Christmas Morning 09

Merry Christmas to you all. Hope you get a chance to ride something on two wheels today.

bout time

to start writing on this site again. I thought I was kicked off for a while. More to follow.

Tiger Woods More Respect Now

This writing is to pay respect to Tiger Woods for voicing his opinion about the poor judgement John Paramor made last Sunday at the Bridgstone International Golf Tournament. The scene, one of those Sunday afternoon battles where first and second place players are dueling out toe to toe heading for the last hole. It was anybody's match at number 16. That was until Mr. Paramor, the man in molded to a golf cart and holding a two way radio like it was his first pacifier decided to wield his inconspicuous power that would change the momentum of the game with a snap of the fingers. Putting the two champions on the clock that far into the day didn't seem to make any sense at all to me. Yes, if they were on numbers 9 or 10, I could see this happening, but not o 16 as they were on a decent pace. Padraig Harrington got rattled, it appears because of the call, which was actually counter productive to speeding up play.

Tiger, on the other hand kept his cool, never missing a shot, in fact possibly making one of his all time best shots over some water, onto a tight green and rolling back to within an almost gimmie for a birdie.

Tiger is known for holding his tongue, keeping his cool, and letting issues slide off. This time he spoke up. I am so glad that he did. I suggest that the pga tour rules officials listen to this criticism a learn something from it.

Thank You Mr. Woods

Leaving Las Vegas

I just got back from a week in Las Vegas. Lot's of noise, colorful lights, and people. I managed to get in 3 twenty mile rides. Once you get off the Strip, riding gets good.
Early morning casts a long shadow of me as it became time to get back to the hotel and get ready for the day's long conference activities
the Pallazo, not a bad place to have to stay in

Art work everywhere, even on the ceiling.

Hopelessly Hoping

Anyone who knows me knows how much of a disciple of Lance Armstrong I am. From all accounts I've seen, it is decided that he will become helping teammate to Alberto Contador. I guess this it true, but something down inside of me thinks that it is not too late for Lance to become the man for Team Astana.

I hear one of the NPR reporters this morning describing how Contador ground his way up the steep mountain. From what I saw on Versus TV early Sunday morning Alberto "Danced" up that steep mountain. a smooth waltz in perfect rhythm. He almost looked like he was on flat ground to me for a bit. I have to say, that young man can ride the climbs.

If Lance can come back that will be some of the best history to be made. If he can't, well maybe he can come in second. After all he has 7 Victory jerseys at home. the way he is riding this year makes me very proud.

keep Going Lance

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Tour de El Paso

As I ride around the city each day I am now more in tune to the memorials placed on the side of the road. Mostly in the form of cross, usually adorned with flowers and religious objects, they sit there as a reminder that someone loves them. If they had a dual purpose it would be a reminder that each one of us can be going about our life, then have it come to an end faster than a snap of the fingers.

Today is a good time for me to sit around and watch the Tour de France instead of touring El Paso.

Write A Letter To Rachel Quintana, Please, Now.

I have had some email conversations with some interesting people who live on my side of town, some of which live on the same street Heinz Duerkop did. The Ghost Bike Program may actually happen one of these days. I hear of a young man who has been around Texas, places like San Antonio, Austin, Houston, and maybe more; who has seen ghost bikes. In 2006, 51 cyclists were killed in Texas. Am too lazy to look this up right at this moment, but I think it is a pretty close average as to what we can expect to happen in 2009. Awareness could reduce this number significantly if we all do something about it.

A couple of months ago I went to a meeting that the city Streets Department were laying out the approved bicycle path/lane plan. To my surprise, and yes I am naive, there was hardly anyone there. Of those present was and elderly man who watches a lot of CSPAN because he was well practiced on asking questions like a senator would when someone is in the hot seat. He was a naysayer. Another attendant was a graduate student doing a study on peoples reaction to presentations such as this. A couple of other silent types were in the back and then there was me.

Of course there were not enough bicycle lanes planned in my opinion and of course one was too many for dear old naysayer. When the meeting was over I met Rachel Quintana, My City Representative. A nice young woman who presides over approximately 31,000 parcel properties in her district. We talked of riding, anyone who knows me will testify that I will talk about cycling endlessly if given the chance. Questions about any aspect of the pastime is most welcome to me.

Like most good politicians, she may bend in whichever the wind blows. Well, that's crude what I mean to say is that she probably listens to what her constituents have to say and make sound decisions based on that. After being here for only a year, I haven't had a chance to see if she Stands for something.

