tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27432414626690303812024-02-19T17:48:11.011-08:00Quite Fondo DirtAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-72539363276742663092024-02-15T15:25:00.001-08:002024-02-15T15:25:58.628-08:00Best Agility Writer Review by Reyman CruzHere is the best Agility Writer Review by Reyman Cruz. <div><br /></div><div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>What is Agility Writer?</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer is a content writing tool designed to streamline the content creation process for businesses and individuals. It leverages AI technology to assist users in generating high-quality written content, including articles, blog posts, website copy, and more.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Top Features of Agility Writer</strong></p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>AI-Powered Writing Assistant:</strong> Agility Writer utilizes AI algorithms to provide real-time guidance and suggestions during the writing process. It helps users optimize content for clarity, tone, grammar, and style.</li><li><strong>Content Generation:</strong> The tool offers a variety of templates and frameworks to help users quickly create different types of content, such as SEO-friendly articles, persuasive marketing copy, and engaging social media posts.</li><li><strong>Content Optimization:</strong> Agility Writer analyzes user-generated content and provides recommendations for improving readability, structure, and overall effectiveness. It suggests synonyms, alternative phrases, and potential areas for expansion.</li><li><strong>Collaboration and Team Management:</strong> The tool enables users to collaborate with team members on content projects. It provides options for sharing drafts, assigning tasks, and reviewing feedback.</li></ul><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Benefits of Using Agility Writer</strong></p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>Time Savings:</strong> Agility Writer's AI-powered assistance can save users a significant amount of time by eliminating the need for lengthy research and editing processes.</li><li><strong>Improved Quality:</strong> The tool helps users produce high-quality content that is grammatically correct, stylistically appropriate, and optimized for SEO.</li><li><strong>Increased Productivity:</strong> By streamlining the content creation process, Agility Writer enables users to create more content in less time, boosting their productivity.</li><li><strong>Enhanced Consistency:</strong> The collaboration features of the tool ensure that all team members are working towards a consistent brand voice and style.</li></ul><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Pricing and Plans</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. Plans start at $19 per month for the Basic plan, which provides access to the core writing assistant and content generation features. The Premium plan, priced at $49 per month, includes additional features such as advanced content optimization, collaboration tools, and priority support.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Alternatives to Agility Writer</strong></p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>Jasper (formerly Jarvis):</strong> A popular AI-powered writing tool that offers similar features to Agility Writer.</li><li><strong>Writersonic:</strong> A content writing tool that specializes in generating SEO-optimized and persuasive content.</li><li><strong>Copy.ai:</strong> A writing assistant that offers a wide range of templates and use cases, including content for marketing, social media, and e-commerce.</li></ul><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Conclusion</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer is a valuable tool for businesses and individuals seeking to enhance their content creation process. Its AI-powered features, content generation capabilities, and collaboration tools can help users save time, improve quality, and increase productivity. 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href="https://www.grammar.net/?s=Best%20Agility%20Writer%20Review%20by%20Reyman%20Cruz" title="Reyman Cruz">Reyman Cruz</a><br /></p></div> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/b7f9614f-3b54-434c-aa50-0b15eb916fc8n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/b7f9614f-3b54-434c-aa50-0b15eb916fc8n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-85311232416381945112024-02-04T13:14:00.001-08:002024-02-04T13:14:12.787-08:00Reynold Aquino: The Water Softener Expert and Plumbing Professional<p><strong><a href="https://medium.com/@reynoldaquino">Reynold Aquino</a>, a highly skilled and experienced plumber, has established himself as a renowned water softener expert. With his extensive knowledge in the plumbing industry and a deep understanding of water treatment systems, he has dedicated his career to providing exceptional services and solutions to his clients.</strong></p>Unparalleled Expertise in Water Softener Systems:<ul><li><p><strong>Professional Background:</strong> Reynold Aquino possesses a wealth of experience as a licensed plumber, specializing in the installation, repair, and maintenance of water softener systems. His expertise extends to various types of water softeners, including salt-based, potassium-based, and magnetic water softeners.</p></li><li><p><strong>Advanced Training and Certifications:</strong> He has undergone rigorous training programs and obtained certifications from leading organizations in the plumbing industry. These certifications demonstrate his proficiency in water treatment technologies, ensuring he stays at the forefront of industry advancements.</p></li><li><p><strong>Problem-Solving Abilities:</strong> Reynold Aquino's ability to diagnose water quality issues and identify the most suitable water softener system for his clients' needs sets him apart. He excels at analyzing water conditions, determining the appropriate capacity, and recommending the best course of action to achieve optimal water quality.</p></li></ul>Comprehensive Plumbing Services:<ul><li><p><strong>Repairs and Maintenance:</strong> Reynold Aquino offers prompt and efficient repair services for plumbing issues, including leaky faucets, clogged drains, malfunctioning water heaters, and faulty pipes. His expertise enables him to diagnose problems accurately and provide long-lasting solutions.</p></li><li><p><strong>Installation and Upgrades:</strong> He specializes in installing new plumbing fixtures, appliances, and water filtration systems. His attention to detail and commitment to quality ensure that each installation is completed to the highest standards.</p></li><li><p><strong>Emergency Services:</strong> Reynold Aquino understands the urgency of plumbing emergencies. He is available 24/7 to respond to emergency calls, providing immediate assistance to minimize damage and inconvenience.</p></li></ul>Customer-Centric Approach:<ul><li><p><strong>Personalized Solutions:</strong> Reynold Aquino takes a personalized approach to each client's needs. He conducts thorough evaluations of their water quality and plumbing systems to tailor customized solutions that address their specific requirements.</p></li><li><p><strong>Transparent Communication:</strong> He is committed to clear and transparent communication throughout the entire process. Reynold Aquino explains complex plumbing issues in a simplified manner, ensuring clients understand the recommended solutions and have all their questions answered.</p></li><li><p><strong>Exceptional Customer Service:</strong> Reynold Aquino's dedication to customer satisfaction is evident in his prompt response times, meticulous attention to detail, and willingness to go the extra mile to exceed expectations.</p></li></ul>Industry Recognition and Contributions:<ul><li><p><strong>Awards and Accolades:</strong> Reynold Aquino's expertise has been recognized through numerous industry awards and accolades. He has received recognition for his exceptional work, including the "Plumber of the Year" award from the local plumbing association.</p></li><li><p><strong>Educational Initiatives:</strong> He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of plumbers. Reynold Aquino conducts regular training sessions and workshops, providing valuable insights and hands-on experience to aspiring plumbers.</p></li><li><p><strong>Community Involvement:</strong> Reynold Aquino actively participates in community initiatives and charitable organizations. He donates his time and resources to support causes related to water conservation and improving access to clean water in underserved areas.</p></li></ul>Conclusion:<p>Reynold Aquino stands out as a premier water softener expert and plumbing professional. His dedication to providing exceptional services, coupled with his extensive knowledge, expertise, and customer-centric approach, has earned him a reputation as a trusted and reliable professional in the industry.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/d71aa811-a664-4209-8660-345d4160b7aan%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/d71aa811-a664-4209-8660-345d4160b7aan%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-57102459709530255792024-02-02T15:01:00.001-08:002024-02-02T15:01:59.151-08:00Best Online Jobs for Students: Earning Flexibility and Income Alongside Studies<p>Juggling studies with part-time work can be challenging, but online jobs offer students a unique advantage: flexibility. Whether you're seeking a steady income stream or occasional cash injections, numerous online opportunities cater to diverse skills and interests. You can read more in this <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-best-online-jobs-students-online-money-making-ideas-u2amc">Linkedin post</a>.</p><p><strong>High-Demand Online Jobs for Students:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Content Creation:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Freelance Writing:</strong> Craft compelling articles, blog posts, website copy, or social media content for businesses and individuals. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Contently connect writers with clients. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> Varies depending on experience, niche, and project scope. Some writers earn $0.10 per word, while others command $1 or more.</li><li><strong>Video Editing:</strong> Edit and polish video content for YouTube channels, social media ads, or explainer videos. Utilize editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $15-$50 per hour, depending on experience and project complexity.</li><li><strong>Graphic Design:</strong> Create visual content like logos, illustrations, social media graphics, or website layouts using design software like Adobe Photoshop or Canva. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $20-$75 per hour, depending on experience and project scope.</li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Online Tutoring:</strong> Share your knowledge and expertise by tutoring students online in various subjects. Platforms like Chegg, TutorMe, and Skooli connect tutors with students. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $15-$50 per hour, depending on subject, experience, and platform.</p></li><li><p><strong>Virtual Assistance:</strong> Provide administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients remotely. Tasks may include email management, scheduling appointments, data entry, or social media management. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $10-$30 per hour, depending on experience and task complexity.</p></li><li><p><strong>Social Media Management:</strong> Manage social media accounts for businesses or individuals, including content creation, community engagement, and advertising. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $15-$50 per hour, depending on experience, account size, and engagement metrics.</p></li><li><p><strong>Data Entry:</strong> Input data into spreadsheets or databases from scanned documents, handwritten forms, or audio recordings. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $8-$15 per hour, depending on accuracy and speed.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Additional Online Opportunities:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Website Testing:</strong> Provide feedback on website usability and functionality by participating in user testing sessions. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $10-$20 per session, depending on platform and test duration.</li><li><strong>Online Surveys:</strong> Share your opinions and complete surveys on various topics to earn rewards or cash. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> Varies depending on the platform and survey length, typically $0.50-$5 per survey.</li><li><strong>Transcription:</strong> Transcribe audio or video recordings into written text. Requires good listening skills and typing accuracy. <strong>Earning potential:</strong> $10-$20 per hour, depending on experience and audio quality.</li></ul><p><strong>Choosing the Right Online Job:</strong></p><p>Consider your skills, interests, available time, and desired income level when selecting an online job. Research different platforms, compare earning potential, and read reviews to find opportunities that align with your goals. Remember, building a strong online presence and portfolio can enhance your credibility and attract better clients or projects.</p><p><strong>Remember:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Time Management:</strong> Online jobs offer flexibility, but managing your time effectively is crucial to balance work and studies. Set clear schedules, communicate deadlines clearly, and avoid multitasking to optimize productivity.</li><li><strong>Legitimacy:</strong> Be cautious of scams disguised as online job opportunities. Research companies and platforms thoroughly before investing time or money.</li><li><strong>Taxes:</strong> Report your income from online jobs to the relevant authorities to comply with tax regulations.</li></ul><p>By exploring these diverse online opportunities and approaching them strategically, students can successfully earn income while gaining valuable skills and experience, all while maintaining academic focus.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f9749434-7179-4838-8b0b-e243e69110c6n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f9749434-7179-4838-8b0b-e243e69110c6n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-84658671607926324412024-02-02T11:51:00.001-08:002024-02-02T11:51:57.767-08:00Understanding Water Softeners for Well Water<p>Having well water comes with its own set of unique challenges, one of which is hard water. Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can cause a variety of problems in your home, from mineral buildup in pipes and appliances to dry skin and hair. <strong>Water softeners are specifically designed to address these issues by removing hardness minerals from your water supply.</strong></p><p><strong>Do I Need a Water Softener for My Well Water?</strong></p><p>Whether or not you need a <a href="https://medium.com/@reynoldaquino/choosing-the-best-water-softener-for-well-water-84dad3868707">water softener for your well water</a> depends on several factors, including:</p><ul><li><strong>The hardness level of your water:</strong> You can get your water tested by a professional or use a home test kit to determine the hardness level. Generally, water with a hardness level above 7 grains per gallon (gpg) is considered hard and can benefit from softening.</li><li><strong>The problems you're experiencing:</strong> If you're noticing mineral buildup, soap scum, or other issues associated with hard water, then a softener can help.</li><li><strong>Your personal preferences:</strong> Some people simply prefer the feel of soft water for showering, washing dishes, and other tasks.</li></ul><p><strong>Types of Water Softeners for Well Water</strong></p><p>There are two main types of water softeners for well water:</p><ul><li><strong>Salt-based softeners:</strong> These are the most common type and use ion exchange to remove hardness minerals. They require regular regeneration with salt, which can be a maintenance burden for some users.</li><li><strong>Salt-free softeners:</strong> These use various technologies, such as template-assisted crystallization (TAC) or magnetic fields, to reduce hardness. They don't require salt but may be less effective than salt-based softeners in some cases.</li></ul><p><strong>Choosing the Right Water Softener for Your Needs:</strong></p><p>When choosing a water softener for your well water, consider the following factors:</p><ul><li><strong>Your water hardness level:</strong> This will determine the size and capacity of the softener you need.</li><li><strong>Your water flow rate:</strong> Make sure the softener can handle the amount of water your home uses.</li><li><strong>Your budget:</strong> Salt-based softeners are generally less expensive than salt-free models, but you'll need to factor in the cost of salt.</li><li><strong>Your maintenance preferences:</strong> If you're not interested in regular maintenance, a salt-free softener may be a better option.</li></ul><p><strong>Additional Considerations for Well Water:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Iron and other contaminants:</strong> If your well water contains iron or other contaminants, you may need a combination water treatment system that includes a softener and an additional filter.</li><li><strong>Professional installation:</strong> It's generally recommended to have a professional install your water softener to ensure it's properly sized and connected.</li></ul><p><strong>Benefits of Using a Water Softener for Well Water</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Reduces mineral buildup:</strong> This can prevent damage to pipes, appliances, and fixtures.</li><li><strong>Improves soap and detergent performance:</strong> Soft water allows soap and detergent to lather better, so you can use less and get better cleaning results.</li><li><strong>Softer skin and hair:</strong> Soft water can help reduce dryness and irritation.</li><li><strong>Longer lifespan for appliances:</strong> Soft water can help extend the life of your washing machine, dishwasher, and other water-using appliances.</li></ul><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong></p><p>Water softeners can be a valuable investment for homeowners with well water. By considering your specific needs and water quality, you can choose the right softener to enjoy the benefits of soft water throughout your home.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/c714f619-55bd-409e-910e-989729d77c61n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/c714f619-55bd-409e-910e-989729d77c61n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-71490148895223626762024-01-28T12:50:00.001-08:002024-01-28T12:50:37.610-08:00Water Softener for Well Water: A Comprehensive Guide<strong>What is a Water Softener and How Does it Work?</strong><p>A water softener is a device that removes hardness from water, typically by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions for sodium ions. This process, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-does-water-softener-work-well-reynold-aquino-2wcyc/">known as ion exchange</a>, occurs within a resin bed, which is composed of small, porous beads made of a material called ion-exchange resin.</p><strong>Why is a Water Softener Needed for Well Water?</strong><p>Well water often contains high levels of dissolved minerals, including calcium and magnesium, which cause hardness. Hard water can create several problems, such as:</p><ol><li><strong>Scale Buildup</strong>: Hard water can cause scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and fixtures, reducing their efficiency and lifespan.</li><li><strong>Soap Scum</strong>: Hard water can make it difficult to create a lather with soap, resulting in soap scum buildup on surfaces.</li><li><strong>Dry Skin and Hair</strong>: Hard water can strip away natural oils from skin and hair, leading to dryness and irritation.</li><li><strong>Reduced Detergent Effectiveness</strong>: Hard water can reduce the effectiveness of detergents, making it harder to clean clothes and dishes.</li></ol><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-choose-right-water-softener-well-reynold-aquino-jde9c">How to Choose the Right Water Softener for Well Water</a>:</strong><ol><li><strong>Water Hardness Level</strong>: The first step in choosing a water softener is to determine the hardness level of your well water. There are several ways to do this, including purchasing a water test kit or sending a sample of your water to a laboratory for analysis.</li><li><strong>Flow Rate</strong>: Consider the flow rate of your well water system when selecting a water softener. The flow rate is measured in gallons per minute (GPM) and determines the size of the water softener you need.</li><li><strong>Grain Capacity</strong>: The grain capacity of a water softener refers to its ability to remove hardness from water. The grain capacity is measured in kilograins (KGR) and determines how much hardness the water softener can remove before it needs to be regenerated.</li><li><strong>Type of Water Softener</strong>: There are two main types of water softeners: salt-based and salt-free. Salt-based water softeners use a process called ion exchange to remove hardness from water, while salt-free water softeners use a different process, such as template-assisted crystallization.</li><li><strong>Brand and Reputation</strong>: Consider the brand and reputation of the water softener manufacturer when making a purchase. Look for brands that are known for their quality, reliability, and customer service.</li></ol><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-install-water-softener-well-reynold-aquino-wbknc">How to Install and Maintain a Water Softener for Well Water</a>:</strong><ol><li><strong>Proper Installation</strong>: It is important to have a water softener installed by a qualified professional. Improper installation can lead to leaks, damage to the water softener, or ineffective water softening.</li><li><strong>Regular Regeneration</strong>: Water softeners need to be regenerated regularly to maintain their effectiveness. The frequency of regeneration depends on the hardness of your water and the size of the water softener.</li><li><strong>Salt Replenishment</strong>: Salt-based water softeners require regular replenishment of the salt supply. The frequency of replenishment depends on the hardness of your water and the size of the water softener.</li><li><strong>Maintenance:</strong> Water softeners should be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure proper operation and longevity. This may include cleaning the resin bed, checking for leaks, and replacing any worn or damaged parts.</li></ol><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-benefits-using-water-softener-well-reynold-aquino-k8noc">Benefits of Using a Water Softener for Well Water</a>:</strong><ol><li><strong>Improved Water Quality</strong>: Treated water has a reduced mineral content, improving the taste, smell, and appearance of the water.</li><li><strong>Reduced Scale Buildup</strong>: This can save you money by extending the lifespan of your appliances.</li><li><strong>Softer Skin and Hair</strong>: Softened water can help to improve the health of your skin and hair.</li><li><strong>More Effective Laundry and Dishwashing</strong>: Softened water can improve the performance of detergents and soaps.</li><li><strong>Increased Energy Efficiency</strong>: Softened water can help to improve the efficiency of water heaters and other appliances that use water.</li></ol><strong>Conclusion:</strong><p>A water softener can be a valuable investment for well water users, providing numerous benefits and improving overall water quality. By choosing the right water softener and properly installing and maintaining it, you can enjoy the advantages of softened water throughout your home.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/9aa09de1-81fa-4c7e-ad67-17431e4b7165n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/9aa09de1-81fa-4c7e-ad67-17431e4b7165n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-53568861403284244522024-01-26T14:21:00.001-08:002024-01-26T14:21:47.956-08:00Content Marketing: Leveraging Valuable Content to Drive Business Growth<p>Content marketing is a strategic approach in marketing that entails the creation and distribution of compelling, relevant, and valuable content to capture audience attention, stimulate customer engagement, and eventually drive profitable customer action. This article delves into the realm of content marketing, exploring the following key aspects:</p><ul><li>The Essence of Content Marketing</li><li>The Role of Content Marketing in Business Growth</li><li>Crafting Effective Content Marketing Strategies</li><li>Measuring Content Marketing Success</li><li>Staying Ahead: Trends in Content Marketing</li></ul><font size="4">What is Content Marketing?</font><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/content-marketing-link-building-what-types-attract-most-reyman-cruz-imucc/">Content marketing</a> is a strategic marketing approach centered around creating and sharing valuable, engaging, and relevant content to captivate and retain a clearly defined audience, with the primary goal of driving profitable customer actions.</p><p>Content marketing hinges on the notion that creating and disseminating engaging content can help businesses attract and retain a clearly defined audience, ultimately prompting them to take profitable actions such as making purchases or utilizing services. This approach contrasts with traditional advertising methods that often involve directly pitching products or services. Instead, content marketing focuses on providing valuable information and insights that align with the interests and pain points of the target audience.</p><font size="4">How Can Content Marketing Drive Business Growth?</font><p><strong>Enhanced Brand Awareness:</strong> By creating and sharing high-quality content, businesses can position themselves as thought leaders and establish brand trust, leading to increased brand awareness and recognition.</p><blockquote><p><em>For instance, a study conducted by Demand Metric revealed that content marketing generates 3X more leads than traditional outbound marketing, highlighting the potential of content marketing in boosting brand visibility.</em></p></blockquote><p><strong>Lead Generation and Nurturing:</strong> Compelling content can serve as a magnet for attracting qualified leads. By providing valuable content that resonates with the audience, businesses can nurture these leads, fostering relationships that often lead to sales conversions.</p><blockquote><p><em>A survey conducted by the Content Marketing Institute indicates that 86% of B2C marketers and 91% of B2B marketers rely on content marketing to generate leads.</em></p></blockquote><p><strong>Improved Customer Engagement:</strong> Creating interactive and engaging content fosters deeper customer engagement, contributing to a more loyal customer base.</p><blockquote><p><em>According to a report by the Content Marketing Institute and MarketingProfs, 78% of consumers feel more connected to brands that create custom content.</em></p></blockquote><p><strong>Strengthened SEO Performance:</strong> High-quality content optimized for relevant keywords can improve a business's search engine ranking, leading to increased organic traffic.</p><blockquote><p><em>HubSpot's research shows that businesses that prioritize blogging are 13X more likely to experience positive ROI.</em></p></blockquote><p><strong>Cost-Effective Marketing Strategy:</strong> In comparison to traditional advertising channels, content marketing offers a cost-effective avenue for reaching and engaging potential customers and consistently improving ROI.</p><font size="4">Crafting Effective Content Marketing Strategies</font><ol><li><p><strong>Understanding the Target Audience:</strong> In-depth knowledge of the target audience, their needs, preferences, and pain points is paramount.</p></li><li><p><strong>Setting Clear Content Objectives:</strong> Clearly defined content goals drive strategy development and measurement efforts.