, he said.
'The last few weeks he had been having serious troubles with his breathing,' Mike Larsen said. He said his brother had been seeing a doctor about his breathing troubles and had been unable to finish his workouts. "
-Velo News Article, MAy 20, 2009


It's said he collapsed in the very beginning of a running workout.
How do athletes contemplate such a thing -we go about training despite "ailments" as a matter of practice when performance objectives are in mind.
And then one day we collapse and it is all over for this lifetime?

There is no control.

What I remember the most of the Steve was the controversy over this dominating National Champion's contested slot for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney Australia -a points race that went to Tinker Jaurez in the end after he broke a chain in a "winner take all" single event.

He initially vowed, after that misfortune, that he would turn his back on NORBA and USA Cycling- ultimately leading to his discovery and success in competing in Xterra and in Ironman triathlons. Tinker is brilliant and a hero, however Steve might have been a great Olympian and many have argued he should not have lost his slot because of that one race. He really stood up for himself -though very colorfully- and publically raised many questions concerning the political failings of USACycling, that so many felt was making very poor decisions concerning the country's top athletes.

Steve Larsen was one of the phenomenal athletes of our time.



Links:

Retired racer Steve Larsen dies after collapsing during running workout --Velo News
Autopsy shows Steve Larsen did not die of a heart attack --Velo News
A conversation with Steve Larsen A new gig and maybe a new outlook --Velo News
Fun Q&A with Larsen -- GUEnergy.com
2000 Olympics U.S. Long Team Announcement -- Jan 2000, Cyclingnews.com
2000 Olympics MTB Long Team Final Announcement --July 2000, Cyclingnews.com
Juarez back on the Olympic road after claiming Olympic long team spot --Racedates.com

Project Announcement: Exploring Asia on a Loaded Mountainbike 2013

Some years ago I developed a desire to participate in the Iditarod Trail Invitational (Iditabike), an infamously gruelling winter event that follows nearly the same 1,100 mile course of the also infamous Iditrod Sled Race , along the Historic Iditarod Trail in Alaska. Many other ridiculous adventures came and went in my mind since that time, but the Iditabike remained on a personal pedestal of grandeur. Then I watched a documentary by the name of Long Way 'Round, by Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman. The two well known actors and their camera man Claudio, set out on matching BMW GS1150 motorcycles, to ride from London to Magadan in Siberia Russia, ultimately ending in New York, USA. They were trailed by a support crew that would help produce a television show in route and provide aid in case of disaster and to help assure the success of the business side of the venture.

Inspired,
I started to fantasize more
and wondered if I could do that.

Too much money would be needed to ride my own moto through a similar route across Asia and Europe, so I just about let that concept go.

However, as my curiosity was fed more and more by this new interest, I began to find blog after blog of other people from all over the world who have either done an intercontinental tour by moto or by pedalling a bicycle.

Of course!! By bicycle! Why not?

I thought of the guys of Riding the Spine and how they have been traveling for several years trying to get from Alaska to Ushaia in South America on Xtracycle-equipped mountain bikes. My imagination ran wild and I shelved this cracked-pot idea on the same plane as the Iditabike. The route that began to formulate in my head would take me through Siberia, Mongolia and then southbound through the former Soviet Block countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. I would pass over the icy roads of the Karakoram Highway in northern Pakistan and into India where I saw myself spending a significant amount of time riding from one holy site to the next. After Nepal, the tour drew me into Southeast Asia and down into Singapore,ultimately eastbound ending somewhere in Papua New Guinea.

Oh, to dream.

Time moved on and more immediate and firmer adventures required my undivided attention.
This particular dream would have to remain as merely a possibility for the future, right alongside the Iditabike Trail Invitational.

After recently returning from an amazing four weeks in Europe, traveling by train, bus, or plane, I decided that the next time I visit this area of the world I would not do it without a bicycle. Then it suddenly occurred to me: I would be taking a long bicycle tour the next time such an opportunity comes, only it wouldn't be through Europe.
And so I resolved after that moment of clarity, that in the year 2013, I would take a loaded Xtracycle-equipped mountain bike to Magadan, Russia and begin a pedal stroke that would last at least two years in length.