But here's what I want you to do. I want you to write to Rachel and tell her you know some people who are planning to put up a White Bicycle at the location where Heinz Duerkop got killed and that you want her to support it. Tell her that if the bike gets taken away, another one will replace it, then another and another if needed. And if she doesn't support this openly and loudly, then you want all of the memorials placed around the city to be removed. You know those crosses people put up when their loved ones die on the road. We want them removed if our bike gets moved. (I actually support those crosses on the side of the road, they are somber reminders that life can be taken away just like that) Even if you don't live in her district, even if you don't live in Texas or the USA. If you live on this planet write to Rachel Quintana and tell here this.

Email: district#5@elpasotexas.gov
or
Please Write To:
Rachel Quintana
City Rpresentative District 5
#2 Civic Center Plaza, 10th Floor
El Paso, TX79901

Crime Stoppers is in on it now, Oh Yeah

Today's El Paso Times is now focusing in on finding the driver of the car that killed Heinz and fled. Click on the link to read all about it.

An Appeal To You.. Even If You Don't Live In El Paso

The comment following this paragraph was written in the previous post, but the words of AJ and the importance compels me to post it again, up front and center. If you are reading this we need your help. The street that Heinz was killed on has one of the widest right hand lanes in the whole city, at least 30 feet. It had to be a very unusual circumstance for this to happen. But two things NEED to happen. 1. Get the person who did this to come forward or get caught. 2. Do something to memorialize this event to make our streets a safer place. Tomorrow I will give another idea on what can be done, but for now I don't want to take the gravity of what AJ has to say.

AJ said...
Rick, I sent you our email address if you have any information as to how we can contribute to a reward fund or make the public more aware of what happened to Heinz. The initial write-ups indicated that he was "elderly." What a laugh. Maybe in years but he and his wife were in better shape than most 20-somethings. He was an experienced bicycle rider. I suspect the hit and run driver pulled out of one of two streets (Tenaha or Buffalo Soldier.) If the driver had been traveling south at a high rate of speed, he/she would have seen Heinz or Heinz would have been aware. The driver would have automatically pulled into the left lane. I think this person pulled out of a side street, accelerated to get across George Dieter, turned left into the right lane after looking the other way to make sure no traffic was coming. He/she never saw Heinz who had just passed through until it was too late. Given the early hour, I think that driver lives off of one of those two streets. Why didn't he/she stop to help? No insurance? No license? Please everyone, tell your neighbors about this. I spoke to two people who didn't even know about it.

Me again. We are looking for a white car that has front right damage.
My email address is rjordan630@gmail.com. It was yahoo

Safety-Cycling

Bicycling overall is far safer than motorcycles, ocean swimms, horses, hospital stays, or climbing ladders. 9 out of 10 serious bicycling injuries don't involve a car or other motorized vehicle. "There is no greater danger to the urban cyclist thant the cyclist's own incompetence". These words come from Robert Hurst in his book The Art Of Urban Cycling. It's a good book, so no matter how experienced a rider you are don't let those words upset you because he backs that statement up with some very encouraging teaching. The point I want to make is that we as cyclists need education, with continuing education. I count myself right up there in the front of the class.

Fewer then 1 in 70 car/bike collisions are fatal. 2 out of 3 cyclists walk away after treatment. In the USA about 700 cyclist die each year compared to 4,000 motorcyclists, 5,000 pedestrians, and nearly 40,000 car/truck drivers/passengers. These statistics can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)web site. Very easy to look up and verify.

About half of all collisions and deaths are children who simply failed to yield at driveways and intersections. A huge majority of the dangers posed for accidents are at intersections. A substantial percentage of deaths are drunks without lights at night. If you take these factors out, cycling is safer than being in a car.

OK, there are the statistics simplified. Most cyclists don't feel all that safe. So with that they rely on the preconceived ideas of what is safe and they begin to make their own rules. In other words, they make an attempt to feel better/safer. They've never learned the basics Safety-Cycling.

What is the first rule of safety for in bike riding? Many times you will hear "Wear a Helmet". While that is certainly a must in my book, it is not the first rule. Learn how to avoid commonplace collisions is the correct answer. Just like car drivers take Defensive Driving classes every couple of years either to get a discount on insurance or beat a ticket, experienced cyclists would also to well to riview their safety practices.