</p></li><li><p><strong>Content Creation and Curation:</strong> Developing high-quality, engaging content that resonates with the audience and aligns with content objectives.</p></li><li><p><strong>Diversifying Content Formats:</strong> Employing a mix of content formats (e.g., infographics, videos, blog posts, podcasts) to appeal to diverse audience preferences and maximize engagement.</p></li><li><p><strong>Effective Content Distribution:</strong> Leveraging various channels (e.g., social media, email, paid advertising) to reach and engage the target audience.</p></li><li><p><strong>Content Optimization for SEO:</strong> Optimizing content with relevant keywords to improve organic traffic and search engine visibility.</p></li><li><p><strong>Performance Monitoring and Adaptation:</strong> Tracking content performance metrics (e.g., engagement, conversions) and continuously refining strategies based on data insights.</p></li></ol><font size="4">Measuring Content Marketing Success</font><ol><li><p><strong>Website Traffic:</strong> Monitoring website traffic, including unique visitors, page views, and time spent on site, to assess content's ability to attract and retain audience attention.</p></li><li><p><strong>Engagement Metrics:</strong> Analyzing engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and click-through rates to gauge audience interest and interaction with content.</p></li><li><p><strong>Lead Generation and Conversion Rates:</strong> Evaluating the number of leads generated and their conversion rates into paying customers to assess content's impact on business outcomes.</p></li><li><p><strong>Brand Awareness and Reputation:</strong> Conducting brand awareness surveys and monitoring online sentiment to measure the impact of content marketing on brand recognition, perception, and reputation.</p></li><li><p><strong>SEO Performance:</strong> Tracking keyword rankings, organic traffic, and search engine visibility to assess content's impact on website visibility and organic growth.</p></li></ol><font size="4">Staying Ahead: Trends in Content Marketing</font><ol><li><p><strong>Interactive and Immersive Content:</strong> The integration of interactive elements (e.g., quizzes, polls, augmented reality) enhances engagement and provides a personalized experience for audiences.</p></li><li><p><strong>Visual Storytelling:</strong> The use of visuals such as videos, infographics, and images to convey messages and engage audiences more effectively.</p></li><li><p><strong>User-Generated Content (UGC):</strong> Encouraging and leveraging content created by customers to foster authenticity, build brand loyalty, and expand reach.</p></li><li><p><strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation:</strong> Utilization of AI-powered tools for content creation, personalization, and content performance analysis, improving efficiency and effectiveness.</p></li><li><p><strong>Data-Driven Content Marketing:</strong> Employing data analytics to understand audience preferences, optimize content performance, and make data-driven decisions to enhance content marketing strategies.</p></li></ol> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f8ed0f37-9b53-44e6-9bbd-3df32174549fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f8ed0f37-9b53-44e6-9bbd-3df32174549fn%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-9787927324250154272024-01-24T11:36:00.000-08:002024-01-24T11:37:03.287-08:00Salt-Based vs Salt-Free Water Softeners: Making an Informed Choice<b><font size="4">Understanding Water Softeners</font></b><p>Water softeners are devices designed to eliminate calcium and magnesium ions from hard water, making the water softer. This process of softening water brings about numerous benefits, including increased efficiency of soap and detergents, reduced scale buildup in appliances and plumbing fixtures, and potentially softer skin and hair. </p><b><font size="4">Salt-Based Water Softeners: The Conventional Approach</font></b><p>Salt-based water softeners employ the ion exchange process to remove hardness minerals from water. These systems typically utilize a resin bed, which contains sodium ions. When hard water passes through the resin bed, the calcium and magnesium ions are attracted to the resin and are exchanged for sodium ions. The softened water, now devoid of hardness minerals, exits the system.</p><b>Advantages of Salt-Based Water Softeners:</b><ul><li>Effective in removing hardness minerals</li><li>Widely available and well-established technology</li><li>Relatively affordable to purchase and maintain</li></ul><b>Disadvantages of Salt-Based Water Softeners:</b><ul><li>Require regular maintenance, including salt replenishment</li><li>Can increase sodium content in water, which may be a concern for individuals on sodium-restricted diets</li><li>May require professional installation and maintenance</li></ul><b><font size="4">Salt-Free Water Softeners: An Alternative Approach</font></b><p>Salt-free water softeners utilize different technologies to reduce water hardness without the use of salt depending on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAaoCX5GSGc">size of the water softener</a>. These systems typically employ physical processes, such as template-assisted crystallization (TAC) or electromagnetic fields, to alter the structure of hardness minerals, preventing them from forming scale deposits.</p><b>Advantages of Salt-Free Water Softeners:</b><ul><li>No salt required, eliminating the need for regular maintenance and salt replenishment</li><li>Do not add sodium to water, making them suitable for individuals on sodium-restricted diets</li><li>Generally require less maintenance compared to salt-based systems</li></ul><b>Disadvantages of Salt-Free Water Softeners:</b><ul><li>May be less effective in removing hardness minerals compared to salt-based systems</li><li>Can be more expensive to purchase and install</li><li>May require specialized knowledge or professional installation</li></ul><b><font size="4">Comparing Salt-Based and Salt-Free Water Softeners</font></b><p>When choosing between salt-based and salt-free water softeners, several factors must be considered, including water hardness level, desired level of water softening, maintenance requirements, budget, and personal preferences regarding sodium intake.</p><b>Water Hardness Level:</b><p>The level of water hardness is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a water softener. Salt-based water softeners are generally more effective in removing hardness minerals, making them a better choice for areas with high water hardness.</p><b>Desired Level of Water Softening:</b><p>The desired level of water softening is another important consideration. Salt-based water softeners can achieve a higher level of water softening compared to salt-free systems. This factor is particularly relevant for applications where a high degree of water softening is required, such as in commercial or industrial settings.</p><b>Maintenance Requirements:</b><p>Salt-based water softeners require regular maintenance, including salt replenishment and periodic cleaning of the resin bed. Salt-free water softeners, on the other hand, generally require less maintenance. However, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance to ensure optimal performance.</p><b>Budget:</b><p>The cost of a water softener is another essential factor to consider. Salt-based water softeners are typically less expensive to purchase and install compared to salt-free systems. However, the ongoing cost of salt replenishment and maintenance should also be taken into account.</p><b>Personal Preferences:</b><p>Personal preferences regarding sodium intake may also influence the choice between salt-based and salt-free water softeners. Salt-based water softeners can increase the sodium content of water, which may be a concern for individuals on sodium-restricted diets. Salt-free water softeners do not add sodium to water, making them a suitable option for individuals with such dietary restrictions.</p><b><font size="4">Making an Informed Decision</font></b><p>The <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/salt-based-vs-salt-free-water-softeners-which-one-should-aquino-j3atc/">choice between salt-based and salt-free water softeners</a> depends on several factors, including water hardness level, desired level of water softening, maintenance requirements, budget, and personal preferences. By carefully considering these factors, homeowners can make an informed decision that best suits their specific needs and preferences.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/cfddbd78-4573-4c04-ba17-c3c10261ab9an%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/cfddbd78-4573-4c04-ba17-c3c10261ab9an%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-459277858837150602024-01-19T09:14:00.001-08:002024-01-19T09:14:47.395-08:00Funnel Builder Software: Definition, Types, Features, Pricing, Benefits<strong></strong><p><strong>Funnel builder software is a powerful tool that enables businesses to create, visualize, and manage sales funnels without extensive coding knowledge.</strong> It streamlines the process of building effective funnels that guide customers through the buying journey, leading to increased conversions and revenue.</p><p><strong>Here's a comprehensive guide to funnel builder software, covering everything from the basics to advanced features and best practices.</strong></p><p><strong>Types of Funnel Builder Software</strong></p><ul><li><strong>All-in-one platforms:</strong> These platforms offer a wide range of features beyond funnel building, often including marketing automation, email marketing, CRM, landing page builders, and more. Popular examples include ClickFunnels, Kartra, and Kajabi.</li><li><strong>Standalone funnel builders:</strong> These tools focus specifically on funnel creation and optimization, providing a more streamlined experience. Examples include Leadpages, Unbounce, and Instapage.</li><li><strong>WordPress plugins:</strong> These plugins add funnel building capabilities to existing WordPress websites, such as Thrive Architect and OptimizePress.</li></ul><p><strong>Key Features to Consider</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Drag-and-drop interface:</strong> This user-friendly interface allows you to build pages and funnels visually, without coding.</li><li><strong>Page templates:</strong> Pre-designed templates save time and provide inspiration for various funnel types, such as lead capture pages, sales pages, webinar registration pages, and more.</li><li><strong>Integrations:</strong> Connect your funnel builder with other essential tools, such as email marketing services, payment gateways, and CRM systems.</li><li><strong>Analytics:</strong> Track funnel performance to measure results and make data-driven decisions.</li><li><strong>A/B testing:</strong> Experiment with different versions of your funnels to optimize conversion rates.</li></ul><p><strong>Pricing and Plans</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Pricing models vary:</strong> Some software offers monthly subscriptions, while others have one-time fees or tiered pricing structures.</li><li><strong>Free plans:</strong> Some providers offer limited free plans to try out the software before committing.</li></ul><p><strong>Ease of Use and Customer Support</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Consider your team's technical expertise:</strong> Choose software with an intuitive interface and comprehensive support resources if needed.</li></ul><p><strong>Benefits of Using Funnel Builder Software</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Streamlined funnel creation</strong></li><li><strong>Improved conversion rates</strong></li><li><strong>Increased revenue</strong></li><li><strong>Time savings</strong></li><li><strong>Better insights</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p><p>Funnel builder software is an invaluable tool for businesses of all sizes that want to optimize their sales and marketing efforts. By choosing the right software and following best practices, you can create high-converting funnels that drive growth and success.</p><p>Resources:<br /></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-best-funnel-builder-software-options-beginners-coding-cruz-ip38c/">What Are the Best Funnel Builder Software Options for Beginners With No Coding Experience?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/which-funnel-builder-software-offers-most-lead-capture-reyman-cruz-ntboc/">Which Funnel Builder Software Offers the Most Comprehensive Lead Capture and Email Marketing Features?</a></li></ul><div style="width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; left: -9999px; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden;"> </div> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/0641851f-4889-4b21-bcdc-acf52aabe4f5n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/0641851f-4889-4b21-bcdc-acf52aabe4f5n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-77591243369497664092024-01-16T05:24:00.001-08:002024-01-16T05:24:54.889-08:00Link Building: Definition, Strategies, Tools, Benefits, Challenges, Best Practices<b>What is Link Building, and Why is It Important for SEO?</b><p>Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks from other websites to your own website. It's a crucial aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) because search engines like Google use links as a signal of a website's authority and relevance. When authoritative websites link to your content, it sends a signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy, which can boost your website's rankings in search results.</p><p><strong>According to a study by Ahrefs, websites with a high number of backlinks tend to rank higher in search results than those with fewer backlinks.</strong></p><p><strong>Link building remains a critical component of SEO strategies in 2024. A recent survey of SEO professionals by Moz found that 95% of respondents consider link building to be a "very important" or "somewhat important" factor for ranking websites. Here are a <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-find-qualified-link-building-specialist-reyman-cruz-mefvc">Linkedin post</a> on how to hire a link building specialist.</strong></p><b>Link Building Strategies</b><p><strong>Here are some of the most effective link building strategies:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Content Marketing:</strong> Create high-quality content that other websites will naturally want to link to. This could include blog posts, infographics, videos, or other types of informative content.</li></ol><ul><li><strong>Case Study:</strong> A software company increased organic traffic by 25% by publishing a series of in-depth blog posts on industry topics.</li></ul><ol start="2"><li><strong>Guest Blogging:</strong> Write guest posts for other websites in your industry with links back to your own website.</li></ol><ul><li><strong>Statistic:</strong> A study by Backlinko found that guest blogging can increase website traffic by an average of 20%.</li></ul><ol start="3"><li><p><strong>Broken Link Building:</strong> Find broken links on other websites in your industry and reach out to the website owners to suggest replacing the broken link with a link to your own relevant content.</p></li><li><p><strong>Public Relations:</strong> Generate positive press coverage and backlinks from reputable news websites and blogs.</p></li><li><p><strong>Social Media Promotion:</strong> Share your content on social media to attract links from other users and websites.</p></li><li><p><strong>Email Outreach:</strong> Reach out to website owners and bloggers directly to ask for links to your content.</p></li></ol><b>Link Building Tools</b><p>Several link building tools can help you research backlink opportunities, track your progress, and analyze your backlink profile. Some popular options include:</p><ul><li>Ahrefs</li><li>SEMrush</li><li>Moz</li><li>Majestic</li><li>BuzzSumo</li></ul><b>Benefits of Link Building</b><p>Link building can provide several benefits for your website, including:</p><ul><li>Increased search rankings</li><li>Increased website traffic</li><li>Increased brand awareness</li><li>Improved credibility and authority</li><li>Stronger relationships with other websites in your industry</li></ul><b>Challenges of Link Building</b><p>Link building can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Some of the common challenges include:</p><ul><li>Building high-quality links requires effort and expertise.</li><li>It can be difficult to secure links from high-authority websites.</li><li>There's a risk of being penalized by search engines for using unethical link building tactics.</li></ul><b>Best Practices for Link Building</b><p>Here are some best practices for link building:</p><ul><li>Focus on quality over quantity. It's better to have a few high-quality links from reputable websites than many low-quality links.</li><li>Build relationships with other website owners in your industry.</li><li>Diversify your link profile with links from a variety of websites.</li><li>Monitor your backlinks regularly for spam or low-quality links.</li><li>Avoid spammy or unethical link building tactics.</li><li>Always follow Google's Webmaster Guidelines.</li></ul><b>Conclusion</b><p>Link building is a crucial aspect of SEO and can significantly impact your website's visibility and success in search results. By implementing a strategic and ethical link building plan, you can improve your website's rankings, drive more traffic, and boost your brand awareness. </p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/c9e2ad9e-7ea5-4f29-8c62-4ae5f497c582n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/c9e2ad9e-7ea5-4f29-8c62-4ae5f497c582n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-47542811527037454052024-01-11T03:56:00.001-08:002024-01-11T03:56:50.787-08:00Agility Writer Review: Definition, Features, Benefits, Pricing, How to Use<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>What Is Agility Writer?</b></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/agility-writer-vs-writesonic-which-better-ai-writing-tool-reyman-cruz/">Agility Writer</a> is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps writers improve their productivity and the quality of their work. Launched in 2020, Agility Writer quickly gained popularity among content writers, bloggers, copywriters, and students. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, Agility Writer is a valuable tool that can help writers create high-quality content faster and more efficiently.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Key Features of Agility Writer</b></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer offers a wide range of features designed to help writers create better content, including:</p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>Real-time Feedback:</strong> Get instant feedback on your writing, including suggestions for grammar, spelling, and style.</li><li><strong>One-Click Rewrite:</strong> Quickly rewrite sentences or paragraphs to improve clarity, conciseness, and tone.</li><li><strong>Tone of Voice Suggestions:</strong> Choose from a variety of tone of voice suggestions to match your writing to the intended audience.</li><li><strong>Plagiarism Checker:</strong> Scan your text for plagiarism and get suggestions for how to avoid it.</li><li><strong>Collaboration Tools:</strong> Collaborate with other writers and editors on shared documents.</li><li><strong>Integrations with Other Tools:</strong> Easily integrate Agility Writer with your favorite writing tools and platforms.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Benefits of Using Agility Writer</b></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer offers several benefits to writers, including:</p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>Improved Writing Quality:</strong> Agility Writer's real-time feedback and one-click rewrite features help writers improve the quality and clarity of their writing.</li><li><strong>Increased Productivity:</strong> Agility Writer's collaboration tools and integrations with other writing tools help writers save time and increase their productivity.</li><li><strong>Reduced Errors:</strong> Agility Writer's grammar and plagiarism checkers help writers avoid errors and improve the accuracy of their writing.</li><li><strong>Enhanced Creativity:</strong> Agility Writer's tone of voice suggestions and other creative features help writers explore new ways to express themselves and engage with their audience.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Pricing</b></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer offers a variety of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets:</p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>Free Plan:</strong> The free plan includes basic features like grammar and spell checking, as well as a limited number of rewrites and plagiarism checks.</li><li><strong>Standard Plan:</strong> The standard plan costs $29 per month and includes all the features of the free plan, plus unlimited rewrites, plagiarism checks, and collaboration tools.</li><li><strong>Premium Plan:</strong> The premium plan costs $49 per month and includes all the features of the standard plan, plus additional features like priority support and access to a team of writing experts.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>User Reviews</b></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer has received positive reviews from users, with many praising its ease of use, powerful features, and ability to improve writing quality.</p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li>"Agility Writer has been a game-changer for me. It's helped me improve my writing skills and save time on editing." - John Smith, Content Writer</li><li>"I love Agility Writer's real-time feedback feature. It's like having a writing coach at my fingertips." - Mary Johnson, Blogger</li><li>"Agility Writer is the best AI writing assistant I've used. It's helped me write better copy and improve my marketing results." - Tom Brown, Copywriter</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>How to Use Agility Writer to Improve Your Writing</b></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Getting started with Agility Writer is easy. Simply create an account and start using the web-based editor or download the desktop app. Once you're logged in, you can start writing or upload a document to get feedback.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Agility Writer's real-time feedback feature will highlight errors and suggest improvements as you type. You can also click the "Rewrite" button to quickly generate different versions of your text.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">To use Agility Writer's collaboration tools, simply invite other users to join your document. You can then work together in real time, leaving comments and suggestions for each other.</p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Conclusion</b></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/agility-writer-vs-scalenut-comparing-price-features-ease-reyman-cruz/">Agility Writer</a> is a powerful AI-powered writing assistant that can help writers improve their productivity and the quality of their work. With its user-friendly interface, advanced features, and affordable pricing, Agility Writer is a valuable tool for writers of all levels.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Whether you're a content writer, blogger, copywriter, or student, Agility Writer can help you write better content faster and more efficiently. Try it today and see the difference it can make in your writing.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/d742458a-c78f-435d-bccd-39ce51dd5c7fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/d742458a-c78f-435d-bccd-39ce51dd5c7fn%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-39073057384970271162024-01-08T03:17:00.001-08:002024-01-08T03:17:24.792-08:00Water Softeners and Sizing: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home<strong>Water hardness can make everyday tasks a hassle. It leaves soap scum on your shower walls, creates stubborn stains on your dishes, and dries out your skin and hair. The solution? A water softener. But with so many options available, figuring out the right size for your home can be tricky.</strong><p><strong>Grains of Hardness and Grain Capacity: Breaking Down the Essentials</strong></p> <p><strong>Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon (GPG). The higher the GPG, the harder your water.</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Typical hardness levels:</strong> <ul> <li>Soft: 0-3 GPG</li> <li>Slightly hard: 3-6 GPG</li> <li>Moderately hard: 6-12 GPG</li> <li>Hard: 12-18 GPG</li> <li>Very hard: 18+ GPG</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><strong>Water softeners have a grain capacity, which indicates how many grains of hardness they can remove before needing to regenerate.</strong></p> <p><strong>Factors Affecting Water Softener Size</strong></p> <p><strong>Several factors influence the size of water softener you need:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Number of people in your household:</strong> More people mean more water usage.</li> <li><strong>Average daily water consumption:</strong> This includes showering, laundry, dishwashing, and other water-related activities.</li> <li><strong>Water hardness level:</strong> The higher the hardness, the larger the softener you'll need.</li> </ul> <p><strong>How to Calculate Grain Capacity</strong></p> <p><strong>Here's a general formula to estimate the grain capacity you need:</strong></p> <p>Number of people in household x Average daily water usage (gallons) x Water hardness (GPG) x 7 = Grain capacity</p> <p><strong>Example:</strong> A family of four uses 80 gallons of water per day, with a water hardness of 15 GPG.</p> <div aria-label="code snippet widget" role="region" tabindex="-1"> 4 x 80 x 15 x 7 = 33,600 grains <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" /><span style="background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(220, 220, 220, 0.5); top: -15px; left: 0px;"><img height="15" role="presentation" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAPABAP///wAAACH5BAEKAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw==" title="Click and drag to move" width="15" /></span></div> <p><strong>They would need a softener with a grain capacity of at least 33,600.</strong></p> <p><strong>Common Size Recommendations:</strong></p> <ul> <li>1-2 people: 20,000-30,000 grains</li> <li>3-4 people: 30,000-40,000 grains</li> <li>5+ people: 40,000+ grains</li> </ul> <p><strong>Additional Considerations:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Iron content:</strong> If your water has high iron levels, you may need a larger softener.</li> <li><strong>Water usage patterns:</strong> If you have periods of high water usage (e.g., frequent guests, laundry days), consider a larger softener.</li> <li><strong>Space constraints:</strong> Ensure you have adequate space for the softener and its brine tank.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Consulting a Professional for Accurate Recommendations</strong></p> <p>For the most accurate sizing recommendations, consult a water treatment professional. They can test your water hardness and assess your specific needs.</p> <p>Remember, choosing the right size water softener is essential for ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency. By understanding the factors involved and following these guidelines, you can select the perfect fit for your home.</p><p><br /></p><p>Sources:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-big-water-softener-do-i-need-complete-guide-sizing-reynold-aquino-r0pec/%20%20https://medium.com/@reynoldaquino/how-big-of-a-water-softener-do-i-need-5e6d74a32ac1%20%20https://www.reddit.com/user/reynoldaquino/comments/18zz3aj/how_big_of_a_water_softener_do_i_need/">Linkedin</a></li><li><a href="https://medium.com/@reynoldaquino/how-big-of-a-water-softener-do-i-need-5e6d74a32ac1">Medium</a></li><li><a href="https://www.reddit.com/user/reynoldaquino/comments/18zz3aj/how_big_of_a_water_softener_do_i_need/">Reddit</a></li></ul> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f54e144d-faa7-4607-9df3-428af0a33eb4n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f54e144d-faa7-4607-9df3-428af0a33eb4n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-43180011132257752112024-01-05T08:35:00.001-08:002024-01-05T08:35:57.277-08:00Best Biodynamic Gardening Courses<p>Biodynamic gardening goes beyond organic principles to create a truly holistic approach to cultivating life. It blends science and spirituality, recognizing the interconnectedness of all elements within a garden ecosystem. By aligning with cosmic cycles and fostering a deep understanding of nature's rhythms, biodynamic gardeners strive to produce nutrient-rich food, vibrant plants, and a harmonious relationship with the environment.