Saddle Sores

This is not a very pleasant topic, but one that certainly needs addressed.   Particularly since many of us have been off the bike a while.   As we get back into riding, there are sure to be a few tender spots until we get the sitting area toughened up a bit.  

I think we all know how to prevent saddle sores, but a quick review may be in order.  

- Wear good quality cycling shorts.  Bib shorts tend to fit better and work better because they shift less during riding.  It is the friction that causes the irritation and chaffing.  

- Don't sit around in your shorts after the ride.   The salt starts to dry and form crystals that irritate the skin.  Also, unpleasant things start to grow in warm wet places. 

- Use a good quality chamois cream.  I have tried several brands and they all seem to work well.  There are plenty of reviews out there, so do some research and find the brand you like. 

- Ride with the right saddle.  When I started cycling I used the stock seat for a while.  I quickly learned it was a mistake.  Unfortunately almost everyone is going to need to fork out the bucks to get a good saddle.  Again, there is plenty of information out there to help you choose a saddle that is right for you. 

What if you get saddle sores, then what? 

I have tried several things, but the best remedy that I have found is Maximum Strength Desitin.  Hey, if it works for babies with sore butts, then why not?  Desitin works well, but I'm sure most any ointment with zinc oxide would work.   My experience has been that the sores start to heal up within 24 hours.  Keep the area clean and apply the Desitin often.   Good luck and happy riding.  

Frank to Fred - Ride across Utah (the long way)

For some time I have had this burning desire to ride across Utah, the long way.  Right now it is just a dream that I'm working on, but it won't ever be reality unless I make a plan.

After looking for the optimum route, I think the Franklin Idaho to Fredonia Arizona route would be the best. Here is the google map   Both of these small towns are just across the border, and they have cool names that would look good on a T-shirt.  I'm thinking

I rode

Frank to Fred 2012

Across Utah

(The long way)

The route still needs some significant work. It is basically what google maps gave me when I told it to choose a bike route between the two cities. 

According to Google it is about 425 miles.  If I did about 60-70 miles a day I could make the trip in 7 travel days.   What I'm thinking right now is that I would start on a Wednesday.  Here is the basic plan.  (Mileage is approximate.  I know it doesn't add up to 425)

Day 1 - Franklin ID to Kaysville - 80 miles
Day 2 - Kaysville to Saratoga Springs - 62 miles
Day 3 - Saratoga Springs to Nephi - 52 miles
Day 4 - Nephi to Salina - 58 miles
Day 5 - Rest Day
Day 6 - Salina to Junction - 66 miles
Day 7 - Junction to Hatch - 50 miles
Day 8 - Hatch to Fredonia AZ - 60 miles

Plan B would be to do it in 6 days with no rest day.  Starting on a Monday
Day 1 - Franklin ID to Kaysville - 80 miles
Day 2 - Kaysville to Saratoga Springs - 62 miles
Day 3 - Saratoga Springs to Nephi - 52 miles
Day 4 - Nephi to Richfield - 75 miles
Day 5 - Richfield to Panguitch - 80 miles
Day 6 - Panguitch to Fredonia AZ - 75 miles

Right now I'm thinking that I would do day 1 on a road bike with minimal support and no baggage.  
After I day 1 I would ride a touring bike with a couple of panniers containing extra clothing, food and other essentials.  I would stay in hotels every night.  Basically, I would do it with no sag support.

I don't mind making this a solo adventure, but I would like someone to ride with.  Anyone else interested?
Who knows, maybe this will go somewhere.  RABGRAI had humble beginnings. 

For those of you who are asking yourself the question, Isn't there already a ride across Utah?   The answer is yes.  It is called LAGBRAU.  I looked into doing this ride, but it just didn't accomplish my goal.  First it doesn't go all the way across Utah, and if it did, they do it the short way (east to west). 

Peterson - Park City by tstoney901 at Garmin Connect - Details

Peterson - Park City by tstoney901 at Garmin Connect - Details

The Rules of Bike Commutting

Rule #1 IS NOT, "Rike like you are invisible", it is, "Ride like everyone sees you but doesn't give a crap if they kill you".