I reassessed my immediate goals and far off dreams with this now numero uno project in mind. The coveted Iditabike would have to wait and from now until that day, I have to prepare.

2009 Iditabike Begins

Check it out here.

(Thanks to Chad for posting about this, otherwise I would have totally forgoten...so needed with all the stuff I going on!)

Looks like this year will be a 1,000 mile finish in Nome, Alaska...which 9 of the 38 cyclists hope to accomplish. Jill Homer, a rider from Alaska whose blog I have come to enjoy reading, will be competing in the 350 mile distance to McGrath.



The Famous Iditarod Sled Race will begin on March 7th.

It is a dream of mine to ride the Iditabike Trail Invitational, one day. I suppose when I'm a little older and have done other things on the pile of lists I seem to accumulate, it may become so.

All in good time and if it's meant to be.

To all this year's racers:
Good Luck and congratulations on getting to the start!!

CRUNCH! Winter Loaded Bike Tour in Europe

March 6th.

That's the projected departure date out of San Diego.
From today that gives me around 3 weeks to get all the necessary equipment as well as a bike selected, built and then boxed to ship overseas to Paris, France.

Trip duration: 5 weeks.

Return in-time for "Good Friday".

Can I get an XtraCycle in time?

I still have to order EVERYTHING.

What about Pogies?
And the other needed goodies?

Due to, well, the necessary financial component of this venture, I am in the well known scenario called: Crunch time.

In addition to this familiar rushed style format of the prep, this will undoubtedly be a winter pedal journey. In just Paris, France alone, current weather forecast projects rain and snow with temperatures ranging from high 20s to low 50s with 30deg windchill on average.
Needless to say, this adventure will be slightly equipment intensive.

What excitement!

TNG_Pedal_First Ride in Months

Road spin: Aerobic and high cadence.
Cold and overcast.
Breathing was good and easy.
Mostly flat with the climbing as false-flats.
Distance: Heck, I don't know.
Route: 180 to Snow Bowl Rd.

I FELT GREAT!

Not only was this the first ride for me in several months, it was actually the first real road-ride I've done in Flagstaff. I had no idea concerning the quality the area had to offer. During my time living here I could find no interest in pavement as hundreds of miles of just dirt could be had.

It was, quite frankly, a lovely, lovely experience.


Nearly this entire year of 2008, I had been occuppied with the fast-paced and rhythmic flow of riding my moto on tacky dirt and technical rock. My life has gone through so many cataclysmic changes; I can see now in retrospect that for some time, not just this year but a long time coming, I had merely been on a mission to define my life's purpose. As a result, my reasons for cycling were shaken and out of place in the life that I wanted to lead. Cycling, like my marriage to Sahar, has facilitated developement and growth within; even if it only be this opportunity to consider it as such.

So today was the beginning of physical training for the Sierra Project and I have decided to take it one pedal-stroke at a time.
Highway 180.

The shoulder narrows to just about nonexistence here, just past the Flagstaff city limits...

like a typical backroad.

Then just around the corner no more that 100meters it widdens up to the where a small car could safely pass!

Can you tell I'm a happy boy to be on the bike? I'm fairly certain this was the look on my face the entire ride.

Passing drivers must have thought there was something wrong with me...

Snow Bowl Road

The scenery was just amazing. Though I have driven this road on the way to the Canyon hundreds of times, it was a very different experience on a bicycle. At Snow Bowl Rd I climbed to the point where it begins to get steep. Not wanting to overdo it and also running out of daylight, I decided to turn around and leave it to another day.

On the way back to town it was mostly false-flat type climbing. I must have been warmed up because I felt so great and tuned that I could not help but hammer the entire way back. It was exhilarating, as it always is when one feels strong. The way that I felt, from the moment I left the house to the moment I returned, I had not felt about pedalling in a very long time.