</p><p>I recommend that you read this Biodynamic Gardening Book - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamic-Gardening-Composting-Preparations-Agricultural/dp/B0CLDKZ2GR">https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamic-Gardening-Composting-Preparations-Agricultural/dp/B0CLDKZ2GR</a></p><p><strong>Unlocking the Secrets of Biodynamics Through Expert Guidance</strong></p><p>Whether you're a seasoned gardener seeking a deeper connection with nature or a beginner eager to explore this sustainable practice, biodynamic gardening courses offer invaluable insights and hands-on experiences. These courses delve into:</p><p><strong>Key Principles and Practices:</strong></p><ul><li>Understanding the foundations of biodynamic philosophy, developed by Rudolf Steiner in the early 20th century.</li><li>Preparing and applying biodynamic preparations, unique compost and herbal remedies that enhance soil health and plant vitality.</li><li>Working with the lunar and astrological cycles to guide planting, harvesting, and other gardening activities.</li><li>Integrating composting, cover cropping, and other regenerative techniques to build healthy soil ecosystems.</li><li>Fostering biodiversity through companion planting and pollinator habitats.</li><li>Creating a closed-loop system that minimizes waste and maximizes resource utilization.</li></ul><p><strong>Finding the Right Course for Your Needs</strong></p><p>Course formats vary to accommodate different learning styles and preferences:</p><p><strong>Online Courses:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic Association: Online Introduction to Biodynamics</li><li>Biodynamic Agricultural College: Online Course in Biodynamic Principles and Practice</li></ul><p><strong>In-Person Workshops and Certification Programs:</strong></p><ul><li>Pfeiffer Center: Biodynamic Gardening Apprenticeship</li><li>Demeter Association: Biodynamic Farmer Training</li><li>Local farms and gardening organizations (explore options in your area)</li></ul><p><strong>Key Considerations When Selecting a Course:</strong></p><ul><li>Instructor experience and expertise in biodynamic methods</li><li>Course curriculum and alignment with your learning goals</li><li>Format and duration of the course</li><li>Location and accessibility</li><li>Cost and potential financial assistance</li></ul><p><strong>Benefits of Biodynamic Gardening Education:</strong></p><ul><li>Deepen your understanding of sustainable agriculture practices</li><li>Learn to create a thriving, self-sustaining garden ecosystem</li><li>Produce healthier, more nutritious food</li><li>Connect with a community of like-minded individuals</li><li>Enhance your connection to nature and the cosmos</li><li>Contribute to a more sustainable and regenerative food system</li></ul><p><strong>Ready to Embark on Your Biodynamic Journey?</strong></p><p>Explore the courses mentioned above and connect with biodynamic organizations in your area to discover the perfect learning path. As you delve into this transformative approach to gardening, you'll not only cultivate healthier plants and ecosystems but also nourish a deeper connection with the rhythms of nature and the interconnectedness of all life.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/9dca31d5-3a15-4765-9630-72866c6fc0ccn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/9dca31d5-3a15-4765-9630-72866c6fc0ccn%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-64509373143522038202024-01-05T08:26:00.000-08:002024-01-05T08:27:02.012-08:00Best Biodynamic Gardening Book 2024<p>Biodynamic gardening is an agricultural approach that transcends conventional organic methods. It embraces a holistic philosophy that views the farm or garden as a living organism, interconnected with the cosmos and its rhythms. By working in harmony with these natural cycles, biodynamic practitioners aim to create vibrant, resilient ecosystems that produce nutrient-rich, flavorful food.</p><p>Here is the best Biodynamic Gardening book - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamic-Gardening-Composting-Preparations-Agricultural/dp/B0CLDKZ2GR">https://www.amazon.com/Biodynamic-Gardening-Composting-Preparations-Agricultural/dp/B0CLDKZ2GR</a></p><p><strong>Unlocking the Wisdom of Biodynamic Gardening Books</strong></p><p>If you're intrigued by this transformative approach to gardening, a wealth of knowledge awaits you in biodynamic gardening books. These books offer comprehensive guidance on:</p><ul><li><strong>The Principles of Biodynamic Agriculture:</strong> Delve into the foundations of biodynamic philosophy, including the concept of the farm organism, the importance of soil health, and the role of cosmic influences.</li><li><strong>Practical Techniques and Preparations:</strong> Discover hands-on methods for composting, planting, and harvesting according to biodynamic principles. Learn how to create and apply biodynamic preparations, which are unique herbal and mineral remedies used to enhance soil fertility and plant vitality.</li><li><strong>Seasonal Rhythms and Astrological Influences:</strong> Explore how to align your gardening practices with the rhythms of the seasons and the cycles of the moon and planets.</li><li><strong>Case Studies and Inspirational Stories:</strong> Gain insights from experienced biodynamic farmers and gardeners, and find inspiration in their successes and challenges.</li></ul><p><strong>Essential Reads for Your Biodynamic Journey</strong></p><p><strong>Here are five books that stand out as exceptional resources for aspiring biodynamic gardeners:</strong></p><ol><li><strong>Biodynamic Gardening</strong> by Monty Waldin (DK Publishing) - This comprehensive guide offers a clear and practical introduction to biodynamic gardening, covering everything from soil preparation to pest control.</li><li><strong>Gardening for Life: The Biodynamic Way</strong> by Maria Thun (Floris Books) - Thun's classic text delves into the astrological influences on gardening and provides detailed planting calendars based on moon phases.</li><li><strong>The Biodynamic Orchard</strong> by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer and Michael Maltas (Acres USA) - Learn how to apply biodynamic principles to fruit trees in this in-depth guide.</li><li><strong>Moon Gardening</strong> by Matt Jackson (Chelsea Green Publishing) - Discover how to harness the power of the moon to enhance your gardening efforts.</li><li><strong>What Is Biodynamics?: A Way to Heal and Revitalize the Earth</strong> by Rudolf Steiner (SteinerBooks) - Explore the origins of biodynamic agriculture in this foundational work by its founder.</li></ol><p><strong>Embarking on Your Biodynamic Journey</strong></p><p>Whether you're a seasoned gardener seeking a deeper connection to nature or a newcomer eager to explore a more sustainable approach, biodynamic gardening books offer a path to a fulfilling and transformative gardening experience. Through their pages, you'll discover a world where gardening becomes a practice of reverence for the interconnectedness of all life.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/e9eb615a-8dc4-407e-bc67-8ed33c5256ban%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/e9eb615a-8dc4-407e-bc67-8ed33c5256ban%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-4897287991380203322023-12-22T04:57:00.000-08:002023-12-22T04:58:02.889-08:00Biodynamic Gardening Guide: Definition, Key Principles, Best Practices, Benefits, Tools and Preparations<a href="https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/g/chromium-reviews/c/nKW3IxdNWz8" style="font-size: 13px;">Biodynamic gardening</a><span style="font-size: 13px;"> offers a profound approach to cultivating the earth, resonating with ancient wisdom and modern ecological consciousness. It transcends conventional organic practices by fostering a holistic understanding of the garden as a living organism, intertwined with the rhythms of nature and the cosmos. Embracing this philosophy nurtures vibrant, nutrient-rich produce while promoting a deeper connection to the natural world.</span><br /><p><strong>Key Principles of Biodynamic Gardening</strong></p><p><strong>1. Understanding the Farm as a Living Organism:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamics views the farm or garden as an interconnected entity, where soil, plants, animals, and cosmic forces collaborate in a delicate dance of life.</li><li>Nurturing this interconnectedness is paramount, ensuring a synergistic balance that promotes vitality and resilience.</li></ul><p><strong>2. Strengthening the Soil:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic preparations, meticulously crafted from natural substances, act as catalysts for soil health.</li><li>These preparations invigorate microbial life, enhance fertility, and promote a thriving soil ecosystem—the foundation for robust plant growth.</li></ul><p><strong>3. Aligning with Cosmic Rhythms:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamics recognizes the profound influence of celestial rhythms on plant growth.</li><li>Planting, cultivating, and harvesting in harmony with lunar cycles, planetary alignments, and seasonal transitions optimizes plant vitality and yields.</li></ul><p><strong>4. Embracing Biodiversity:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic gardens embrace diversity, fostering a tapestry of plant species, insect life, and beneficial organisms.</li><li>This biodiversity fosters resilience, thwarts pests, and creates a harmonious ecosystem where each element contributes to the garden's overall health.</li></ul><p><strong>Essential Practices for Biodynamic Gardening Success</strong></p><p><strong>1. Composting: The Heart of Soil Fertility</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic composting is a meticulous art, transforming organic matter into a nutrient-rich elixir for the soil.</li><li>Specific preparations, such as BD500 and BD502, enhance compost vitality, accelerating decomposition and enriching the soil's microbial life.</li></ul><p><strong>2. Planting by the Moon and Stars:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic planting calendars guide gardeners to align sowing and harvesting with auspicious cosmic rhythms.</li><li>This practice is believed to optimize plant growth, nutrient uptake, and flavor development.</li></ul><p><strong>3. Fostering Biodiversity:</strong></p><ul><li>Intercropping, companion planting, and cultivating a diversity of species create a vibrant ecosystem that benefits all inhabitants.</li><li>Beneficial insects thrive, pests are kept in check, and the garden becomes a resilient, self-sustaining microcosm.</li></ul><p><strong>4. Honoring Animals and Their Role:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic farms often integrate livestock, recognizing their crucial role in nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and overall farm health.</li><li>Animals contribute manure for compost, grazing for weed control, and their unique energy to the farm's ecosystem.</li></ul><p><strong>The Rewards of Biodynamic Gardening</strong></p><p><strong>1. Nutrient-Rich, Flavorful Produce:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic practices yield produce that is not only free of chemicals but also brimming with vitality and flavor.</li><li>The heightened nutrient density and vibrant energy of biodynamically grown food are often palpable to those who consume it.</li></ul><p><strong>2. Deeper Connection to Nature:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic gardening cultivates a profound sense of connection to the natural world, fostering respect for the delicate balance of life forces that sustain us.</li><li>This intimate relationship with nature enriches both the gardener and the garden, fostering a sense of stewardship and gratitude.</li></ul><p><strong>3. A Path to Regeneration:</strong></p><ul><li>Biodynamic principles offer a roadmap for healing the Earth and restoring vitality to our food systems.</li><li>By nourishing the soil, honoring biodiversity, and embracing cosmic rhythms, we can participate in a movement that nurtures life and promotes a thriving planet for generations to come.</li></ul><p><strong>Delving Deeper into the Cosmos: Advanced Biodynamic Techniques</strong></p><p>We've established the core principles and practices of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200227708-biodynamic-gardening">biodynamic gardening</a>, but the journey doesn't end there. For those seeking to truly connect with the cosmic rhythms and unlock the full potential of their gardens, several advanced techniques await exploration.</p><p><strong>Honing Your Sensitivity to Cosmic Forces</strong></p><p><strong>1. Observing the Subtle: Planetary Influences</strong></p><p>Each planet in our solar system exerts a unique influence on plant growth. For example:</p><ul><li><strong>Mars:</strong> Associated with vitality and action, Mars days are ideal for seeding fast-growing plants like lettuce and radishes.</li><li><strong>Venus:</strong> Ruling over love and beauty, Venus days favor planting flowering ornamentals and nurturing delicate fruits.</li><li><strong>Saturn:</strong> Known for structure and boundaries, Saturn days are well-suited for tasks like transplanting seedlings and pruning woody plants.</li></ul><p>By keeping a keen eye on planetary movements and aligning your gardening activities accordingly, you can tap into these subtle cosmic forces and potentially enhance your yields and harvest quality.</p><p><strong>2. Harnessing the Moon's Cycles: The Biodynamic Sowing Calendar</strong></p><p>The moon's waxing and waning phases have long been recognized as potent influences on plant growth. Biodynamic sowing calendars, meticulously crafted to correspond with these lunar cycles, offer detailed guidance for optimal planting times.</p><ul><li><strong>Root Days:</strong> During the waning moon, focus on planting root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and beets. The downward pull of the moon's gravity is believed to encourage vigorous root development.</li><li><strong>Leaf Days:</strong> Under the waxing moon, prioritize leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale. The moon's upward pull is thought to stimulate lush foliage growth.</li><li><strong>Flower Days:</strong> The days surrounding the full moon are auspicious for sowing flowering plants, fruit trees, and herbs. The moon's heightened energy is believed to promote vibrant blooms and bountiful harvests.</li></ul><p><strong>3. Rhythms of the Zodiac: A Deeper Dive</strong></p><p>For the truly dedicated biodynamic gardener, delving into the specific influences of the zodiacal constellations can add another layer of complexity and potential benefit. Each constellation is associated with different plant parts and qualities, offering further guidance for aligning your gardening activities with cosmic rhythms.</p><p>For instance, planting tomatoes under the sign of Leo (associated with fire and fruit) or sowing leafy greens under Libra (linked to air and balance) might be seen as particularly auspicious choices. However, mastering this level of astrological integration requires dedication and ongoing study.</p><p><strong>Tools and Preparations for the Advanced Biodynamic Gardener</strong></p><p><strong>1. The Seven Preparations: Catalysts for Life</strong></p><p>Biodynamic preparations are potent natural concoctions crafted from specific plant and animal materials. These preparations, numbered BD500 through BD507, each address different aspects of soil health and plant vitality.</p><ul><li><strong>BD500 (Horn manure):</strong> Enhances soil fertility and humus formation.</li><li><strong>BD501 (Horn silica):</strong> Strengthens plant stems and resistance to disease.</li><li><strong>BD502 (Cow manure):</strong> Stimulates composting and microbial activity.</li><li><strong>BD503 (Chamomile):</strong> Promotes flower formation and fruit quality.</li><li><strong>BD504 (Nettle):</strong> Enhances leaf growth and chlorophyll production.</li><li><strong>BD505 (Oak bark):</strong> Strengthens root systems and resistance to pests.</li><li><strong>BD506 (Dandelion):</strong> Balances soil moisture and nutrient uptake.</li></ul><p>Mastering the application and timing of these preparations takes time and experience, but their potential to invigorate your garden and elevate your biodynamic practice is significant.</p><p><strong>2. The Dowsing Rod: Intuition Meets Practicality</strong></p><p>The dowsing rod, a simple Y-shaped tool, can be used to intuitively locate underground water sources, ley lines (energetic lines in the Earth), and even compost piles with optimal activity. While its scientific validity is debated, many biodynamic gardeners swear by the dowsing rod as a valuable tool for connecting with the subtle energies of the land.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: A Lifelong Journey with Biodynamic Gardening</strong></p><p>Biodynamic gardening is not merely a set of techniques; it's a lifelong journey of observation, experimentation, and deepening connection with the natural world. As you delve deeper into its principles and practices, you'll witness firsthand the vibrant life force coursing through your garden, responding to your care and resonating with the rhythms of the cosmos.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/a59c6fa9-0bb9-42af-a418-4e4b64ecd723n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/a59c6fa9-0bb9-42af-a418-4e4b64ecd723n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-58271519036851161312023-12-12T04:52:00.000-08:002023-12-12T04:53:02.588-08:00Titans Stage Miraculous Comeback to Stun Dolphins on Monday Night Football<strong></strong><p>In one of the most incredible comebacks of the NFL season, the <a href="https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/g/chromium-reviews/c/apvWzAABqF4">Tennessee Titans stunned the Miami Dolphins 28-27 on Monday Night Football</a>. With less than three minutes remaining in the game and trailing by 14 points, the Titans unleashed a furious rally that culminated in a game-winning touchdown with just seconds left on the clock.</p><p>The victory was a monumental one for the Titans, who improved to 5-8 on the season and kept their playoff hopes alive. It also dealt a major blow to the Dolphins, who had been riding high atop the AFC East and were considered one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl.</p><p><strong>Dolphins Dominate Early</strong></p><p>The Dolphins seemed poised to cruise to victory early on. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sharp, completing 20 of his 25 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. also had a strong performance, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown.</p><p>The Titans, on the other hand, struggled offensively for much of the game. Rookie quarterback Will Levis looked shaky at times, completing only 15 of his 30 passes for 187 yards. The Titans also committed several costly penalties, which helped the Dolphins maintain momentum.</p><p><strong>Titans Mount Improbable Comeback</strong></p><p>With the Dolphins leading 27-13 late in the fourth quarter, it appeared that the Titans were headed for defeat. However, Levis led the Titans on a pair of remarkable touchdown drives in the final minutes of the game.</p><p>The first scoring drive was capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass from Levis to wide receiver Treylon Burks with 1:50 remaining. On the ensuing two-point conversion attempt, Levis found tight end Austin Hooper for the score, cutting the Dolphins' lead to 27-21.</p><p>Following a Miami punt, Levis and the Titans offense went back to work. Levis completed passes of 19 and 15 yards to move the ball into Dolphins territory. With just seconds remaining on the clock, Levis delivered a strike to wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.</p><p><strong>Levis Shines in the Spotlight</strong></p><p>Levis, who was making just his third career start, was the hero of the game for the Titans. He finished with 327 passing yards and two touchdowns, displaying a poise and clutchness that belied his rookie status.</p><p>"I'm just so proud of our guys," Levis said after the game. "We never gave up, even when things looked bleak. We just kept fighting, and it paid off in the end."</p><p><strong>Dolphins Left to Rue Missed Opportunities</strong></p><p>The Dolphins were left to rue their missed opportunities after the game. They had several chances to put the game away in the fourth quarter, but they were unable to capitalize.</p><p>"We just made too many mistakes," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. "We had a chance to win this game, but we didn't take advantage of it. We need to learn from our mistakes and move on."</p><p><strong>What's Next for Both Teams?</strong></p><p>The Titans will look to build on their momentum when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The Dolphins, meanwhile, will try to get back on track when they travel to face the Buffalo Bills.</p><p><strong>Historic Comeback</strong></p><p>The Titans' comeback was one of the most memorable in recent NFL history. It was the first time since 2003 that a team had overcome a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes of a game and won in regulation.</p><p>The victory also proved that the Titans are a team that can never be counted out. Despite their up-and-down season, they remain in the thick of the AFC playoff race.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p><p>The Titans' thrilling comeback victory over the Dolphins was a testament to the power of perseverance and never giving up. It was a game that will be remembered for years to come, and it served as a reminder that anything is possible in the NFL.</p><p><strong>Key Statistics:</strong></p><ul><li>Titans: 327 passing yards, 2 touchdowns</li><li>Dolphins: 267 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 112 rushing yards, 1 touchdown</li><li>Titans: 5-8 record</li><li>Dolphins: 9-5 record</li></ul><p><strong>Additional Notes:</strong></p><ul><li>The Titans were without star running back Derrick Henry for the second straight game.</li><li>The Dolphins were also without several key players, including wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and safety Jevon Holland.</li><li>The game was played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.</li><li>The attendance was 75,417.</li></ul><div style="width: 0px; height: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; margin: 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; left: -9999px; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden;"> </div> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f35d98ca-2075-4993-8f9d-e71145a3fe73n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/f35d98ca-2075-4993-8f9d-e71145a3fe73n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-74548732523340946862023-12-10T18:34:00.001-08:002023-12-10T18:34:40.560-08:00Electroculture Antenna: A Guide to Everything You Need to Know<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Electroculture is a fascinating and growing field of agriculture that uses electric fields to stimulate plant growth. One of the key components of an electroculture system is the electroculture antenna. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about electroculture antennas, including what they are, how they work, and how to build your own.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">References:<br /></p><ul><li><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/mozilla.dev.platform/c/gcvKyDCLARQ">https://groups.google.com/g/mozilla.dev.platform/c/gcvKyDCLARQ</a></li><li><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/comp.os.vms/c/Li7yVL">https://groups.google.com/a/chromium.org/g/chromium-reviews/c/MIVh0X4jq50</a></li><li><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/comp.os.vms/c/Li7yVL">https://groups.google.com/g/comp.os.vms/c/Li7yVL</a></li><li><a href="https://groups.google.com/g/microsoft.public.project/c/qfZ9TW9z464">https://groups.google.com/g/microsoft.public.project/c/qfZ9TW9z464</a></li></ul><p></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>What is an electroculture antenna?</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">An electroculture antenna is a device that is used to create an electric field in the air. This electric field can then be used to stimulate the growth of plants. Electroculture antennas can be made from a variety of materials, including copper wire, aluminum foil, and even cardboard.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>How do electroculture antennas work?</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">When an electric current is passed through an electroculture antenna, it creates an electric field around the antenna. This electric field can then be used to stimulate the growth of plants in a number of ways.</p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>Increased cell division:</strong> The electric field can cause plant cells to divide more rapidly, which can lead to faster growth.</li><li><strong>Improved nutrient uptake:</strong> The electric field can also help plants to absorb nutrients from the soil more efficiently.</li><li><strong>Increased chlorophyll production:</strong> Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives plants their green color. The electric field can help plants to produce more chlorophyll, which can lead to increased photosynthesis and growth.</li><li><strong>Enhanced disease resistance:</strong> The electric field can help plants to resist diseases by activating their immune systems.</li></ul><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>How to build your own electroculture antenna</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">There are many different ways to build an electroculture antenna. One simple method is to use copper wire to create a spiral coil. The coil should be about 1 foot in diameter and 6 inches tall. The coil can then be mounted on a wooden stake and placed in the ground near your plants.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Benefits of using electroculture antennas</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">There are many benefits to using electroculture antennas. Some of the most common benefits include:</p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li><strong>Increased yields:</strong> Studies have shown that electroculture antennas can increase yields by up to 30%.</li><li><strong>Improved crop quality:</strong> Electroculture antennas can help to improve the quality of crops by making them more resistant to pests and diseases.</li><li><strong>Reduced need for pesticides:</strong> Electroculture antennas can help to reduce the need for pesticides by making plants more resistant to pests.</li><li><strong>More sustainable agriculture:</strong> Electroculture is a more sustainable form of agriculture than traditional methods because it does not rely on the use of chemicals.</li></ul><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Here are some additional tips for using electroculture antennas:</strong></p><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><li>The best time to use electroculture antennas is during the growing season.</li><li>The antennas should be placed near the plants, but not so close that they touch the leaves.</li><li>The antennas should be turned on for at least 8 hours per day.</li><li>It is important to experiment with different antenna designs and configurations to find what works best for your specific plants and growing conditions.</li></ul><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><strong>Conclusion</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Electroculture antennas are a simple and effective way to improve the growth of your plants. If you are looking for a way to increase your yields and improve the quality of your crops, then electroculture may be a good option for you.