The NaKeD InDiaN ChrOniCleS

CFiTT 2011: FiNdiNg ViCtoRy In FaiLuRe

2011-11-17T14:03:00.004-05:00

The months leading up to the 2011 CFiTT had me training as hard as I have ever trained.

I focused on going out hard when I did go ride and even spent 5 days in the mountains of Pisgah forest working on getting stronger. In conversations with Eddie O'dea regarding his Stellar superhuman run of the TNGA, he mentioned he spent alot of time doing LONG FAST MILES, and I decided that sounded like the right Idea.

The Days leading up to the CFiTT had me waking up on a Monday Morning and almost falling due to extreme dizziness and then Later going to Urgent Care to try and figure out what was going on.

On top of it all the week was full of emails and phone calls as I buttoned up all that the racers needed for the event and I completed my responsibilities for the race.

Takes a HUGE amount of effort to not only prepare for this event but to organize it, route it, plan it and coordinate as well makes for a crazy few hours leading up to the race.

I helped Dave Muse, Derek Bently and Jesse Durrance get to the start. Edith out of the kindness of her heart let them crash in the spare room so we could help them complete their trial.

That morning with only a few hours of sleep I got up excited and anxious.

I had every intention to go out this year and ride as hard as I could putting in my best effort hoping that I could establish the winning time for the event. I thought about it long and hard and figured the key to my success would be to follow my own pace and not get caught up chasing or being chased.

After the riders meeting and the instructions we started at 7am exactly and I at the last moment forgot to put on my good luck necklace that my Mom likes me to wear and got delayed a little bit at the start. On top of that, once I did take off I made a wrong turn that sent me off course for a few minutes. I got back on course and passed Mike Rittenhouse, but still managed to make a few more mistakes as I made my way up the gradual ascent to Tucker Hill.

I did my best to stay at my pace, slightly frustrated thinking that I would never see another person again.

It was cold. My fingers were aching from the temps. I told myself the sun would warm things up and focused on keeping my cold knees turning the pedals in a steady manner.

Up and down I meandered through Croom Forest not seeing a single soul, not seeing anything but the Occasional wide arching track of a washed out tire.

When I came out of Croom and hit Nobleton Road I was upset that it had taken me so long to complete that section. I let it go fast and focused instead on the next 18 miles to the caboose. My plan was to lean into my Freddies as I made my way up the gradual rail road grade climb to Inverness.

After what seemed like a long time I saw a rider weaving off the trail and moving over to a dirt road parallel to the rail trail.

I was closing in fast and then as the Rider made his way back on to the rail trail I noticed that It was Jesse. Again I didn't even expect to catch anyone and felt motivated that I had caught up to Jesse.

Then I noticed another shadow on the horizon. I focused on my tempo and before I knew It I was passing Dave Muse. Interesting.

Kept the pressure on. Got to the Caboose and found two more riders, Scott and Luis. I kept going, telling them I wanted to catch Team FSU and Off I went.

On the road I closed the gap on Derek and then on the dirt road as we turned into Potts Preserve, we rode side by side for a long bit.

We hopped the Barb wire fence, and continued onto the Grassy Levee and he was with me. We hopped the fence at the Levee (although I hear it had a gate) and then when I got to 200 I looked back and didn't see him anymore. I stopped and knockers and kept going thinking that on the singletrack I could close the gap to Chris, Jeff and Jack who I figured may have been riding together.

I made my way thru Haltapa and the next checkpoint, kept the tempo the best I could and had to stop a few time for horse riders.

On ward and forward the soft sand not even slowing me I hit the pavement and rode Through Ross Prarie Trailhead where I finally refilled my two bottles and continued into the singletrack.

Ern and Burn was a lot funner in this direction and I was finding the flow with Ease and again before I knew it I crossed the road into Nayl's. Somewhere along the trail I find Chris Riding towards me and he tells me that somehow he missed a turn, something about he didn't go through the trailhead.

I had ear phones on so I think I told him the best way to get back on track but honestly I don't know if I told him right or not. I had provided maps and a gpx file for that section and you know if you stop to check the route its not impossible to follow it through there.

I realized now that I was in third place and kept going. Got to the trail head and saw Team FSU was there. I told them they had been caught in a teasing voice and preceded to get my restocks done so I could get on the road.

This had been a huge victory for me.

Jeff is a fast rider. Jack is a fast rider. For me an up and coming B rider to catch up and close the gap was a huge victory and breakthrough for me. I could only imagine that If I dedicate more time and train my body harder I could do better in the future.

It was interesting seeing the mood of the Greenway Cycles Checkpoint change as I pulled in. All the Relaxation left the room as they both started buckling and filling and paying and hurrying to get out.

Jack left a minute before me, and Jeff and I left together. We chatted for a bit and we hit a new section of grassy mossy track. Jeff started pedaling away and I decided I would let him go knowing that we had another 40 miles of singletrack at the end and I could close the gap again.

Plus my tummy was hurting I needed to drink and try to get some food down, it was becoming difficult.

As I pedaled and drank and ate, I felt that my plan was fool proof and all I needed to do was to keep the tempo steady.

Flew through most everything, till I crossed 40 and started heading to Mill Dam and decided by the mail box would be a good spot to stop and try to eat the chips I had been kind of eating for about 30 miles now.

Ate the chips drank a bottle and left, again trying to stay moving, decided I would skip a water reload at the Mill dam guard house.

Onward I went. The night started getting cold. I was not enthusiastic about how loose the road had become, only a couple of weeks back it was hard packed and fast. No matter, I know I am faster then the Tomassettis in the sand and faster on the singletrack, I saw it as an advantage for me.

As I got close to Lake Eaton I could see tires with foot tracks showing me where some of the other riders were force to dismount and I was not.

More motivation.

Then there I see what looks like a red blinky. In retrospec since Jeff told me he never turned his on, it had to of been Jack leaving Lake Eaton, since his pics showed him still there for dusk and I had just finished my descent into the sinkhole a few minutes after dark.

I stopped to force food down, take a pic, drink a bottle and finish my soda, as well as strap on my helmet light. Figure the roads were loose enough that moonlight or my princeton tec alone would not afford the fastest speed, line choice and best vision was going to be critical the rest of the way.

As I got to the last checkpoint and heard a voice and was surprised to see Chris.

He was so nice and cordial and I was all Robot like asking, How the heck did you get by me. He told me he went right instead of Left, and I realized since I didn't specify I could not make a big deal out of it. Future Racers will be told the route goes LEFT, LOL. I still was surprised that he had caught up. My math had him an hour back cause of his navigational mistake, guess my Math was wrong.

I decided if I wanted to defend third it was time to break one of the first agreements I made that day.

I had made a personal agreement to only use the big ring on pavement and only use the middle on dirt. Purpose being to save some power for the final singletrack push where I would go all out.

I had to lean into the Fred's and pound out the 44.

Hopkins seemed to move away from me for what seemed like an Eternity. I looked back and saw no light as I turned onto the singletrack to cross to OLD 10. And then out of what seemed like Nowhere on 10 I saw Chris Catching up and then as we turned south towards 40, we rode for a bit fairly close since he was having to dismount on some of the climbs and my expert ninja sand skills still kept me in the saddle.

I was a little mystified by being caught, but I figured, in the Next 40 miles of singletrack I wont make any mistakes I know the trail I will close the gap.

Then the strangest thing happened. Aside from some stomach discomfort, I had been steady and strong all day. But as I closed in on 40 it seemed like my vision was fading, then my handling became unreasonably sloppy and the world seemed to be spinning as if I was on a tea cup ride at Disney World.

I stopped for a second, and let it subside, but got to Juniper feeling OFF. I didn't like it.

A monkey wrench was officially stuck in my perfectly functioning 'haul ass sprockets' and immediately made a plan B to just drink a Dr. Pepper and drink lots of fluid and wait for it to subside.

Stopping moving proved to chill me more then I wanted too and the luxury of waiting seemed to be out of reach. I had not packed hardly a thing, I had no intention of camping. In fact I had bought all my food for the race the night before the start. I put my money in the machine and it didn't spit out my soda.

Here I am, cold, dizzy and frustrated.

For a long while I thought and as my teeth started to chatter I decided that there was no immediate solution and called for a pick up.

Eventually Scott pulled in, and we talked for a minute and then he left.

Then Luis came in, telling me that there were more machines inside, which frustrated me more, cause I had it in my head that somehow that soda was going to save me, which in fact it didnt as I spent all Sunday handling dizzy spells. Before Luis rolled on he bought me a soda and waited for my girl to show up, such a good friend and competitor. By the time she came I was full on body shivering and teeth shattering, not the prettiest look to be rocking out in the middle of nowhere.

Months of hardwork, and tons of effort for the day had been dashed by the vertigo that started out of nowhere nearly a week earlier. O well.

The next 24 hours I did my best to put it all in perspective.

I rode the fastest and longest I had ever ridden in my short Ultra Career to date. Proving to myself that with a little more prep, training and no silly health complications I can actually be as competitive as some of the faster riders.

Not only did the event go smooth without any horrible incidents. Not only had I finally nailed a route that I thought neared perfection, but I had raced it hard and fast and came short only because of something that was out of my control.

New Records were set by a lot of people that day, not only the by the person who crossed the finish line just short of 18 hours, but by me and everyone, it was a day and event filled with personal accomplishments and victories.

In the end, even with the Failure of not finishing my own route, I found I had accomplished something I thought I could only do in my dreams. I'm all the more motivated now to push on to train hard for the Huracan and then conquer the TD in the summer.

Let's see what shakes eh, either way, its gonna be one heck of an adventure.

Take Care,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ReD RoCk PaSS

2011-10-29T13:21:00.004-04:00

A Post about my feelings.....

Seems like Serendipity tails me in my life. As soon as some rarely heard phrase, idea or concept enters my mind, the same day shortly there after this one thing I had never heard off suddenly presents itself again.

I was born in the right time my friends. The Technology and gadgetry is not poorly timed for me but perfect. Over the years, the engaged pursuit of my passions has rewarded me so much that it is truly a blessing.

The things I have accomplished at once seemed like dreams under my eye lids. All my ideas and concepts started out that way. Just something I thought about and dreamt up as I pedaled across the land, and then not even a year after, gave life to it.

Like an Antenna or a satellite dish I am receptive to the messages of one and all and then I feel nothing but freedom in combining the ideas and the feedback I get with my own.

All I have done and continue to do has brought a lot of reward in my life. Jeffrey Tomassetti, emailed me one day, telling me he was planning on riding the Montana portion of the Divide with his nephew and that they were going to go out to Santos to practice.

I had wished he would of contacted me sooner cause I could have gave him a great route and when he shared pictures of his Rig, I told him they were packing way too much.

He went out that summer and took a trip and I checked on their spots and their updates.

We spoke after, Jeff and I and in the end, spoke more and more, and In the end we even toured together and In the end were just grand ole friends and Jeff is an inspiration to me.

Out of our little click that formed of people heading to the Divide, he was one of the two that made it down south and the first to cross the line. Both Rob, Cricket and I became victims of circumstance.

And I find it interesting that he came into my life and several full moons past, when I saw him again after his Grand conquering of the Great Divide Route he had a gift for me. A Gift motivated by a crossing at the Red Rock Pass.

There are only five of these paintings and I have one. I feel honored.

Jeff,

Thanks for being a great Friend and an inspiration!!!

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ShInGLe CrEeK

2011-09-15T22:18:00.003-04:00

An Airborne Ranger learns to carry his gear and jump out of planes into dangerous often hostile areas.

Its Odd cause I am like an Off Road Architectural Airborne Ranger. Drop me anywhere and I will find the dirt and create a route.

I think it was a Friday night at the shop. Last day of my work week and I tell Geoff and Wes that I am going to create a ride coming out of the shop. Immediately I can see stuff to ride.

I let it go at that point after just a brief fleeting glance.

Monday at work I told the boss that I was pretty sure I could organize an Urban Assault type ride with a pretty unique route.

Mark's all for it and I immediately decided to just put something together. In no time at all, I was done with a preliminary route.

I immediately called Wes and told him to bring his MTB to work on Wednesday cause we were going to test out the future Bikeworks South urban assault route.

All day we were pretty amped up and I was Happy that Wes was excited about going out for the ride. I wasn't sure if he was gonna like the things we would encounter, I didn't even know what the route would be hold, after all I had just scouted it on Satellite images and had not ridden a single foot of it.

The first part of the route was sidewalk and back road, we crossed over John Young Parkway and hung a hard right into Town Loop Blvd and went behind Hunters Creek Middle school. From the images on the computer I could tell there was boardwalk and thought it may even be to a mile long. As soon as we hit it, were going over the actual Shingle creek and everything was dark green and beautiful. Before long we make a hard right down a small set of stairs (definitely adding to the urban ride effect) and we were now on creek ridge riding singletrack. SICK!

After about 1/4 mile or less we hung a left on the main access road. Hard pack shell with a neatly carved double track. As quick as we made it onto the shell packed double, we turned a hard right and started what was called East Pine Island.

The first Section rolled smooth, but as we rounded the bend things got muddy and I had to dig into my bag of shitty terrain riding skills which put me in front of my company by a minute or so. But Wes Hung tough and we came out of there Muddy, but feeling strong.

More Hard pack ensued as we approached West Pine Island Loop I saw a water crossing and figured if the east side was wet the west side might be wetter. We continue rolling along and BAM we come up on what appears to be a pond in the middle of the trail

100 thoughts or so crossed my mind. Maybe 100 is an exaggeration. But, fairly fast I wanted to finish the route and I was not afraid to cross a pond.

But, to err on the side of safety I asked Wes to watch my back as I first just took a couple of steps into it to see how deep it was. The water was cold, I thought for sure that it must be creek overflow. Since I had my bright Stella on my helmet I could see right down to the floor. It was hard shell rock. At that point, I jump on the bike and start moving across. I glance down and to my wheels and my bottom bracket to make a mental note on how deep it is.

Hub's are not submerged, bottom bracket is skimming the surface, If I increase the speed, I can break the water better and keep all my parts free from water. I make the other side fast and call out to Wes to come across.

We pedal a little more shell and come up right on a power plant. Wes suggest we Scramble left and after a little situation where he got stuck knee deep in quicksand, we ended up on a Golf Course green, turned off our lights and started riding the cement trail carved into the Golf Course hill side.