Rule #2, "The most dangerous thing in the world is a woman, talking on her cell phone, driving an SUV with kids in the back."

Rule #3,"If it looks like someone is about to do something stupid that will endager your life, then plan on them doing it".

Rule #4, "It doesn't matter how many lights, how much reflective, or how much hi-vis you wear, some idiot still won't see you"

Rule #5, "The breakfast burrito in that fat dudes mouth driving the truck is far more important to him than your life".

Rule #6, "When in doubt, stop, get out of the way, hide behind an immovable object, or turn and ride the other way very fast"

Rule #7, "Stay off the sidewalk. That is where the teenage girls drive"

Rule #8, "It doesn't matter who is right or who was in the wrong, The car ALWAYS wins."

Rule #9, "You will never see anyone driving a car with a smile on their face. Smile and they will wonder what you are up to."

Rule #10,"Your mother loves you, but don't ever begin to believe that anyone else on the road does."

Peterson to Park City

Here's the map and profile info for the Peterson to Park City ride.

Cache Valley Century

Another great year at the Cache Valley Century.  As with the other two times that I have participated in the CVC, this ride was well supported.  They had great rest stops with plenty of food, Gatorade and water.  The best snack was certainly the raspberry bars in Preston.   Lunch was very similar to the last two years.  Pasta salads, chips, salsa and make your own burrito.  I had lunch at the end.  The hot food was hot and the cold food was still cold.  I thought the support team did a great job overall.

At the beginning of the day, the winds were calm, but as the day progressed, a stronger wind out the the southwest picked up on the west side of the valley.  The wind was certainly not as bad this year as in the previous years, particularly from Clarkston to Mendon.  The temperature in the morning was just right, but as the day wore on, the heat became a challenge however, even a hot day in Cache Valley isn't too bad.  I don't think we could expect any day to be a better day for a century.  

Because of the construction on 10th west in Logan they had to change the route this year.  We ended up going out to Mendon and then coming back on the same road for several miles until we could head east past the Benson marina.  No one likes to double back on a century ride, because of the increased bike traffic and challenges with traffic on country roads.  Fortunately there were not many cars and most of the riders stayed single file on both sides of the road.  Because the route changed, the ride was a few miles shorter.  My computer said 99.4 miles when I got back to Richmond.  However, I didn't feel cheated because I didn't really like riding along busy 10th west in Logan anyway.  The route they selected was lightly traveled and mostly good roads.  

Areas for improvement.  I only saw one support vehicle the entire day.  Maybe I missed the other ones, but I felt like there should have been a few more vehicles out on the road to help stranded cyclists.   Also, some help crossing the highway in Franklin would be nice.  That is a dangerous road crossing.  Fortunately no one was hurt.  

Overall a great day and a great ride.  It is still one of the my favorite all time century rides.  Hopefully next year we can get a few more Wheelmen to participate. 

LP

Getting ready for Bike the Bear

After a month of knee pain (IBT band) I believe it has subsided. Did a couple short test rides this week. One with Kris, my newest cycling partner and wife on Friday and then one on Sunday because the knee was feeling pretty good.

On Friday we left Roy to head out on a short 10 mile ride and ended up riding to Plain City from Roy (26 miles). No pain and very enjoyable on my Friday off from work. I concluded that I need to take more days off before the riding season ends.

Sunday's ride was pretty light and easy. Still have a fear of major pain creeping up. The previous ride before this was so painful I had walk home 9 miles.

The solution to all my knee problems have been stretching, low and slow miles when I can't stand it and two or three days between rides. I've also made some adjustments to my shoes and seat height (taking some time to adjust).

During Bike the Bear I hope to do 100miles, but I'll at least do 50 miles with the scouts and support them. I have a personal goal to finish at least three centuries this year as well as 2000 miles for the summer. I've only completed two so far. In St. George I failed because of horrible weather (snow), I completed the Salt Lake Century and the MS Bike Ride (where the knee pain developed).

Dwayne