Sunrise in The Desert

Sunrise from my patio in Las Vegas. Blessed with another cycling day!

On My Wish List For The Outdoorsman

A wash station would be a god send for the bike shop where I work in Butte, Montana. This would especially come in handy for all those trashed out Divide rider's bikes we see during the summer. Maybe I'll buy one for the shop as a gift for my buddy, Rob.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears Oh My

Some of the wildlife we saw in California and Nevada 

on our trip this October.

Mountain Sheep in the Spring Mountains, NV

Coyote in Death Valley

Wild burros in Blue Diamond, NV

Mountain sheep at Spring Mountain, NV

Black bear in Sequoia NP, CA

Lizzard on Moro Rock climb, Sequoia NP

White tail deer in Sequoia NP

Wooly Mammoth...whoops only a statue in turns out
at Mammoth Lakes, CA

Free range cattle crossing the road on CA168 west of NV State Line.

Sheep flock south of Mono Lakes

Ptarmigan at Glacier Point in Yosemite NP

Ten Days and 2,288 miles Later

 I don't think there will ever be enough words to describe the sensory overload I've experienced from our journey through California recently. It's seriously the first real vacation the Mrs and I have had since we retired from our professional lives in 2004. And, it was a journey taken without ever riding a bike. Even so, I constantly found myself thinking about cycling the entire time. What I wouldn't have given to ride some of the roads we drove. I logged every road mile driven, every curve taken, every sinuous climb and descent on my GPS in hope of retracing my exact steps for some future cycling adventure. There are dozens of possible cycling journeys to attempt and it would easily take another lifetime to ride them all. It just makes it abundantly clear to me that there are endless cycling adventures out there as there are streets, roads, and trails where bicycles are permitted. Such a wonderful thought to grasp. 

Livestrong Ride-Las Vegas, Nevada Oct 2, 2010

Las Vegas, Nevada Livestrong Ride from Rick Smith on Vimeo.

Livestrong Ride- Las Vegas October 02, 2010

I'm sitting on our patio this morning at our desert oasis hideaway enjoying the sunrise of another day at the base of the Spring Mountains reflecting on the events of yesterday. It was a stellar blue sky morning in the Mojave Saturday when I took to the road in the Livestrong Ride in support of the Las Vegas Cancer Foundation. Last year there were 165 riders, but this year over 600 cyclists participated in the 60 mile event. The committee in my head wanted to do this ride to commemorate the lives and courage of family members and friends affected by cancer. 

I wanted to go the distance for these folks knowing what they have been through. I haven't attempted a long distance ride since my last 178 mile MS ride back in Texas. Since then, I've almost succumbed to a pulmonary embolism in 2008 and a severe heart attack in 2009. In both cases, according to my doctors, cycling saved my bacon. Had it not been for my conditioning and strong cardiovascular fitness I likely would not be here today.  So, I wrote the names of family and friends on my jersey and rode through the morning thinking about each of these folks and what they faced dealing with cancer.

 The 60 mile route actually turned out to be 64.5 miles and took us initially through much of Summerlin on the west side of the valley and finally out into the open country of the Red Rock Conservation Area where I ride almost daily. It was in the canyon that the riders began to spread out making the journey a little safer for all. I mounted my HD video cam on the handle bar and took still photos and video during the ride which will be used as part of a video I'll be making today if time permits.

 As I rode along I had lots of time to engage in conversation with the committee in my head, and the bottom line as a result our our talk was that I'm a pretty lucky guy to have been given the life I have.  The smile on my face at mile 50 shows this.

 As does the smile on my face at the finish after drinking two ice cold beers.

Stats on the day:
64.5 miles
3hrs 59min ride time
3108 feet of climbing
6 liters of water consumed
Avg speed 16 mph, Max speed 38.8 mph
Avg HR 124, Max HR 160

This is who I rode for:
My mother, Carmen M. Smith
My father-in-law, William T. Wright, Jr.
My wife's grandmother, Emma J. Wright
My wife's uncle, Henry A. Wright
My wife's grandfather, Orrin Hufford
My distant relative, "The Duke" John Wayne
My son-in-law's father, Dr. Paul G. Risser (survivor)
My Austin, TX friend Helena Lightel Wilson and her mother Helena Lightel (both survivors)
My Texas friend Alan Faddis's father, Robert Faddis
My former Texas now living in Naperville, Illinois friend Tina Payette Dreiske's brother, Michael Payette (recently diagnosed and treatment underway)
My Texas friend Brian Jones' mother, Karan Jones
My Butte, Montana friend Tiago Reis' mother, Betty Elerath
My Butte, Montana friend Ryan Munson's father, Ken Munson
My Butte, Montana friend JoAnne Nordhagen's father, Larry McAllister (survivor)

It was a special day of remembrance across the top tube. I was so honored to ride with these names across my chest. Thanks to all my donors for their generous support.

Livestrong Ride- Going the Distance 100K in Las Vegas

I've done so many charity rides for MS over the years, but this ride for cancer research and family outreach really hits home for me. I watched both my mother and father-in-law struggle with chemotherapy and ultimately die from cancer. It was a very painful experience to endure for the whole family. But in their fight to cling to life, I witnessed amazing strength and humor. Having been through their last moments with them taught me to not fear death. So many of our family members and friends have fought the good fight. I hope someday there is a cure. I just won't see it in my lifetime I'm sure. There's unity in hope. I'll ride strong for them on October 2, 2010.