</p> <p></p> -- <br /> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Broadcaster" group.<br /> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to <a href="mailto:broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com">broadcaster-news+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> To view this discussion on the web visit <a href="https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/bb9a9054-b8bf-42cc-b489-73415fa4e515n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer">https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/broadcaster-news/bb9a9054-b8bf-42cc-b489-73415fa4e515n%40googlegroups.com</a>.<br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-71121552523429492012022-02-14T02:37:00.001-08:002022-02-14T02:37:35.353-08:00Gaslighting Is Not Real<div style="" class="default-style"> <h2>Introduction: what is gaslighting?</h2> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse in which a manipulator misleads and confuses their victim, causing them to question their own sense of reality. Gaslighting is most commonly used by abusers in order to have more control over the victim. The abuser will often try to convince the victim that they are being too sensitive or paranoid when they question what's been done to them. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a form of mental abuse where the victim's sense of reality is threatened by a person, making them question their own thoughts and feelings to the point that they are not sure what is real anymore. Gaslighting often begins with subtle but noticeable changes in normal behaviors or routines. These seemingly small changes may be difficult for the victim at first, but gradually become so abusive that it takes over their life. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse and manipulation that can be dangerous to both psychological and physical wellbeing. The term originates from the 1938 play Gas Light, where the term was used to describe the dimming of gas lights in a house caused by somebody looking for hidden treasure. In this context, it means somebody who psychologically manipulates others into doubting themselves and their judgement, causing them to question their authenticity. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <h2>How can you identify gaslighting?</h2> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is an extremely manipulative tactic that makes the victim doubt their own perception of reality. Gaslighting can also happen to people who are not victims by accident, but rather by feelings of inadequacy. Gaslighting can present itself in different ways, but it is often done through subtle manipulation, confusing facts or events, and making the victim think they are crazy. It's important to know what to look for so you can identify gaslighting in your life. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic that often leaves victims feeling confused, isolated, and ungrounded in their perspective of reality. The abuse can be deliberate or unintentional. Gaslighting usually begins with small actions like occasional comments or the person telling the victim they are wrong about their perception of events to make them feel like they are going crazy. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <h2>How does it impact a person's self esteem and social interactions?</h2> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a common form of emotional abuse in which one person, usually in a position of power, tries to manipulate the other person. The abuser constantly pushes the victim's sanity and perception of reality, while convincing them that their thoughts are completely irrational. This kind of manipulation can lead to many side effects on an individual, including low self-esteem and social isolation. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that can have a significant impact on a person's self esteem and social interactions. Gaslighting occurs when someone is manipulated into believing they are misremembering, misunderstanding, or overreacting to something. A person who has been gaslighted may have an increased sense of self-doubt, undue sensitivity to social cues, and have trouble relating to others. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <h2>Conclusion: how do you stop gaslighting?</h2> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that makes it difficult for victims to trust their own memory, perception, and sanity. It's hard to comprehend just how difficult gaslighting can be until you've experienced it firsthand, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and others from gaslighting. </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> <br> </div> <div> Gaslighting is a form of emotional abuse that often goes unrecognized by the victim. To stop gaslighting, be aware of your own feelings and what your partner does to make you question them. Take some time for yourself; step away from the situation and try to be objective about it. 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href="http://bulawon.moosend.com/unsubscribe?campaignId=6038e65d-4ee0-49d1-b46f-08217954a79c&mailingListMemberId=9cda19ea-ab2c-4f22-bb3f-5a8a7b820e96&email=patria.l.nz1evergreen7@blogger.com&abVersion=">Unsubscribe from our emails</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-75754887182762831562021-03-29T09:49:00.001-07:002021-03-29T09:49:23.831-07:00Invitation: [Confirmed] Sara Bresnick, Dayle James, Patria V - Profes... @ Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:30pm - 5:30pm (EDT) (patria.l.nz1evergreen7@blogger.com)<span itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/InformAction"><span style="display:none" itemprop="about" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><meta itemprop="description" content="Invitation from Patria Lanfranchi"/></span><span itemprop="object" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Event"><div style=""><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="8" border="0" summary="" style="width:100%;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;border:1px Solid #ccc;border-width:1px 2px 2px 1px;background-color:#fff;"><tr><td><meta itemprop="eventStatus" content="http://schema.org/EventScheduled"/><h4 style="padding:6px 0;margin:0 0 4px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:1.4;border:1px Solid #fff;background:#fff;color:#090;font-weight:normal"><strong>You have been invited to the following event.</strong></h4><div style="padding:2px"><span itemprop="publisher" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization"><meta itemprop="name" content="Google Calendar"/></span><meta itemprop="eventId/googleCalendar" content="52ilj6o66k129qmpmc141m8kji"/><h3 style="padding:0 0 6px 0;margin:0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:bold;color:#222"><span itemprop="name">[Confirmed] Sara Bresnick, Dayle James, Patria V - Professional Fitting, Ride Headquarters</span></h3><table style="display:inline-table" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" summary="Event details"><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 10px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px" valign="top"><div><i style="font-style:normal">When</i></div></td><td style="padding-bottom:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><time itemprop="startDate" datetime="20210331T203000Z"></time><time itemprop="endDate" datetime="20210331T213000Z"></time>Wed Mar 31, 2021 4:30pm – 5:30pm <span style="color:#888">Eastern Time - New York</span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 10px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px" valign="top"><div><i style="font-style:normal">Where</i></div></td><td style="padding-bottom:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><span itemprop="location" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Place"><span itemprop="name" class="notranslate">11 S Main St, Sherborn, MA 01770, USA</span><span dir="ltr"> (<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/11+S+Main+St,+Sherborn,+MA+01770,+USA?hl=en" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" target="_blank" itemprop="map">map</a>)</span></span></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 4px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px" valign="top"><div><i style="font-style:normal">Joining info</i></div></td><td style="padding-bottom:4px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><div style="text-indent:-1px">Join with Google Meet</div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 10px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px"></td><td style="padding-bottom:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><span itemprop="potentialaction" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/JoinAction"><span itemprop="name" content="meet.google.com/son-ppim-rct"><span itemprop="target" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/EntryPoint"><span itemprop="url" content="https://meet.google.com/son-ppim-rct?hs=224"><span itemprop="httpMethod" content="GET"><a href="https://meet.google.com/son-ppim-rct?hs=224" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" target="_blank">meet.google.com/son-ppim-rct</a></span></span></span></span></span> </div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 10px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px"></td><td style="padding-bottom:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"></td></tr><td style="padding:0 1em 4px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px"></td><td style="padding-bottom:4px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><div style="text-indent:-1px">Join by phone</div></td><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 10px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px"></td><td style="padding-bottom:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><span style="color:#888">(US) </span><a href="tel:+1-513-373-4084;856707914#" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" target="_blank">+1 513-373-4084</a> <span style="color:#888">(PIN: 856707914)</span></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 10px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px" valign="top"><div><i style="font-style:normal">Calendar</i></div></td><td style="padding-bottom:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><div style="text-indent:-1px">patria.l.nz1evergreen7@blogger.com</div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0 1em 10px 0;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#888;white-space:nowrap;width:90px" valign="top"><div><i style="font-style:normal">Who</i></div></td><td style="padding-bottom:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222" valign="top"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222;width:10px"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><span style="font-family:Courier New,monospace">•</span></div></td><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><div><div style="margin:0 0 0.3em 0"><span itemprop="attendee" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name" class="notranslate">Patria Lanfranchi</span><meta itemprop="email" content="patria.l@ridestudiocafe.com"/></span><span itemprop="organizer" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><meta itemprop="name" content="Patria Lanfranchi"/><meta itemprop="email" content="patria.l@ridestudiocafe.com"/></span><span style="font-size:11px;color:#888"> - organizer</span></div></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222;width:10px"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><span style="font-family:Courier New,monospace">•</span></div></td><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><div><div style="margin:0 0 0.3em 0"><span itemprop="attendee" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name" class="notranslate">patria.l.nz1evergreen7@blogger.com</span><meta itemprop="email" content="patria.l.nz1evergreen7@blogger.com"/></span></div></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222;width:10px"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><span style="font-family:Courier New,monospace">•</span></div></td><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><div><div style="margin:0 0 0.3em 0"><span itemprop="attendee" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name" class="notranslate">Patria Vandermark</span><meta itemprop="email" content="patria@rideheadquarters.com"/></span></div></div></div></td></tr><tr><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222;width:10px"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><span style="font-family:Courier New,monospace">•</span></div></td><td style="padding-right:10px;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:13px;color:#222"><div style="text-indent:-1px"><div><div style="margin:0 0 0.3em 0"><span itemprop="attendee" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span itemprop="name" class="notranslate">dacquilano@gmail.com</span><meta itemprop="email" content="dacquilano@gmail.com"/></span></div></div></div></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><div style="float:right;font-weight:bold;font-size:13px"> <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=VIEW&eid=NTJpbGo2bzY2azEyOXFtcG1jMTQxbThramkgcGF0cmlhLmwubnoxZXZlcmdyZWVuN0BibG9nZ2VyLmNvbQ&tok=MjcjcGF0cmlhLmxAcmlkZXN0dWRpb2NhZmUuY29tZjQzNzVmOGRkNzdlY2JmMWE2ZGQ0YTNjYjYwNjdkMWZhN2M1ZjI0OA&ctz=America%2FNew_York&hl=en&es=0" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" itemprop="url">more details »</a><br></div></div><p style="color:#222;font-size:13px;margin:0"><span style="color:#888">Going (patria.l.nz1evergreen7@blogger.com)? </span><wbr><strong><span itemprop="potentialaction" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/RsvpAction"><meta itemprop="attendance" content="http://schema.org/RsvpAttendance/Yes"/><span itemprop="handler" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/HttpActionHandler"><link itemprop="method" href="http://schema.org/HttpRequestMethod/GET"/><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=RESPOND&eid=NTJpbGo2bzY2azEyOXFtcG1jMTQxbThramkgcGF0cmlhLmwubnoxZXZlcmdyZWVuN0BibG9nZ2VyLmNvbQ&rst=1&tok=MjcjcGF0cmlhLmxAcmlkZXN0dWRpb2NhZmUuY29tZjQzNzVmOGRkNzdlY2JmMWE2ZGQ0YTNjYjYwNjdkMWZhN2M1ZjI0OA&ctz=America%2FNew_York&hl=en&es=0" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" itemprop="url">Yes</a></span></span><span style="margin:0 0.4em;font-weight:normal"> - </span><span itemprop="potentialaction" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/RsvpAction"><meta itemprop="attendance" content="http://schema.org/RsvpAttendance/Maybe"/><span itemprop="handler" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/HttpActionHandler"><link itemprop="method" href="http://schema.org/HttpRequestMethod/GET"/><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=RESPOND&eid=NTJpbGo2bzY2azEyOXFtcG1jMTQxbThramkgcGF0cmlhLmwubnoxZXZlcmdyZWVuN0BibG9nZ2VyLmNvbQ&rst=3&tok=MjcjcGF0cmlhLmxAcmlkZXN0dWRpb2NhZmUuY29tZjQzNzVmOGRkNzdlY2JmMWE2ZGQ0YTNjYjYwNjdkMWZhN2M1ZjI0OA&ctz=America%2FNew_York&hl=en&es=0" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" itemprop="url">Maybe</a></span></span><span style="margin:0 0.4em;font-weight:normal"> - </span><span itemprop="potentialaction" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/RsvpAction"><meta itemprop="attendance" content="http://schema.org/RsvpAttendance/No"/><span itemprop="handler" itemscope itemtype="http://schema.org/HttpActionHandler"><link itemprop="method" href="http://schema.org/HttpRequestMethod/GET"/><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=RESPOND&eid=NTJpbGo2bzY2azEyOXFtcG1jMTQxbThramkgcGF0cmlhLmwubnoxZXZlcmdyZWVuN0BibG9nZ2VyLmNvbQ&rst=2&tok=MjcjcGF0cmlhLmxAcmlkZXN0dWRpb2NhZmUuY29tZjQzNzVmOGRkNzdlY2JmMWE2ZGQ0YTNjYjYwNjdkMWZhN2M1ZjI0OA&ctz=America%2FNew_York&hl=en&es=0" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" itemprop="url">No</a></span></span></strong> <wbr><a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=VIEW&eid=NTJpbGo2bzY2azEyOXFtcG1jMTQxbThramkgcGF0cmlhLmwubnoxZXZlcmdyZWVuN0BibG9nZ2VyLmNvbQ&tok=MjcjcGF0cmlhLmxAcmlkZXN0dWRpb2NhZmUuY29tZjQzNzVmOGRkNzdlY2JmMWE2ZGQ0YTNjYjYwNjdkMWZhN2M1ZjI0OA&ctz=America%2FNew_York&hl=en&es=0" style="color:#20c;white-space:nowrap" itemprop="url">more options »</a></p></td></tr><tr><td style="background-color:#f6f6f6;color:#888;border-top:1px Solid #ccc;font-family:Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:11px"><p>Invitation from <a href="https://calendar.google.com/calendar/" target="_blank" style="">Google Calendar</a></p><p>You are receiving this courtesy email at the account patria.l.nz1evergreen7@blogger.com because you are an attendee of this event.</p><p>To stop receiving future updates for this event, decline this event. Alternatively you can sign up for a Google account at https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ and control your notification settings for your entire calendar.</p><p>Forwarding this invitation could allow any recipient to send a response to the organizer and be added to the guest list, or invite others regardless of their own invitation status, or to modify your RSVP. <a href="https://support.google.com/calendar/answer/37135#forwarding">Learn More</a>.</p></td></tr></table></div></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-17413954651436228832015-04-23T06:23:00.000-07:002015-04-24T10:02:57.088-07:00Experiencing the Lengendary Paris-Roubaix as an Amateur in the Paris Roubaix Challenge <span style="font-size: large;">Experiencing the Lengendary Paris-Roubaix as an Amateur in the Paris Roubaix Challenge </span><br />
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My reasons for visiting the 119<sup>th</sup> edition of the
Paris-Roubaix this year are not as noble as some. Many cyclists and cycling
fans have watched the Paris-Roubaix on television for countless years. They,
themselves, have dreamed of doing this race when they were young. I have been
fascinated by this race, the most famous of the spring classics, but the thought of racing it or even spectating it never crossed my mind. </div>
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I'm going to jump around a bit to tell the story as well as I can. For reference, here's how the week went:<br />
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<b>Tuesday night</b> - get on a late plane to Ireland, connecting to Paris. Air controller strike in France threatens plane from landing.<br />
<b>Wednesday morning</b> - arrive in Paris. The next many flights in were canceled due to the strike. Whew, close one.<br />
<b>Wednesday evening </b>- pedal easily around Paris to see the sights and shake out the Boston winter. <br />
<b>Thursday</b> - rode 56 miles all over Paris in the the suburbs of Paris. We found the highest hill for a glimpse down over the city. 10am - 11pm out on the bikes. Wow.<br />
<b>Friday </b>- caught train from Paris to Lille, shuttled via van to Saint Quentin where we stayed two nights.<br />
<b>Saturday</b> - Participated in the Paris Roubaix Challenge.<br />
<b>Sunday</b> - Watched the Paris-Roubaix pro race, shuttled to Lille, train back to Paris.<br />
<b>Monday</b> - Flight home. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNenR99n8vfKKtfqCkbEwYTRH37U5iCkzQjrw-cNbxvdA_PFSx89VFdOkhRb5mmG1KcfOAisLZ2qHZKPJAwpoXQwEkkVHyotMfRQWC7j_C_V_SiZVnxgpsNBA_GTCl7T-otVJs9M-6IQ/s1600/NightEiffelTowerBike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNenR99n8vfKKtfqCkbEwYTRH37U5iCkzQjrw-cNbxvdA_PFSx89VFdOkhRb5mmG1KcfOAisLZ2qHZKPJAwpoXQwEkkVHyotMfRQWC7j_C_V_SiZVnxgpsNBA_GTCl7T-otVJs9M-6IQ/s1600/NightEiffelTowerBike.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never having gone to Paris or France before, a day and a half of bike tourism all over Paris and its suburbs - day and night - was the perfect pre-race weekend warm-up. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://instagram.com/robvandermark" target="_blank">Rob</a> and I decided that it
would be cool to see an early season pro race and it didn’t take us long to
choose this one to attend. Might as well start with the hardest, toughest, and
the one with the richest history. I wanted to get to know this race, and the
people who make it what it is, for the first time. I got so much more than I
ever expected in two days. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhrz7Afcw0H95Vo3cgIdmN7pDY1DS_y1ZA0lXigGu7Zl-L09nuQLhQ4If3jakR86EcjR_2-Ronm0ka4HccYaLsqwMs_YgVQWiLQMmNtQlTimjH1R93CDvg1fM2BO8Iu_6wtBKJkhmoA/s1600/patriaFlower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhrz7Afcw0H95Vo3cgIdmN7pDY1DS_y1ZA0lXigGu7Zl-L09nuQLhQ4If3jakR86EcjR_2-Ronm0ka4HccYaLsqwMs_YgVQWiLQMmNtQlTimjH1R93CDvg1fM2BO8Iu_6wtBKJkhmoA/s1600/patriaFlower.jpg" height="400" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going in I didn't know if I'd like France or not. Its ubiquitous flowers and unique architecture were two of the things I liked the most. The people, even in Paris, were friendly, and the drivers couldn't have been nicer to cyclists.</td></tr>
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This is a story of not knowing what I didn’t know. Now that
I have ridden 163 kilometers of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris%E2%80%93Roubaix" target="_blank">Paris-Roubaix</a> course and have been within inches
of the pros flying through those same roads and difficult <span class="me" data-syllable="pa·vé"><span class="js-headword"><span class="syllable">pa</span><span class="last-syllable">v</span></span></span><span class="me" data-syllable="pa·vé"><span class="js-headword"><span class="last-syllable">é</span></span></span> sectors, I get
it. I see why the “Hell of the North” is placed above all other one-day cycling
races as the most difficult, and the winner of it can bask in the sun having
proven that he has achieved a victory that says he has just gone into history
as one of the greats. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4Z6o2oLp8NfKGb2Q0F4S6-dMn41IRy-zFcN-zEoJnkOa2y9HqWUQcyp5WWA9Fbq4YHlLWlAgSg2NeZJ1f4yhbBpXWeMFOwf1UpQ7Rs5bNCOQRvi3WRMncKAAA77iuZwEy1OoFH4A4w/s1600/Cobbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4Z6o2oLp8NfKGb2Q0F4S6-dMn41IRy-zFcN-zEoJnkOa2y9HqWUQcyp5WWA9Fbq4YHlLWlAgSg2NeZJ1f4yhbBpXWeMFOwf1UpQ7Rs5bNCOQRvi3WRMncKAAA77iuZwEy1OoFH4A4w/s1600/Cobbles.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
The trophy of a real
cobble stone, taken from the route of the race, is more revered by its
recipient, than any other ordinary stone. Thinking about the race win will make
the likes of pro cycling giant Magnus Backstedt tear up. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZDvNBAwhjwHkg7-FovI3XNeeUbye7NX_CF18Zvqj-_3JQ47Pcs3Dy5zwVjSFotjNJBdUF9R46Jnskx8uB15zlb2NH8rkBBbAvF5sfAhRze71poxtwVtET16zqbUuW2qReOCU2w_9VQ/s1600/2015-04-15+05.16.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZDvNBAwhjwHkg7-FovI3XNeeUbye7NX_CF18Zvqj-_3JQ47Pcs3Dy5zwVjSFotjNJBdUF9R46Jnskx8uB15zlb2NH8rkBBbAvF5sfAhRze71poxtwVtET16zqbUuW2qReOCU2w_9VQ/s1600/2015-04-15+05.16.49.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route for the Paris Roubaix Challenge is 100km less than the pros, but it includes all of the cobbled roads that the pros race. </td></tr>
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It’s easy to go into any event blind. I didn't have any time to prepare for the trip so even the route was new to me the day of the event. Ignorance is bliss.
What’s there to be afraid of? I’ve watched Paris-Roubaix enough times to know
the general lay-out of the course and what it looks like when the pros blast
through on a cobbled road. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE357aTvJZUB14xon3AB-hAyjARdXNC41ZpR2j1jzf6qIr-u95nUPbKsiUyZ8-3FmGhHGA3RTD9r6SSYr7pbf3kEAFiOp_TX7JppcZ914LZlrgsCgT6Bi-hVmLrgw-gqXC09MaxQeAIA/s1600/DSCF0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE357aTvJZUB14xon3AB-hAyjARdXNC41ZpR2j1jzf6qIr-u95nUPbKsiUyZ8-3FmGhHGA3RTD9r6SSYr7pbf3kEAFiOp_TX7JppcZ914LZlrgsCgT6Bi-hVmLrgw-gqXC09MaxQeAIA/s1600/DSCF0448.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big-screen showed the race action while we awaited pro riders Sunday
at the infamous Arenberg Forest. This is what I'm used to seeing: the
Paris-Roubaix on tv where the guys don't appear to be moving as fast as
they are and there's no way to feel the difficulty of the cobbles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> Challenge works like this: 4,500 people from 45 different countries get to ride most of the same roads the pros do, just
a day before the pro race. Amateur riders bump over each of the 27 sectors of
pav<span class="me" data-syllable="pa·vé"><span class="js-headword"><span class="last-syllable">é</span></span></span> just like the pros. The amateur ride is ~100 km shorter than the pro
race. The pro race begins in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compi%C3%A8gne" target="_blank">Compi<span class="me" data-syllable="pa·vé"><span class="js-headword"><span class="last-syllable">é</span></span></span>gne</a>, not actually <span class="il">Paris</span>. The first
~113 km of the pro race are all smooth tarmac, so amateurs don’t miss out on any of the <a href="http://cyclingtips.com.au/2015/04/paris-roubaix-moments-in-history-2/comment-page-1/" target="_blank">pro pavé experience</a>.<br />
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Both amateurs and pros finish in the velodrome of the town of <span class="il">Roubaix</span>. That
velodrome has hosted a long history of cycling superstars racing in it; it's been the end of the Paris Roubaix since 1942.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLZUWIcoWBqsDbo6IaumAbzsWSZxEjoRUHw68i5-NIJctRwF-fZqzupITa6Us3bypEy4U0oaiNfdJiDKZHtqpApO6_h4TsuHkbZWPf35v9p1pCFOaFiMSWDMtuaRuG9iGblCWB0Mm0w/s1600/On-the-track-video-image-Rob-Vandermark.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLZUWIcoWBqsDbo6IaumAbzsWSZxEjoRUHw68i5-NIJctRwF-fZqzupITa6Us3bypEy4U0oaiNfdJiDKZHtqpApO6_h4TsuHkbZWPf35v9p1pCFOaFiMSWDMtuaRuG9iGblCWB0Mm0w/s1600/On-the-track-video-image-Rob-Vandermark.jpg" height="342" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historic finish in the velodrome in Roubaix. Photo by Rob. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="im">The whole experience began Friday, the day before the Paris Roubaix Challenge, when we took a train from Paris to the modern town of
Lille, France. There we me the head <span class="im"><span class="im"><a href="https://lafuga.cc/" target="_blank">La Fuga</a> Cycling</span></span> guide, Richard, who was quick to greet us, and make introductions all around. He loaded all of us in vans (there were quite a few who'd arrived around time we did) and shuttled us the 1+ hour drive to Saint-Quentin. <span class="im"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="im"><span class="im">The guys were friendly
and it quickly became apparent that I was the only woman in the 18-person group. That
wasn’t particularly surprising considering the nature of the trip, nor was it
an issue for me or any of the guys. Rob and I got our
bikes assembled in 30 minutes and went out for a quick warm-up/shake-down ride in Saint Quentin.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc-Jl5q-StHdmTugcvbPpdgDDelIZL94MpG7B2F_gXTzV7ehfojMKNVswBdqXV8a3l0PQSEoLCYX7ytDMrl_p4Z5rwf5On-h6xwTgLYWqGPGgZwWPi9lp8NN5EmwbZN3HiqqU6QNDxg/s1600/DSCF0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc-Jl5q-StHdmTugcvbPpdgDDelIZL94MpG7B2F_gXTzV7ehfojMKNVswBdqXV8a3l0PQSEoLCYX7ytDMrl_p4Z5rwf5On-h6xwTgLYWqGPGgZwWPi9lp8NN5EmwbZN3HiqqU6QNDxg/s1600/DSCF0206.JPG" height="293" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Seven Evergreen moments after I assembled it in Saint Quentin. Its travel case is small, easy to fit in small European taxi cabs and roll onto trains and down rough roads. I paid nothing to the airlines to fly my luggage for this trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="im">We traveled with our bikes because our they are
practically made for the <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> with its typical conditions of mud, rain, and rough riding. This is what our Seven Evergreens handle best, and they are fast for normal road riding conditions, too. That said, the
pros don’t race with disc brakes (for good reasons that I’m happy to discuss in
another post). Our bikes are outfitted with S&S couplers so they pack up easily and
they have disc brakes. This is a perfect combo for traveling and mixed-terrain rides that we
often do, but neither of these features would make sense for a
professional racer trying to reach the finish line as fast as possible.