On We go. Next thing we know were at the Entrance of the hotel. Now being unsure of the parks boundaries and limits we took pavement till we saw a Duncan Donuts and took the dirt road heading off behind the building.

Were back again under the power lines keeping steady tempo and making good time.

I had mapped to eventually break right. As the terrain got tougher I waited for Wes at the turn and we rode straight into Sandy party town central spot where it was obvious cars or trucks come fairly frequently to drink and hang out.

I decide to by pass this section, knowing full well before I got there that this was a possibility. I pulled up my droid and looked at the google earth satellite picture and got us back on hard pack clay in minutes.

After a good little roll and a feeling of relief that the return to hard pack brought, we came up on fence. We circumnavigated it fairly fast and then were back on the road for a couple of turns.

Foolish me, I wasn't smart en0ugh to notice that Osceola Parkway is a toll road(what an idiot) and then we cut back to the original by pass.

There is a water management department warning to not venture forth, but we had no choice, the paved re route would of been long and boring.

On the other side we rode Combat style, no lights front or rear. After a couple of minutes our eyes adjusted, the night got brighter. We could see the parkway to our right and the cars headlights speeding along. To the front there was a big Orange nearly full moon filling the sky. Epic view.

After a quick map check, everything looked as it did from my eye in the sky route check. Everything was rolling fast and before we knew it we were on pavement and then the bike path.

It was very well used and we passed tons of water spots and places to sit and chat. As quick as we hit the path we were on grass again and then Shell rock and then back to pavement to finish up the ride.

It was awesome. Fast, beautifully scenic and challenging, all good elements for a route.

I think I may have a little something, time to tweak it just a little bit.

Take Care,

Laters,

the NaKeD InDiaN

FoRt GaTeS FeRRy ToUr

2011-09-14T12:48:00.001-04:00

"Keep the truck in the middle of the road, seems firmest there"...

Were speeding down the infamous 599 forest road, aka The Dragon tail from CFiTT fame. Its 10pm at night and I am doing all I can to give my girl instructions on how to navigate this wet hilly forest road in my truck and not get stuck.

In the back of my mind I worry a bit, but try to calm my nerves by reminding myself that the conditions are not all that bad and that Edith for sure can handle the return trip to tarmac.

When you have to actually work instead of ride for a living and you still yearn and crave the adventure that comes with off road touring, you have to do crazy things like getting dropped off on a sandy wet fire road in the middle of the night.

Curt Reffner should have already made camp by now. He rode out from his house, because of my other obligations and because I wanted to have dinner with my girl before I took off for another weekend long adventure, I had to meet up with him at the stealth camping spot instead of rolling out together.

The entire ride out to the forest after we left the Cuban Restaurant was filled with mental checklist that had me prepared to get wet or soaked the minute I stepped out the car.

Alas, it was all for naught as not a drop of rain caught my brow. I gave my girl a big hug and kiss and watched as she drove away asking her to text me as soon as she hit the pavement again.

I rode out following the green breadcrumb track I mapped on my etrex when it turned off and refused to turn back on.

Angry at the fact that my very expensive and essential toy was malfunctioning, I carried on. I knew everything and where I was going on this route all the way till I crossed the river on the historic fort gates ferry. By that point I should be able to access map my ride and glance and look at the track and follow it, plus Curt had his track and gps as well.

Onward I went, I got the text from "E" and I relaxed. Log hops ensued. Flowing downhill singletrack ensued. Nice little long flat looking climbs ensued. There was alot of ensuing.

I hit the boardwalks that mark the location of our camp for the night and find Curt all set up and comfy.

I say my greetings and get to work on setting up my Hammock. It doesnt take me long to settle in and put something dry on and arrange my gear in the branches to keep it all off the ground.

After some conversation, we both turn in knowing that Saturday was going to be a big day in the saddle.

That Cuban Coffee I had was a fail. It kept me up too long or made me sleep to light. I felt like the forest was alive and teaming to the point that I did not sleep soundly till closer to the morning when the nocturnal citizens decided that it was even too late for them.

I open my eyes and its bright outside. Look through my hammocks mosquito net to see Curt is almost done packing. I jump right out and get to work on packing up, it was 728am.

I really didnt bring any food except for a plastic container full of dark chocolate roasted almonds. AS it was I wasnt hungry, so we hopped on the bike and took off riding after discussing the days plan and options.

So far I liked traveling with Curt. He seemed to be pretty realistic and trusted my ideas on where to go and what to do. We had agreed to hit Juniper for a water refill and a soda and then push on to Silver Glenn. I told him if he had never seen the Glenn he really needed too and it was only about 6 miles round trip.

Juniper went fast, the forest roads were rolling fast I couldnt help opening up the legs and stretching them a bit. Eventually passing an SUV in the process.

We reunited and continued on the pavement. The morning was Humid and over cast with a slight chill. I was actually comfortable in my rain vest. Only one other car was at the Glenn and after buying some peanut M and M's a Coke and a peanut roll, we walked to the waters edge to eat our breakfast. `

Its been a good year since I had been to the Glenn and I noticed that there were about a dozen Turkey Buzzards just hanging around.

I get to my peanut roll discovering that its a pretty discusting candy and start slowly feeding the buzzards. In fact I got them about 3 feet away from me allowing Curt to snap some pretty good up close pictures. They are actually very interesting animals when you get a look.

Not long after I hand fed the buzzards, we remounted our rides and left the Glenn ready to ride more skinny trail. The plan I told Curt, was a hot Lunch in Salt Springs and according to the new maps I have, there is singletrack all the way into town.

I have never ridden this section of skinny in the daylight and was quickly pleased by all the cool things we came across.

A gigantic sinkhole in the middle of the forest. A Huge pond with green water and steep edges all the way around. 20 foot tall hunting stand. I was amazed by how big Hopkins Prairie was and enjoyed the challenge of navigating the 20 plus downed trees that littered the Hopkins Prairie rideline. At times I was forced to dismount but I managed to pedal around and up and over some pretty big stuff.

After several hours of singletrack bliss I could see the road, in my head I was thinking how we pretty much just completed an Ididaride and it was only 1pm.

I stopped in at the usual restaurant that I go too, but they didnt open till four. I asked at the local convenience store if there were other options and was told about Square Meal. Immediately I took off racing, according to the intel I just received it was going to close at 2pm.

We made it in time, ate our fill and the sat outside for a bit talking and digesting our food. We had done about 65 miles already and I was feeling great and snappy and ready to pound out more miles.

We topped our water off and sped on down the forest road following the signs for the Fort Gates Ferry. We didnt know if we would have cell coverage at the rivers edge or if we were going to have to wait for a car to show or try to flash the ferryman with our bike lights, but luckily we didnt have to improvise. I got the ferryman on the phone and told him there were two cyclist needing to cross. He came after 20 minutes of wait just as a jeep pulled up. Either way we would of gotten across.

Once on the other side I managed to pull up the route using the map my ride app and just remembered what streets to follow as Curt backed up the info.

After a little bit of forest road and then pavement the route had us make a right into what looked like a long driveway. Sure enough when we got to the turn where the route was leading us there was a house. The owner came out and asked if we needed help and I explained that when I had mapped the route there were street names on this road and asked if it was all private property.

He explained that it was all supposed to be a part of Whispering Pines but eventually that plan was cancelled and it was parceled out. I asked him what was the quickest way to get to Whispering Pines since I had seen the name on the map when I had looked before leaving the fish camp ferry station. He then gave us permission to cut threw his land cause that was the fastest route and it felt like the score of a lifetime cause we were able to follow the dirty route and we had permission.

The route continued to be sweet, even the pavement was nice and after a break we started crossings Lake George Conservation area, a section I had done before when I had rode to Ft Gates, but I took the shorter more northernly route across. This was when we encountered the sandiest section of forest road eventually requiring us to take a small break once we finished our traverse to let our legs and lungs sync up again.

Eventually the route wanted us to turn left but it seemed like a dead end so we continued straight and took pavement. I told Curt once we hit the convenience store, let's look at the route, cause he had suggested that we should be able to avoid 40 almost entirely and get to Astor. I was all for that and it was pretty easy to follow google maps while riding and we managed 10 miles riding side by side without a car every coming up behind us. I declared it HERO TARMAC.

In Astor we crossed the river to eat at the Black Water Inn. The food was fine and Edith came and joined us, we even had some Celebratory Alcoholic beverages. Very good times. We took a Lil longer at dinner knowing we only had to ride 4 miles to the camp spot I had picked out. Apparently at this little park they had grassed in and outlined in rocks a little picnic spot peninsula. Very pretty during the day, I figure it should be beautiful at night.

We made it to camp quick. It was the perfect dessert after our dinner and I suggested to Curt we camp out of view and found a natural tree formed cove were I could hang my hammock and he could set up his tent.

It was 930 or so and I fell asleep fast. We had done nearly 100 miles that day and if you had told me I needed to continue I gladly would have. I daydreamed as I drifted off to sleep that if I keep improving like this, I am going to be tough to beat at the CFiTT.

It was 530 am when I opened my eyes and I felt rested and ready to move on. I packed up the bike fast, in ten minutes I was ready to go and did everything with time to spare and watched the River Swallow the moon while I waited for Curt.

15 fast miles later we made it to my girls house at 730am in De Leon Springs. She had coffee ready and made us delicious Omelette's to fill our bellies, it was by far the perfect way to end a nearly perfect tour.

Zero mechanicals, 118 miles, 13+mph avg, perfect weather as well. What more can you ask for??

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

DoUbLe TrOuBLe

2011-09-05T10:20:00.002-04:00

My first Dream bike was that Salsa Mamasita two niner.

Why was this bike so spectacular?

The Scandium mixed with the Carbon seat stays really made for an extremely comfortable bike.

Now I am riding "Beast Mode", which is an awesome ride. Sure its Aluminum(poor mans titanium), but Specialized has done a fantastic job of dialing in the geometry on their 29Er's and the thing hammers and climbs and descends, just exactly what I need it to do.

BUT, its currently not as comfortable as My Mamasita was. Even though were probably talking about a total of 24 inches of Carbon from one bike to the other I have initiated operation "make it more compliant". At work I have been slowly making a list of the carbon bits that I want to swap out on my bike. I found a huge special on an S works carbon stem, A Lil longer, which is good for my wobble naught fit, and a little lower, again good for my fit.

Slapped it on my bike Wednesday. I also want to get the Carbon version of my bars for my bike and the FSA mini Carbon aero bars and either a Carbon Seat post or a moots Titanium seat post. Even considering putting on a Carbon fork for my next Tour Divide attempt, all in the realm of possibility.

So let's do the math. The 24 inches of carbon that I am missing can easily be made up by replacing all these items.

BUT, you know how things go, this is an experiment and I may be wrong, LOL.

Friday at Work a customer came in that's new to mountain biking and a regular. RaFa really wants to do a ride with me. He does not know who I am, meaning, the blog, or the accomplishments or lack there of, or the Singletrack Samurai Productions thing, but he still wanted to ride.

I had planned a ride with Mike Rittenhouse, a Lil resistance training, since he has been putting in the pavement miles in prep for the CFiTT and now wants to incorporate the dirt. He also told me about his "hill workout" so I decided to take him on the Hilliest West Volusia Mix ride available.

BUT, my life is not ever so simple. If anything, the new job leaves me more time to have fun and be social and I have been taking full advantage of that. So this weekend was booked solid.

Still I invited Mike and RaFa to ride early in the a.m. The early a.m.

Here is what the schedule looked like:

Saturday, 7am ride, then back to the house to clean, prep for race, prep for Kai's birthday, visit my mother and brother and nephews and then off to my girlfriends mother's house to Celebrate Sarina's Twentieth Birthday. Phew.

The ride started late.

RaFa showed up behind schedule.

And as we made pace on pavement and Dirt, we hit the hilliest section of the route, and they both were pleasantly surprised with lumped throats as to just how hilly Deltona Florida is.

To me, its not so hilly any longer, but the new position on the bike, even though were talking just degrees and millimeters, but it was requiring me to engage slightly different muscles then I was used too, by rides end, I was a Lil sore.

The rest of the day as busy as it was went smooth and I ended my evening trying to go to bed early to make my way to Trevor Busby's house early in the a.m. 630am to be exact, Sunday was going to be my first Lap race in a long time. I told Trev I was available to help if needed, and I was called upon when a team mate backed out at the last minute.

Lately I have been going through some physical transitions as I mentioned in my last post and although I was excited to be with the team, riding as fast as I can for 10 miles at a time is not what I am used to doing. I am used to riding hard with a 70% to 80% effort over 100 or more miles. This kind of racing requires you to go hard at 80% to 90% effort over a short distance, something I have not done in about 3 years.

Regardless, it was nice to joke and hang out with my team and make new friends and see people I have not seen in awhile. Being a part of the MTB community for 11 years, you end up knowing a lot of people and the list gets longer every year.

My new Team Mate Aaron was up first. And he put in the best work he could considering he has never had to sprint and jump on a bike before. Then Trevor who's on the road to recovery, turned out an amazing first lap, and then there was me.

I took off standing, pushing and pulling the pedals, amazed by how much that first grassy climb sucked. Amazed by how Sandy and worn in the corners were. Exposed roots, I seem to remember San Felasco being so pristine, not the case at the moment. I was having to taper back and be cautious in the corners to avoid over shooting or crashing. As it stands I am still trying to learn the side knobs of my renegades and didn't want to lose time on a crash.

Eventually I hit a grassy straight and I see a gone riding arrow and a brown sign that said turtle something and instead of going straight it somehow caused confusion in my brain and I went about 1000 feet or so up a trail to discover I had made a wrong turn.

"Awesome I thought" , upset I made my way back on course and started seeing riders on course. Slowly I made a game of stalking and passing and attacking, all the while thinking that I was going way too hard and my stomach was in my throat. But still, on I pushed, up and over, attacking the flats and the climbs trying to keep my effort under control. Eventually, as I overtook my last rider in the final mile, I was overtaken just a second before the line and I overhear Dave Burger say over the PA system that Orange Cycle and Bikeworks Orlando were locked in a battle?

I did my hand off and the race continued.

I tried to eat sensibly and supplement sensibly as I waited my turn. All the while hoping it would rain to pack down the dusty loose conditions. But it never happened.

My turn came again and I watched as team 590 took off ahead and the same guy who passed me before lap ones end was stuck waiting on the line.