There is a growing number of cities and counties developing comprehensive bicycle safety programs. El Paso is currently underway with adding bicycle lanes throughout the city. Hopefully the program won't take very long, because this is a good thing. In addition to the lanes I would like to see some funding for teaching our cyclists.
It doesn't take any more work or political capital to teach every cyclist than it does to build a few thousand bike lanes, which by the way end at every intersection, where, remember, is where most collisions occur.

Not to forget Mr. Heinz Duerkop's gruesome end. His accident statistic falls in an extremely rare catagory. For the driver to drive away to leave a person to die adds more speculation to the event. At least it does to me.

Where Will Your Last Pedal Stroke Be?

Arlene, please contact me: jordan630@gmail.com


When one sees the deep scrape marks the bicycle frame left as it ground its way down the street some 75 feet maybe took only a second or two. When I see the blackened curb and tire prints made from a swerving vehicle I wonder which story in my mind is closest to what really happened when Heinz met his fate. I wonder if he was spinning his crank at a high cadence with the great feeling only an early morning ride in El Paso can bring.


The makeshift cross craftily created on the fly with a picture frame, probably torn apart for the purpose. Attached to shelf bracket to anchor it to Mother Earth, the dust from which we come. Flowers and candles set against the desert breeze to pay homage to a Salt of the Earth gentleman, fallen, gone. I pray that this memory does not fade so quickly. I pray that a seed is planted to allow this tragic event to grow into a better cause. I pray that the other party(ies)involved will bring themselves to justice.

Come Clean, Cycle Dude

Even though I may have to eat some crow and apologize for my rant about the El Paso Bicycle Club, my main purpose that day was to rally up support to memorialize the unfortunate way Mr. Heinz Duerkop had to die. I do, however, like it that it has stirred the stew. Based on the last post's, to bridge some gaps and make an amends, not only for the way I portraid the club, but also to extend a hand to concerned cyclists for more unity. After all, I do claim to want raise advocacy awareness in this city. It could be that the advocates are here, alive and well, like Fred, Becky, and other unnamed pedalcyclists. So let's come together and make a difference.

Fred frequently commutes with his bike to work from EP to Juarez and back. He knows what the traffic can be like and how to navigate in it.

Becky commutes from the northeast to the central part of the city. I would like to hear more about hers and Fred's experiences.

There is a guy out there who rides a nice bike and doesn't even own a car and I'm sure he is NOT a bad person. On the one hand he is right when he says cyclists are cyclists. On the other, there are many types of cyclists, each carrying a certain culture and style. some of us overlap in types, for example I like to commute and use a bicycle for transportation as well as go on group rides and social events. There are those who who mountain bike, those who ride BMX, those who just ride around the neighborhood. I could go on about this, but maybe another time.

My goal today is to offer a handshake to those who I've offended, express gratitude to those who've responded, and encourage further dialog about making El Paso a more bicycle friendly city, and come up with ways honor and memorialize those unfortunates.

Memorial of a Deadly Bicycle Accident

It happened yesterday in this fair city, El Paso, Texas. A cyclist was killed while on an early morning ride, a time when the roads are still sleepy and a time when there is not much concern for safety. Mr. Heinz Duerkop, 67 years old was taken from life on earth by a car which hit him from behind. I went to the spot this morning to see that the cyclist had been hit from behind by an automobile who had not applied brakes, leaving fairly deep scrape marks in the asphalt for a distance of about 20 feet. According to the El Paso Times newspaper the rider was thrown a distance. The driver is being sought for hit and run. From what I could see by the remnant marks on the street, the rider was about 15 inches from the curb riding on a street(Georg Deiter) that had a wide inside lane. someone had to be veering extremely far left of the dashed lane stripe to have hit this cyclist.

I don't want to exploit the unfortunate, but I feel like doing something to memorialize this man and this event, perhaps something like "Ghost Bike". this is a program I've seen in Austin, in fact have a picture and an article someplace back in the this blog site.

The opportunity is hear to start some sort of advocacy efforts here. I think, and pardon me if you are an El Paso Bicycle Club member who is totally satisfied with the clubs function, the local bicycle club is lame on this sort of thing. If you have a $3600.00 or more bike and you like to ride on the West side of town on weekend mornings with the like minded, that is the club for you. As far as encouraging commuting and lobbying for safer streets.... well there is a wide open field for someone to start playing in. Today, I feel a stronger urge to get off my duff on this.