Equipment choices for us ended up being a big source of pre-travel discussion
as it became very clear that the equipment one rides is very important in the
outcome of the day. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4aHI0a_hCECh5lTqG7SF2WS_2Z2nf36ox8bmum_9THdCeK43F07yTJFqI9YRiNSCvNMrlxopo1klHmVjICjD6FgCMWiblyWQLnVeuwdZgZr7pgYcPhuCE1uoAQG1kDALV6thhjEQVw/s1600/DSCF0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4aHI0a_hCECh5lTqG7SF2WS_2Z2nf36ox8bmum_9THdCeK43F07yTJFqI9YRiNSCvNMrlxopo1klHmVjICjD6FgCMWiblyWQLnVeuwdZgZr7pgYcPhuCE1uoAQG1kDALV6thhjEQVw/s1600/DSCF0320.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RSC hand-built wheels featuring HED Belgium C2 Plus rims, Chris King hub with Conti 4-Season 28c tires were an ideal combination. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I won’t belabor the technical stuff in this post since this is too long to read as it is. For the record, we were riding full titanium
frames with carbon disc forks, one layer of Fizik performance bar tape, I was
on 28c Continental Grand Prix 4-Season slick tires, Rob rode 27c Challenge
<span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> open tubular clincher tires. I initially set my tire pressure to
75 psi but let some air out of the front tire after I discovered how slick and
ride-threatening wet cobbles are. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu9Bq2iGy0EQh82XTKw_uUK9T1DsKgv7n1xd0N49lGRE9kOalWdj5YGokrL6gAlNJEITAortSwWZON_W-90JQIZriUHvFprS3PVfFz-0iK6NNBDDih67L9Fc5bafV1IJXGsdI24PRtA/s1600/DSCF0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu9Bq2iGy0EQh82XTKw_uUK9T1DsKgv7n1xd0N49lGRE9kOalWdj5YGokrL6gAlNJEITAortSwWZON_W-90JQIZriUHvFprS3PVfFz-0iK6NNBDDih67L9Fc5bafV1IJXGsdI24PRtA/s1600/DSCF0281.JPG" height="258" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a McDonalds stop during the ride. Where else to go for a clean bathroom in the french countryside?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I rode Mavic mtn bike shoes and Shimano SPD
pedals. Along with a Revelate saddle bag that toted two extra tubes, a rain
jacket, and a mini-pump, I brought along a GoPro on the handlebars, a point-and-shoot waterproof/shock-proof camera
tucked safely into a Revelate mountain feedbag, along with extra batteries for
the cell phone and GoPro. I wasn’t going to go all of that way and not get
photos of the experience. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PcvQNEA_sZacCxLVVOsCa3A7G7_t2rwEffO1YCZCQBFGZiix4kZZRM58PkfZZIAQThdtQY4rP5_esu6h8roHjTlqCk7UCw-tV3fcTHz4Gu4RgzLFsL0XzgJlL1yy1H2laUYlEkFFiA/s1600/DSCF0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PcvQNEA_sZacCxLVVOsCa3A7G7_t2rwEffO1YCZCQBFGZiix4kZZRM58PkfZZIAQThdtQY4rP5_esu6h8roHjTlqCk7UCw-tV3fcTHz4Gu4RgzLFsL0XzgJlL1yy1H2laUYlEkFFiA/s1600/DSCF0330.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mavic is a French wheel, apparel and accessories company and had a big presence at the Paris-Roubaix pro race. They have the sharpest vehicles out there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</span> <span class="im"></span><span class="im">
</span>After the warm-up ride, it was time for dinner. Dinner discussion was quite informative. There were many talking about what
it <i>feels </i>like to be on the cobbles,
to complete 30+ miles of <span class="me" data-syllable="pa·vé"><span class="js-headword"><span class="syllable">pa</span><span class="last-syllable">vé</span></span></span> (the term used for each section of cobbled
roads). Many of the guys had done this before. They had war stories of people crashing and breaking things. After hearing
the veterans' stories, I was wondering why people returned to do this. I was
beginning to envision cobble stones bigger than life, ones that
jut out of the road, ones that only a mountain bike can summit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p-KWxEFcCAVOfgibvNCW2ZpzgSZgz_g9NuwlMI1IKNs3EsmPjyluraj01oXEj-rB8lwKf5-PgrmCwsLnEkIEWzw1LA1VN5Wh1S80S7UnIV78i3sOpfzgEB5hj8941aHrvzA1Nfs9GA/s1600/DSCF0208.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5p-KWxEFcCAVOfgibvNCW2ZpzgSZgz_g9NuwlMI1IKNs3EsmPjyluraj01oXEj-rB8lwKf5-PgrmCwsLnEkIEWzw1LA1VN5Wh1S80S7UnIV78i3sOpfzgEB5hj8941aHrvzA1Nfs9GA/s1600/DSCF0208.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At dinner Friday night, everyone who joined La Fuga for the weekend met up and shared cobbled war stories. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got nervous. Would it be that I’d get out there and regret having started or get in
over my head? The only way to the finish line, from what I could
tell, was to pedal there. There was no out, no sag wagon, nothing no
matter
what unless an ambulance ride was involved. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYP2ZBS9Le2Os0NJEi5kAu9kIsrojG54Iu5rZPpMtlUZ6eOtdP2C741KTFvnZp9Yk29qtzo_dgeMmbogMr6F2X1I7aFHFIbrzobElav1gBybxLtq1OcQO09pUL4H9lUqEHNF1K2iibw/s1600/DSCF0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYP2ZBS9Le2Os0NJEi5kAu9kIsrojG54Iu5rZPpMtlUZ6eOtdP2C741KTFvnZp9Yk29qtzo_dgeMmbogMr6F2X1I7aFHFIbrzobElav1gBybxLtq1OcQO09pUL4H9lUqEHNF1K2iibw/s1600/DSCF0216.JPG" height="400" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7:15am. At the start, all was quiet and calm, it was drizzling lightly.</td></tr>
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<span class="im">Saturday morning came fast. Having other people deal with
the bikes and our stuff took away the tiredness that, had we had to worry about
the logistics, would have threatened me having the energy to complete the ride.
After two perfectly sunny, 70 degree days in France, the day of our
<span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> came as a proper <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> should: it started raining on the
drive to the start in Busigny and the air temperature was chilly – in the
low 40s. The weather forecast had called for <1mm of rain to fall in the
early morning only. It turned out to be wrong. </span></div>
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<span class="im">The amateurs start whenever one wants to start: anywhere
from 7am-9am. A timing chip was employed to keep track of each rider’s overall
time and the time for three cobbled sections that were timed separately. Out of the 4,500 riders, very few were competing for the win, but few riders
took it easy out there. </span></div>
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We crossed the starting line around 7:30am after filling
bottles, and stuffing our pockets with a little extra food. The morning
light was soft and everything was just a little obscured from the light rain
that was falling. The mood was calm among participants, if a bit muted from quiet nervousness. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh796a7MDnnWFhuv3jRb64crFSv6mQVDN9I-2gYNGNmNzt7aU-8PJYw-Af58OxOLv_ORs_1z1DKkeiiistOxvuZeL3Ci4xHRGsyK1YvGF7WNJaP6DoxNXDC66nLRecQgxM_FGFNYM_xxg/s1600/20150411_054036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh796a7MDnnWFhuv3jRb64crFSv6mQVDN9I-2gYNGNmNzt7aU-8PJYw-Af58OxOLv_ORs_1z1DKkeiiistOxvuZeL3Ci4xHRGsyK1YvGF7WNJaP6DoxNXDC66nLRecQgxM_FGFNYM_xxg/s1600/20150411_054036.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were given frame stickers to tell us when to expect cobblestones and feed stations. It sadly peeled off by the middle of the ride, I was kind of hoping to keep it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="im">The route is ~13 km of smooth pavement, then the sectors
begin at fairly even intervals, for usually ~.5 to 2.5km distances each. In
between sectors is silky smooth pavement that I felt was the carrot getting me
through the cobbles. Feeling the immediate relief offered by the smoothness
all but took away any discomfort left in my body from the previous cobbled
section. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ4kc1903sZQzl52wlfnqRkDpsvxVdlKkgC00UTxrEDldVLNKk60wbCCidXE-wR3mGMup0SMapejJNKRpJkhvUpSJLNTPMRFmiTemDjENTe_LXSW-DWcMbpL8xAmHJ6Wf3DVbRF-CyQ/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.30.30.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQ4kc1903sZQzl52wlfnqRkDpsvxVdlKkgC00UTxrEDldVLNKk60wbCCidXE-wR3mGMup0SMapejJNKRpJkhvUpSJLNTPMRFmiTemDjENTe_LXSW-DWcMbpL8xAmHJ6Wf3DVbRF-CyQ/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.30.30.png" height="272" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silky smooth pavement was the norm when we weren't riding the cobbles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span class="im">The roughest and most difficult sector for my body was the
first one. My feet instantly went numb and I was wondering if shaken baby
syndrome applies for adults riding the <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span>. Is that like getting a
million little concussions in a day? If it was, it was worth whatever brain
cells had to be sacrificed for the experience. Fortunately, my feet came back
to life within a few kilometers and were fine for the rest of the ride. Some
believed that everything was harder and more painful before relaxing on the
pav<span class="me" data-syllable="pa·vé"><span class="js-headword"><span class="last-syllable">é</span></span></span>. I’m sure that makes a big difference. Don’t steer too much, just let the
bike do its thing – but hang onto the bars so they don’t get thrown from your
control. It’s a careful balance that requires relaxing. Since it’s important to
power through the cobbles, standing up and relieving saddle pressure isn’t much of an
option.</span><br />
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I didn’t end up with any other physical pain
aside from leg
tiredness by the end and a little sit-bone discomfort. I had doubled up
my bike
shorts because I couldn’t risk a bad day due to saddle issues. No one
mentioned
saddle pain after the race. I think it was because a few survived without
issues
and everyone else didn’t want to discuss it. There were plenty of
hand-pain complaints going around. One guy had a blister the size of
half of his palm. Most people felt they'd aged by a few decades in a
single day. </div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L_Cuzl6uzVc3Zimnmff3meJqm0bHpdAc-ygd8nhFWI4uGljf-2i4_OXnNO8brhMCo8sLzAwBdCwMftb282bwKfZoqA27IcncRveIIepK9fTgN4IqUVBhkbA5kQEVK3uh_5wCdGGwaA/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.31.00.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L_Cuzl6uzVc3Zimnmff3meJqm0bHpdAc-ygd8nhFWI4uGljf-2i4_OXnNO8brhMCo8sLzAwBdCwMftb282bwKfZoqA27IcncRveIIepK9fTgN4IqUVBhkbA5kQEVK3uh_5wCdGGwaA/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.31.00.png" height="361" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanna-be cobbled road...the only smooth cobbles all day long. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout the ride, I counted the women I saw on
the road or
in one of the three feed stops. I believe I saw a total of 7 others. Of
course there were others out there on the long course, but maybe not
more than 20. That’s the
lowest percentage of women I’ve ever seen at any Gran Fondo or cycling
sportif.
Naturally, I wanted to race the cobbled sections that were timed, just
for
reference, and because there was no excuse not to go as hard as
possible.
Strava, at least, could shed some light on how much I need to train and get more cobble-savvy. For the overall time on the whole day,
I
didn’t worry about time because that would mean no photos, a higher risk
of
crashing, and simply taking the fun away from the experience of things
like
watching the dynamic of the others in the food stops. </div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU">
<div class="ajR" data-tooltip="Hide expanded content" id=":4ah" role="button" tabindex="0">
<img class="ajT" src="https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif" /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOHxXW78AjMyoR2p6krvcbbOxCBL31iwmNocs28qs0tOniqN_15uPQkb-2X-5faQuwQ8ziAZusmUeG1hVX6CiBIRIVkx6nvHV9d7jnRmih-KA4Pjr5yy0agTDbKaIYe4IG4ij9M390w/s1600/DSCF0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOHxXW78AjMyoR2p6krvcbbOxCBL31iwmNocs28qs0tOniqN_15uPQkb-2X-5faQuwQ8ziAZusmUeG1hVX6CiBIRIVkx6nvHV9d7jnRmih-KA4Pjr5yy0agTDbKaIYe4IG4ij9M390w/s1600/DSCF0255.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This food stop was next to a nuclear power plant. France is fueled by clean nuclear power. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aside from wanting to test oneself or beat others, the best
reason to go fast on the cobbled sectors was that the faster one goes, the
easier it is to stay upright and not feel the vibrations of the cobbles as much.
Nothing takes away the vibrations or jarring. It was important to big-ring each
sector and put effort in. Twice I ended up tipping over – one tip and the other
was more crash-like - and both times were when I was riding in the gutter. These
resulted in soft landings in the thick grass so quite forgettable, fortunately.
Sometimes the gutter (made of dirt next to the road) was the smart place to
ride. At many other times, it was a good way of ensuring a flat tire, crash, or
some mechanical because of the unexpected rocks and obstacles that lie in wait
there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGWZYPLnhpCgcNDOkVCQHGmJ5CSboI5x3qfwWG5Ad5sSDiIoBgC0ZcE8DNccjrgs2QMsCQTksmBVAXJmnJ5rVMMjaHyReL4ZXgckGwULqRxfp_IktROFb9UyHsS4dQb_nK21mswQ_lQ/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.51.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNGWZYPLnhpCgcNDOkVCQHGmJ5CSboI5x3qfwWG5Ad5sSDiIoBgC0ZcE8DNccjrgs2QMsCQTksmBVAXJmnJ5rVMMjaHyReL4ZXgckGwULqRxfp_IktROFb9UyHsS4dQb_nK21mswQ_lQ/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.51.18.png" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gutter was often smoother, but more hazards would lie in wait there. It was not always an option.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout each sector, I passed people who’d flatted on
that section. Once the cobbles met up with the smooth road, there was always a
group of people on the tarmac – some awaiting their friends so they could
re-group, but there were often 10 or more people involved in changing their
flat tires or sorting out some kind of mechanical issue with their bikes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfab1FL7JRHFqLMuR3MY_F9XBs4B35ZmyYvcjOrftNuaYh2ZNws238a2MLixOHUy2gl-5_cPF-p5nQmUxaIDNfX7_wVMw66rGxCVST3pq1HkhpSpV27PBjSzR2M3Eq0IuKfUkPz79-Rg/s1600/DSCF0305-behindRobRidingCobbles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfab1FL7JRHFqLMuR3MY_F9XBs4B35ZmyYvcjOrftNuaYh2ZNws238a2MLixOHUy2gl-5_cPF-p5nQmUxaIDNfX7_wVMw66rGxCVST3pq1HkhpSpV27PBjSzR2M3Eq0IuKfUkPz79-Rg/s1600/DSCF0305-behindRobRidingCobbles.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLZUWIcoWBqsDbo6IaumAbzsWSZxEjoRUHw68i5-NIJctRwF-fZqzupITa6Us3bypEy4U0oaiNfdJiDKZHtqpApO6_h4TsuHkbZWPf35v9p1pCFOaFiMSWDMtuaRuG9iGblCWB0Mm0w/s1600/On-the-track-video-image-Rob-Vandermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The cobbles and jarring don’t usually flat tires by themselves.
Neither Rob nor I had a flat all day and plenty of people got through
unscathed. Most flats happened from pinch flats, and, dare I make a big
assumption based on stories that I heard: most of the tires that experienced
flats were narrower than 28mm because they were more susceptible to pinching
since they had to be run at lower pressures so as to keep as much rubber on the
road as possible. Wider tires can be run at lower pressures without risking the
pinch so that’s what makes them safer in a <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> situation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone on our trip described each sector as having its own
personality. I found this to be very true. Some cobbles looked easy to ride
because they looked smooth but turned out to be very rough and extremely
challenging. On other roads, the crown – or the high center of the road that’s
typically smoother than the rest of the road, was as smooth and easy as it
looked. But sometimes the crown turned into a tiny point that felt impossible
to keep the bike teetered on while being jarred through the sector. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJNbEmorLvil2lzzX4MdyeQLt4B0Qo-RiIaQVS1I5NHriG6ZGJQpwAgMTGEez2tPE65WsvI-5N-ARy3l2QKR0Y9Cap_HQVRcNuYKg11fJbG8iw1eDqNgW4NBq82DFhSYSBa-DvWEXwQ/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.37.57.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJNbEmorLvil2lzzX4MdyeQLt4B0Qo-RiIaQVS1I5NHriG6ZGJQpwAgMTGEez2tPE65WsvI-5N-ARy3l2QKR0Y9Cap_HQVRcNuYKg11fJbG8iw1eDqNgW4NBq82DFhSYSBa-DvWEXwQ/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-22+16.37.57.png" height="352" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
When the cobbles are wet, they are slick. Some are slicker
than others. Some feel just like smooth ice. The slickness may
have been some kind of organic slime. Or it's just that the mud is made up of very fine dirt. (This same dirt/dust was flying through the air during the Pro Race Sunday.) It took quite a few sectors to know what
would happen on the cobbles, and how to ride them. The moment a rider would
feel comfortable, the next sector would throw a curve ball proving any theories
the rider had developed up to that point as being perfectly flawed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was pointed out after the ride that most of the dirt,
mud, and dust on the route was a high percentage of animal manure considering
farms border much of the route. Ewwww. We saw the pros breathing in large dust
clouds on Sunday with their speeds, close proximity to each other, and Sunday
was perfectly warm and dry on the whole course. I believe it was Richard who
mentioned that the pro racers tend to be sick for a day or two after a dry day
on the cobbles. That is a lot of gross stuff they end up ingesting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Weather</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throughout the day of the <span class="il">Paris</span> <span class="il">Roubaix</span> Challenge, I found
the temperature to be quite comfortable. There were three distinct rains that
hit during the day, interspersed with strong winds at times, and even sun at
the very end of the ride. I stayed comfortable with a <a href="http://www.mavic.com/apparel-women/jackets#" target="_blank">Mavic </a>lightweight wind
vest that I kept on the whole ride and a <a href="http://www.rapha.cc/" target="_blank">Rapha</a> pro team rain jacket – that I
took on and off at least 3 times. The third time it rained later in the ride was cold and
wetter than the other two, but a quick change into the rain jacket saved me
from getting chilled. I’m certain the only conditions I couldn’t have handled
as well would have been a hot, sunny day. That would have been hard. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Hell of the North </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> isn’t called the “Hell of the North” because
it’s such a grueling day on the bike. That name came from a scouting trip
post-World War I that took <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> race organizers through battlefields
that were heavily scarred from the war. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One such battlefield in the race (I'm not sure if it was a battlefield in World War I, it was a mining area)
is the <a href="http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/iconic-places-the-forest-of-arenberg-2585" target="_blank">Arenberg Forest</a> otherwise known as the Tranchée d’Arenberg. I understand the road was originally built by Napoleon. This is the most anxiously anticipated sector by racers. It can
make or break one’s day. It comes at ~63 km in our ride (so ~163km for pros) which means there are still many sectors and ~100 km to go after it’s done. But a crash or mechanical is
likely to take a contender and have him turn into a chaser for the rest of the
long day. The cobbles are more irregular in this sector and there is no gutter.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXeXhKJ2ZRnNy5OleMoqaXfZGyDJEJx47H0YA9AC7wu9Ht7XIm0YupkLm6ZH87QV3MYbdUjLIN2AkbuS90QPYSPh2mpiyS6Tv18sdiGcIBv1szoQ_h5a7IcRriKZA_uSpCrD3at-EgQ/s1600/DSCF0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXeXhKJ2ZRnNy5OleMoqaXfZGyDJEJx47H0YA9AC7wu9Ht7XIm0YupkLm6ZH87QV3MYbdUjLIN2AkbuS90QPYSPh2mpiyS6Tv18sdiGcIBv1szoQ_h5a7IcRriKZA_uSpCrD3at-EgQ/s1600/DSCF0245.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t raining when I entered Arenberg, but the cobbles
were drenched and the slickest feeling cobbles of the whole day – by a lot.
People were crashing left and right. An ambulance was attending to a rider just
50 feet or less into the sector. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I found my bike slipping around underneath me. At first, I
was unnerved and slowed waaaay down. Then, as I realized the only option was to
ride it, I got more daring and pedaled faster. By the end, it was obvious that
letting the bike slip around, staying off the brakes completely, and keeping
the pedals going around evenly was the secret to staying upright. The worst
part was worrying about the others who were crashing or riding the line I
wanted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSk4i_r1ViRGadhTs9Z_WbUq0H3ed6_JUvBaVWVbjxOgA6cc9iFBQZ5Tuozt6RTy1jMCE93LsgSGm9F8VZ1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is video footage of riding Arenberg as Rob caught it on his trip through. The quality is degraded because I compressed it too much here. I'll get a bigger version of this uploaded in the next few days. It's good stuff. Rob cruised right through Arenberg - he loves that kind of riding. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was the only frightening part of the day. The next
hardest pav<span class="me" data-syllable="pa·vé"><span class="js-headword"><span class="last-syllable">é</span></span></span> sector was sector 4. That was the last timed sector and one of
the longest, if not the longest. This one is where it felt like everything came together.