Before we finished the Grassy first energy sucking climb I ate 590 alive.

My plan was to run, run, run. I knew 579 was faster than me and my only hope was to go as fast as I could and hope I could make the lap before being caught.

There I was, really leaning the corners. Really letting go of the brakes, being a Lil less cautious now that I had time to memorize the course.

Then right around 3 miles from laps end, the wind from my sails failed. I was struggling, trying to keep my momentum, but eventually, 590 caught me, then 579 came around and I just did the best I could and made the line to hand off to my team mate. Feeling drained, but happy to be done and off he went.

Luckily my effort to still keep going even though I was bonking and their effort to push fast we closed the gaps and passed 579 and 590.

I stood on the line, after recovering, ready to take the baton one more time for a 9th team lap, and Trevor B who rode a blazing lap, missed it by a minute.

At least we got them back. You have no idea how much I was beating myself up in my head while the bonk was going on. I was echoing in my head, feeling awful how I let my team down. I still didn't stop, I still stood up to climb and I rode till I fell down on the ground after handing off the baton.

The rest of the day was spent congratulating my other team mates who managed a beastly 5th place and other riders I had met that day who had outstanding rides.

It was fun, eating, and laughing and talking to the people that I have met knew and known for so long.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

FaSt FoRwaRd To ToDaY

2011-08-27T12:05:00.003-04:00

Goodness. Really, Huge apologies to those that have faithfully followed my blog and maintained a certain level of expectations about seeing something here at least a couple of times a week.

Truthfully, the Divide was a life changing experience. And when I came back from my failed attempt, I came back with my sights set on changing certain things in my life. One of the major things I realized as I went through all my ordeals in New Mexico that I have worked pretty much full time since I was 17 and I honestly didn't have much to show for it. Let me clarify, I do have beautiful children, and great friends and family and loved ones, but I have no great accumulated wealth, in fact I have great accumulated debt and stress instead.

I read an article somewhere along my travels. It was about interviews they did with individuals who were on their "death beds". And they made a list of the top ten things that they wish they could have done differently. And I cant remember the nine other things they said or better yet I don't have them readily available in my mind, but I can remember one of the things. AND all of them said they wished they would have worked less and played more.

Now some of you look at my past 7 years or so of blogging and think that I Play enough, but in reality what I have done is tried to play as much as I could around my busy single parenting schedule and my ridiculous work schedule. 12 hour days at the minimum every day for 5 days a week adds up and really, in the past 6 years or so I have done that career of cable installing at some points it progressed in a positive direction, but all it has done is gotten more expensive with less rewards.

The time was ripe.

As I got extracted from the Gila by my sandwich, gun toting, GPS having, Mountain bike touring loving friend Lloyd. I began the process of turning the wheels in my head on how I was going to make that change. As we meandered up and down the same route that I had just spent a day and a half trying to conquer I thought about how much easier it would have been to come from the north into this route vs the path I took. Mental notes were made and then and there it was decided that this life long dream of touring/racing the divide would come true and it would be immediate.

I spent the rest of my travel hanging out with Lloyd's family then taking a bus then a train and then finally in My girls arms home catching up and attempting to piece my life together.

Once my vacation was over, the plan was to get a job working with the Bike shop that I have raced with for the past 11 years hoping to do that work in the mean time till I find something I would love more or keep that and find ways to supplement that income using the skills I have acquired as an athlete and ultra racer.

And the ball did go in motion and I got the job and I like it. I really enjoy talking about bikes and helping to keep people rolling and helping people forage into the a new sport.

And I have been riding more. Took the dragons out a couple of times for HTFU rides. Lots of long rides with LIL'r NI, lots of conquering new sections of forest I have wanted to conquer. Rides with Friends, scouting sections of the Upcoming November 12Th CFiTT and adding new sections.

Lil mini tours I was able to exploit at the end of summer involving working and hotel stays and then hilly rides across Apopka to Zellwood to Mount Dora and then buggy nights in the Seminole forest. Triumphant Ocala National Forest Crossing and visits to the Paisley wagon trail and the Ghost Town of St. Francis with no GPS file used, just my memory of the route.

So things have been good but there have been some obstacles. Somehow my thyroid medicine slipped and there was a bit of a medical bump that I have had to deal with. The slip in my thyroid which controls my metabolism caused me to gain some weight and affected my energy levels and I have been slowly crawling my way back from that and trying to get my body back to the way it was, it has been a challenging little road, but like everything I run head long into it.

This past week I capitalized on an opportunity to travel To Georgia and ride in the mountains on some new trails with some friends that I have only had the chance with to ride in Florida and never out of state. Had a great two days of riding in the mountains about 70 miles and saw old friends like Eddie and Dave at the Fools gold before I rode myself into the worst leg cramp lock up that I have ever had and was forced to pull out at mile 42 or 44 depending on who you ask. Someone told me wholeheartedly at sag 3 that we had 14 miles left and after covering 8 painful miles walking and riding when I could cause of my thigh bone crushing cramps, I got to that sag and they told me we had 8 miles left which made no sense. I pulled out there, cause I could barely walk and I could not even bend my knees cause the muscles above them were so locked up.

I rode some long home from work miles and did research on my cramps and nutrition and like all, even though I been doing this for awhile if I can avoid that happening again I will. As it stands I have a rematch scheduled with the Fools gold, not a particularly difficult event compared to the things I have done in the past, but if you go out too hard you can sure raise the challenge level.

On Thursday I had a chance to go see the Red Bull Mini Drome event with my Girlfriend and some folks from work. I was so envious that I didn't have my fixie pieced together to race the event, but I saw some old friends and some great action!

Now, I believe I have caught you all up, sans some details, I have now regained my balance and will go back to the regular posting that I enjoy.

Stay tuned if you like,

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

DiViDe RiDE PaRT FiVe RoCkY CaNyOn to BeAvErHeAd WoRkCenTer

2011-07-26T22:01:00.006-04:00

In the Middle of the night I had to get up to get my sleeping bag.

The Canyon was warm the first part of the night, but suddenly in the middle of the night the temps dropped dramatically.

Another point during the night through my eyelids I saw a bright light, only to peak out of my bivy and see the moon was bright in the night sky.

I would sleep on my one side till I felt sore, and then move to the other when I got tired.

The pillow riddle continued to elude me and swore if I ever spent that much time sleeping on the ground again I would bring an inflatable.

Eventually I opened my eyes and noticed that daylight had finally come.

I got up and it was freezing cold. Immediately changed into warm clothes finally putting on my knicker bibs that I had brought.

As I packed up I was impressed by how efficient I had become with the process and choked down more food. I took inventory of my water count knowing full well that I would have to pray and hope that Black Canyon creek was flowing cause that is as far as I would be able to make it with the water I currently had.

I completed my morning ritual and rolled out. Once again the trail kicked up. I thought to myself, why didn't I camp on top of a climb, but then remembered how cold the canyon had become over the night and it would have been way colder at the top of a peak. Before long I was in my granny gear churning along wondering if it was going to be 8 miles or 4 miles to black canyon.

I could see fresh bear tracks all over the road. That's funny I thought, they were going uphill coming from the canyon I had been sleeping in. Interesting. The next thought that crossed my mind was that I didn't think there were bears in New Mexico, guess I was mistaken.

Onward and upward, till I was forced to walk. The going was slow and my feelings of illness returned. Nausea, exhaustion. I took breaks and did my best to keep moving.

I was trying to eat, trying to keep my motivation up, but all that had happened up to this point had put a harsh crack in my resolve. I could feel my desire for wanting to be out there all alone in the middle of now where feeling ill, slipping fast.

I'm hunched over my top tube after spending what seemed like another straight hour going uphill. I think finally all my ill feelings have reached a peak and I am about to expel a symphonic technicolor yawn.

Just the I notice a truck ascending up the road. A man who is clearly a Fellow Native mature and seasoned stops and ask me if I was OK.

I had to tell the truth of course.

He offered to shuttle me ahead as far as he could, told me he had work to do in the Gila and that was how he could help me out. So I accepted.

My race was finished the instant I started moving forward on the route under powered assistance.

There was nothing I could say. I was not feeling well and mentally the ordeal had hurt me. I was in a different event but got caught in circumstance. I had spent what felt like almost two entire days averaging 3 miles per hour. Mentally I disqualified myself for moving too freaking slow.

And Jorge, eventually turned off the main road to take care of his business and I was back on my own. I felt better. I don't know why. But I did. I changed my clothes, Put on regular shorts put away arm warmers and such, and started rolling again. Started the sacred Gila mountain dance that had me hiking and biking up mountains and down when the downs did come.

I saw signs talking about this being part of the Geronimo trail. I remember when I was a sales coach in one of my past careers I would talk about how much of a bad ass Geronimo was. I didn't think it was any coincidence that I was on the same path of a warrior that I had spoke of so highly so many times.

I passed a resort, counting down the remaining miles to Beaverhead work center.

I finally arrive tired, walking. I see a soda machine and an Old school pay phone in the front of the place. I also see an out of order sign. Ya, a soda would have been too much of a reward...pfft..

There are your typical compose bathrooms with a fresh water pump. Behind the main building was the garages that housed all the equipment these gentleman would use to fight the fires.

I am naive I freely admit, and It seems after spending some time observing the Firefighters that there are two types. The firefighters we know off rush into homes and use hoses to fight urban death traps in an effort to save life. These firefighters were more like Fire Horticulturist experts in chocking a fire to death by digging, using heavy machinery cutting, whatever it took.

The firefighter in charge responsible for caring for all the extra fighters that had come down to assist with the wildfire crisis, fed me, gave me drink and let me make several calls.

Lloyd said he would come get me. Told me things would have been different had I had not such a rough start. And that he would be there in the morning, would I be alright.

I told him of course.

So I cleaned my clothes, ate my food, observed my surroundings and the people around. Spend the day reading Jill Homer books on my kindle. Almost wishing I had started reading the book sooner than that day feeling that reading about her adverse moments made me feel a lot stronger than when I had arrived in my weak mental state.

The night was beautiful. Comfortable. The sky, full of stars. I even saw what I would call a slow burning shooting star. It was a moment of beauty after all the suffering.

Before I drifted off to sleep I even figured out the pillow riddle, stuffing my spare clothes in the stuff sack of my Bivy. Worked perfect.

More soon....

The NaKeD InDiaN

DiViDe RiDE PaRT FoUr PaLoS ALtOs To RoCkY CaNyOn

2011-07-14T10:41:00.010-04:00

That Night was cold. The coldest so far. The first night I didn't even have to use my Sleeping bag, and I tried to sleep just in my emergency bivy alone, but in the middle of the night I had to fetch my sleeping bag.

I am not used to sleeping on the floor, repeated nights in a row. The biggest issue I was having was a pillow. The smarter man would of probably purchased an inflatable version and brought it along, but I thought I could make do. For a moment I wondered if there was some ingenious way I could with my current kit solve the Pillow Riddle.

I added layers and packed up then sat on my tyvek groundcloth and put down some chocolate calories, knowing that if all went well and I made it over the CDT as planned I would be heading into the Infamous Gila forest.

I was not intimidated by what I had heard about the Gila. It would be the first serious off road climbing of the route, but after the TNGA and the rumored Appalachian type nature of the climbs in the Gila I felt it would not be a problem.

Again the day started on a climb.

As I made my way off the mountain I tried to look at the scenery and not obsess on the approaching turn off pavement I could see on the GPS taking me towards the CDT.

Finally I see dirt and I make my way.

Immediately the track turns upward into a wicked 4 x 4 jeep crawler type track. I'm loving it, enter the 22 ring!

I'm pedaling along, enjoying the jagged off road track thanking god that I was riding something that was more a kin to my preferences. Up and over I go, and then, something I didn't expect happens.. I peak out to a mountain top and I am way off track. I think for a second that maybe it was like the TNGA and the green track was not 100% accurate on skinny trail, but after some back tracking, I top out again, descend and then spend some more time searching and searching, this time trusting the green track instead of doubting it.

AND finally, I find the entrance to the CDT!!!!

Excited I jump right in, ascending and riding narrow track with exposed side cuts that punished you severely for any margin of error.

Up and down, a hike a bike here and pedal there I was in Singletrack Nirvana.

I stop to layer down and prepare for the heat of the day that was rapidly approaching. The sun launches into the sky fast in the desert. Amazingly fast.

I continue on the track, enjoying the views and snapping pics watching the green line and seeing where this fun will end, Singletrack is HARD to come by on the Tour Divide.

Eventually the fun does end and the track dumps out into a group campground. I had planned an off route detour to re stock on water. I had intentionally metered how much water I took up and over signal peak CDT to avoid carrying extra weight.

Every pump I checked was not ready, or working. So on I moved and I continued with my original plan. The heat was beaming off the pavement. But it was mostly downhill as I made my way to a section that the map called Lake Roberts. Interesting enough.

I had ridden a couple of miles and was starting to wonder if I would see this ranger station. Just as I wonder I notice a cafe to my left. I approach the door and although its not open it says to ring bell.

I press the button and a bell goes off in the house on my left.

A lady rushes out and ask me what I needed and I ask if I could purchase some soda. She is nice and conversational, and after going through the usual particulars that I usually get about what I am doing and where I am going she ask me how much water I am carrying.

She apparently is very familiar with the direction I am heading and she tells me I don't have enough water. She gets me an extra container and offers me Ice and water for all my bottles, my bladder and the extra empty bottle she just gifted me.

I had a moment of clarity and asked her if she would sell me a sandwich. Frances handed me the menu and told me to order whatever I wanted. Indeed this was a cafe, but business had been slow, but she was more then eager to help out a fellow traveler and adventurer.

Frances was a marketing professor from Chicago who decided she wanted to change her life and come live out there in New Mexico. A better life. She told me stories about other people who she had to save who were bike touring and did very poor planning.

It was the best cheeseburger I had ever had. I ate and we talked, I used the bathroom, paid and left.

Before leaving I soaked my Specialized Sun arm protectors in water, my under shirt and the bandanna I was wearing under my helmet. I put this all on.

For years I have done lots of studying on how to survive and thrive in various conditions and I knew that in the Dry desert moisture gets sucked out of everything so even though it was hot, I was putting on as much layers as I would wear if the weather was cold.