Good nutrition and hydration; pre, dur, post.
Post stretching legs only and self-massage
I don't think I'll shave my legs just yet ;>)

Push-ups: 30 (...It's okay, I'm just starting)
Abs: 100 crunches

...shout out: Thanks Scotty for the glasses!

Short Visit to Idyllwild and San Juan Trail

I was able to make a week long dash to Idyllwild and Temecula this past weekend. This was the planned time for Marmu the Dog to take the spot reserved for her in her new home. She will be staying with some very close friends for what may end up as all of next year. I am truly greatful for their generosity and Marmu's fortune.


While down that way I joined Dave See on a lil'bit of the amazing flow of May Valley, Idyllwild for my first ride in about 4 months. I had such an amazing time and could pedal only very slowly. When we returned to Dave's mountain top home, I proceeded to get pummelled by his wild children as he cooked us some bacon, rice and eggs while wearing a sexy contemporary flower pattern apron. YUM.

Yumi's got some great designs developed for Pedal1Long. It's exciting for me to see friends have fun and success. She and Dave gave me more than few goodies too.

Riding was so SO good, and after our post-breakfast style meal and an order of maniacal crazy kidz on the side, I was totally and entirely "crisp toast". Lots of fun.




Two days later I hooked up with my brother to ride the famous San Juan trail, starting from Blue Jay Camp. We descended all the way down into Orange County and climbed our way back up. It was a much different scenario. Not only did I ride with only 5 short rests but I could even pedal with a bit of power. It was a magnificent experience. I am excited for December.

More Videos from Japan

Bicycle Film Festival TOKYO '08 PART 3 from Eli Tokyo Jitensha-Jin on Vimeo.

AZT Prep_part one- Goals and Plans

From Velocitramp

I'm going to be making my own Frame bag for use on the month long AZ Trail.

My goal for total bike weight including water and two days food is 40 lbs. Most of the cold weather equipment needed during the Northern Section will be dropped of in Flagstaff. I will switch sleeping bags also for a more ultra light one when I'm in town.

(I am using the Mogollon Rim to differentiating the Northern and Southern sections of the route.)

I am guessing it will take 3-days to get to Flagstaff. I'll do a short ride down to my storage unit in Mountainare to change out equipment, then reroute back to the AZT. I've already done most of the AZT in the area, so I won't miss out, might even end up having to ride more mileage. On Day 5, drop past the Mogollon Rim and continue the journey from there.

Soon I will ask my old friend and coach Dan Large to build me a wheel for this adventure. Some sort of double-walled rim-brake hoop, laced to an ENO FXD/SS eccentric hub, using DT Competitions . Dan has built and serviced the majority of my race wheels in the past and I consider the energy and soul he puts into it very beneficial.

Here's the gearing I plan on using:

Chainring: 32t Surly Stainless Steel

Fixxed cog: Surly 17/20t and a separate 22t cog for steep rock crawling.

Single Speed: 17tooth freewheel (I don't have anything special yet.)

Here is a list of all the projects I have for this trip:

1. Fab a frame bag that will easily distribute as well as stabilize gear and water by using compartments.
2. Rear wheel built for Yeti
3. Install padding underneath the nose of the saddle for shouldering.
4. Install over sized disc rotor to front brake (lots of weight, lots of descents)
5. Some sort of carrying device for the long haul into and out of the GC that carries disassembled bike by the bottom bracket. That section will be almost 30miles of hike-a-bike. I will likely ditch it in Flagstaff...unless my foot dictates otherwise.
6. Of course, reach my actual bike weight goals.
7. Fab a bar map holder; Double sided, two separate holders. I will locate some vinyl and make it from scratch.

From Velocitramp

I believe this photo is from the Trans Rockies...?or was it the GDR?

Well, something like this guy.