At that point, finishing was likely and I wanted to leave all of my energy on
the route. I rode it the hardest of any of them and it felt quite good to come
out the other end, greeted by the smooth tarmac. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Elevation</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The route was relatively flat at ~2,000 ft of elevation gain
for the whole day. There is no way we could ride that far in Massachusetts and
not log <i>at least</i> 4,000 ft without trying. It's hard to describe the pleasantness of the silky-smooth
roads that gradually twisted and turned through many small towns, past lucky
homes who get front-row seats and through countless fields. I was delighted to
see so many towns and even be greeted by locals who had come out to cheer for
those of us doing the amateur race. Women riders got extra loud cheers, it was
cool. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The conclusion of the <span class="il">Paris</span> <span class="il">Roubaix</span> Challenge, like the pro
race, ends in a lap around the <span class="il">Roubaix</span> Velodrome. How awesome to finish such a
long, hard day in such a place – and, amazingly, in the warm sun of France,
too. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnT3b2IKimmUQvJb5thL3kOriVwQo6B7-MbmH2-67wL7rR75r4nBmlVZ7yeYwqLOvCFSEvTZOxrbAl148TP17NlIbswfGC1nsxEYStojRo7IZMIgs0b30D39k57Y4MZavpkAw0evqwQ/s1600/VelodromeSmaller.m4v" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnT3b2IKimmUQvJb5thL3kOriVwQo6B7-MbmH2-67wL7rR75r4nBmlVZ7yeYwqLOvCFSEvTZOxrbAl148TP17NlIbswfGC1nsxEYStojRo7IZMIgs0b30D39k57Y4MZavpkAw0evqwQ/s1600/VelodromeSmaller.m4v" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approach and finale at the Roubaix velodrome. Video of me riding by Rob.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The showers are something everyone makes a big deal about –
and I was more than ready for a good, hot shower. After looking for them and
inquiring as to where the women’s showers were to be found, I was educated on
French tradition/culture/whatever you want to call it: there were no separate
women’s showers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9xgvWmfTw05H3VzfW7na0rBbYeq7bNVIzM4bcDy-Dvmli1Lk4Losy7wb3-FOiiCvfW1czfDjAh1x2KGJkqsrc2lcgXv0fQ3eL0A0hc5jANci-3jMkerIY8-WHIspYSHVAX0GIOCS5g/s1600/showers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9xgvWmfTw05H3VzfW7na0rBbYeq7bNVIzM4bcDy-Dvmli1Lk4Losy7wb3-FOiiCvfW1czfDjAh1x2KGJkqsrc2lcgXv0fQ3eL0A0hc5jANci-3jMkerIY8-WHIspYSHVAX0GIOCS5g/s1600/showers.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fabled showers. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://inrng.com/2012/04/roubaix-velodrome-showers/" target="_blank">Inrng.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I asked around enough to know that there wasn’t anything
being lost in translation. The large cement room with partial cement walls –
with no doors or curtains – full of showering men, was where I was going to
have to shower if I wanted one. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I couldn’t get the “American” out of me to suck it up and go
in. There are ample photos of the showers on the internet. I wonder if I missed
something by not going in, but I’m also perfectly okay with having enjoyed a
hot shower back in the hotel after our hour drive to return there from Roubaix. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though I thought the day was over at that point, little did
I know what awaited us. We arrived late to join the group at dinner at 9pm (my
hot, not-rushed shower took priority over everything). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We inhaled our food. I found myself eating an admittedly
tasty slab of meat because there were no protein options for vegetarians; I <i>had </i>to have protein after a carb-rich
day at the feed stations. The French don’t understand vegetarianism similar to most
Italians, and I don’t expect them to. I had to stray from a veggie diet a few
times in France for the sake of my sanity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was amusing that one of our wonderful guides, <a href="https://instagram.com/fabulousport/" target="_blank">Fabrizio</a>,
who is Italian from Ivrea, adopted a vegan diet two years ago. I didn’t think
being vegan and Italian was possible, but he proves it is. I believe it to be
harder as a tourist who doesn’t speak the native language because the waiter or
waitress just gets so confused, I feel more sorry for that person than for myself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX3UMr46tfq5s20rTArcf3Haum753B-Ecfkq1tlniklh1R0US79bOJVDO6RDtljJXwiG1XPzP3JLyHdaJkW5w-armUfU9MYmjCMyqJLTsJf8JHoeUsxQR3c9i8W9dikXaS-7FdwAo4A/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-23+08.27.49.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX3UMr46tfq5s20rTArcf3Haum753B-Ecfkq1tlniklh1R0US79bOJVDO6RDtljJXwiG1XPzP3JLyHdaJkW5w-armUfU9MYmjCMyqJLTsJf8JHoeUsxQR3c9i8W9dikXaS-7FdwAo4A/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-23+08.27.49.png" height="313" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabrizio at the espresso machine... Photo courtesy of Fabrizio <a href="http://www.instagram.com/fabulousport" target="_blank">@fabulousport</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s at this point that the day had a twist thrown in so
unexpected and wonderful, it made for the ideal ending that we couldn’t have
ever imagined. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While we were eating, we looked up and two gentlemen were
standing in the doorway to our private room in the restaurant. They both seemed
confident, I assumed one of them was likely the owner of La Fuga. But who was
this other guy? A couple of people at the table looked shocked, but I didn’t know
why. Both of the gentlemen left for a
moment – long enough for us to learn that Magnus Backstedt was joining us for
dinner! I’ve heard enough about Magnus to know that he was one of the top riders in the sport when he’d retired. He commanded respect from the peloton and from
fans. He also won <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> in 2004.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzCGa1hdk26WI0MRunPx3GWe-5nbgx7RYDH2lZDf6OquqMVLWaGqXD-4Q0PMCwzLZK7HeTDH5QclWXySgVj0XMdEdGiAvnorep0dgXPWEVYZVwZ59u27IPnGv86TY77ddm1NunxzSHg/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-23+08.44.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzCGa1hdk26WI0MRunPx3GWe-5nbgx7RYDH2lZDf6OquqMVLWaGqXD-4Q0PMCwzLZK7HeTDH5QclWXySgVj0XMdEdGiAvnorep0dgXPWEVYZVwZ59u27IPnGv86TY77ddm1NunxzSHg/s1600/Screenshot+2015-04-23+08.44.55.png" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conversation with the La Fuga group and Magnus Backstedt. Photo by Fabrizio.</td></tr>
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Since we were the last ones to dinner, we sat on the side
with all of the open chairs. Basically, this meant the opportunity to talk with
Magnus about the <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span>. I got to ask him the questions I had been
discussing with my friends for the previous few days and
hear how he did it. Had we been at dinner with him the previous day, before
doing the <span class="il">Paris</span> <span class="il">Roubaix</span> Challenge, the conversation would have had different
meaning. Being fresh off of the cobbles and hearing what it was like
to win the <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> and <i>how </i>he
did it, made for very rich, interesting conversation. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Magnus was very down-to-earth. He <i>wanted </i>to talk about his days of pro racing, he wanted to offer
complete answers to our questions. He loves bike racing, and it’s pretty
obvious he’s smart. He knows that winning comes down to being the best prepared
on race day which means months and years of product testing, riding the cobbles many times in advance, <i>thinking</i> about every aspect of the race. It’s obvious there’s a fair amount of luck that influences the
final result, especially of a crash-marred, unplannable race like the
<span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span>. However, Magnus maximized his chances. </div>
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He told us of how he would train: he motopaced into the
infamous Arenberg Forest hitting the cobbles at 60-70km per hour (much higher
than race pace) in order to discover the best line to take. The best line shows
up more obviously at that break-neck speed. </div>
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He told us of how he worked with a bike manufacturer to
build a full-titanium bike with oversized tubes in order to have the ideal ride
qualities. I can’t make this up. It was nice to hear him say that he felt that it was obvious that titanium
was the best material for the task: that it would most effectively damp the vibrations of the road while being
stiff enough to propel him to victory. He showed me a photo of the bike: it was
painted to look like a Bianchi, but underneath was titanium. I believe he said
it’s now in a museum somewhere. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXAP3Uy5067psX8mOXnOMeU3Aprpv99KprBtChyM4vNRQzATsUJ8Rvi7NHP1dWtYqgBPmef_f_LnT00_6_wpzzCwpqmS5MFwl639s2rGSS6xB0sa-jndftN0uPf23MFCog7MThwoxtg/s1600/backstedt_bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXAP3Uy5067psX8mOXnOMeU3Aprpv99KprBtChyM4vNRQzATsUJ8Rvi7NHP1dWtYqgBPmef_f_LnT00_6_wpzzCwpqmS5MFwl639s2rGSS6xB0sa-jndftN0uPf23MFCog7MThwoxtg/s1600/backstedt_bike.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnus Backstedt's Paris-Roubaix winning titanium bike, 2004. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://www.bianchiusa.com/news/details/?tx_ttnews[year]=2004&tx_ttnews[month]=04&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=6&cHash=2f989c8e7cde094cbbbee0f8275a0523" target="_blank">Bianchiusa.com</a></td></tr>
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He discussed how many different forks he tested out in
training to select the right one. He studied each sector of the route so he’d
know each one and the best line for each well going in to the race. The time
and energy he spent working with his sponsors and trying to push the standards
of the time led him to be the first racer to ride wider tires in the race: 27c
, to be exact. He said he was flatting frequently with the narrower ones, but
the 27c tires survived the punishment of the race. I asked him about tire width
– I had to know. </div>
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Another question I had was about bar tape. Many people
doubled up the bar tape on their handlebars to protect their hands. His answer
to keep his hands in tact so as to be able to lift the large cobble trophy that
the winner receives: pipe insulation placed at just the right spots and bar
tape went over that. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Magnus was a 207 lb rider, and he stands 6’ 4" tall.
The perfect product tester! He learned how to increase his power without reducing his weight since losing weight yielded hits to his power output. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is “Big Maggy” discussing his <span class="il">Paris</span>-<span class="il">Roubaix</span> win. (When I can get the video uploaded, it'll be here. Until then, it's posted on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/patria1" target="_blank">Facebook </a>page.)<br />
<br />
A moment after I stopped recording
is when he concluded by saying, “The
race win was special – very special.” He paused to allow a moment of reflection
and his eyes glistened with the emotion that his win 11 years ago still conjures
within him.</div>
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Magnus was interested in how the day had gone for us and was
an excellent speaker. He’s featured as a commentator on EuroSport and had just
covered a race in the Basque country earlier in the day. He’s the real deal; we got to chat with him at the perfect time in the most ideal circumstances.<br />
<br />
That was the day. Awake at 5am, asleep by midnight. More ride experiences squeezed into a single day than any other day of my life. Then the next day we watched the pros show us how they did it in the dusty, dry conditions under the sun. That's another post for another day. And it was another really awesome experience to be out there!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhSt9OuEnq4eY_M8Bmc5wMN95pSt_frKCIOggzP7xWRIfuGLuOsewkFwnZxZ3EhmJF2bLUptb9t-ViNcqYBgzcx2h5W8sGemgJAhrzvpmjs2KTn_HDjSlUvpaJcjwbb5svQVqBy_1WQ/s1600/10479697_10153274767406591_1217058211238282230_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhSt9OuEnq4eY_M8Bmc5wMN95pSt_frKCIOggzP7xWRIfuGLuOsewkFwnZxZ3EhmJF2bLUptb9t-ViNcqYBgzcx2h5W8sGemgJAhrzvpmjs2KTn_HDjSlUvpaJcjwbb5svQVqBy_1WQ/s1600/10479697_10153274767406591_1217058211238282230_n.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun on the cobbles, photo by Rob V. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-47448694044733055352014-07-28T11:03:00.003-07:002014-07-28T21:51:58.491-07:00Rapha Gentlemen's Race Colorado 2014When two or more worlds collide, I want to be in the middle of it...and then I need to tell the story. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu87wGsRlMz0mcqA1C2IZsIzWopw-BDQ9NaPsR4qr5dxtugh8NZidrUaA-vWqnrwX_MTSRG_S9LiaeUHM0ctNuV0x6lXY3r-_EJVeJfRe_yYcxY9WUn03b_0FIKmMwS423MLqNt2m2YQ/s1600/20140728_014742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu87wGsRlMz0mcqA1C2IZsIzWopw-BDQ9NaPsR4qr5dxtugh8NZidrUaA-vWqnrwX_MTSRG_S9LiaeUHM0ctNuV0x6lXY3r-_EJVeJfRe_yYcxY9WUn03b_0FIKmMwS423MLqNt2m2YQ/s1600/20140728_014742.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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Today the <a href="http://www.rapha.cc/" target="_blank">Rapha</a> Gentlemen's Race (RGR) was held in Boulder, CO. This means that people I know and apparel I put a lot of pride into came to Boulder, a place I've spent countless hours riding and racing my bike. CU Boulder is my alma mater, though I didn't know about bikes back then.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS_K_-yDLW1TEj99Fh-sOz2qUsG34MBZiQ9ow6u8iVBvmG0g6MY4z3gp6N44zCgXpcQHAzI3f3kfqjVhFS9hcdwbMIrXpDT6naVOIormHEHyreWlb-aOm1HTq48oWYr6x-u-C-onY6Q/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+02.27.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbS_K_-yDLW1TEj99Fh-sOz2qUsG34MBZiQ9ow6u8iVBvmG0g6MY4z3gp6N44zCgXpcQHAzI3f3kfqjVhFS9hcdwbMIrXpDT6naVOIormHEHyreWlb-aOm1HTq48oWYr6x-u-C-onY6Q/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+02.27.53.png" height="400" width="277" /></a></div>
Yes, it's too bad I squandered college years studying in a cement, soul-less building without discovering the bike; yes, I'm trying to make up for lost time.<br />
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A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentlemen%27s_Race" target="_blank">Gentlemen's Race</a> is long, challenging, and involves significant dirt sections. Teams of 6 race together and compete to arrive back at the after-party first. The start is staggered (with the fastest expected team leaving last) and each team begins alone. The drinks are colder and the BBQ is hotter for the first hearty souls to complete the very long and difficult day. The most important part: everyone <i>must</i> finish together. Teammates are quite likely to be inseparable friends for the rest of their lives whether they knew each other going in that morning or not. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIUN841RL1HRFHZAYPBcmGqRzn02KQw8KXnLR5vTx9Xbhr-ufrL0o01Yh4AXm4y8yxXAntxkoevrHZs5QraGXJRlQPiyDhepLjrbX-7pHsY4nkyZ8TsXspV8Z7qe4UDjE58u3DLv6ow/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+02.17.24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheIUN841RL1HRFHZAYPBcmGqRzn02KQw8KXnLR5vTx9Xbhr-ufrL0o01Yh4AXm4y8yxXAntxkoevrHZs5QraGXJRlQPiyDhepLjrbX-7pHsY4nkyZ8TsXspV8Z7qe4UDjE58u3DLv6ow/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+02.17.24.png" height="400" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rapha Gentlemen's Race offered teams incessant climbing, glorious views, all kinds of dirt roads, fun technical sections, and enough challenge to test the will of teams to complete it together. </td></tr>
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I've really gotten into dirt riding fairly recently and am on a team complete with awesome women (the<a href="http://www.ridestudiocafe.com/xteam" target="_blank"> Ride Studio Cafe Expedition Team</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/#xteam" target="_blank">#xteam</a> for short) that focuses on these kinds of events. We would have traveled to Boulder together had the timing been better with an upcoming XTeamer wedding (yay! family visits, and a very special <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HupNewEngland" target="_blank">HUP</a> camp all at the same time). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWoG7YCXuVTx1hk6cLAtXcIVbETJyXFwlIuP4uedk0DMPM02divO6um71usCOxiCYqnHH4B1OVohrRh881OehwZUwI_A2IO6_fwSnqr5gZLppk6RaHOGTgJazli_A6afagz-7wbPR5w/s1600/xteam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWoG7YCXuVTx1hk6cLAtXcIVbETJyXFwlIuP4uedk0DMPM02divO6um71usCOxiCYqnHH4B1OVohrRh881OehwZUwI_A2IO6_fwSnqr5gZLppk6RaHOGTgJazli_A6afagz-7wbPR5w/s1600/xteam.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michele, Patria, Cathy, Sara, Jenny, and Julie are the RSC Expedition Team. I borrowed their strength for the day to help me through. </td></tr>
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The race left from <a href="http://www.skratchlabs.com/" target="_blank">Skratch Labs</a>, which is drink mix Ride Studio Cafe features on our shelves. That's a lot of coolness and intertwining of good people and things in one place.<br />
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This morning I got to the start line early enough to see the teams departing, say hello to those I know from <a href="http://www.rapha.cc/" target="_blank">Rapha</a>, and check out the roads for myself. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBOzg_ijqwmFDICvB3epZwnrbJSv9DC4Gh9AJA5synvL9Hm3h8goF0ENcJ3mdaxdx0WtvN5n92LX5iVKiHCy7EwLatOXFQJUF2nfRtXtbLsXKRFVNjn0iYVyZjkizBTj3DKA3o72XcQ/s1600/P1080356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBOzg_ijqwmFDICvB3epZwnrbJSv9DC4Gh9AJA5synvL9Hm3h8goF0ENcJ3mdaxdx0WtvN5n92LX5iVKiHCy7EwLatOXFQJUF2nfRtXtbLsXKRFVNjn0iYVyZjkizBTj3DKA3o72XcQ/s1600/P1080356.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Racers organize at the starting line with Derrick Lewis and Hillary Benjamin of Rapha keeping everything running smoothly. </td></tr>
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Of key importance, was to see Dave Wilcox of the RSC Endurance Team
since it's been a long time (or seemingly so) since he moved from Boston
to Oregon to work at Rapha. It wasn't just because of the espresso he
was serving...or the cookies and water he popped up with on the road
later in the morning...but all of those sure were nice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8R6w-bw7fSJJSs8JVnSBL2Cj7XmaP06bdmAOUxxJVNbGWY8IziBJq4A6wtnbLjAiU12rH_uCNRypIU33mhUxC2DYMCqLZ_seWcN2Ht9vwYj_IbdTd1qnbkk7Yquid8lx03Qpa1_GmDg/s1600/davewilcoxrgr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8R6w-bw7fSJJSs8JVnSBL2Cj7XmaP06bdmAOUxxJVNbGWY8IziBJq4A6wtnbLjAiU12rH_uCNRypIU33mhUxC2DYMCqLZ_seWcN2Ht9vwYj_IbdTd1qnbkk7Yquid8lx03Qpa1_GmDg/s1600/davewilcoxrgr.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Way too early in the morning, Dave serves up espresso and Le Tour is happening in the background. It's a bike party!</td></tr>
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Boulder isn't the same place I left, and I'm not the same person I was back then so I can't tell what has shifted in cycling culture in the area. I don't know if it has shifted. The race scene I got to know before when I lived here was mostly positive, and I liked the part of it that I saw. (I was active in it, showing up to almost every race on the calendar). But the skinny-tire, road-racing crowd is a small part of the whole of cycling. I've gotten a much broader view of cycling culture, in its numerous forms and sub-cultures, these past few years in Boston. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuU3v5BXkRtfwUOUfu2bzI1eRUZ5vqT2yg2G6faXu1OSrazrMvUsgK6a1hlTMbXocEUvWLZQq-jUU5L0Op8Wl6rRVhHiWE1ypi9xSuxxy057EDivIAncs-n4PFTS9jWq6Gz_lu8p-TQ/s1600/P1080359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuU3v5BXkRtfwUOUfu2bzI1eRUZ5vqT2yg2G6faXu1OSrazrMvUsgK6a1hlTMbXocEUvWLZQq-jUU5L0Op8Wl6rRVhHiWE1ypi9xSuxxy057EDivIAncs-n4PFTS9jWq6Gz_lu8p-TQ/s1600/P1080359.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derrick receives a gift and some generous words from this San Fran team before they began. True sportsmanship. Or bribery.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Today I was impressed by the good attitudes and pleasantness of everyone. Is the allure of an all-day suffer-fest organized by Rapha what brings out a pretty terrific crowd? Maybe the mere mention of Gentlemen in the title of the race sets the tone. Either way, it felt very similar to the start of the 2011 East Coast Rapha Gents Race. I didn't expect that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBdH5Od5QdnPLSev_kUfn0oAfhiatRY8xwk_-SKxB3ARwfzB3UYOJyk5BuoswFHBghZ7o-HGZo9UfChrBccQBSOmSfQDh7TM2LfxfeHAa25ObMMhdyeG_dtSEGowWmrCcHIx9VoslFA/s1600/_funny_on_bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBdH5Od5QdnPLSev_kUfn0oAfhiatRY8xwk_-SKxB3ARwfzB3UYOJyk5BuoswFHBghZ7o-HGZo9UfChrBccQBSOmSfQDh7TM2LfxfeHAa25ObMMhdyeG_dtSEGowWmrCcHIx9VoslFA/s1600/_funny_on_bike.jpg" height="373" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping ahead to the first ~5 miles, I encountered these guys. This is too funny not to share. </td></tr>