I made my way towards the Forest road that would start my Trek across the Gila. After several miles I turn off the pavement and begin the climb up to the plateau. And just then I hear a familiar sound as my phone starts chiming from receiving voice mails and sounding off from receiving text messages. The symphony of sounds eventually subsided, for the first time in a day and half I had cell signal so I took a moment to respond to messages and make a few calls.

I was already feeling not so good. Was I still suffering from sleep deficit? Had I ate too much to late in the day??? No matter I persevered.

I got up on the plateau thinking the trail would flatten out, but no. I kept climbing. Once the climbing subsided, I then started hitting the absolute worst washboards I had ever encountered.

My motivation was low. My arms were experiencing fatigue similar to ripping out repeated push ups to muscle failure. I got into my aero bars but the position was hard to maintain in the washboards and it was just not as comfortable as I remembered or preferred.

I resorted to weaving left and right across the road trying to find the less washboarded spot. Tried to surf the very edge where the road was smooth, but they sharply graded the roads on the edges to form a drainage and I slipped and fell into the ditch.

This continued for several hours and my feelings of exhaustion persisted. I took breaks. Thoughts of quitting came into my mind and I would eat gummy worms and they would go away, and then I would repeat. I feared my arm fatigue would mean me slipping my grip and hitting my face on the bars.

The day persisted. I would spend hours going up only to finish the rewarding downhill in less than 3 minutes. I kept thinking how much easier this would be coming from the other way, how much more downhill I would have.

It was hard to gauge my progress and where I was on the map. I was really beating myself up cause my progress was miserably slow. Although my pace had been fine at the beginning I had really lost some serious forward momentum this past day and a half.

Its funny how the your own mind will kick your own ass. And I was in full on ass kicking mode. Just beating myself up about it all.

After what seemed like an eternity I was descending when I spotted a campground and a sign that said Rocky Canyon. Along with that sign I saw a car of all things.

I spoke to the campers. Chit Chatting mostly. I asked them how far Black Canyon was and he said 4 miles and she said 8 miles. I looked at the elevation profile sheet and felt at my exhaustion level it was better to just camp. This spot had a picnic table and a porta pottie, why not.

Thinking strategy I felt it best to go to bed early again and see if more rest would make me feel better. I felt so defeated, so tired, that continuing the race was mentally in serious jeopardy.

I had no appetite. I did my best to choke something down and then when I laid down, It took all my concentration to not throw up what I had just ate.

More to come.

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

DiViDe RiDE PaRT ThRee SiLvEr CiTy to PaLoS ALtOs

2011-07-09T12:56:00.002-04:00

I opened my eyes and there on the opposite couch was Jamie Thomson possibly working on something city related.

Jamie is a former Tour Divide finisher, owner of the bike house and city council man and bicycle advocate.

I felt feverish. I looked at my droid, I had slept four hours. I had hoped to sleep alot more but that's what I got and I needed to get going. The plan for the evening was to camp somewhere up on signal peak as I made my way across the new CDT addition to the Great Divide Mountain Bike route.

Before I left town though I had a list of things I wanted to do. Grab an espresso, grab something hot for dinner, grab about 2 days worth of food. The little things.

Everything went perfectly smooth, but I found it so hard to buy 2 days worth of junk food and then carry it all. Eventually I sorted out all my kit and got going out of town, up and up into Palos Altos.

By the time I made the town of Palos Altos darkness had firmly planted itself for the night. I could not located the rumoured spicket. I was feeling incredibly tired still. Just out of gas. Had my Coyote run the night before been too much of a sacrifice after sitting around for two weeks and doing nothing? Would I be able to recover from this? These are the games my mind was playing with me.

I was conflicted I had just spent what seemed like a lifeless trip up the mountain into the Palos Altos and now I didn't much feel like going forward. My clock was all messed up too, technically at 6pm at night I had started day two, LOL. Hilarious.

SO, instead of going forward I followed my own sage advice, listened to my body and pulled into the Buckhorn allegedly the oldest Saloon in the universe. I sat outside for a minute, reflecting. Trying to figure out why I felt so crappy? Was it sleep deprivation?

Just as I am sitting contemplating my lack of well being, three intoxicated gentlemen stumbled out of the saloon, one drunker than the next.

Noticing a guy in cycling clothes with a fully loaded bike always inspires a million and one questions.

So there we are, I'm pulling out maps, I'm letting them lift the bike, I practically laid out my kit for them to look at. One of the guys was worried about my safety and spent a good 30 minutes warning me about fires which I assured him if they were in my path that I would be re routed.

Two more people came out, one of them a cook, and feeling hungry I asked if they were still serving dinner, I figured I was out of energy, at a pit stop, I might as well, eat and have some drinks and enjoy this tour as much as possible.

BUT, much to my disappointment they had stopped serving. I had picked up a Giant Burrito before leaving Silver and I asked if I could eat go inside drink some beer and eat my food. They said of course and I pulled out my jacket and went in and sat and ate and drank and listened to them converse.

I like people watching, I'm an anthropologist so its something that I do often not only as a citizen of this planet, but as a social scientist. And the best way to people watch is for me to blend in the room and be seemingly invisible. As weird as that may sound considering everyone in the place was dressed to be hanging out in a bar and socializing and me all decked out in cycling attire.

It seemed like they were starting to close up and the guy asked if I wanted another drink. I declined and paid my fair, got layered up cause the night had become chilly and went off on my way.

Feeling a Lil buzz of beer, I quickly discovered that the town of Palos Altos was the peak of profile and I went downhill Immediately after leaving the saloon. Then a Lil rise and even more downhill. The moonlight was revealing a forest. TREES actual TREES I hadn't seen TREES in weeks.

I kept rolling on, and then started seeing people who were camping at the Roadside available sites. Kept my pace going and when the road started turning uphill the fatigue started to return. I zoomed out on the GPS and I saw where the turn off was for the CDT. As tired as I was feeling I had to think about the long haul. This was not a 300 mile race this was a nearly 3000 mile epic and I needed to conserve, invest and think about the future.

SO, I decided to try and spot a bivy spot. Kept my eyes open and noticed a spot to set up camp. I hiked across a dry creek to a nice wide open spot next to a rocky out cropping. For the first time I was using the inflatable mattress that Jeff Tomassetti's nephew had been nice enough to lend me. Usually whilst bikepacking in Florida I either use a hammock or hobo camp on benches, I had never used the mattress. Even the first night I bivied at Soldiers Retreat I didn't use a pad, I just laid up on the sand. Thankfully it was very user friendly and after some adjustments and trying to figure out what to use for a pillow I fell fast asleep hoping that some healing rest would re energize me and give me strength for the next day.

To be continued,

Take Care,

The NaKeD InDiaN

DiViDe RiDE PaRT TwO SoLDiErS ReTreAt to SiLvEr CiTy

2011-07-05T11:27:00.002-04:00

I sprung from my sleep like a jack in the box that had reached its peak of full crank and clown music.

Looked around and could see nothing but desert sand in all directions, speckled with cacti and mountains.

It had been 2 hours since I had fallen asleep and I immediately packed my things and did what I had to do to get on my way.

My clothes were covered in salt as was my face. Considering I had been riding all night in what I thought were tame conditions I felt filthy as if I had been wallowing in a sand box at the local playground.

I took a second to soak it all in.

The remoteness.
The crisp chill in the air.
But didn't linger long before I was up and pedaling.

Although I had only slept for two hours I felt very rested, and immediately dug into my top bags for food.

The chocolate was still in a hard state as I pedaled along wondering when this sandy section would end, secretly cursing myself for not doing better route study. Time was just hard to find as my busy life wash drain spiraled into this event.

I continued on and before long I saw a street sign of all things in the middle of nowhere. AN animal that was long like a goat but ran like a deer, two of them tearing off after they spotted me. Climbed some big climbs and then dropped down a sweet canyon before I finally started seeing actual trees.

Some bigger climbs came along followed by some white knuckle rutted dirt road downhills that were bringing a smile to my face, leaving me thinking that finally I was seeing some variety from the previous hours efforts.

Finally I found the end of the dirt and hit pavement once again. I took a bit of time to eat a little more food before my chocolate returned to a melted state and drank some water before riding the pavement section all the way into Silver City.

AS I made my way down the pavement I started to feel fatigued. I didn't know if it was the fact that the temperature had gone from cool to hot so fast or the fact that in the past 30 hours I had only slept two, but I was hurting. It bothered me that I was hurting so much so early into this 20 plus day epic.

I was contemplating all this in my head when a car sped by and quickly stopped. I wondered if I was already being SPoT Stalked, but that wasn't the case at all as I saw Lloyd's familiar face emerge from the car.

He gave me a run down of everything I had done in the past 14 hours, which I smiled at, and asked me if I was OK, before he jumped back in his car on his way to complete the errands him and his wife were performing.

I cant say enough about Lloyd, truly a superstar. A Former Sheriff for the entire area, Judge, etc, this guy was all around Bad to the Bone.

The climbs were long riding into Silver City. I kept thinking wow, this would all be downhill if I was coming from the north. But I kept the cranks turning and geared down intently looking at my GPS and that way point that let me know I was getting closer to my goal.

Here I was climbing what seemed to be the longest climb of all stretching for what seemed an eternity. When I got to the top I felt dazed and dizzy, dismounted from the bike and literally sat there on the hot pavement with my eyes closed hiding behind my bike since it was the only form of shade for miles and miles.

I couldn't understand why I felt like warmed over crap so early in the race. I was hungry but couldn't eat, thirsty but tired of drinking so I chalked it up to sleep deprivation.

After a few moments I commanded myself to get up and go forward. And just like that I crested the hill and off in the distance maybe a mile or more away I could see a gas station/convenience store. The only thing I could think about was getting a DR. Pepper. Yes, sugar and caffeine that's what I needed to recharge my body.

I got to the store ran in and bought a giant Dr. Pepper. I asked the lady behind the counter how far was Silver City and she said, its right at the bottom of the hill. Wow, I was not even a mile away and it was all downhill.

I rolled into Silver City at 1030am, turning left towards the Gila Hike and Bike shop to have my Rear Derailleur adjusted. That took no time at all, and I backtracked to where I had turned off to sit down and eat a gigantic burrito and drink even more sugary laced caffeinated beverage.

One advantage to having been stranded in Silver City, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and after my meal I pedaled toward the hostel, greeted and chatted with the people inside as I washed my clothes and took a shower before laying down to rest a little more.

It had been a LONG night, and although I was not 100% satisfied with my effort it was time to attempt to recover from the pain I had experienced on my way into town.....

Part 3 Tomorrow,

Take Care,

The NaKeD InDiaN

DiViDe RiDE PaRT OnE AnTeLoPe WeLLs To SoLDiErS ReTreAt

2011-07-04T10:52:00.009-04:00

There I sat in the Lobby of the Comfort Inn all dressed up waiting on UPS and FEDex. Both companies were locked in an Overnight delivery battle, unbeknowst to them.

UPS won, and my Cargo Net showed up first.

Fed Ex second and I Installed my pedals and finally after 4 full days of waiting I had finally put my bike back together, although with a set of borrowed pedals and a lent front wheel.

As I rode around the parking lot the Aer0 bars just didn't feel right. They felt off center or a little too low, I really couldn't nail down what adjustment I needed to make to make them feel as sweet as they once felt when I had them installed on My Mamasita. As it was I didn't have much time to tinker with it either as I needed to make sure I had my last hot meal for what till I made my way back from the border to Silver City.

Circumstance is a funny happenstance, and be things as they made, the week before I left I tapered off the bike and then, little did I know I would get another full on rest week before I could roll out. I was happy nonetheless cause I finally got my bike and I was feeling so foolish and so sad about everything that had happened.

Those first few days I spent waiting where an endurance test all of their own. I would spend all day and all night listening for the bus' breaks and then sprinting from my hotel room to the Grayhound out back, with my heart full of hope, only to be let down when I discovered I was still bike less.

Eventually I got so so tired of that process of let downs after let downs that I left Lordsburg and decided to put all my faith in the hands of the universe and see what dreams may come. My time table was tight, and my patience was gone.

So, regardless that the adjustment could not be made to my liking I ran across the way an scored a big meal of nuggets and fries and sat and ate and chatted with a guy who wanted to do the same ride I was doing but on a motorcycle, access permitting of course. Either way, whether motor powered or not the route would be nice to do.

He was a gold miner of all things. AND eventually he wished me luck and was on his way and Lloyd showed up to give me a ride to the border.

I was all a ball of Nervous anxiety but I tried to keep my cool. I did my best to not think how horrible things had gone up to this point. Did my best to dismiss the feelings filling my head wondering why after so much dreaming and preparation the Universe would feel fit to throw me such a huge curve ball minutes before embarking on lifetime stroll I had long desired.

Lloyd and his clan are truly the salt of the earth. Enthusiastic about the route, he probably day dreams more about it more than I do, but alas, as I have the actual ability and chance to out and do it, He admitted to me that he did not. Sure he may be able to ride some of the flatter sections, but his health would not allow him to ever complete the route as its laid out from either north or south.

Before long we were on the stretch of pavement that last a good 65 miles and takes you to the border. Seemed like every five minutes we were passing Border patrol agents of all types. AND as I counted down the mile markers and listened as Lloyd imparted his detailed knowledge about that part of the world, I saw in the distance Antelope Wells, rapidly approaching, knowing full well that I would finally, after all I had been through, get to start the adventure I had longed for.

Once we arrived I packed up my calories consisting of chocolate candy bars, I looked at the time and saw that I could easily start at 6pm, there was simply no way I was going to sit at the border for 2 hours to wait for my advertised 8pm start time. So I went with it, got ready, got saddled up, had Lloyd take my pic and I was on my way, finally rolling north.

Immediately the first thing I noticed was that it was damn freaking hot and this cross wind from the west was already dragging me down. My legs who had not put in any real efforts in two weeks were sending messages of complaints, but I kept the pedals going.

Instantly my chocolate melted, not something I had planned at all, but still, I did consume a good 1200 calories so I had plenty of food in my stomach to last me at least a good 50 miles and if needed I had plenty of body fat built up on purpose to push farther without food. Not all my calories were chocolate either and after a few hours I opened up the bags of gummy worms I had and began consuming those bit by bit.

When I was traveling perfectly north, my pace would be massively impacted by the winds raking across the flat desert plain. But when I would go north east, my speed would be equally increased by the deflecting crosswind.