Photo Dump

Sources:

Rally Pan America
Team Green Dakar

Laid up for 6 weeks..No Pedalling

The accident last year has come back to haunt me, sort of.

Yesterday on September 3rd a little bone fragment was removed from the proximal phalanges head (where it meets the 1st metatarsal head.)
I am not to ride my bicycle, moto, or carry ANY heavy weight if I am to use my foot in the future as I wish to.

That's okay.

The AZT is still on. I am giving myself all of December and then some to complete it.
I will be relying a whole lot on Scott Morris' work on a thru-cyclists needs except starting from Utah.

Fixxed on the climbs/ flats and single on the descents.

So, this blog will become all about my preparation for this epic journey that awaits.
Perhaps I shall crawl out of my cave now...perhaps?

I realized recently that I had secretly condemned cycling.

With this at the forefront of the mind, I will act.

"No Broken Bones" my ass!

Okay so, some of you may recall when last year I was struck head-on by a Tonka-Truck drivin' soccer-mom. The original opinion of the FMC staff was just a "contusion of the foot."

This February I went to see a local podiatric Surgeon about some pain and a bunion that was developing in that foot at the 1st metatarsal head.
His x-rays revealed what the swollen condition of my foot immediately after the accidents hid...a hairline fracture at the head of the proximal phalanges where it meets the metatarsal head--which increased to a full seperation. (here's my scientific illustration)

It was trying to heal itself, but how well and how long it would take was unknown.
And as some of you know, I work on my feet.

So, finally made the decision to get it removed and all sorts of other magik stuffs Dr. Rosales (DPM) recommended.
All in the interest of salvaging its heavy load carrying cabilities.

As far as riding is concerned and guiding...I'm laid up for the next few weeks!
I am not even allowed to think of carrying heavy loads until say February 2009.

If I recover like a champ I'll be on schedule still for the AZT this December 1st.

In regards to the Geocache Rally, I won't be able to ride it with all the players, but wasn't planning to entirely anyway (some body's gotta run it!) All the routing was finished on Tuesday and the hardest Geocaches where placed as well. Three weeks prior to the event I will place the last Geocache containers at their respective locations.
Basically all the ground work is done. Just gotta finish up all the logistics and get all the maps and all the roll-charts a complete status.

...which I now have plenty of time to do!

-Velo

Geocache Rally on Schedule

Just added a link to the right side of this page that leads to The Coconino Geocache DS Rally site.
All official info will come from there.

All blogging will continue on Enduro-Adventures.

Cheers

First Geocaches Posted

Coconino Geocache Rally Players:

Take this link to the first set of Geocache Coordinates for your researching purposes.

I will continually update it with more coordinates.

There will be routing data to download eventually, stay tuned!

We are looking at about 150 miles of offroad without Bonus runs.

Cheers!

Mud Bath

Almost home!

Plenty of falls on toady's test ride...but clear of the sludge.
Placed several of the Bonus Geocache containers today and even discovered a fantastic 4x4 track that connects FS-91 and FS-226 (this is a very good thing!)

Heading home, at the edge of town I was...decided to take a side track detour from the paved road that would lead back. Doin' pretty good, then comes some sloppy muddy goodness, which the KLR decided it was interested in. So it dumps on its side, me along with it.

Anyway, I get her sludge covered mess that she is up from her bath, and she starts right up!

Fantastic.

AZT- Northern Route...Winter

I am returning briefly to California this November.

On December 1st the SSManiac and I begin pedalling the AZT from the Utah end first.
I will be riding fixed on the climbs/flats and single for the descents.

The plan is to have an UNO eccentric hub laced to a rim-brake hoop built up for the Yeti...I will be asking the assistence of the man behind SDDH.

No. I have not been pedalling, just working a lot.

We won't be setting any records, just pedalling... a lot.

Gear List for Pisces' Ghost

Officially deamed the Pisces' Ghost.

I'll let you figure it out.

This mega figure eight will set-off what will be many Big-distance mountainbike routes to come.