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It has been ~6 years since I departed from the Colorado race scene so I figured I wouldn't know anyone who showed up to race. It was odd at first to feel like I was showing up to a standard Boulder crit and not see a familiar face. It felt odd, in general, to be attending a race at all. Not too long in, though, I spotted Steve H, one of my former teammates on Twin Peaks. Twin Peaks was my first team (circa 2005) and Steve was the youngest member at that time. Good to see him, all grown up (still looks the same) and married to a lovely lady now...and he is one of the few who is still road racing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyvV_vDUn9TG-F79Ybcw0OwerMjKSgpClHdQSlmGN-zsUnzPpNINrrISnLiQBGKcvGchntru_heddnNyE4zBX6tmNon3Gr_pTFPteYXXvpiz54lpaBWYbhFluec1NqxAs7LYWdafhBg/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+02.23.40.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyvV_vDUn9TG-F79Ybcw0OwerMjKSgpClHdQSlmGN-zsUnzPpNINrrISnLiQBGKcvGchntru_heddnNyE4zBX6tmNon3Gr_pTFPteYXXvpiz54lpaBWYbhFluec1NqxAs7LYWdafhBg/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+02.23.40.png" height="400" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd to left is Steve. Also shown are Josh, Lana, Vince, Jenn, and I very wound up on race adrenaline after the CU criterium in spring of '06 (I think). </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rapha Continental Team (from the East Coast) are ready to roll and look quite pro.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Back to the start. I brought everything I needed from a GoPro camera to pockets full of food to all of the stuff I'd need if I had a mechanical...in case I decided to ride the same roads as the RGR. Considering the <a href="http://www.sevencycles.com/" target="_blank">Seven</a> <a href="http://ridestudiocafe.com/products-services/seven-cycles-evergreen/" target="_blank">Evergreen I was riding</a> and my confidence in Continental 4-Season tires (nice and plump at 28c and very durable/puncture resistant), I didn't expect anything would go wrong that I couldn't deal with. But there was no way to imagine what was upcoming during the day. <br />
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I added a <a href="https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm/store.catalog/Cockpit/Mountain-Feedbag" target="_blank">Revelate Mountain Feedbag</a> to the bike to allow for spare battery and phone to be very accessible on the handlebars. It was going to be necessary to charge the Garmins (the 810 and 1000), too, so that had to not disturb the ride when having cords reaching across from battery to Garmin. I wanted to access the rear saddle bag only if it rained, to save time since I was going to need savings on time anywhere I could get it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing at the start line before I rolled out, Derrick gave me and Ride Studio a very nice introduction. And Hillary made sure I had rice cakes in my pockets. Everyone was so great out there!</td></tr>
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This was the logic: ride until I couldn't pedal any longer, come back for the party. I have done a Rapha Gents race before (I didn't complete it due to scary weather), but I had someone helping me pedal (I was on a fun tandem team, 2012 edition). Doing it on my own power and alone this time changed the game. <a href="http://blayleys.blogspot.com/2012/06/bravery.html" target="_blank">Here's the riveting story of that one.</a><br />
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Thoughts of doing similar rides with others gave me so many teammates and wonderful thoughts for the day, I never felt alone even when I was so, so alone. Thinking while riding alone is one of riding's greatest treasures. <br />
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I started at about 7:30am where there were quite a few teams on the road and quite a few left to start. That allowed for me to see the other teams as they passed me on their way up Flagstaff Mountain, the first of many climbs of the day. I thought that was going to be the one I'd have to dread. Oh no, no, no.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the roll out to Flagstaff Mountain on Baseline Road, dark skies ominously loomed overhead. I was secretly congratulating Rapha for ordering proper Gentlemen's Race weather. The cloud cover proved valuable for keeping temps down during the day. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The River City guys cruising up to Flagstaff, looking confident. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stop on Flagstaff, not a great time to have to stop and wait for a green light on a climb like this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too much data from Garmin?</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://www.garmin.com/" target="_blank">Gamins</a> were necessary and I wouldn't have been able to get through the course nearly as smoothly and cleanly had it not been for them. Though the cue sheets were well done, it's hard to pull out a cue sheet. A few turns were in the middle of 30+ mph descents. However, should I really be looking at this data? It seems like I've done what most people would be happy to complete in a day, yet there are 97 miles remaining, I'm doing a 9% climb, and traveling at 3.8 mph.<br />
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Getting through a ride like this involves mental toughness, not just good legs, and a beating heart. Dealing with 5 other people adds complication. Yes, there are others to motivate if you need it, but keeping a group of 6 together and riding at the same pace is not easy. I saw some great photos from this race of guys giving their teammates pushes. That is awesome and a secret to being a successful team. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think these are the Velo News guys, but I could be wrong. More smiles and hellos. </td></tr>
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There's a woman on this team, though I don't recognize her, she looks very strong, in the pro kind of way. I know <a href="http://mmcyclist.com/" target="_blank">Meredith Miller</a> was out there with a team of women, though I didn't see them during the day. Meredith was one of the most prolific Instagrammers out there. Good stuff. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful and smoothly pedaling up the mountain, the guys looked good so far. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://rittecycles.com/sports-garage-ritte/" target="_blank">Team Ritte/Sports Garage</a> was well-formed and the guys seemed to be having fun on the climb. <br />
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It was cool to see Steve and Craig roll by. It was also really neat to
hear someone shout my name and it wasn't Steve...Craig had remembered me
from the Twin Peaks years. So a grand total of 2 people were out there that I knew from Boulder.<br />
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The guys flying up the hills. I wouldn't see them until the end of the day. </div>
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The race treated them well if their after-attitudes were any indication. They finished and I understand there was a reasonable number who couldn't, but I don't know yet how teams came in. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Pioneer dirt Road... This needs to be ridden!</td></tr>
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There was only one "mistake" in the route...we should have had to go up
this dirt climb. The last event RSC did with Rapha in June was a road
& dirt road ride called the <a href="http://ridestudiocafe.com/pioneers" target="_blank">Pioneer ride</a> for Pioneers Day where we
celebrated the original bike racers from the ~1900 - 1940 era. Today's ride had to be tougher than a stage in the Tour de France.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicycle Haus: a train on Flagstaff. Based on my internet research, it looks like they may have traveled from Arizona. Then again, I could be mistaken. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCO7wq3CbHOo2i_bqXmbV8YbdhGxvMWXNF0UU41IaujIpJO-ON5WPWnaEUFTY7_gHHvRmnh__TVBuX_o9d0__R7fVWKY_i3ARu3Rt7orTZpNIhzLIy3I_JrSNbn9q-IuHvnudD3fvQw/s1600/_BCS_dirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCO7wq3CbHOo2i_bqXmbV8YbdhGxvMWXNF0UU41IaujIpJO-ON5WPWnaEUFTY7_gHHvRmnh__TVBuX_o9d0__R7fVWKY_i3ARu3Rt7orTZpNIhzLIy3I_JrSNbn9q-IuHvnudD3fvQw/s1600/_BCS_dirt.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringers from Boulder Cycle Sport. These guys ended up coming in first, though they had started last. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTvQg8OTsm4_BCeeqJ1cDIWuC1-DDBKTfOEBi4nfHXDypuOgSMMvGsOy25fmBVDkNel8uY4jWCgodPsiGQXL_iUwgqxWa34tBQmIGgwRl8X4n9qQGN796d2SPIR7iVQLxU0qj8KBFKg/s1600/_boulder_cycle_sport_alan.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="288" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got cafe recommendations in Nederland from Alan. If I messed up his name, my apologies. My brain was toast at the end of the day. This had to be the nicest race crowd ever. I was pleased to hear they won since I was worried they compromised their time to talk to me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
The first dirt of the day was Gross Dam Reservoir. It was all things a dirt road should be: smooth dirt with views. Fast and fun. I was feeling good and keeping everything in check at the same time. My legs couldn't have felt better (surprise since they were lead yesterday). My heart rate was my concern. It goes up much higher here than I'm used to. Though I didn't feel short of breath (another big surprise), I know where my heart has to be for me to sustain a 8-10 hour effort...and Lactate Threshold is definitely too high. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOR4eD5lvWcpO94NCf3LDPMlChffeteCL4SHeP03-QZW-ksOjR_tBGBab1FVeAPBCGzkAUjR-h1uJewq6yixpBnGpoI3uDk09NpCnMEQQqq3zL-EqutB46IhYuGQkqEhyeuCdmzYr1A/s1600/_suffer_car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOR4eD5lvWcpO94NCf3LDPMlChffeteCL4SHeP03-QZW-ksOjR_tBGBab1FVeAPBCGzkAUjR-h1uJewq6yixpBnGpoI3uDk09NpCnMEQQqq3zL-EqutB46IhYuGQkqEhyeuCdmzYr1A/s1600/_suffer_car.jpg" height="305" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Dave Wilcox was out driving the Suffer mobile. Skratch was out, too. This is a gas station in Coal Creek Canyon at mile 20. Cookies were served up and water was cool and generously poured. A short descent here was just wonderful. So far, so good. </div>
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Miles 20-40 were good, though it's safe to classify it as the toughest 40 I've ever done. Coal Creek Canyon is fun to ride. I remember doing intervals with my coach, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LKPNc_YVws" target="_blank">Julie Hudetz</a> (watch that link - she is exactly this, so hard core and such positive energy) there. Can you see why, when I raced, she was the first person I'd call at the end of a race no matter how bad or good? That gave me strength...to think that at one time, I climbed fairly fast, but never as fast as the best in Colorado. Okay with me, I'm an "all arounder"...not great at any one thing, but more likely to survive a sufferfest is how I like to look at it. <br />
<br />
The Gap Road was awesome and came after Coal Creek. Then, another climb that I've been scared of so had avoided was Magnolia. Turned out not to be bad at all. There was a large portion of Magnolia that wasn't part of the route, so it might get ridiculous elsewhere. Whew - saved for now. <br />
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Though I felt good, miles 20-43 took more time than I'd imagined it'd take. I was a little worried about having enough water to get to Nederland and a good cafe.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHhD78dq_bxIyzCSpR-_Z2vEwBTp3ZYHiqTWSOkgflslyRsZBl0hQCBnwBTZ_ZphRygVlCK2iwqyWJLHYgCB4N3COj4q385nbgC8BXhOmASYWm5nDAyCCPcPgqB3aJCWhcthCMKzjlA/s1600/_ned_food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHhD78dq_bxIyzCSpR-_Z2vEwBTp3ZYHiqTWSOkgflslyRsZBl0hQCBnwBTZ_ZphRygVlCK2iwqyWJLHYgCB4N3COj4q385nbgC8BXhOmASYWm5nDAyCCPcPgqB3aJCWhcthCMKzjlA/s1600/_ned_food.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuel here: Iced mocha, Naked Juice, and Vitamin Water as well as a fresh bottle of water. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I sat and ate, Ned was full of people. A good scene to be sure. I drank all I could and got calories via the Naked Juice which has worked very well for me in past ride situations (like the Best Buddies Century a couple of months ago where that's all I "ate" to fuel the full ride). <br />
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Total bottle count at this point: 5 water bottles of water with Skratch Labs added for electolytes and calories, and these drinks here. <br />
Time: 4.5 hours riding time elapsed.<br />
Weather: Just a little too hot at this time, the sun had come out. No storms yet. <br />
Feeling: Very good. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOq56f8GVZWOhcSSl08i-h_jx78vMYv6phgvR0LXw_iSh8PP9f5D2ARAiDKOFoitTmgzNbK1j6Otzt4p7Q4P5OAhjusWiH0w14pZn-yhCqrc_EHPX6T-5RIAg-grb0ONxLp2-_O7UDw/s1600/_sugarloaf_movie.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOq56f8GVZWOhcSSl08i-h_jx78vMYv6phgvR0LXw_iSh8PP9f5D2ARAiDKOFoitTmgzNbK1j6Otzt4p7Q4P5OAhjusWiH0w14pZn-yhCqrc_EHPX6T-5RIAg-grb0ONxLp2-_O7UDw/s1600/_sugarloaf_movie.mp4" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The video above is on Sugarloaf mile ~50. That took me back to a race there. The only thing I could think of there was of Amy D, a super climber, and I remember her leaving the whole field (except Alison Powers) in her dust. I suffered in that race and I swore then to ride Sugarloaf until I became friends with it.<br />
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I am now friends with Sugarloaf, though I wasn't fast, it was fun. Secret: use the right gearing. When I raced here before, I was using a full-sized crank and 25 or 28 max teeth in the cassette. That was a whole different time! My Evergreen bike has a compact 50-34 crank with an 11-32 cassette. Absolutely ideal...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAjc2JeGMwE5gcbyU8QtNaj8-lg8lKXosvKkuVKzdOc1GTyNE1E3bJpjoVwOFVv1JHnnxlijlRtzWDcT6U_R-LzIlrHiC-Y4fV7ZcPUUKq8ID4N4Ie0Ew4isJJqjlC1w6DLzoDUbl7g/s1600/2014-07-26+10.48.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAjc2JeGMwE5gcbyU8QtNaj8-lg8lKXosvKkuVKzdOc1GTyNE1E3bJpjoVwOFVv1JHnnxlijlRtzWDcT6U_R-LzIlrHiC-Y4fV7ZcPUUKq8ID4N4Ie0Ew4isJJqjlC1w6DLzoDUbl7g/s1600/2014-07-26+10.48.22.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've never seen such good views in the Boulder area...the key is to climb high enough to buy such vistas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Miles 50-60 were also good. All systems were go. Now, over the 1/2 way point, it would be easier to talk myself into finishing. Besides - I know how far up I am at this point, there has to be ~20 miles of pure descending to look forward to. Doing the math, that makes the rest of the ride look more feasible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNJ8rL2Sg9ZbSIqfnZr3LRD9ZxUHkQ3AbXl6Rr5Tcfys2uJSuoIAqn19zp7iBAVnDi1pB9AbVAtUbCguLurtMIPDEggFbbQ_GaeYN20ihkKNyd1fYZLOp7d5bLoQzEpFmF0sVvBWD6w/s1600/2014-07-26+13.03.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNJ8rL2Sg9ZbSIqfnZr3LRD9ZxUHkQ3AbXl6Rr5Tcfys2uJSuoIAqn19zp7iBAVnDi1pB9AbVAtUbCguLurtMIPDEggFbbQ_GaeYN20ihkKNyd1fYZLOp7d5bLoQzEpFmF0sVvBWD6w/s1600/2014-07-26+13.03.27.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
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There was lots of dirt and then there was something called the "Escape Route." This is around where the dirt descending got sketchy and it was far safer and easier to roll faster out of my comfort zone than try to brake. The discs worked great, but the loose dirt doesn't let a bike brake on a steep section no matter what.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6nukD8Y5_qKdxSVUlzD1PDUJ6Fl55EpIQs7vtrK_FZdHERmhWldIfRrnrk_HiRX-dCELvdtUc9JJDJ3ocjd2yta_V9Oy99LRTQo6xiFCMFcpbbBkyMwSd-X_5Zx7DSGf5mpHZJA9vg/s1600/2014-07-26+13.03.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6nukD8Y5_qKdxSVUlzD1PDUJ6Fl55EpIQs7vtrK_FZdHERmhWldIfRrnrk_HiRX-dCELvdtUc9JJDJ3ocjd2yta_V9Oy99LRTQo6xiFCMFcpbbBkyMwSd-X_5Zx7DSGf5mpHZJA9vg/s1600/2014-07-26+13.03.33.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Great dirt!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfScpuUozPfCPr1uwxU0agkN3adxTEGXsuOjI2n4AH8HIUeIe8a2k_8u5RNisSrZvo-FDlvA_CYWxP4Y-XoZXG-PwnZ0aQ0MLtzAtqMeizeHn7Cs7OUsxAt6AbrDQ8VCHao8TdCvbooA/s1600/2014-07-26+15.35.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfScpuUozPfCPr1uwxU0agkN3adxTEGXsuOjI2n4AH8HIUeIe8a2k_8u5RNisSrZvo-FDlvA_CYWxP4Y-XoZXG-PwnZ0aQ0MLtzAtqMeizeHn7Cs7OUsxAt6AbrDQ8VCHao8TdCvbooA/s1600/2014-07-26+15.35.03.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
This is the last time I saw riders who were doing the RGR. After this, the road turned to very technical dirt, rocks, and it was in an absolutely gorgeous setting, albeit very isolated. I should mention that there wasn't any cell reception before or after Nederland so calling for help had it been necessary wasn't an option.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbD7A3TzBOA5lR_WNj2qqb__W5blifr9zdtw_Yd8HxtvwODYsAjZrOA8jZbO07_BnszyFXRVjxAeCpeP64n20N64ca05hZtQlO0A3RREr5bE1jphMLHXCvabbj-t1YxpH2HfT3NZUCTw/s1600/2014-07-26+15.35.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbD7A3TzBOA5lR_WNj2qqb__W5blifr9zdtw_Yd8HxtvwODYsAjZrOA8jZbO07_BnszyFXRVjxAeCpeP64n20N64ca05hZtQlO0A3RREr5bE1jphMLHXCvabbj-t1YxpH2HfT3NZUCTw/s1600/2014-07-26+15.35.07.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
I didn't get photos of the really technical stuff, this is section just before it. Quiet and peaceful to be sure. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuH_zR1IyEK0Dkfw26E4BPm5sY-SGi4frYFQtvGZAJcyKFvANMQn225W2sg71MRObrWl7L9Tw3dPjIE6tI8xWAuI1WDYgrYFGzPf0Hn2DHR5yiyL7nln5jLww7iOxjg4xc4ym2qlc9A/s1600/2014-07-26+15.43.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuH_zR1IyEK0Dkfw26E4BPm5sY-SGi4frYFQtvGZAJcyKFvANMQn225W2sg71MRObrWl7L9Tw3dPjIE6tI8xWAuI1WDYgrYFGzPf0Hn2DHR5yiyL7nln5jLww7iOxjg4xc4ym2qlc9A/s1600/2014-07-26+15.43.46.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A storm is brewing...how close will it get? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The storm brought some rain, which felt very good. Fortunately, the lightning was in the distance and never got too close. Elevation: ~7700 feet here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-HayXMG4VQSnIRYZXICmzY8opmnMAQ4lEG85lbKYDh2uKG-ULT0GuolFcsQP7n6s5veNT_R7CRfTjpAF2H8IsSut5s2cuU-VNHzr85KsseWzueWwD65xSl28D62ZECyYJBpxcSWDsw/s1600/2014-07-26+15.43.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-HayXMG4VQSnIRYZXICmzY8opmnMAQ4lEG85lbKYDh2uKG-ULT0GuolFcsQP7n6s5veNT_R7CRfTjpAF2H8IsSut5s2cuU-VNHzr85KsseWzueWwD65xSl28D62ZECyYJBpxcSWDsw/s1600/2014-07-26+15.43.51.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm before the storm. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I paused for a moment, then just moved slowly through the rocky stuff. Since I was the only person out there and likely the last person to be there that day, taking it easy and being safe was top priority. <br />
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Somewhere near this time, between mile 65 and 70, a stomach disaster hit. I had ample food in my pockets and I *could not eat.* The Vitamin Water (that I have always enjoyed on rides and have never had problems with) became undrinkable. I was running low on the water with Skratch Labs and I was getting a little worried. It's probably best that I didn't know how bad my stomach was until later as I might have panicked. I also started coughing, it felt deep. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oHWOe4rcnFBiN5dEYr2CtcBaoNNlIvzWCarTp7Xz6GmtEV_7R61Lk5my0P8xDFmNnSFKQU38Ufw6jiG1-u4Q7hH1ogH02_82CLmn0aFUGmEwbaog11Os8aGgIi0SCuxUPom3CIkS5g/s1600/2014-07-26+16.54.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oHWOe4rcnFBiN5dEYr2CtcBaoNNlIvzWCarTp7Xz6GmtEV_7R61Lk5my0P8xDFmNnSFKQU38Ufw6jiG1-u4Q7hH1ogH02_82CLmn0aFUGmEwbaog11Os8aGgIi0SCuxUPom3CIkS5g/s1600/2014-07-26+16.54.44.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break at mile 70. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I donated some of my food to the ants running around. It made me so sick to even look at it, I preferred not to be carrying it. I've never felt this kind of stomach distress before. Still, even with the stomach stuff and I was sure I had to be dehydrated, my legs were doing okay. My shoulders were quite tired from the technical riding and steering the bike.<br />
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So, time to re-evaluate the ride. Need to make it back, riding back is the only option. Haven't come this far to get in a car. Will I walk? Whatever it takes now.<br />
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While I was debating my next steps, at mile ~76, trying to talk my heart rate down (another odd thing that never happens), a vehicle trying to find its riders pulled up. These guys were super friendly, they were out there supporting a women's team trying their best to find their ladies. It's super lucky (a miracle?!) that they were on that road because their ladies were on a whole different road probably miles from there. I'd like to know who they are, because they literally saved my day. Thank you to whoever you are. Update: Team <a href="http://www.panachecyclewear.com/" target="_blank">Panache</a> found this blog post and contacted me. They are the life savers! <br />
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Elevation: 8,500-9,000 feet. <br />
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The guys gave me a full water bottle full of cool water, a pep talk about Peak To Peak highway being nearby and it gave me just what I needed to get ~4 more miles into Ward, the last food stop of the day and a favorite stop of mine since they have wonderful homemade cookies there. <br />
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This is interesting: the grade and elevation map of the route from <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5153332" target="_blank">RideWithGPS.com</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M-1OlOzs6y9eTNNDeTRjlLdCMs42dQ6mTO4Oicrrzx_1b_HbJqtdvmPvSYTJ1oUmn4lk-9KcnM-b_gzHhf7zO1dgca-z8ZBJGaW-a48vMp3RGdJh3TpqI4klrT4NC2CB9tEMaEZ1Xg/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+13.21.02.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3M-1OlOzs6y9eTNNDeTRjlLdCMs42dQ6mTO4Oicrrzx_1b_HbJqtdvmPvSYTJ1oUmn4lk-9KcnM-b_gzHhf7zO1dgca-z8ZBJGaW-a48vMp3RGdJh3TpqI4klrT4NC2CB9tEMaEZ1Xg/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+13.21.02.png" height="372" width="640" /></a></div>
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I loaded up on food and water in Ward. An ice cream bar, Monster Energy drink, plain water...possibly more, I don't remember. I wanted to give the guy lots of money, I was so thankful he was open. Another storm was approaching but sitting on the outside picnic table was something I made ample time for. <br />
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Maybe it'd be appropriate to mention that at this point, I couldn't
eat a single bite of anything. Ice cream bar sounded good (I love ice
cream on rides) until that first bite and I couldn't get it down, in
fact, I got sick on it. After I got back from the ride, I did some
research on altitude sickness. Yep, I had most of the symptoms.