Quickly I watched as the sun started descending to my left and to my right I could see that the moon, a full one at that was starting to climb over the summits of the tallest peaks. I didn't even know it was going to be a full moon that night and was pleasantly surprised and full of child like joy that I would get to ride in the full moon light.

It seemed like every 15 minutes I would have to stop to speak to a border agent and explain what the hell I was doing out that late and where I was from, etc, etc. BUT I felt safe knowing they were out there watching and doing there job.

There were cows everywhere. Bats, flying their crooked sacred dances in the sky all around, the biggest I had ever seen. Jack Rabbits with tall sail like ears sprinting in every direction, and my progress was quick, and my energy was high.

Its funny how sometimes I have these great moments of clarity. I had over 1000 calories of melted chocolate, but the night air was cooling down exponentially fast. So I decided to zip open both bags hoping the chill of the night would reconstitute my food, an activity I named "leaving the fridge door open".

I was stopped by a border patrol agent once again and asked him if he knew of any publicly accessible water spickets in Hachita. He said NO, but then said, here and handed me a cold Gatorade from his cooler. I attempted to refuse the offer, explaining the race rules, to which he responded that I didn't know he would be there and that he would offer this cold drink to anyone he would see along the desert, so no rules were being broken.

In Hachita I did a hard target search and found no public water sources available at the time I was crossing. I had decided long ago, that I wanted to get going the first chance I got and it just so happened that the first chance I got was at night. In contemplating that I only saw positives, as crossing that hot wide desert plain in the middle of the day without taking the necessary precautions could prove to be a painful experience.

There was a grocer that would open early, but I had plenty of supplies to get to Separ and beyond if needed. I had been careful to plan enough food for the trip to Silver City and only needed one water top off in the 125 mile distance.

I found a remote electrical source, but NO water source and quickly made my way further north to Separ. I was sure that the Continental Divide store would have supplies.

Finally after 60 miles my tires were crunching dirt as I made my way onto the Service that ran parallel to Interstate 10.

Not long after I rolled into Separ. The parking lot was full of Semi Trucks parked for the night. I found the water pump on the side of the building and let the cold water run for a bit before filling all my bottles and my bladder. I ate chocolate and watched cars roll by, thinking that this bench would be a good place to sleep till first light. BUT no, that was not the plan, the plan was to pedal all the way to Silver City.

I rolled out again finally on Dirt and no longer on pavement for a good long while.

The Tall Palmetto pointy trees that lined the dirt road looked like Conquistadors holding lances. On the Horizon, several times I thought I saw, Ceremonial Adobe round houses. But all were mirages, my mind playing tricks on me. I was a little surprised that I would be seeing such things, but maybe these were the circumstances that Desert riding facilitated and a necessary part of the experience.

I was a man on a mission, big ringing everything since I started at 6pm, and attacking every small rise that came across my path.

Up and down, more riding into the distance that seemed to have no end. It all reminded me of riding the Ocala National Forest in some strange way, and it brought back memories of riding the Lake Okeechobee scenic trail. I thought of my friends, I thought of my family, thought of Rob and things from the past. And then I noticed I was weaving all over the road. At some point I had become dazed and had reached a point that I felt the only choice I had was to sleep for a bit and not risk a silly crash.

On my way to the start, Lloyd had told me to watch for goat heads and thorns if I needed to get off the road, I scouted a clean spot, threw down my Tyvek Ground cloth, rolled out my bivy and instantly fell asleep.

Part two tomorrow,

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ThE RuN of THe CoYoTe

2011-06-13T23:25:00.004-04:00

Round these parts out here in the wild wild west, they have these fellows that run in the night called coyotes.

These fellas are not related to Harriett Tubman, nor is this an Underground Railroad. From what I hear, they are pretty awful people, but personally I have never met a Coyote.

BUT, I am the Naked Indian, the Singletrack Samurai, to me a Coyote means something else all together.

To me there is a lot of spiritual power in the medicine of the Coyote. To me it symbolizes the spiritual energy of the first leg of my journey.

And my Journey did not start with an ill fated bus ride. IN fact, if my journey begins at 1, then the bus ride is negative 10 all leading up to these unfortunate turn of events.

Monday, after calling greyhound to check on my tracer they said, its best I fill out a claim as they know nothing. I called the Local Office, just grasping at straws, and found out that my bike had showed. Minus the front wheel.

I updated the world, calls, texts, status updates and then took off like a bullet for the bike shop. At the bike shop they put me in Contact with Jeff Reese who not only loaned me a wheel to use, but also re Stans it and gave me a ride to the Corre Camino Bus service that gave me a lift back to Lordsburg for $2.50.

In Lordsburg I recovered my bike, began putting it together, only to discover that I was missing a pedal. It must have fallen out of the box. So crisis not adverted. Its awesome to be a part of such a supportive cycling community.

That morning I had received an email Greg Houston, owner, operator and creative mastermind behind f3-designs.com , who offered me an entire bikepacking kit, bags, everything to get going. This is the kind of community I am a part of, a complete stranger, who came of knowing of my existence through this Blog, wanted to help. Amazing.

After trying to contact the person who Jeff had set up for me to stay in Lordsburg, I was unsuccessful and needed a physical address as matters where time sensitive so I broke down and got another Hotel Room at the Comfort Inn.

As it stands, Edith sent me the cargo net I was missing. Chris Plesko sent me the pedals I needed. I called Lloyd, local Antelope Wells Shuttle runner, and he will be taking me to the start today, around 5pm, with an 8pm expected start time.

Like the Coyote, I will ride into the night. Eluding the Sun, finding the cool weather, and riding all night long, right into Silver City, where I will camp, restock, then Roll again towards Pie Town, chipping away at New Mexico, until finally its behind me. O, when will be that be, Hopefully before the end of the weekend.

I will post when I can, and update you from the trail as much as possible. If your not my friend on facebook, just look for me, facebook.com/singletracksamurai.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

LeMonAdE

2011-06-12T16:04:00.003-04:00

Yesterday's eve was rough at first.

I arrived at Silver city, not really knowing anyone, not really feeling comfortable. Stranded with the most bare minimum of supplies wears heavy on the mind. Combine that with the potential lost of the things you really worked hard to put together to conquer your dream and the mind starts to crumble under the weight.

I had a very weak moment. Thinking, What's the message in this most recent turn of events.

I lost all yes. But I didn't lose my GPS, nor my maps, nor my charger a half of my cell batteries. I still have my helmet and my cycling shoes along with my cycling clothes. So whats the message, again is what I am left thinking.

Obsessing about all the things I should have done different is no help at all either.

But yesterday EVE, my morale was spiraling and all I could think of was what the easiest way home would be, time to pack it up, FATE has spoken.

Andrew, who lives at the Bike Hostel and Jared, started hanging out with me and we spoke and we laughed and joked, and I started feeling better. Crisis adverted.

That eve, Andrew invited me to go to Pinos Altos to the oldest Saloon in the world. We went, had drinks, hung out then headed back.

The bed they gave me sits on the second floor where the Art Studio is located, and then perched nearly 12 feet off the ground sits the bed way up high, 3 stories from the level ground.

I slept like a rock in my high nested perch.

Got up today, got dressed and headed out on a bike That Andrew lent me, and rode down to have my first real cup of coffee. Rode around some more, stopped in at Hila Hike a bike, and then checked out a park and now I am sitting at the coffee house listening to Older Mature Hippies beating drums and playing guitars.

Not bad I guess.

You know what they say, when you get Lemons, Make Lemonade.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

WheRe Do We Go FrOm HeRe...

2011-06-11T11:53:00.002-04:00

I am supposed to be doing some hardcore pedaling right now. Instead I am in the business center of the Comfort Inn with no bike and no bikepacking kit.

For those that don't know, somehow my Greyhound experience has turned into a nightmarish ordeal when I arrived in Lordsburg New Mexico and my bike that was boxed along with my bikepacking essentials and my front wheel did not.

I honestly didn't even think that in the entire realm of possibility that this was possible. Thus I didn't have a contingency plan nor did I engage in 'hawk eye' observance of my luggage handling. I believe I took it for granted that this company could deliver me and my property safely to another location.

I indeed was wrong.

In retrospect it was a poor choice I guess to have chosen them and expected them to do what they are paid to do.

At this point, I pretty much am done crying about it ( I cried, not gonna lie) and I am in the process of initiating plan b.

I do have a back up kit, albeit not as refined and not as perfected as my original it should do well enough. I will have to ride a little harder and move a little faster to stay in front of any dangerous weather. Basically whereas in my previous kit I could handle serious rain and weather down into the 20's, with this kit, its more like down into the 40's. I guess maybe I can supplement that with good ole fashion news paper and plastic bags which I am not opposed to doing.

Greyhound will have to pay for this big time. There is no way that I am going to let their little policies and procedures dictate how I will be repaid if my bike and my essentials never appear.

I don't care what they say on the phone, I will get an attorney if I have too. It took me years of day dreaming, years of practice and years of experiences to culminate to this point in my life. Only to have my dream significantly handicapped by this company. It is a disgrace that they cannot do their job well enough with such a large Item, that I am inconvenienced in such a devastating fashion and nothing has been done on their part to assist a person that only has the clothes on his back and is for all purposes Stranded. They will pay, no matter how long it takes, war will be confirmed to be declared if my items never show and the this harsh mishap on their part will not go unpunished or unpaid.

So I am waiting for a Nice Gentleman that Matt Lee referred to me to take me to Silver City.

Once in Silver City I will make a couple of more calls to salvage my Plan A and if that does not manifest then I will fire off plan b and have a back up kit, a bag and a bike that is kinda broken, shipped to me so that I can finally and hopefully start pedaling towards Canada either Friday or Saturday.

Will I get to do the entire route all depends on the fact, that after I am done with Daddy Play time I have a family to support and bills to pay. My measly vacation pay was minimum wage for two weeks and the budget is tight and now it has grown even tighter.

Once In Silver City I will stay in a Hostel that Matt referred me too and slowly compile a back up kit, and slowly take off on the adventure of my life with the plan to ride as far as I can OR, if I decide to just suffer for a couple of weeks without money, finish this beast.

I Never would of thought this would have been possible. The transportation of me was fine, I trust Greyhound to transport a person, but never trust them with something you really need that you cant physically handle the entire time yourself. Lesson Learned, but they will still have to pay.

Ok, well I figured y'all wanted an update,

Not a happy post, but the show must go on, I am all dressed up and I need to do something with all the sacrifices and planning I made.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

PiMBaR

2011-06-06T22:36:00.004-04:00

Tradition.

Everyone should have one.

We round here have one we call PiMBar.

Its a bike race, adventure race, fun race.

Its a hell of a day on the bike, fun in so many ways.

For several Years, Mucaro MTB dot blog spot dot com and I have wanted to have what we would both call a good showing and for years it has alluded us.

First cause I was not well, then him, then me, then this year, not even a day before my PiMbar departure, I was feeling ill.

The whole way up to the race, I was a mess.

"Again" I thought.

"another year".

I hung in there though.

I just had to deal with what I had to deal with, in fact I was more concerned with my kit for the day.

I went with no backpack, putting all my emergency gear in a rear Carousel Seat bag.

I decided on Two bottles in the Feedbags and two bottles in the frame, no frame bag.

The bike was light and at 27lbs I thought I had done a great job with my kit for the days race.

When Rob and I got to Pisgah Forest Late that evening, I was feeling a little better, but was caught off guard by how cold it was.

So cold in fact that I decided not to put up my hammock and just car camp so I could get the most rest possible.

The best way to treat or prevent a cold is with adequate and replenishing rest.

The next morning I woke up, took some Day quil, ate my food and got ready to go out and have a spectacular day in the forest.

The TNGA was the last time I did any real climbing, admittedly I was nervous.

I had done the TNGA with only 18 gears and I had the opportunity on this day to finally test the BEAST in the mountains and try 30 gears on the climbs.

The morning went smooth. The registration fast. Was nice to see all the people I had not seen in a year. I really like them folks, gives the event an 'home away from home' vibe.

Eric and Erinna are an inspiration in what they have done for the Mountain Biking community and I fully admit, I was motivated by his skills and effort into doing what I do down here with Singletrack Samurai Productions.

Before long maps were handed off and even faster the start gun went off and we were told to read the passport before leaving the parking lot.

We did, and it paid off, big time.

Luis is a smart guy and tons of fun to be partners with. Usually I let him pick the route. And I am cool with whatever he comes up with. This year I recommended we hear what the other guys wanna do and shadow them. Less thinking for us, more fun to just ride, we went with it and it worked out well.

All was going smooth, in a matter of moments we were at checkpoint one. My climbing was going well, and I was pretty happy with it. As the day went on, I realized that it didn't take long to remind my legs of them 368 miles I did across Northern Georgia in the mountains.

When we were almost at Checkpoint 3 we came across some familiar faces, Rob Roberts and Mike Kanning, PiMbar aliases, BLACK OPS.

Rob had a furrowed brow with a look of concern, but was happy to see us as well, whereas Mike Looked frustrated. It wasn't long before they revealed to us that they had not read the passport and had not turned in the required Wooden Nickel before leaving the lot instantly getting a 2 hour penalty. Their race, was in essence a done deal, unless they pulled something BIG off.

We completed the checkpoint and continued onto 3 when I noticed that my head set would not stop klunking.

I stopped to make a repair and noticed that my star fangled nut had folded sideways inside. Luckily with help from Mucaro Mtb dot blog spot dot com and Rob from zero Horsepower, we were able to make a repair and it was literally good as new. I had my tour divide repair kit with me and luckily I did, cause the pliers on my squirt leatherman turned out to be the key item to a successful non bike damaging repair.

Black Ops decided to join the party wagon as it rolled across the beautiful landscape of pisgah forest. For once I actually took the time to site see as I whittled away the miles. For once I actually enjoyed the repeated cool creek crossings, and the conversation and the laughter. I was having a blast.

We popped out on the road, finishing our team trek as Black Ops took off for a potable water refuel and a compost porta potty assisted nature break. We finished off our break and rolled on. It was nice to be on a gravel road and my reawakened TNGA legs were just chomping up the terrain in such a pleasant fashion, that I was once again, caught up in the beauty of my surroundings and sounds of the bike as it crunched away gravel undertire.

As we emerged from a climb there was a respite on the hill, grilled cheese sandwiches and cokes, but by the time I arrived, there was no coke for me, and miffed I insisted we push on.