Mr Duerkop, my condolences to your family. May you rest in peace. I ask in your absence the permissiont to not let your passing slip out of memory as quick as a flash, by writing more and talking more and doing more to help make our roads a safer place.

And a note to the coward who fled the scene. You will not go with peace until you get yourself right with your mistake.

No Drive Zone

At intersections on most every road anywhere that has a right turn only lane, I use a neat trick that seems to keep me out of harms way as well as keep the motorized traffic somewhat happy with me, the rider. A lot of bicycle riders remain in the right turn only lane when they are going straight through the intersection. This is the wrong thing to do. Forget about it that it's not legal; legal schmegal. Don't get me wrong, I believe in riding legally. The state's drivers handbook says I the cyclist has a right to the road, but am supposed to be responsible when I use it. But what I am talking about here is safety, you know, survival.

Anyway there is this place in the road see, I call the No Drive Zone at an intersection that has a right turn only lane. When enough cars and trucks turn right in that lane debris seems to pile up in an arc shape. In other words, if a driver is half way through a right hand turn and if they look down to the pavement outside their window where they rest their elbow, they would see the debris, perhaps a penny or two in the mix of small gravel, some broken glass, one nail and a screw. And that's why you don't want to drive straight through in a turn only lane, you will pick either the nail or screw with a tire, usually the back tire. I don't know why it's that way, but it is.This is why it's called the No Drive Zone, hardly anyone drives there. When the street sweeper runs over it and picks up all the pennies, screw and nail, there is a remnant left; a permanent stain.

Now the person driving or riding through the intersection in the proper lane could view this very same same debris only it will be to their right. THIS is the zone. It looks sort of like a two lines at 90° that are tangent to the arc causes by the turning car. The other tangent is created by the folks driving through the intersection from your left. I hope you get this because my explanation skills are not that good.

So what you do is.. well first you have to be at the intersection in the proper lane which would be the right hand lane to go straight because you've already maneuvered yourself out of the turn only lane. As soon as you enter the intersection veer toward the debris filled no drive zone but not into it. Once you pass it, you veer a little more to the right looking at the curb on the other side of the intersection and line yourself up with where you want to be when you get there. By doing this you have put yourself in a very safe position at a busy intersection. Before you are half way through the intersection the cars behind you are gassing it to get where their going, passing you at a very safe distance.

Try it and tell me what you think.

Tigua Tribe

Saturday I road down into the Rio Grande Valley, the fertile grounds where Indian tribes long ago found a way of life. The culture continues to hold on to its roots in this historically rich river bottom. On this early sleepy morning gun shots startled me, my first thoughts were not to get caught getting in the middle of a gang war. After all I was just a couple of stone throws from the international border which is know for daily violence. But when I went around a corner I could see a parade of Indians and onlookers marching to the Ysleta Mission, one of the oldest on this continent.
Someone please take a close look at the picture on the right and tell me if the marcher in the white wearing a reddish cap is Bishop Ochoa.

Happy Rider

Meet Joaquin (pronounced Wackeen) a happy guy who tools around on his bike with no particular place to go. We both talk a lot, so we stood there for a while. It was a nice morning.

Number one Bike Car Crash In Texas

You may remember when I wrote about the guys back in Austin ragging on me, of course with good humor, how I like to admonish people for when they do something wrong or dangerous on the road. I gotta say that during the year I’ve been here in El Paso, the traffic is very tolerable and safe. I actually think it safer to ride here than in Austin, even though there are a lot more cyclists in Austin. I think I spent a good bit of time looking up the registered owners to vehicles so I could send them a no no letter about their misdoings on the road. In the past year I’ve only done two lookups. A great rate in my opinion, however those two don’t get off so lightly as not to hear from me with a nice packet inside a legal envelope. Yep, I feel it my duty to let them know that in this world we live in today, random acts can be traced to the person doing them.
The picture you see here is registered to a gentleman named Daniel J Portugal, a supervisor working for the USPS. A female was driving the car that caused a close encounter and got me into a stir, and caused me to write a letter and supplement it with extra information like a clipping from the Texas Driver’s Handbook, and a copy of the newly enacted State House Bill 488 which is directed to protect vulnerable cyclists. (There is a link to this bill in a previous post). The silver/grey car raced to turn left in front of me at an intersection, the number one cause of car bike accidents in the state. I just could not let myself let this one go.
I waited about a week to make this post so I could take some time to think about it. Yep, it belongs in here. If you want to, send a post card to the Portugal family at 10545 Darin, El Paso, TX 79925.