According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altitude_sickness" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, it occurs above 6,500 feet, usually 6-10 hours after ascent and resembles "flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover." Fun times.<br />
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My bike was still rocking the ride without any hesitation or issues at all. I am so proud of this amazing machine. And thoughts of thankfulness flooded my mind frequently during the ride since I trust it and the good people of Seven who built the frame. That is not something to be taken lightly. Same with the build, too. RSC pro mechanics Mike and Drew built the bike to withstand everything. And I've done a lot of things that would break other wheels, but these are built solidly and they ride so fast. <br />
<br />
There is no way I could have done the ride without this bike, and
considering that I have never felt comfortable riding alone off-road (so
I've basically never done it), I was so thankful to have equipment that
I could trust 100%. Had I gone into this scared, I'd have felt very
differently about the ride. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0oSzVlQIFLW8YQiGo5pLABFKGJT8eswNHw03Rf5KE7XsK82WhghzKzal9hXOMQdmlDWfpEtVHL_AXTMsC07IFVqPGwIqNTteJ2A-IBIg-kzZsGZJzwR6pNH0jCKSE_JqQgHZUQPD3Q/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+13.11.20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0oSzVlQIFLW8YQiGo5pLABFKGJT8eswNHw03Rf5KE7XsK82WhghzKzal9hXOMQdmlDWfpEtVHL_AXTMsC07IFVqPGwIqNTteJ2A-IBIg-kzZsGZJzwR6pNH0jCKSE_JqQgHZUQPD3Q/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-28+13.11.20.png" height="400" width="352" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob and I with our Evergreens in gorgeous New Zealand very early spring this year. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another key reason this ride was successful is that I have done many amazing rides (see the earlier posts on this blog) with an amazing man who has taught me how to ride dirt - no easy feat, I might add since I went in to dirt riding being frightened of it. When I lived in Colorado, I stuck to the pavement and never ventured off-road. (Yes, really.) There are whole worlds behind the paved road, and Rob has very generously shared this wonderful new world with me.<br />
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Able to drink water in Ward, but not eat anything, I decided the only safe thing to do was ride "straight" back to Skratch Labs. This was about 8 1/2 - 9 hours in to the ride so even longer including stopped time. And, the storm clouds were building.<br />
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The water was enough to get me back. Strangely, my legs felt good to the end. And, my stomach stopped screaming at me so long as I didn't think about food, all was well.<br />
<br />
The rest of the ride went very well. I cut out ~1,500 feet of climbing (that I'm fairly certain I could not have done had I tried) by heading down Lefthand Canyon instead of hitting something called Lickskillet. I heard warnings from people throughout the day about this section, so it was wise to skip it.<br />
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On Lefthand Canyon, it was weird seeing so much of the road washed out from the floods that hit Boulder in September of last year. It was also not easy to fly downhill as I usually would on that road because of the numerous dirt sections. Sometimes the road just ended and the creek was right below. Seems like it'd make for very dangerous nighttime driving.<br />
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The camera went away, I sped toward Skratch hoping to outrun the storm.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYr2iGE3ldGnCIPMFPUtakfL0crWfbzoMWpkqvnws2b_sq8Yeaf-FDFoxbMoWMLpjcX_PkHVfvbzz3n2U6htuCMxTJ_14JjC0PU4m8B3SMyLYXCzTE_3nFBMEK6ao0cwSmT3Nh9Vl3w/s1600/20140726_194938.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYr2iGE3ldGnCIPMFPUtakfL0crWfbzoMWpkqvnws2b_sq8Yeaf-FDFoxbMoWMLpjcX_PkHVfvbzz3n2U6htuCMxTJ_14JjC0PU4m8B3SMyLYXCzTE_3nFBMEK6ao0cwSmT3Nh9Vl3w/s1600/20140726_194938.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Skratch
Labs office, the race began and ended just outside their door in Boulder. Ted King was there,
too. Sorry, Ted, I have no idea what you're saying here. Photo taken moments after I rolled in. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I got to the finish line, the after-party was wrapping up. I'd been looking forward to a good, cold brew all day until mile 70, so my stomach didn't even want me to consider it. It was better that way since I got to say goodbye to the Rapha people and those I knew out there and pack everything into my car just as a torrential rain hit. That was the perfect close to one amazing Boulder riding day and the first Boulder edition of the Rapha Gentlemen's Race. <br />
<br />
Thank you to everyone who organized the ride, provided support out there, everyone who gave me comfort and strength via good thoughts, and all of my family and friends. This was the culmination of so many years of rides and my good fortune to know so many amazing people who ride bikes...and those who don't ride, but appreciate them still. It was truly awesome to be able to be part of this.<br />
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Today I feel very compelled to talk about traveling with the S&S coupled <a href="http://www.sevencycles.com/" target="_blank">Seven Cycles</a> Evergreen. Why? Because this bike has so significantly reduced my traveling stress, it deserves some time and attention. It cost an extra $25 to fly with the bike, and that's only because it's an extra piece of luggage. The fee for a bike in a bike bag can run over $200 one way otherwise.<br />
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When I checked in, I didn't have to wait for some random airport employee to walk my bike away from me to some unknown location, as bikes in large travel bags have to be handled. The S&S bike, packaged in a soft-sided <a href="http://www.co-motion.com/index.php/catalog/travelcasesaccessories" target="_blank">Co-Motion</a> Co-Pilot Bicycle Travel Case that's the square equivalent of the size of the diameter of a wheel, gets thrown on the conveyor belt with every other bag offering me quite a bit more comfort that it will end up at my final destination at the same time I do. And no, I don't worry about it being crushed thanks to crush members placed inside the bag.<br />
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<i>Photo: the first time I'd packed the bike, it traveled to New Zealand where, upon a grassy knoll next to gloriously beautiful water, it got reassembled for the first time. </i><br />
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I used to travel all over with my bike as I often flew down south for spring training camp, I've been to a few out-of-state races, and any time I had business travel, I would figure out how to extend my stay so that I could bring my bike and tack a few days of riding on to the beginning or end of the trip. In the past, I traveled with a soft-sided bike case on rollers. It was big and bulky, but I only have good things to say about the soft-sided bike bags if you have a non-coupled bike. (I used the BikePro USA one. My bike never sustained even a scratch in all of its travels.)<br />
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Now, being able to roll my bike anywhere and handle two big suitcases at once as well as being able to put the bike in any size taxi cab or rental car, that does offer me much more freedom and far less stress than before.<br />
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Being that the bike is an Evergreen, I just pack two sets of tires so it's good to do anything I want of it no matter where I end up. For this trip, I have 28c Continental Grand Prix 4-Season tires for serious, fast Boulder dirt road riding. I've ridden GP 4-Season 23c tires for a year on my road bike with zero flats so I expect the 28c tires to be ideal for a ride I have planned Saturday. The second set, and the ones I used for the New Zealand trip as well as for most dirt trail adventures in the Boston area, are the Clement MSO 40c tires. Those will come in handy next week with a little mountain bike-esque riding on the Western Slope.<br />
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People often ask me how long it takes to put the bike together and take it apart. A coupled bike isn't a folding bike; it's not meant to be packed away on a daily basis. It's also far lighter and the couplings don't affect the ride qualities of the bike <i>at all</i>. However, I find the time it takes to assemble and pack to be minuscule compared with the time and trouble associated with borrowing or renting a bike that will never feel like my bike and will likely have a whole list of possible issues that will cause me to stress out before and during highly valuable vacation time.<br />
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I've now reassembled my bike from its packed-away pieces three times so I feel comfortable enough to report how much time it takes and what needs to be done.<br />
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Admittedly, the first time I had to pack my bike away, it caused me some grief. It is *not* natural to take a perfectly gorgeous, brand new bike, and turn it into many pieces. I didn't realize how decoupling my new prized bike could mess with my head. I don't know if anyone else ever has an emotional reaction like I did. Since then, I've gotten used to the process and have started enjoying it, even though instinct says that a bike in two pieces means it had a bad day on the road.<br />
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<b>Time & What Happens </b><br />
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<b>0</b> - Unzip the bike bag.<br />
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<b>1 min</b> - Unpack all of the peripheral items like hex tools, skewers, rotors, everything that had to be packed separately from the bike.<br />
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<b>6 min</b> - Take everything out of the bike box assuming you have all of the space you need. Unwrap foam protection pieces from each member of the bike. Untape the derailleur from the chain stay (assuming it was removed), untape any packing material. Electrical tape and bubble wrap are handy for over-packing sensitive parts of the bike. It's handy to have scissors. Also take the fork and rear dropout protectors (I'm not sure of the exact term for these - they are either bolts or special quick releases that fit into your dropouts to keep loads from crushing your fork or rear triangle).<br />
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<b>3 min </b>- Make sure the chain is straight and where it should be, then screw the rear derailleur onto the frame being extremely careful not to cross-thread it. Tightened well.<br />
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<b>2 min</b> - Attach the handlebars to the bike via putting the stem back onto the steerer tube. Be sure you remember how many spacers you had above and below the stem. It shouldn't be necessary to ever unbolt the handlebar from stem. Loosely tighten since the bars will need to be aligned later, it's just good to not have the handlebars flopping around during the rest of the process.<br />
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<b>2 min</b> - Re-couple the bike at the S&S couplers. With the couplers near each other, plug the Di2 wires back into the junction box if it's an electronic-shifting bike. Align the couplers so their teeth mesh together, then tighten the couplers by hand twisting to the right (assuming you're holding the bike from the saddle).<br />
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<b>1 min</b> - Screw the pedals back on. Note: twist them toward the front of the bike - so the right pedal turns clockwise and the left pedal is counter clockwise assuming you're looking at each of the pedals from the side of the bike where the pedal is located. (The left pedal is reverse threaded for safety.) Hand tighten for now.<br />
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<b>4 mins</b> - In my case, I have 6-bolt rotors/hubs since I wanted the best hubs made (<a href="http://www.chrisking.com/hubs" target="_blank">Chris King</a>), and aesthetics won where it comes to having gold hubs that match the other gold on the bike. Putting the rotors on and tightening them down takes 2 minutes a piece. Make sure the rotors have the side with the arrow pointing out (so you can see it) and in the direction of forward motion. Start all 6 screws so they are in place but not tight at all, pull the rotor back in the direction the brake will force it to be pulled when it's being ridden, then evenly tighten each bolt. When they are all tight, give each a firm twist until they stop. Note: centerlock rotors involve loosening one locking piece using a special tool. This 4 minutes is cut to about 1 minute. Note: the bolts for the 6-bolt rotors require a T-25 Torx wrench.<br />
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<b>1 min </b>- Replace both of the quick releases onto the wheels. The levers should be on the rotor side of the hub. One spring, small side pointed in, should be on each side of the hub on the quick release.<br />
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<b>1 min</b> - Put both wheels onto the bike making sure the quick releases are tight, but not too tight. Ensure the wheels are in the dropouts perfectly straight.<br />
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<b>2 min</b> - Connect coupled cables or Di2 wires to each other. Note that Di2 junction boxes don't care where the wires are connected, so it's not necessary to keep track of the locations of these prior to disconnecting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYOX6af-vN_ZCRI9bvGDmJuZzXhV47-_nOf_RA_Dnr7sXgf9IsI5i7pO7FMlOgRBzamMbnjiC9toLEfHks8BQm84ytInvWABTDFuJ_03H7zHw7aLan7-VWoHOnPLy-P_c_3wOYJhp-Q/s1600/_coupler_label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYOX6af-vN_ZCRI9bvGDmJuZzXhV47-_nOf_RA_Dnr7sXgf9IsI5i7pO7FMlOgRBzamMbnjiC9toLEfHks8BQm84ytInvWABTDFuJ_03H7zHw7aLan7-VWoHOnPLy-P_c_3wOYJhp-Q/s1600/_coupler_label.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>1 min</b> - Insert the saddle to the tape line. Yes, before packing the bike up and removing your saddle, be sure to tape the position so you'll know for sure your saddle is in the right place without a tape measure. A saddle should not be dropped down for travel, it'll mess up any decals or paint on the seatpost.<br />
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<b>5 - 10 min</b> - Reattach the brake cable to the rear brake caliper. (I've learned that I don't have to disconnect the front one - yay!) This is the most difficult part of the process in my opinion. There are a lot of nuances to this. I recommend getting instruction on this part if you aren't familiar with disc brakes and how the cables thread into the barrel adjusters. Tighten the bolt that holds the brake cable very well.<br />
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<b>5 min</b> - Taking properly small zip ties (make sure you bring plenty of these on the trip!), fasten the rear brake cable housing to the frame at each of the zip tie guides. Be sure to have the fat part of the zip tie most hidden behind the zip guide. Make sure the handebar can turn freely before tightening down on the zip ties.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupxseJO0NlqbRV33G4XB73YHusNvpDAVafdk1TX10W3BK27QFaaz4psVAmOe5DFF7uCogzLOVPBjBkvdnpxZr7MJCCyoHkJRMjyZTBlIENNY5Mq5IYPVo8E28rl_kFyiI_8sq15fCoQ/s1600/_zipguide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupxseJO0NlqbRV33G4XB73YHusNvpDAVafdk1TX10W3BK27QFaaz4psVAmOe5DFF7uCogzLOVPBjBkvdnpxZr7MJCCyoHkJRMjyZTBlIENNY5Mq5IYPVo8E28rl_kFyiI_8sq15fCoQ/s1600/_zipguide.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>5 min </b>- Standing over the bike, straighten the handlebars, lightly tighten the stem cap (so there is no play in the headset), then tighten the screws on the side of the stem very well.<br />
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<b>1 min</b> - Take the proper pedal wrench and lightly tighten the pedals.<br />
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<b>1 min </b>- Tighten all bolts, making sure everything is in proper alignment.<br />
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<b>1 min</b> - The tires will have had to have air let out of them if they are large (like the MSO 40s) so the bike will fit into the travel case. If they are road tires, there's a chance no air had to be let out. It's best to leave in air as that provides nice side padding for the bike and wheels during travel. Either way, fill the tires with air to the proper pressure.<br />
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Now take a moment to clean your hands from the grease of the chain and bolts. The <a href="http://www.catstonguetowels.com/" target="_blank">Cat's Tongue towel</a> will clean everything from your hands to the grease you accidentally smeared on your white saddle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqrbHA7VJs89t7AOc-Zwve_UdHG09zZUxJiKk6EbWlFUxsfqi_so6pcTEeUWnPm1rq6edZO7UU7Rd1P-j2h5DrqliizWnevsuIKVqE9ifstcw6XHgYltwYmy2tu4vwORKfrsi4SGVPg/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-25+05.07.42.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqrbHA7VJs89t7AOc-Zwve_UdHG09zZUxJiKk6EbWlFUxsfqi_so6pcTEeUWnPm1rq6edZO7UU7Rd1P-j2h5DrqliizWnevsuIKVqE9ifstcw6XHgYltwYmy2tu4vwORKfrsi4SGVPg/s1600/Screenshot+2014-07-25+05.07.42.png" /></a></div>
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That's all! Be sure the bike is shifting well. If everything is done right, it should be shifting perfectly and ready to roll.<br />
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<b>Total time:</b> 45-55 minutes for one perfect bike and all of the riding you can squeeze in on your dream vacation! No special mechanic knowledge necessary.<br />
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As for packing the bike, I estimate it takes approximately 30 minutes from beginning to end to properly pack a bike for safe traveling. The first time takes the longest since that's when it's necessary to cut foam protector padding to length, label things, find proper ziplock bags for parts like the quick releases, 12 bolts for the rotors, getting the tools together, etc.<br />
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Now I can't wait to get the bike out to some good dirt, climbs, and see how the rider does in the thin air and hot sun of Colorado!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-67933581275467598232014-04-19T06:42:00.003-07:002014-04-26T03:00:23.299-07:00Partial Last Day Post - So much more to show (and it's coming)As the words become less, the photos are growing...and a few technical difficulties have kept me from putting more than two photos here...after hours of working on this post. Urgh. They will be coming, I promise.<br />
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I apologize for the week gap in posts. Internet and time both have been impossible to find in the same place for the past few days. So where'd this leave off? Only the last day of riding, and the day we spent traveling to the airport. There's still a lot to say so there may be a few more posts while I happily reminisce on what ended up being the most relaxing-yet-active vacation I've ever done.
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Concerning the last ride - Total ride time: 8+ hours, distance was ~60 miles. The trail was simply awesome. It's the course for a mountain bike race every year so the corners were banked assuming very high velocities of travel and the route covered every kind of terrain. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2743241462669030381" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>I've compiled a bunch of photos of the various muddy conditions. I'll get those together in some way to describe the multitudes of terrain awaiting the dirt-loving cyclist.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-__CPOtgHOSQFGV-JrYzw58ci0EOZnd1uwiX4KVq7tpZmd9LbRbga-v34rUCtLVG0qnyFEFDAWOzXMsn3CBBcvWtk7aaeWeXqdxVBft_M4E80rz2YwHXZcDrGHIjATZRuxy-qLP9SA/s1600/LastDay42TraverseBike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-__CPOtgHOSQFGV-JrYzw58ci0EOZnd1uwiX4KVq7tpZmd9LbRbga-v34rUCtLVG0qnyFEFDAWOzXMsn3CBBcvWtk7aaeWeXqdxVBft_M4E80rz2YwHXZcDrGHIjATZRuxy-qLP9SA/s1600/LastDay42TraverseBike.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
The cool NZ trees are turning for autumn. Halfway there. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hs2IDUw-ZWNPWeAR2QA0zCNKEj0UpewPMzkjf-bvbtCFlZpksG5C9iAwoU_6UwVgUcWymrWN_IDpemoGKeOurZNjItbX8Yahpgid0_EPWntfypgKJ5u-tMhOOlqOG3OslI_XcHzUrg/s1600/P1070342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hs2IDUw-ZWNPWeAR2QA0zCNKEj0UpewPMzkjf-bvbtCFlZpksG5C9iAwoU_6UwVgUcWymrWN_IDpemoGKeOurZNjItbX8Yahpgid0_EPWntfypgKJ5u-tMhOOlqOG3OslI_XcHzUrg/s1600/P1070342.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
Rob's bike has a personality, especially if you look at it like this. Maybe its look can be interpreted as an inquisitive-yet-confident one, "What, we have to cross the river...here? Sure, let's go!" Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-45070498376518019132014-04-11T11:34:00.003-07:002014-04-11T11:34:56.050-07:00Friday, Day 7 - Enchanted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was a rainy day. We did what we could to avoid it and, though we started in it, it had subsided quite a bit by the time we got out there and it ended not too long into the ride. We drove approximately 1 hour north to be alongside this river: </div>
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The rain muted everything and gave it a different dimension. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v5Xy4JZ2J1lE_1MJufMf92WZxCokeiVTzgNdkCIRrRihovjtAbbs7t6BnSBQRrociUKpFvDyXfqSM-udtS1KyAPNyUIn7xJFYUw73nxrUxwQ-FIPvTBhXqa0RJjvFZYbAvpyBxYYLg/s1600/P1070251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_v5Xy4JZ2J1lE_1MJufMf92WZxCokeiVTzgNdkCIRrRihovjtAbbs7t6BnSBQRrociUKpFvDyXfqSM-udtS1KyAPNyUIn7xJFYUw73nxrUxwQ-FIPvTBhXqa0RJjvFZYbAvpyBxYYLg/s1600/P1070251.JPG" height="102" width="640" /></a></div>
Bridge ran over the river. Rob got some good shots from the center of the bridge. Might find them on his blog. And if you haven't checked out his photos lately, he's added quite a few great shots: <a href="http://newzealandtraverse.tumblr.com/">newzealandtraverse.tumblr.com</a><br />
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The forested areas were different from those we've ridden through. There was a great variety of plant-life, likely the most varied of any we've seen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xGI2Q8JaWU_kL0VaQI8Lco3ElsBU3rp_-HT-DefgmustGrwy76tdIE3CKnK31-sqVAnR_VH5LU6tTAn7_eZ_9sV6-Ik2TulZdaPGEJvSWyOqFV2ThxXoqSsfyFvRY0iCsa1mUiHBDA/s1600/P1070266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xGI2Q8JaWU_kL0VaQI8Lco3ElsBU3rp_-HT-DefgmustGrwy76tdIE3CKnK31-sqVAnR_VH5LU6tTAn7_eZ_9sV6-Ik2TulZdaPGEJvSWyOqFV2ThxXoqSsfyFvRY0iCsa1mUiHBDA/s1600/P1070266.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Sunset over the river...love the fog floating around!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCWqM766kCIqcPBoZ1X-nmaqamtbBHFzvnmApMIg7bVnpVc1_HqeQgKyPL6V5hcdkOCF2E2XifM8vOa7zKagiOV0HDZiWCHfUsS7G-6jt4kYW83Uil1Pj6lDamzGnHyrYzwVV_QE0nw/s1600/P1070270-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCWqM766kCIqcPBoZ1X-nmaqamtbBHFzvnmApMIg7bVnpVc1_HqeQgKyPL6V5hcdkOCF2E2XifM8vOa7zKagiOV0HDZiWCHfUsS7G-6jt4kYW83Uil1Pj6lDamzGnHyrYzwVV_QE0nw/s1600/P1070270-001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUm2zZ4ypbRE3escRiBE4FjdAL0Tbe7tI0iM-2ihH5kcc4Tsl0-x4yONxYq2E3JOpLcfYlNNOtGv0GHJNdV9v3IY29UPt6Uh2lihwKUVHNgebbVyh-Q21Vp8VkaLWy2ZMZtSMvchwpA/s1600/P1070272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUm2zZ4ypbRE3escRiBE4FjdAL0Tbe7tI0iM-2ihH5kcc4Tsl0-x4yONxYq2E3JOpLcfYlNNOtGv0GHJNdV9v3IY29UPt6Uh2lihwKUVHNgebbVyh-Q21Vp8VkaLWy2ZMZtSMvchwpA/s1600/P1070272.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Having fun!<br />
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Some of the forest that we rode through, possibly because of the rain dripping from the leaves to the ground, really felt like an enchanted forest. There's no way to capture the feeling of expecting to see the kinds of glowing and magical creatures you'd find in an enchanted world, but know that's exactly how it was. <br />
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The ride was a mix of road and great trail, 4+ hours, another perfect day!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743241462669030381.post-62696178053348894752014-04-10T17:03:00.003-07:002014-04-10T17:03:42.111-07:00Thursday, Day 6 - Incredible x 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Morning in Taupo was calm and serene, as it is every morning. Rain was falling gently from the sky. We made the ride plan based on the weather forecast (the one in the newspaper is about as good as it gets...so it's hard to tell what's what), to avoid as much of the rain as possible. We've learned that riding in the rain isn't terrible since it's warm, but it's never any fun to get stuck in a downpour, no matter the temps. </div>
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Rob created the most comprehensive ride plan for this trip...he "scouted" more routes than we have time to do and multiple riding distances for each route. Having so many options has given us great flexibility and confidence in starting out each day. What he did borders on impossible. I feel like I'm traveling with a native Kiwi considering how well he knows the roads. </div>
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We chose to drive 3 hours to ride in the Bay of Plenty. Lovely drive. And when I say "we" I mean Rob is driving, I'm enjoying the scenery and backseat driving. Driving on the other side of the road is not an easy task.<br />
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We drove through torrential rain that wasn't far from our final destination. We kept telling ourselves the sun would be right around the corner.</div>
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Turns out, we were mostly right as the rain turned into a very slight drizzle and stopped altogether for much of the ride.<br />
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New Zealanders and most people who visit here are adrenaline junkies. We have to remember this when taking the advice from Kiwis. <br />
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Lunch was comprised of muffins and a mocha & cappuccino the size of an elephant at a cool little joint in town. Most places to eat in little towns like this one look too fast-foodish and kind of run down. None of the towns look dirty or anything, just not particularly up-to-date in architecture or interior decoration. A couple we saw yesterday had the feeling of trying to be a town out of the Old West, cowboy style.<br />
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Start of the ride: random place in the middle of nowhere. I'm becoming a big fan of the minivan. Tossing the bikes in without taking off wheels is such a luxury. My folks told me someday I'd understand why they liked their minivan so much...well, now I *finally* really get it.<br />
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The area is lush and the most beautiful yet of the trip...and the other areas we've seen have been nothing less than breathtaking. So, what's the right adjective: astounding? Around every corner was a breath-taking view. By that, I mean, it actually often took my breath away. Since there was a lot of climbing going in, it's true, that I was already working hard and out of breath.<br />
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Having the low rain clouds made the greens greener and the fluff of the fog added so much to the scene, too.<br />
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Contrary to the sign, we saw a grand total of (maybe) 5 cars all day. We had this slice of paradise to ourselves.<br />
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...actually, we shared the place with a fair number of cows. I spent some time conversing with this cow. We have the video of the conversation. He was quite chatty. </div>
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The dirt road, according to the guide book, is one of the roughest in New Zealand. That's saying a lot about the roads here since it was in very good condition with only a few rough spots. The dirt was well packed. The trickiest riding I've found is when the loose gravel is deep, that's pretty hard for me to ride.<br />
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The river ran below...we climbed from being next to it to 2,066 feet above it.<br />
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More amazing views... We kept stopping for photos, but not for long at any point. It was a 7 hr 15 minute ride (pedaling time) from beginning to end.<br />
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Up into the clouds!<br />
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Still climbing...<br />
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Ooooohhhh...<br />
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Bike taking a breather.<br />
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Then the dirt road turned into a single track mountain bike trail for the entire descent back down. (That's a very, very long way on single track--3 hours to be exact and most of that was spent grabbing the brakes.) Here's a swinging bridge over the river. Capacity: 5 people. At least it looked very strong so I wasn't worried. Day turns to night very quickly under the dense foliage, but we had plenty of lights. We finished up at 10pm. Towns shut down around 7pm so dinner had to be bought at a gas station at that late hour.<br />
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We have some great video from this ride that we'll get up at some point. Thanks again to those who've emailed/commented...we're glad you're enjoying the photos and stories!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17598407122705187737noreply@blogger.com0