A screaming fun, team downhill later and Black Ops continued to their business and we split off with Rob and Rich up and up to the next checkpoint.

Again my pace was relentless and persistent and it was sheer pleasure. You have them days where everything just comes together, and I was having one of them days. Sure I wasn't on any kind of level that would of won us the race, but there were small victories going on with me, moment by moment.

Back up we went after another nice downhill... I cant remember what the name of the road is. But I knew it was not a long climb and my rhythm was right. I got my 22 ring up front and started putting in a perfectly balanced tempo. Not too hard, not too soft. Legs moving just right, not spinning, not mashing and started picking up speed.

I Pass Team Rob and Rich. Pass by Mucaro MTB dot blogspot dot com and spend the rest of the climb, with my team mate close behind passing riders all the way up. I have to say, the moment was exquisite for me.

This time when I got to the Grilled cheese spot, I was so hungry that I ate a ton of potato chips and drank lots of water.

We took off to conquer the 7 mile trek up the mountain to pilot rock.

Again, I was really enjoying the climb, gradual enough that I found the perfect tempo in my 22 ring and just flew up there till we got to the point that we had to do an ' all in your face' hike a bike the final 1000 feet.

When we got to the top we scored our fourth checkpoint, and contemplated briefly with the thought of waiting for team Rob and Rich. But I was against it, I know how much effort it took for us to get up there an Rob had been slowing down all day. I wanted to be done before dark, so onward we pushed.

The descent down the treacherous pilot rock took a long time as I carefully picked my way through the technical boulder rock strewn mountainside. Sharp tight, heavily penalizing switchbacks and super long 500 foot rock gardens. How quaint.

I made it to the bottom and without a break I was in the big ring attacking the course. It was time to chase who we could chase an beat who we could beat.

AND the attack was merciless.......

Till I ran out of food and water,........

And then it was a painful slog up pressley gap. Then a slog to the top of black mountain for the final descent. I was so starved all the sudden I was having to take the downhill slow cause I was having trouble focusing my eyes on the terrain.

And then, either my system found a good pocket of body fat to burn or that last bit of peanut m and m's I ate before descending clawhammer took hold, cause I started feeling myself again and was able to really attack the downhill.'

Down to the finish we were chasing team downs, completing our final passes 'Radical Rick style' on the fastest sections of lower black mountain determined to get as many spots forward as we could before the races end.

We crossed the finish line, completing our mission and finishing happy and strong and ready to eat.

That night the celebration was short.

There was more internal celebration going on as I dozed off while watching Ride the Divide on my droid, feeling like a champion for conquering the PiMbar to my level of satisfaction.

Thanks Luis for being such a heck of a team mate and competitor.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

BaY to LaKe RiDe

2011-05-19T07:52:00.006-04:00

The Transflorida project persist.

It does.

I mean it.

Rob and Mike Kanning have been working hard at making a mostly off road route from Downtown Tampa by the bay to a section where we could pick up the other half of the TransFlorida.

To make a Long story short, they did it.

Yes they did!

In keeping with shorter long stories, it was rad as well.

BUT, I'm sure you don't look at this blog for the short story, nah, you look to get all the details. So here we go.....

It was an early Saturday for us, Edith, Shelby, LIL'r NI and I packed up the car bike and all heading towards a Soccer Game in Winter Park Proper. It was one of the Shelby's Last game and I had not been to a one so I was anxious to see her in action.

I was also APPALLED that they were playing 6 on 6 soccer. After a brief and deep discussion with Edith, where I thought 6 on 6 was a disadvantage and she thought it was an advantage, we watched a pretty good match that ended in a tie.(in retrospect I think she is right, but dont tell her that)

After the game we went to Mellow Mushroom. For the first time since my birthday, October 24th 2010, I was gonna eat some grains. And it was Yummy..

After, we rolled out, heading to downtown Tampa so I could meet up with Mike and Rob to start our little overnight adventure.

The plan was for Rob and I to ride all the way to Clermont and for Mike to ride home after coming a certain distance. I wanted to ride all the way home from Clermont as well, I figured I needed the miles ya know.

After some Traffic induced frustration, Mike and I met up, I got changed, said my good byes and we went over to hang out with Dawn before leaving. Soon enough after hanging out for a bit waiting to see Dawn's Dragon Boat team getting a trophy, we decided it was taking too long and rolled out.

Now usually when I tour, I like to ride my ride. Ride my pace, after years of experience this is what works for me. BUT, I made a resolution to keep up with Mike and Rob, and as we made our way on pavement that soon gave way to grassy Levy's and technical under pass bridge crossings. I did a fairly good job of staying in contact.

It took a long time to get out of Tampa, but eventually after finishing up some sweet double track, mike Headed back and Rob and I had to figure out on the Fly how to finish the route. And we did without issue. In the process we rode through a nice neighborhood, and some really nice undulating dirt roads.

Sometime around 10pm or so we reached the Green Swamp and not even a mile into it, with only a mile to go to Rob's pre planned camp for the night, we found an actual campsite with all the amenities and since we were done early, we had plenty of energy to start a fire and have a little bit of fun.

IN the distance I could hear a motorcycle, and I admit it made me nervous, but eventually it faded away. We set up camp, I didn't have an air mattress so I made a pad out of Moss I gathered from around the camp ground. It was actually pretty comfortable.

Rob proved to be the more prepared rider as he pulled an over the head mosquito net out of his bike to sleep through the night. As I laid there with bugs buzzing my ears, I thought that his mosquito head net wasn't much different then the mesh sack I keep on the bike when I need to carry more food then I can fit on the bike. And I got up, pulled it over my head and presto, I had a mosquito net too. Ingenuity is the mother of all inventions, LOL.

I drifted off to sleep fairly fast and slept fairly deep only opening my eyes when sunlight broke the night at 615am in the morning. Since I felt rested and we only had an estimated 35 miles to Clermont, I got up and got dressed with not delay. I ate some chocolate and before long we rolled out into the chilly morning enjoying even more pristine Green swamp doubletrack.

As we got closer to Clermont we hit some super sandy patches and even a long section that I was forced to get off and push on, but it really didn't matter, although I was starting to get fatigued from a lack of water, my spirits remained positive and eventually before turning to the final 8 mile paved section to Rob's house, at the convenience store, I urged Rob to continue as I needed some time to digest and hydrate.

He did.

I must of ate about 1300 calories in about 13 minutes of mostly grain based items.

I paid the price about 10 miles later as I was feeling so sleepy that once I reached Killarney station on the West Orange Trail I had to stop and take a nap.

The lazy bogged down feeling persisted, as I got back up and kept the cranks turning towards my goal.

The clock was ticking and I was feeling so tired, that even the Older people on hybrid bikes were passing me on the bike trail (how embarrassing).

Eventually I reached winter garden and hit the local Coffee shop for some much needed espresso.

I contacted Edith telling her how I felt and she offered to come pick me up, but I wasn't having it, Winter Garden was way too far I instead told her to meet me in Apopka.

I rolled out and the espresso did the trick as my strength returned and my pace was strong and fast once again. It took a good, 3.5 hours to recover from my mornings deficit. I reached Apopka quicker then expected, with close to 130 miles covered for the day, much farther then the predicted 85 miles to clermont (was actually closer to 105).

I learned alot. Enriched grains and I during efforts just leads to sleepy feelings. I thought after the TNGA that it was the amount of calories but its actually the content of the calories that causes that sleepy feeling. The week before at the Tour De Gainesville I ate alot of calories comprised of mostly protein and potatoes and had no crash like what I felt after eating on this morning.

Lesson Learned.

The Bay to Lake ride may soon become part of a system that gives riders the ability to ride from the east coast to Tampa Bay or Break off more north and cross Santos and ride to Withlacoochee Bay, just plenty of options. I really enjoyed the route, and when I'm done with the Tour Divide, and I decide I want to ride a bike again, I will be back to ride it, but next time from coast to coast.

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

FuLLy LOaDeD FeRRy FuN

2011-05-02T14:56:00.007-04:00

At one point all my rides were pretty chaotic. They involved hours of me looking at satellite photos and using the measuring tool to anticipate a turn that may or may no longer exist.

THEN along came Topofusion and the ability to sketch a track was born and for a couple of years I have become arguably one of the top off road route creators in the state.

But recently, I have learned, better said, craved, just going out and seeing what happens. I guess variety is the spice of life.

Awhile ago, Curt Reffner contacted me about doing a mostly off road route that involved a ferry crossing. Sounded like a good time, we made plans to do it, but at the last minute Curt had other pressing matters that needed his attention.

So the ride got put into the archives. And recently, I got my new bike, and recently I wanted to pack it up as if I was Touring the Divide and take it for a run.

So I did, I rode out from Edith's house, using the Dirtiest google map navigation suggestion to Fort Gates Ferry road some 40 something miles away.

As always I was pleasantly surprised by the route I was riding, dirty, scenic, back country,but then I came to a spot that required me to go straight where a fence was in the way. To my right there was a fence as well, but this one was labeled, "conservation area".

I hiked my way into the conservation area, hoped a fence,went through a gate onto some more pristine fire road. Or so I thought. Before long I was amongst big construction vehicles kept following the navigation instructions and came upon the tallest fence ever. As I attempted to skirt the fence in the distance I could see a 4 x 4 pick up truck coming towards me. I kept riding.

As it got closer I started wandering what they wanted, but didn't increase nor decrease my pace. Just then I hear a Honk and I stop to be confronted by a tall guy pretty upset that I was trespassing.

I explained that I was following a route, they got irate, got pretty confrontational, and I told them to call the police.

Eventually, there was a back and forth heated discussion. I was calm, but they were not. They were real upset and they were anxious to see me get arrested for my offense. Eventually, after speaking to the police they were told they could not hold me, so I hoped the fence and left, much to their dislike.

I didn't honestly know I was trespassing and I didn't see any signs saying to the contrary. In fact, I am now pretty educated on Florida trespassing laws and will be ready to educate anyone that attempts to pull something like this on me again.

For miles after, I was expecting to see the Police pull up and give me the business, but nothing. I kept the pace intentionally high, and nothing. Eventually I turned off the main road, and now it became a race against time as I had left late, and had been delayed, I knew the ferry only ran till 530.

And I didn't even need to do all the hauling ass I did. I made the ferry, crossed the river, got to the other side, treated to a plethora of wash boarded forest road. Before long I was in Salt Springs sitting down to food and beer.

I bought some soy candles for my girl and took off after some careful news paper wrapping and packing. I made it to the secret singletrack and started heading towards Sanford where I had planned to camp.

As I rode in the dark alone, I thought about the divide. Thought about all the time I will be alone from the ones I love. My kids, my girl, my family, my girls kids. And when I got to SR 40, instead of continuing on to Seminole forest to my solo camp spot. I turned east towards De Leon, towards my girl, towards home. I figured, I feel good, I feel strong, the bike feels nimble, the test was a success. I got twenty days or more to be camping alone in the forest, I think tonight, I wont be alone, not cause I have too, not cause I couldn't, not cause I was bonking, but because I wanted too.

The event is truly closing in fast and the last thing I need is more camping practice.

So the trip was cut short, about a 10 hour voyage, 95 mostly dirty miles and a Ferry boat river crossing. Thanks for the Idea Curt.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

See

2011-04-24T15:09:00.003-04:00

You ever heard of Mike Curiak?

He's prolly one of the many bad ass Ultra endurance doods out there and he most definetely makes my short list of heroes.

Lot's of my most recent bike builds where inspired by forum and blog post from said individual.

Most recently my new ride, the yet to be named specialized bike I bought has 30 gears.

Years ago, Mike was putting together custom cranksets with 12-36 rear cassette and a 29 x 22 front ring set up. Said the low gears where great in tall mountains. He said, the less you walked the better.

And this new bike I got now totally fits that description as my lowest combo is 22 x 36, I shouldnt be walking much. Two weeks from this day I will test it in Pisgah, but a week past last Sunday I took War on a little exploration ride.

There was no planning involved just a desire to find a dirty route to this spot by the St Johns river.

We used satellite maps on our phones and off we went. A turn here, a twist there slowly making our way to the spot. The grass got taller and next thing we know we came upon a creek. To dirty to wade through with some serious effort we got across via a log. More over head tall swamp grass and another creek crossing and we came upon a fence. To our left was some sweet tight twisty singletrack. We rode the twisty trail for about a mile and it dumped us out onto a familiar forest road. Everything turned out great, but the bushwacking and the on the fly mapping lead us to a snail pace of 5 miles in almost 3 hours LOL.

Eventually we emerged on pavement, bug bitten, and a little tired.

Interesting ride, but the low gears on the bike really worked out well, sure there were times I could of walked faster than I was riding, but it was an excellent adventure regardless, the bike set up with the gears just begs for off road exploration.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TDG10 a DeCaDe Of ShReD!!!

2011-04-18T14:13:00.005-04:00

The Tour De Gainesville is by far one of the coolest group rides/events in the state. It also features one of the best tight knit mountain bike communities in the state. It is unique and special in so many ways, that I am not surprised that its been around for 10 years.

If you are a Naked Indian Follower/Fan/Friend you know my usual Modus Operandi, I went to bed Late on Friday and got up Early Saturday to head up to Reddick I 75 exit and meet up with Rob.

Got there a little late, unfortunately, but It the first time I was taking out the bike and I had stayed up late getting it ready. I may have neglected to let everyone else know but I got a bike with donations from friends/family and fans. Pretty nice too. Not the bike I had wanted at first, but like Edith said, this bike picked me..LOL.

And in true Naked Indian fashion this was gonna be my first ride on it.

LOL, immediately, as soon as we were off the line, I wanted to be in the front group and I was easily able to be in the front group, but I noticed I was having serious fork issues. Eventually, I decided that it needed attention and I went off route to find a shop.

Found a shop we pumped it up, I left, and not even a mile later it was back where it was. Needless to say I was frustrated a brand new bike, first ride and I already having problems. BUT, I got caught up in race mode and doubled my efforts on the route, having to navigate and push till I finally started catching up to people.