I wouldn’t be so hacked about this incident, except for the moment of eye contact with the driver, I detected a true disdain for me to have the audacity to be on the street in the first place.


The following portion is copied from the Texas Driver's Handbook, which you can get at any Texas DPS station, or download a PDF from their website.

Common Motorists Mistakes
1. The most common motorist caused car-bicycle collision is a motorist
turning left in the front of oncoming bicycle traffic. Oncoming bicycle traffic is
often overlooked or its speed misjudged.
2. The second most common motorist caused car-bicycle collision is a
motorist turning right across the path of the bicycle traffic. The motorist
should slow and merge with the bicycle traffic for a safe right-hand turn.
3. The third most common motorist caused car-bicycle collision is a
motorist pulling away from a stop sign and failing to yield right-of-way to bicycle
cross traffic. At intersections, right-of-way rules apply equally to motor
vehicles and bicycles

Vulnerable Road Users Win One

With the passing of Texas House Bill 488, there will be a bit more legal protection for vulnerable road users like pedestrians, runners, physically disabled, highway construction workers, horse riders and of course, the subject nearest and dearest to me; bicyclists. Actually, I think it is a crying shame that there has to be a law that will discourage a common motorized vehicle driver frome skirting too close to a child walking on the side of the road, or a utility worker repairing, in all possibility, that very driver's electric line. The law will take effect on September 1, 2009. I hope there is a way to get the word out to all the transportation world from the big truck driver, the pickup truck driver, the automobile driver, and on down to the cyclist, and the pedestrian well before the law is the law.

House bill 488 is easy to read and understand, won't take long to read it. Please go ahead and give it a glance. Then tell someone about it, whether it be possitive or negative sentiment. Just click on the underlined bill title to view the language.

Bicycle Slip Up

Everyone knows if it hasn’t rained in a long time, the streets get a dusty but oily film layered on top of the gravel and asphalt. When the rain first comes especially the light drizzly type, that’s when the streets are at its slickest of all. Everyone knows that don’t they?
Taking care on one of the fast turns on my daily route, the new supposedly “extra traction” tires did well. Being careful not to get caught in the ultra fast trip down to the street presented no problem. The next turn which is fun to take fast also with a lean that even Levi would appreciate was throttled down to about half. No problem there. Third turn, thinking all things were safe to go fast, lean hard, and pedal on without diligence in safety go me. The trap was set; I was going down and going down hard. Its’ that moment in time that only lasts a second, but can run it through my mind like the third act in a boring production.



Getting up was difficult; watching the trusted green steed laying down the blackened wet road was also difficult. I hobbled, and groaned as I got my affected body parts to start cooperating again. Wow, that was a good crash.


Hobbling through the day was hard at times. Ibuprofen became a good friend, and so was the Tylenol my wife gave me at our daughter’s graduation brunch, of which will be another subject in the near future. But for now I want to mention how eventually during the day, I became proud of my injury. The child in me, the conscious mind that rides around in this 60 year old body was wearing my hematoma, or whatever you call it around like it was a badge to be proud of. Darn, I thought, “I wish I could wear this on my arm, you know, about where tattooed people like to wear their colorful ink.

The ride in this morning was great, all body parts working, the green steed with but a few scratches for historical archiving. I was a bit less careless even though the streets were dry.

Bicycle El Paso Texas

The City of El Paso Streets Department along with along with a consulting firm are to begin installing 23.5 miles of bike lanes in the near future. There already are some lanes, but the additional lanes will be great for the city. I went to a public awareness in my district last night, met the city rep and a very vocal nay Sayer. Over all it was a good meeting, but not enough people were there.

Have you heard about the Bike Box Turning accommodation for bikes at intersections? Check it out on the link. I've heard that Austin, NYC, and Portland are using them. Well, lil-ole El Paso is getting at least one of them too. That is if someone doesn't shut it down.

And check this out

Ride in the Drops

Lance is trying out his new Trek, with special design. I think he is going to ride this in the Tour De France. He seems to like it.