As requested here is a mini gear list of what I recommend to be carried on the person:

1. Headlamp, night-riding worthy or just enough to get you home.

2. Space blanket, so your azz doesn't freeze if one of us is stuck addressing a mechanical for way too long.

3. Some sort of snookie (head warming hat), and insulating top (I'm gonna bring my ultra compressable down-sweater).

4. Some sort of wind breaker that actually works for on the mountain

5. x2 tubes, maybe a patch-kit.

6. Extra chain link that's compatible with whatever you are riding

7. Food for all day riding. And I mean lots o' calories, guys.

8. Ability to carry at least 2 liters of water.

9. Some cash.

10. A 6-pack of beer

That's what I recommend.


Community Gear:

1. Water Filter (need)

2. Small stove (got it)

3. First aid kit (got it)

4. Map (got it). One for See and Dee, and one for Retard Roach-Face and Frankie.

The only thing in the community gear I don't already have is a Water filter. My cartridge is toast and I only have personal filtration. So, one of yooz guyz bring a filter.

Temps on the mountain with windchill will likely be in the teens, and without wind in: the high 30s to the low 40s.

I got dinner on Friday,

breakfast and coffee the morning of,

and post-meal: slow cooked meat-sauce spaghetti

We get up around 5:30am with the goal of getting out the door a 6:00 and head to Macy's for some qwik Hot Coffee and last minute checks.

From there it's to the trails.

Only two water stops on the lower loop.



...In the mean time, enjoy the rest of the pics. Click on the image to zoom in.

Our trail here is actually the traverse that can be seen on the side of the north face, and not the rigde line as the red path indicates.

That summit is at 11,975 ft.

Riding at Night in Flagstaff is COOOLLD!

Freagin' eh!

T'was fun never the less.

After a 3-8pm shift at Macy's, I mounted the Night rider Lamps to the Handlebar to see how they do in that position. Left there around 9:15p.

Yeah, it was a late ride. So off to Schultz Pass road with the Yeti mounted on the Mighty KLR.
At the trail head I suited up, assembled the Yeti in all its scorching goodness and proceeded to hammer the climb up lower-Oldham.

This evening it became obvious that I have finally acclimated to this high elevation of 7,200ft. This very climb that kicked my so-called tahkooshii was simple and clean. Fluid negotiation on the Fixed, barely an anaerobic effort. I was grateful and ecstatic.

Though a short ride, it was indeed glorious.
Thanks to Jayson and the The North Face for keeping me in technical wear that actually works.

In a few posts, I will do a minor overview of the equipment I am using this winter, which will range from clothing to navigation set-up, to night riding gear.

For the KLR as well as on the bicycle.

Next week...

Dave See, Roshan, and Frankie Cruz will be heading north east to the one and only Flagstaff (hey that's here!) for some serious suffering, high-speeds, high0times, and fantastic memories on the bicycle.

Jay of Nikao da Xtreme/Cast a Shadow.org and team will be passing thru town on their sub 1,000 mile cycling journey to Alamosa, Colorado. It is my intention to ride with them at some point as they pass thru. Just gotta figure out when and where since it's gonna be a busy weekend for me.


...it was Dave's big 40th and I think he wants to hurt me oh soooo goooood this coming Saturday. Happy B-Day good friend!

Cruz'n on my Scraper Bike

The North Face...

...view of the San Francisco Peaks. What we are looking at is the ridge line that leads to Humphreys Peak at 12,633ft, viewed from the north-east end. The Inner Basin is to the right as we view it. Fresh snow from DAILY rain and the ever dropping temperatures. In town it is getting down to the low 40s, last night in the high 30's.

It's only September.

Tom, Jason, Larry.....Alpine ice and lots of climbing opportunities this winter.

Dave, Roshi, Franki, and Brian, well...
Bring some snivel gear this October 20th.

It's gonna be a long and cold one.

Cheers all!

Dave

aka Cloudwalker
aka velociraptor
aka psycho-dave
aka les