And I did, I was in a group again, and on one particular downhill that had my front end clunking, I decided that I need to attempt a repair again. Rode to another shop to check for leaks as my phone support Broadus from bike works Orlando had suggested and I didn't find the leak but I did tighten the valve core. I kept going, only to have it deflate again. So, reluctantly after more singletrack I went to the lunch stop, and saw Brian at Bikes and More and he found the leak (loose top cap) and repaired it. After 4 or so hours of riding and resourcefulness and really touring the town of Gainesville I was now gonna finally be able to ride my bike and enjoy without concern or worry.

I had started the ride with barely any food and Rob gave me some to take. At lunch I decided to Calorie up and wait for Rob, Derek and David hoping to ride with them for a bit.

And we met up, and It was pretty cool, and we got going, but I found quickly enough, that My arms were so tired from riding super buff with a bottomed out fork, I Felt fatigue in them like I had been ripping curls at the gym. The lack of sleep, the low initial start of calories was taking its toll and although we rode together for a bit, I told Rob to push on without me.

But I kept going and rode some of the most beautiful terrain that I had ridden in a while. And before long I came upon the final off road loop, and decided to go backwards so I could ride towards other riders and not long after that I made the finish, happy to be done, happy I persevered, coming away with some valuable lessons that day.

I had a blast!!!

Thanks Bobo and to all of the Gainesville MTB Community and to Brian at Bikes and More, support them, very generous folks indeed...

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

SuRpRisE SinGleTraCK

2011-04-11T08:46:00.007-04:00

I made a challenge with myself to get on my bike everyday and ride for 30 days. So far so good I reckon, but I still don't feel like I am making the time I need to make to get some serious distance in.

Its Sabotage having to work for a living, but regardless, I am not going to cry, I will just do my best.

Saturday was spent entertaining LiL'r NI, Saturday Eve was spent hanging out with Edith, adventuring with a Tappas Meal and the Florida Film Festival. I always wanted to learn about Bobby Fischer and I am now an expert on the history of that entire Debacle.

Sunday was a lazy start. The hours at work are getting to me. I must have some sort of internal stress accumulating, cause after a great day spent at a Farm with food and loved ones, I found the motivation difficult to throw on my Superman outfit and go pedal for a few hours.

But, I went through the motions and decided I would go check out this new conservation area that I spotted up the road a week or more ago.

I got there rather quickly, hit the kiosk grabbed a map. A quick scan of the map showed me that I had about 16 miles of trails I could ride if I rode all the loops, so I set off. I had already started a bit late, but before long I was pleasantly surprised by how sweet the terrain was.

Out there I found an abandoned cabin, super cool, then a cold water creek crossing, how rad is that. New gates, and tons of land to pedal. Twisty sweet track all before me.

But then as I crossed a tall bridge, I got a bit lost. I went through a gate, noticed after a few minutes that I was off track and returned to find the last marker that I had missed. As I made my way back to the tent, I could see off in the distance a dog charging towards me. Whoops, I must of just been on private property, let me get on the other side of this fence so this dog cant get me, and I kept going. I found the markers again. I sat there and put new batteries in my GPS, and I could hear voices off in the distance. Felt a little bad for disturbing them, whoops.

The markers were red and it was WAY dark, more then I expected, I knew that I couldn't navigate the rest of the trail without a light. I felt like a jack ass for not bringing my light. On top of that the GPS had shut off long before I noticed and I didn't have any easy way to back track so I was stuck using google maps and following satellite visible lines to attempt to figure out my self extraction from this predicament.

I pedaled along, checked my position. Got to an intersection, took a chance and finally found some markers. Wondered around for 30 minutes before figuring out that I was not on the right track and went with the yellow markers hoping I would figure out where I was and eventually after riding the powerlines for a long while I found a road that headed towards 415 and looked kinda familiar.

Down the road I went staying in the middle as it was pitch dark.

Before Long I reached an intersection I recognized and then shortly after I was back on the access road to the park.

Once I got on the road, I tucked deep into the freddies and maintained an 18 mph avg till I reached the house.

Although I got lost, I was still feeling pretty good about the adventure.

Monday after work, I had to have my rematch. This time I took my light and was able to further figure out the lay of the land and then some, I see tons of potential for this place.

How sweet it is to add more off road riding to my already extensive local routes.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

MeThOd MaN

2011-04-09T09:38:00.004-04:00

Its Sunday Morning and I was craving miles.

Usually I am the constant planner. Looking at maps, tracing GPS routes and loading them onto my GPS unit. A Benefit of doing all the mapping I have done in the years is that now, I don't even worry too much, I kind of just go for it.

So after discussing with the clan what the plan was for the day, I decided I would get ahead start and meet them at the Marineland destination.

I had no route, but looking over the google maps on my Droid showed tons of promise. There is lots of green space and I am thinking I can make a northern dirty route soon (note to reader, this is how it starts, I look at a Map I see something I get an idea and I put it all together) Possibly pedal all the way to Jacksonville, now wouldn't that be clever.

Anyhow. I decided miles is what I wanted and I didn't have time nor the equipment with me to make an elaborate gpx track, so I told my Droid I wanted to use walking GPS guided directions to get to Marineland.

The response required 48 miles of foot travel at a ridiculous 22 hour estimated walk time, I could make it in less that four.

Rob, when he came back from California, gifted me a portable speaker with a built in MP3 holder that I Carbine clip to my bars. Pretty nifty thing cause it allows me to enjoy my music without having to use headphones. Since My droid is a capable droid, I can listen to my music and he will interrupt to give me GPS guidance.

I set out so happy to be on the bike. The air and the sky where perfectly clear. It was a slice of heaven by the minute. Not even 2 miles down the road, my rear tire deflates rapidly.

I inspect. Flip the bike. Remove the wheel. Take out the tube. Do what I think is a thorough visual and a thorough glove rub inside the tire to try and solve the flat issue. I find nothing, put in the new tube. Inflate the tire, flip the bike, get on and go. I flat again not even 1/4 mile later and I have no more tubes left.

Wow, I'm gonna have to call Edith to come get me two miles from her house??? Nah, I remember I bought a blue tool instant patch kit. They are stickers like the specialized ones and they got lousy reviews on the Internet. I found the hole, followed the instructions, and applied the pre glued patch. I TOOK THE TIRE of the rim and reinspected and found a HUGE piece of Glass. Why didn't I see this the first time??? Cause I didn't take the tire of the rim. Lesson Learned, going forward, when I flat with a tube, take the tire off the rim and inspect.

I removed the glass and I hauled ass.

And the patch worked. In fact, its still in there and working. Gonna buy more, I got like twenty tubes to patch, LMAO!!!

As I rolled along the on the Droids route that was laced with goats and horses, sky lines and small hills, the pavement gave way to dirt. A smile stretched across my face as I crested a small hill and find a big blue lake to my left. This route was NICE! LOL What I work so hard to do, my droid does with precision in seconds.

After a mile or two I was back on Pavement. I settled into the Freddie's and summoned up some sweet Tempo. The music was playing, the weather was perfect and I was ticking away the miles in a very efficient fashion.

Next thing I know, I find a store. My GPS said Cody's Corner. I had been to this store once before Long ago, but I came from a completely different direction. I was craving a coke and some sugary snacks, but the store only took Cash and the door was locked anyhow. LMAO.

I refilled my bottles and saw that in 8 miles I was supposed to reach US1 which would definitely have supplies. No time to sweat the snacks, 8 miles was nothing and it was time to fly.

I reached the US1 store, got 2 bags of gummies, 2 cherry cokes and continued on down the road.

I guess this is my strategy for The Tour, the Race. Its not about actual super fast speed for me, cause I know full well I will not be hitting the start line with my dream level of fitness. The key for me to kicking the Tour Divide in the ass is in the words of the Routes name. I am going to Tour the Divide. Speed Tour. 150 miles a day, Its going to take a couple of days to get used too, but I cant imagine that I couldn't get used to it as long as I stay patient and realistic.
So in preparation, every little episode while on the bike is a chance for me to refine the evolution of my Ultra Riding experience.

As I made my way down the road, the droid told me to turn Right, but I didn't see a road to turn into. I back track after he Demanded a U Turn and found an old overgrown double track road. SWEET!!!

I end up in a Sub Division and a couple of miles more and I am only 7 miles away from my destination. The Droid alerted me that there was an upcoming Toll road and I didn't have cash. I stopped at the bank, and kept riding. I got closer to the bridge and spotted an assortment of blue and red lights. Apparently there had been an accident and they re routed traffic by passing the toll altogether.

I climbed the bridge, up and over, then connected to a sweet bike path, passing riders all the while finally arriving at the beach to Rum Runners a cool breeze and great company.

AWwwww, Success!!!

Laters,

The NaKed InDiaN

The GhOstHunTinG GeoCaChiNg BikEPackInG TouR

2011-03-29T14:30:00.017-04:00

NOTE FROM ME:
Sorry for the lack of post lately. AS always, I been SUPER busy, but I also wanted to let the fund raising post sit up there for awhile, still taking donations by the way and trying to come up with more ways to raise much needed tour divide funds.

The Last time the Dragons and I rode the ST Francis to Paisley wagon trail pain cave connector, EdWARd suggested that we do a bikepacking trip to the Ghost town of St Francis.

I thought it was a great idea and the original plan had been to leave Friday night and do a little 2.5 day trip.

Well, lord knows that I am an PROFESSIONAL ENDURANCE cable guy and I got stuck at work till Mid night that night and It just didn't pan out to go leave after the hellacious day I had.

So the plan evolved and we rolled out from my house midday on the morning of the impending SUPERMOON!

I had been scouting a new and even dirtier connector over to the Enterprise Railroad bed that makes up part of the Naked Indian Route. The plan was to take the Naked Indian Route over to Lake Beresford, hop off and then get over to De land and St. Francis. On the way we could stop and swim.

Simple enough.

BUT, I didn't really think this was a trip that warranted a two rope so I left it at home. Not really expecting to need it or use it. As we did a little fence hopping and got onto the old rail bed, not even 4 miles into the ride, LIL'r NI was already tired.

Ya, I admit, I lamented how long of a day this was going to be. No tow rope meant plenty of waiting and prodding and break taking, but we kept going.

Along the NK route we went and before we knew it, we were making our way along some big climbs in the back woods of Debary, when I spot a Yard Sale sign and tell the dragons to wait at the top of this hill while I ride to it and see if I can buy a rope. I had to do something, I mean we have all day, but we don't have all day... LOL

I come back to find LIL'r NI sitting in the shade, resting and scold him for taking his helmet off so often. I was a little embarrassed with myself how emotional I had been. The past few weeks had been hard at work, and frustrating off the bike. The day I rode 90 miles doing Journalism coverage for the Huracan I somehow aggravated an ingrown hair in my nether regions that turned into a cyst requiring a week of antibiotics and not needed vacation off the bike. All the self imposed and work related stress had worn through my normally patient demeanor and like I said, I was a little embarrassed at how emotional I was being.

BUT, I told the boys, I had no luck in finding said Yard sale and not to worry, The Lord will provide, lets keep moving.

EdWARd had recently dropped 20 or so pounds and has been riding his properly working Green Beast regularly and thus it showed on the ride as he was keeping up with my patient dragon training pace.

But LIL'r NI was way back there, and as we got close to leaving that gravel road backwoods section I spotted an Old Fallen Telephone drop cable and measured out a piece and cut it with my knife and now, 18 miles into the ride, HE was saved from having to work alone any further and could simply enjoy my pedal power.

BUT, the climbs, the heat and the messy mess of soft dirt of Dutchman Bends road make quick work of WAR as he dropped back further than he had dropped back any other time that day. It was funny as we made our way along that road to see a sign that said, "get out or get shooted".
Am I supposed to take such a poorly grammatical warning for serious? I didn't and we made our way to the secret back door to Blue springs. At this point we had 4 miles or less of sandy mess to pedal and once again, It was a elastic band effect as the Dragons and I rolled out together, but the WAR fell back.

Before Long, we were parking the bikes and boys changed into their swim trunks to go for a swim. They swam for about an hour as I people watched and listened to the sounds of everything that was going on around me.

They came back and I googled mapped a restaurant on route 8 miles away.

The miles clicked by fast and I kept War close and before long, we were doing a sweet downhill into Beresford with only a few more miles to go before reaching JC's Lobster pit.

We sat and ate and although the service was slow and the portions disproportionate, we strapped on our lights and headed out to ST Francis. As we made our way along the twisty skinny trail, we kept having to stop cause LIL'r NI was having stomach Cramps. Awesome.

As we got closer to St Francis we spotted a truck on a fire road. Uh OH.

When We reached St. Francis there was two trucks hanging out, and as I politely said Hi, we kept going hiking away from there Country Music, till I could barely hear it and the spirits guided me to a good camping spot.

I grabbed some giant wide ended palm frawns and asked the boys to do the same and we cleared out the leaves and dug a hole.

Soon enough we had a pretty fire going and we set up camp, and hung out, and snacked and talked and listened.

War was tired from riding all day, and he went to sleep and soon enough we all went to bed. I laid there awake for a long while watching Ride the Divide on my phone day dreaming about my impending adventure across the United States.

Eventually I drifted to sleep only to wake up to what I thought was someone walking towards camp. The sound was distinct and for a second I was sure one of the drunken party goers had decided they wanted to harass us, but after sprinting to my feet and shining my light around there was nothing to see.

The night was restless for all, foot steps everywhere, animals and owls singing symphonies that can only be heard when you venture deep into the forest. Although I had no proof, I am sure there are supernatural beings lurking on the old town site of St Francis.

The night was cold and I shivered most of the night, got up fast to build a fire to warm us all up.

After a breakfast of gummies and chocolate we set off to shred some new singletrack that I had not had the chance of riding before. The boys were both moving slow, as they are not used to riding and stopping and riding and stopping.

I was having a blast, enjoying riding something new, taking pictures and videos and once to make it to Deleon to spend time with Edith and Shelby and spend a lazy Sunday resting.

The wind was FIERCE when we hit the road. And I commanded Kailan to pedal as it was pure full body effort on my part to battle the wind and tow 100 plus pounds at the same time.

I chopped the day up into three goals.

Goal one, finish the St Francis singletrack.
Goal Two, reach the final resupply and grab some cold drinks.
Goal Three, reach the Deleon hang out.

Goal one was easy, and fun.

Goal two was fast, but hard.

Goal Three, just as fast, and just as hard as the road to Deleon is riddled with rolling terrain, up and down, up and down. All the while keeping a stray eye to my rear to make sure that Edward was somewhere back there.