Have you ever noticed that when a group of weekend riders get together, maybe do a 50 miler, a century, or even more, or even less; that they ride up on the brake bonnets the majority of the time? Maybe you are one of them, I know I am. When I ride in events or socially on the weekends and when commuting to work, there I am, hands high on the handlebar.....
Well that's the way it was until I went to watch the Tour de Gila a few weeks ago. After observing the big pros in person, it finally hit me that these guys live down low in the drops. So now guess what I'm doing? Yep. It's for real. During my commute to work this week, I got a feel of what it was like to spend that much time down there. Whenever I needed to come out of the saddle and power up a hill, or get across an intersection lickity-split, it felt very good, better than I thought it would. There must be a reason for the handlebars to be setup that way... duh. You can't learn everything on Versus TV.

Stem Up Or Stem Down?

It looks like Lance Armstrong's bike has a more or less horizontal stem. Mine is turned down a little more than horizontal, I wonder if my pride will allow me to turn it up? Like the way it was when I first got the bike. I don't think that not being so upright is hurting me, but I did take my rode bike out a few weeks ago and hammered out a 60 miler. The day after I had some pain in the back of my right knee. The soreness has diminished with only slight discomfort. My theory is that since I have been riding my touring bike exclusively for at least six months, my legs were not able to deal with the difference in range of motion, even if ever so slight. Today I made some adjustments to make the fit on each bike as close as possible to each other. Tomorrow I will test this theory out as I am going out for a nice spin with KF.

Bicycle Convalescence

The day before I went to the people hospital, I put my numero uno in the bicycle hospital. I was told by my doctor, more especially by my wife that I WOULD definitely not be riding a bicycle for two weeks. I figured I could sneak in a spin or two in about a week, instead I decided to abide after losing to a stare down. So my time is up and I am ready to ride. Suffice it say, itching, burning, and yearning to ride.
When I went to the bicycle hospital to check out the green machine, it wasn’t ready. Sadly, it is going to be in for another day. That means today I can go by there, climb on and resume the moving partnership I’ve had with this worthy steed for almost exactly three years now.

Nope this isn't really my Touring bike collapsed from over running it, but I would like to think I am capable of doing that. I stole this picture from a site "Crazy Guy On A Bike". He rides the same bike I do. Check out his site sometime. It's way cool if you like bicycling stuff.

Cycling and Recycling

Today, starting at 4:30AM I rode in one of those big garbage trucks. You know, the type that come by your house with an arm and grabber that picks up your big plastic can, hoists it in the air to pour out the contents into the big container that can then crush anything it wants to? I gathered statistics today, like how many people forget to leave their can out on time, and how many people have two containers, or three or four. yes four big cans some people have. Trash generators they are.
First trip goes to the land fill, second trip goes to the recycle center, and that's the part I like. My dad was an early recycle person you know. Those big ole trucks use a lot of fossil juice to do their job, but I suppose it is necessary. Too bad we can't do it en masse on bicycles.

Cycling Past 60

After seeing all the racers in Silver City New Mexico Saturday, my already vibrant passion for bicycling has been boosted at least one more notch. My mandatory two weeks layoff from cycling due to an umbilical hernia surgery is going to end in two more long days. Of course my commuting will resume, but I am firming up a personal resolve to do more work towards getting faster, stronger, leaner, and having more stamina. By the time the tour de Gila comes round again, I would like to be in it. I don't necessarily think I will be ready to bring home the trophy in my age group, but making a respectable showing is good enough for me.
Now that Lance and all the big boys are in Rome getting ready for the Tour de Italia, maybe there will be some decent news coverage. I heard somewhere that Germany is going to give some TV coverage. Keep your fingers crossed

Tour de Gila Time

Tour de Gila in Silver City, New Mexico
Johan Bruyneel is staning on the door step of Lance's Motor Home, while lance pleases the crowd by signing autographs. this all took place about 20 minutes before the 40+ mile criterion races started in Silver City New Mexico this past Saturday. I heard that Johan coached his unofficial "Mellow Johnny" team to be especially cautious for crashes.
It was some good advice because there were some really gnarly spills on this up and down, windy course through downtown.
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Our spectator view was just past the last corner into the final strait away toward the finish line. It can't be seen that the street before the turn was a steep downhill. See the flags blowing horizontally? The wind added speed to the down hill, these riders were making the corner at about 50 mph. Most of the photos I took were blurry and I even had it set to fast sports. Those riders were hauling.


