Tour de Paris
 

Just returned from Paris, TX. Man is it hot! Got a chance to meet Jtgyk and his wife. They are good people and I am looking forward to meeting them again sometime. I decided to do the 100k (my first) and was just hoping to make it to the end and I did. Legs are a little rubbery, but I'll survive. Good times!

I was up there as well. I thought about doing the 100k, but decided I might could do it, but I wouldn't enjoy it, so I did the 75k. That worked out well. Didn't have too much trouble with the heat, but did stop at every rest stop. About 3 miles from the end, started getting some leg cramps, so probably just as well I didn't go for the longer route.

It was good to finally meet up with a fellow BF'er (ist?). Dude you are amazing toughing out the heat!

I went to this ride planning on doing the 70K. Due to some unfortunate issues involving a chamois seam (Is it really possible to saw oneself in half?), chip seal, and a rear wheel coming out of alignment (Mile 15). I rearranged (helped lower the chafing to a more tolerable level), opened my rear brake, bailed taking the 40K turn off and limped in. (note to self BRING A SPOKE WRENCH)

The thermometer function on my computer registered 114F at on point, but fluctuated between 100 and 108F for the most part toward the end of the ride. Yep...gets warm out there.

Even with the problems...I had a good time (great rest stops, by the way). It was my wifes first ride, and she she had a great time. I have to admit it was really nice to have her there at the finish cheering me in. She even waited and cheered you in Tabnlu!

I'm so glad I didn't join you guys. That's just too hot! Maybe if there's something this fall.

I did not realize that it was that hot. I guess its better not having the temp sensor on my computer! One clue might have been that I was still getting burned even with 50 spf sunscreen. Did you get the flyer for the Bonham ride next month. It looks like a good time.

I don't think it was that hot. The thermometer in my car was reading 93 when I left the ride, and was reading 97 later in the afternoon when I came back through Paris. That's what it felt like to me, also. The Mesquite Rodeo Ride felt hotter to me than the Tour de Paris, but maybe I've just acclimated a bit since then.

Did the roads bother you guys as much as me. It seemed like the balls of my feet and my hands were sore on the rough pavement and I was fine on the smoother pavement. Would a carbon fork help with the vibration of the entire bike?

That was funny road texture. It felt like it had little dips maybe 3" across all over it. It wasn't rough like chip-seal, just odd. Anyway, I'm riding on 26x2.125" tires, so I noticed it, but it didn't really bother me. I also noticed there were places where it was rougher toward the edge and smoother out in the lane.

By the way, www.weather.com shows the high yesterday in Paris as 94 degrees. Average high for this day is 95 degrees, record high for this day was 107 degrees in 1954.

I'm Famous. :D

I usually check on www.bicycle-stuff.com. The guy that runs that site rides on quite a few of these rides, and takes pictures as he does. So I've been on maybe 4 or 5 rides he was on, but never spotted myself in any of the pictures. Until now.

So there at: http://www.bicycle-stuff.com/photo20...paris/page.htm
#109- I'm standing just to the left of the window.
#110- That's my yellow bicycle standing there.
#112- That's me in the white shirt just to the left of the #556 guy.
#113- The yellow bike again.
#114- That's me in the white shirt and blue helmet, center top
#115- On the right side
#116- At the far right of the frame

No pics of me.

I went out riding today, and check the speedometer that I hadn't reset from Saturday. It showed 14.4 mph average. I think that's a new personal best for that distance. :)