Six more days until the Iron Horse and things are finally looking up training wise. And it’s just about time! Lots of snow and rain in Durango and I found myself inside on the Bowflex doing leg presses. There were some die hard people out there riding in the rain, but somehow, I think I’d be more a danger to the world and myself riding in that kind of weather. Actually, I’m pretty dangerous on a dry road! More on that later.
We had a great Gallery Walk on Friday night in Durango and I left right after it to drive to Denver for the show with son Ed. Made it to Denver at 4 am and his phone started ringing about 6, so it was a short night. I had my bike with me and was going to ride that morning and the next, but it snowed both days so the only work out was two martinis on Saturday night and and an hour on one of the “eliptical” machines in the hotel. I don’t think I spelled that right, but I could hardly work it right either so it doesn’t matter! Very confusing with arms going back and forth and legs going around and the control panel blinking and the television on the control panel giving me political updates.
I drove back to Durango on Monday and left for California on Wednesday. I was glad to leave nine inches of sloppy, wet snow behind. If you can’t ski on it, it’s worthless!
I got to Los Angeles about 1 in the morning and had my bike as well as Kris’s on the back of the car along with a trailer filled with merchandise for the Pasadena show. I picked her up at 8 in the morning at the Ontario Airport and we went to the Autry National Center to firm up a rug auction we are doing there on June 11. What a wonderful museum! Don’t miss it if you are in LA.
Then we set up the booth at the Pasadena Show and went back to the hotel, thinking we’d change clothes and head to the Rose Bowl to ride around the stadium and up and down some small hills surrounded by beautiful houses. BUT! The manager of the hotel said, “Why don’t you just go up Santa Anita and ride up the hill?”
“How far does it goes?” we asked.
“Just up,” he replied.
No lie, from downtown Arcadia, we went up. And up, And up! In Colorado, this would be considered a real mountain! Here, because it starts at 300 ft. elevation, it’s not, but for the next three days after the show, we hit Santa Anita Canyon Road. 2700 feet elevation. We never made it to the very top because of the darkness the first two nights and the rain the last day, but we came close.
Riding up the first day, I was dying. Kris was in front and we were moving slow, in the very lowest gears, really trying to keep it going. At least I was. She’s a little like a wound spring that just keeps going. I was hurting so bad I closed my eyes for a few moments to just concentrate on pushing when, BAM, I felt this collision. I had run into her rear tire, scaring her and darn near putting me on the pavement! I wobbled back and forth several times before catching my balance.
“What are you doing?” she asked over her shoulder as she continued up the road.
“I had my eyes closed,” I replied.
“You what?” she said, pedaling away.
It’s one of those things that’s hard to explain, but we went on up and coming down was a total gas. I like going downhill!
Now we’re driving back to New Mexico for one last easy ride and then to Durango for the Iron Horse.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, to everyone for your support. Just this week, another friend was diagnosed with Cancer. Just this week, as you hear all of the things that people are saying about Lance Armstrong, it is important to remember that this man and his foundation have done more to support cancer victims by providing information and support and resources than any other organization in America. Please, take a few minutes to visit: www.livestrong.org where 28 million people have found help and support. It’s also important to remember that he is the single most tested athlete in history. And he’s never tested positive for any illegal substance.
So, I don’t know if he ever did anything illegal or not, but it sure seems like there are a lot of people out there wanting to tear someone down who has made a real difference in the world.
You can know that your donation is appreciated and will help people. Thank you!
To Donate: http://ride.livestrong.org/teamls2011/jacksonclark
Or mail your check Made out to Livestrong Foundation, % Jackson Clark
P.O. Box 2168, Durango, Colorado 81302
Thank you,
Jackson
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