I have this idea that Lance was experimenting in this race. one time he would come around in second place. Next time he would be back in the middle of the peleton. I know he was helping his mate Levi Leipheimer, but it was hard for me to tell just how he was doing that. I heard that the part of the route parallel to us a few blocks away was steep and hard on the riders.
Today the Tour de Gila finished up. Lance Twittered saying he is on his way to Italy now .


My two grandchildren Kayla and David went with me to this event. The weather was very nice, but I didn't think of getting sunscreen. We came upon this group with their yellow bikes. I demanded to know who was in charge. I had only seen the "Yellow Bike Project" in one other place; Austin, TX. Turns out the guy in charge lived in Austin for 13 years and was one of the key helpers in getting that program going there. Small world, hey?


And what respectable event wouldn't have the clowns? This dog is purportedly a hospital psychologist. The two legged animal is some kind of attorney. All I have to say is, TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

Spring Planting

The trip yesterday to Home Depot was awesome. We loaded up the plastic box so we could add some more flowers to the garden. There is still room for more. The ride though, is what it's all about.

Up Hill Battle

Lance is doing one of the things he does best, get out of the saddle and take a mountain.Of course he does many things well, like raise cancer awareness. The dude broke his collar bone, got it welded back together and is riding like a mad man up and down the Colorado mountains. This to me is such an awesome thing, I am trying to follow him as much as possible as he works his way towards the Tour De France.
Just moments ago Lance posted this on his Twitter about DR Chris O'Brien,Please Read

Moving Again

The department I am working for is moving across the street in a brand new building. We all have to take our personal stuff home, leaving our cubes and offices with only work related items. I’ve done this before, and it is only a matter of time before all the personal stuff gets brought back to work. I like the idea because it gives me a chance to pull my trailer, just like when I brought a box a day to the UPS Store to get me moved from Austin to El Paso.

Not My Twin's Brother

Maybe you’ve seen the video of the cyclist up north who loads himself with video cameras. He puts one on his helmet, then one on his handle bars, then tools around town filming the dangerous situations he gets himself into. When another vehicle comes close to killing him he has it on film complete with sound to where you can hear him cursing at the car or eighteen wheeler. To me that part is funny because I bet the drivers can’t hear him, but he has it on camera. It reminds me of when a dog chases a car and barks all the while. Is he barking at the car or the driver?
Some of my friends have said that this guy is my long lost twin. Surely they jest. Or perhaps not. I don’t think I am that radical, but I do get vocal and animated when I feel crossed or threatened or find myself in a dangerous situation. I am not posting said video on my blog because maybe that guy is my twin.
This leads me to now, this time in my life since moving from Austin Texas to El Paso Texas, still commuting to work on my touring bike. Same drill, different place and different days. By the way, El Paso is a friendly city to ride in, at least from my experiences. The locals here don’t think so. I hear all the time people say, “I would love to ride my bike to work, but THIS is El Paso, the drivers are crazy”. It’s the same thing I hear in Austin, but let me tell you, Austin seems to be a little more dangerous than El Paso. There are more riders in Austin per capita than in El Paso which gives outsiders that Austin is a more bike friendly town. I think the bottom line is that there are more cyclists in Austin, and that’s it. Just more bicycles, nothing more.
Indeed, I have had a few close calls here in EP, but that is to be expected. I am still have Publicdata.com to get to people and let them know they need to be safer. I don’t have video cameras taped to me or my bike, but I do have a camera that helps me remember license plate numbers or automobile descriptions.

Bicycle Nectar

The pre-dawn comfortably cool 54 degrees is very pleasant to ride in. Fridays seem to have less traffic, especially today because it’s Good Friday. I am not used to having to work on Good Friday, but that’s what I’m doing on this one. Mother Natures seems to me to swing to the extreme. The wind, the dry and stuff like that all are like accentuated. The spring flowers in bloom send out the aroma as like what happens all over the world at springtime. But there is something about the nectar that floats on the molecules that makeup air. It’s like if you breathe enough of it you might get a buzz.

On this day last year I was living in Austin and working for the State. I flew to El Paso to be with my family as I did most weekends. Good Friday is a holiday for the state. We walked up Mount Cristo Rey .
This year that isn’t happening, maybe next year.

Trauma Tour

Kurt and I went on our first organized ride, a 60 miler in very heavy wind.

Old Home Town

I saw a needle on the ground
Riding throuh my old home town.
When I pedaled over the same place where I first learned to balance, to ride some 52 years ago, it felt pretty sacred. The old neighborhood looks much the same in many ways. Still, OK to be from there.