Stormy Saluda ride

Stormy Saluda ride. July 10, 2014 On Thursday I rode to Saluda. Met a guy on a bike on the way. He was from Amelia Island Florida. He was trying to find Callahan Mt climb, a certain road with a steep climb.  I was headed to dividing waters rd., but I chose to join him and guide him and talk to him. God may have saved me from a pack of dogs reported later on Dividing Waters Rd.  The old dude from FLat FL climbed well!  He had a 34 x 25 gear combo.  Anyway he headed back to Hotel Domestique where he would watch the tour de France with owner, George Hincapie.   I went up the shady watershed and got to Saluda in good shape. On way back the rain began. Rode down watershed and got water logged. Hit a bad pothole near the  Saluda- Hendersonville split. Thought for sure I would get an instant flat. Kept riding. Got down the long downgrade and to Les Mullinax park and rain stopped so I took off my rain jacket and discovered my front tire flat. Walked to the picnic shelter and changed tube while a bumble bee kept me company. Too close for comfort! Rode on being very careful cause now I had no spare.  Rode dividing waters road (no pack of dogs came out to get me).  I got to Tigerville and the sky turned black. I put on my rainjacket. Rode into the rain for a few miles and took shelter at the gas station W.E. Willis/Exxon and thunder claps all around and heavy rain. Stayed there 20 minutes or more. Rain stopped, but thunder all around and low black clouds. I rode toward and past Lake Robinson. Light rain. Rode past small newly created rivers from the storm that had passed thru. Got past SC 290 and it stormed again. Could not see the road but I was so close to home I kept going although slowly.  Luckily got home but almost 1-1/2 hour late. Was supposed to meet my daughter. 

Late June - Early July training

Late June Early July training June 28 Saturday: Ran 6 miles after work. 133 ave., 166 max HR Heart down in mid 70s an hour later but then it goes back up into 80s after that and after I ate a lot.  June 29 run. Sunday. Ran 5.8 miles. June 30. Monday. Ran 3.8 miles. Swam 3300 yards. Got book by matt Fitzgerald "Racing Weight".  July 1 Tuesday. Ride to Saluda on heavy Fuji. 62 miles and 3200 feet climbing. Very hot.  July 2.  Wednesday. Just work.  Thursday July 3: Run 9.4 miles after work.  July 4 swim Swam 2200 yards slow.   Ride 22 miles easy to moderate.  July 5 ride to Saluda and Tryon NC.  Butter St., Oak Grove Rd., SC 11. A 71 mile ride with nearly 5000 feet of climbing. With 5 minute transition, ran 2.5 miles.  July 6 mountain bike riding and trail maintenance.  Much trimming back branches. 2-1/2 hours of that with solid hour of riding.  Swam nearly 2600 yards in crowded pool.   Took an hour.