Eventually, we locked into a sprint to the finish and Edward used his knowledge of his neighbor hood to beat us to the house. Good job my friend!

It was a great little trip. AND although we did hear lots of things, we didn't get any proof. AND although we wanted to Geocache, once the boys saw that we would have to pedal off route to find them, they were not as interested. Seems like the Geocaches in the Ocala National forest are designed for individuals with jeeps to trudge deep into sandy terrain, not kids or hikers on bikes or by foot.

The bike gave me a cyst, but after this ride, all traces of this cyst had gone.

thank you, I am way behind in my Tour Divide prep and have to CRAM to feel ready for this enormous challenge.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

LiVe To RiDe, LoVe To RidE

2011-03-09T23:26:00.004-05:00

Not Long ago I heard about John Stamstad conquering the Divide in a self supported fashion during an 18 day Ordeal.

My Friend Aaron told me about it, and I was fascinated, enamoured.

That was about 10 years ago when I first started riding Mountain Bikes.

And For the past three years I have been preparing to do the very same thing. Maybe not as fast, but gonna go just a little bit farther then John did years ago.

What alot of you may or may not know is that I am a single dad with custody of my kids. Yes thats right, these beautiful sons of mine which I call LIL NI and LIL'r NI live with me and they have lived with me for the past 11 years.

I am part of the few and the proud but growing clans of single fathers.

And this Father here has a dream. To ride his bike from Banff Canada to Antelope Wells New mexico along the Great Divide Moutain Bike route.

There is no charity. Just a selfish desire to live out a dream.

Over the years I have grown, and blogged about my adventures. Shared about my heart ache and hardships, my successes and my failures.

I have poured out my heart and sould on this blog right here.

With assistance from Rob Roberts I put together The Cross Florida Individual Time trial, Pioneered a coast to coast off road route and this past weekend successfully put on the hardest mountain bike race in the state of Florida. A self supported Mountain Bike Epic called the Huracan 300.

And for all these events, I never asked for a single entry fee. I just asked for the people who were willing to step up and ride, step up and adventure. I put these routes together, with the sole purpose of bringing the sport of bikepacking to the state. Giving our community right here the ability to go bikepacking without having to travel. Giving us the ability to go ride 100 off road miles without having to drive 500 miles. Even got Trackleaders involved and had a podcast created. All this done, with 0 budget and with 0 dollars from participants.

Why?

Cause I wanted to give to the sport that I love so much. I wanted to give something to the community that would last way beyond my years, I wanted to pioneer the development of a sport that was growing across the united states and bring it to my home turf. And like they say, if you want something done, you got to do it yourself.

But folks this is who I am. A generous being who believes in giving. Once when I was on the Swamp Forum, I saw a bike that a poster was riding and with the help of Marcel we coordinated the first ever Frankenbike build. I gave him a frame and the community put in the parts. It was truly a beautiful gesture.

AND now, I have a dream. A dream that I have been wanting to manifest for years. A dream to ride in the hardest longest mountain bike race in the world. And for the past three years I have done nothing but study the sport and prepare.

I have manged to get some money together to go. But you got to figure, I have to cover the expenses of the preparation, the expenses of traveling as well as cover the loss of income while I am gone. All the while training and preparing. Its quite a bit.

BUT in the end, something that I didn't calculate in my complex budget has befallen me.

My bike that I planned to ride in the divide, is in a state that it could not safely complete the route, it is essentially broken. The warranty will not cover it, and I totally respect that, I think wholeheartedly that I got my moneys worth out of this bike. AND it still works, I just don't know if its the smartest thing in the world to be bombing a mountain on the bike in the state its in.

Do you read my blog?
Have you followed it for years?
Have you ever been inspired by it?
Have you lost weight following my nutritional advice?
Have you learned something from my mistake or my successes?
Well If you have then I ask you to return the positive vibes I have sent your way.

For about the price of a cup of coffee a day, I could have a cup of coffee a day or better yet, replace the bike that I didn't anticipate not having for my trip. No donation is too big, nor too small. So far just through a facebook status update, and through the kindness of individuals I have raised 530$. I get choked up and my eyes well up with tears when I think about how generous people have been.

DO I have a fundraising goal? Truly, enough to replace my bike would be all I need. The bikeshop I have rode for years can help me get a super sweet deal that would put me on a new and capable ride and give me extra parts that can be used on the Divide. But all you donate can help me survive during the ride and help me and my sons survive when I return, before my 3 week delay checks start rolling in.( no vacation pay in my line of work)

In fact, all this time, I didn't really know if people payed attention to my online ramblings. For the one's who have already donated I am thankful, touched and will never forget. For the one's who can and will donate I am thankful as well. And for those that can only donate positive vibes and well wishes, heck I will gladly take those too, it all helps in the end.

Lynne Daniels said it would be a truly inspirational thing for me to ride a bike From Canada to Mexico, sponsored by friends, Fans and the Mountain Bike community. I cant say that I don't agree and see the beauty of such a venture.

The donate button is on the side bar.

Thanks ahead of time,

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

The GoNzO TrANs FLoRiDa

2011-03-08T22:25:00.000-05:00

Living out your dreams, to me thats what its all about.

One day, Long ago, Rob Roberts put an idea in my head of a wheel dip to wheel dip coast to coast dirty ride.

And I looked.

AND he looked.

And as it stands there are probably several ways to get across the state, but being impatient as I am, I mapped something out.

SO sometime Last year, Rob and I took off from my house and we did a version of the route.

This particular version included the St. Francis to Paisley wagon trail. I like it, but Rob HATED it. Hate is not a strong word for it either. For a brief description of what its like, for those who have ever ridden Billie bay wilderness fire road, picture 11 miles of that with more hills.

Anyhow, I reworked the route. Finalized an east coast to Deltona connection and used a portion of the Huracan to get to the ONF without using the St Francis to paisley wagon trail.

Months and months went by, and I decided I wanted to go and do the route, this time go coast to coast all the way and finish. I invited a select few.

Rob was out of town on Business, the others either said NO or didn't respond and Jeff Tomassetti said he would go.

After working and re working the departure plan, we finally figured out the logistics and got dropped off a bit late on the coast of New Smyrna Beach. It didn't matter really to me, we dipped our wheels made a video as proof and rolled out.

Pavement soon gave way to back roads.
Back roads soon gave way to parking lots.
Parking Lots soon gave way to double track.
Double track gave way to super buff skinny trail.
So buff that you couldn't see around corners and it was all a surprise.
The big surprise was how nice it was. I had only mapped this using the satellite maps and had yet to ride it, but it was NICE!

A fence hop here, a canal crossing there and before I knew it we were on more dirt roads leading to more fences. But it seemed that each fence just stopped cars from passing thru cause on either side there were roads that dead ended at that point.

We finally reached what appeared to be the ultimate dead end that blocked what looked like an overgrown doubletrack road. Dogs were barking in the distance, howling, carrying on. I admit a little panic set in, but we hopped the fence quick and I encouraged Jeff to go, go, go.

AND he did, but grass got caught all up in my cassette and I was skipping my way all the while to the paved road.

We finally made it to Old Maytown road marking the Longest stretch of pavement for the night.

This turned into my first experience with the Tomassetti Train.

I learned that JEFF is no JOKE. HE can hammer. The road was his home and It took all I had to stay in his draft. When he cleared way to let me pull, all I could do was a little baby pull, and then I would let him back at it. BUT, I hung in there, and all the work payed off and we made it to Osteen real quick, where I needed food and a stretch.

Now we were in familar terrain, I no longer needed to look at a GPS for the next 20 miles.
Pedaline we were, fast and quick along the route. We hit dirt again only to discover the prediction of them building a bike path had come true and the usual old rail bed we ride was a sandy tractor ravaged mess. Sad, but this is something I knew was coming for about 5 years.

Before long we were on Old titusville road, then along the morality trail, and then I look back and No Jeff. I figure he must have had something tangled in his cassette, cause Jeff is an animal.

AND sure enough that's what happened.

I give Jeff this, HE talks and keeps things interesting. BUT I am learning that I have lost my ability to be a good communicator. Shortly after the 7 eleven restock, I thought I communicated that we were going straight on 46. But Jeff took off on the old route. So after several minutes I noticed the mix up, I had to chase him down on International and pedal my butt off, when I was already dead tired, UGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhh...

What did this all equate too...

Bonus miles. But, it also made the ride in a way safer and more dirtier as we took the bike path out to get closer to our planned camp for the night, the Seminole Forest Hiking Shelter.

We made it. I had got a bunch of food and cargo netted it to my aero bars, it was so HOBO, but it didn't matter as I didn't plan to leave any further than camp with my meal. Knowing the Shelter was there, made it so I didn't have to set up my bivy. It made it so that I could get right to work.

My clothes were soaked after riding the Tomassetti Train for 63 miles. So I first laid down my old emergency blanket. Then I laid down my clothes. Covered them with news paper I had poached from the store, then Laid my sleeping bag to use my body heat to dry all my gear. I sat there happily and chatted as I ate an enormous meal of calories and left my drinks out in the grass to chill naturally overnight. AND it wasn't freezing that night, but it was very chilly out.

I slept as well as you could. I admit,I like sleeping in my hammock, but I am all about trying new things.

The next morning all my calories were liquid.

We decided we would roll through the singletrack and then take the green line as soon as we came across it. I took liberties that morning to show off to Tomassetti my secret Naked Indian Powers. I heard voices in the distant and was able to predict what the men looked like perfectly, I astounded myself even.

Jeff really enjoyed the trail and the sights and the beauty of the seminole forest and we constantly chatted all the way to Paisley which seemed to come very fast. At the store we stocked up for the impeding forest crossing. It wasn't till long after that I realized that I didn't eat the Ice cream I bought and I left it in the fridge.

Along the Paisley MTB trail we went, then Into Billie Bay finding the Oddest thing I have ever come across in the forest a 20 Jeep rally. I never expected it.

As we kept going, they stopped and we apparently got too close as we got sprayed with wet dirt. Disgusting. It was everywhere. I learned in the military long ago to HTFU and instead of trying to clean my filthy self I told Jeff that we could clean up at Buck Lake.

We made our way to Buck lake and the oddest thing happened.

I have come to buck lake many times. It is a beautiful place, remote and secluded. NOT TODAY, there were at least 50 college kids. Girls and guys everywhere.

Immediately upon Arrival a guy and a girl approach. They tell us that they have reserved the site, blah, blah, blah. I tell them that we are here to clean up and get water.

Their response...."I guess that's Ok"...

In my head I thought, "you Guess?, You Guess? M-------ah there is no potable water for 20 miles..." LMAO...

Anyhow, the guy, who's name was Mario or something just as cheesy, was a douche, SO, I decided to turn on the Naked Indian Charm and start chatting with his girl.

They quickly walked away after that. AND I cleaned up.

I have been to the Lake many times, but never have I ever gone in the water. The water was frigid, making me think this lake must be spring fed. Which is good.

Anyhow, I cleaned up, ate, got some water and we rolled out on more singletrack. Eventually we made it to Forest road where the Tomassetti train fired up again and I had no interest in jumping on, LMAO. I was pooped and my legs were cramping. I have just started training and my legs were very smoked, chasing Jeff was just not in the cards.

I could see him get smaller in the distance. I was hoping he was enjoying the rolling terrain, eventually we saw a small dot in the distance in the middle of the road. As we got closer I realized it was a man. Shirtless, in Sandals.. Walking in the middle of the ONF. WTF, is all I Thought. Even more surprising was that Jeff stopped to speak to him.

In my head I was thinking, NO JEFF, but, anyhow. When I finally got there I had to interrogate him.

What are you doing out here, no water, no supplies. He assured me he was some sort of kick ass wanderer by telling me about his last wandering session. "I went from blah blah blah to titusville and back, blah, blah, blah." ALL I could think was either he was insane OR he was a drug addict.

Jeff gave him water, which was nice an we tried to give him directions, but in retrospect I think I told him wrong.

O well.

Eventually we emerged from the forest, onto pavement, I was hurting pretty good, I cannot lie. We pressed on, I was tired, I wanted to rest, but forward and onward and cramps and all, we made it to Greenway, then onto the 12 hour where I found my team mates, and called it a day. Sure we could have pressed on, but I thought, this is a good place to stop, a good place to rest, a good place to recover. I spent the rest of the evening, drinking water and eating anything and everything.

It was awesome, finally catching up with my team mates, it had been so long since we had seen each other face to face. So we talked and laughed and had a great time. Eventually they packed and I cleared a spot on the ground and slept like a stone on the soft earth.

The next morning I had a handful of nuts and an apple.

I needed more than that to ride the entire epic plus beyond Haltapa. I didn't want to go to wal mart of course. I have grown stubborn in my bikepacking. Often I don't want to stop for water or food, not a good habit to have.

We were being good 'Leave no trace' campers and throwing away our garbage, when I saw Dave Hawkins and begged him for food. He obliged and we stocked up and rolled on.

The track rolled great, and before we knew it we were about to start the Hell track section. Now to Clarify, the Hell track is only about 1 mile and we call it that cause a mud and over growth form that makes grass and brush taller than you are on your bike. It also has mud that's impassable, whether dry or wet. BUT, one time in the past and including today, there was nothing hellish about it. It happens.

We stopped at subway and had breakfast. I knew we had 30 odd miles left, we notified our pick up and rolled on. Time for the Tomassetti Train. We worked, and at one point, the cramps came back and I had to roll my pace. WE went off road, marveled at the oddity of a western version of Deltona. Which is weird. Up and down we went. Into the soft sand, where Jeff got to witness my sick and well developed sand skills. I waited, and then once again, when I thought Jeff saw me, he didn't and he went off course, this time pretty far. I sat under a tree for a good while till he came along. I felt bad for assuming he had made visual contact with me when he indeed hadnt.

We eventually made it after too much pavement to the start of the final bike path section and Jeff spotted a possible way to get here in the future eliminating some of that road, I took mental Note and on we went to finish with another ceremonial and well deserved wheel dip. 213 miles, some 18 or some odd hours of ride time 44 hours of total time, making US the first official wheel dip to wheel dip off road Transflorida finishers.

RAD!
A dream realized.

Eventually after waiting too long we got picked up and celebrated over drinks.

Jeff did a great write up, which I recommended he submit to a magazine. This is more of a journalistic write up, his was downright poetic. I enjoyed traveling with Jeff, but damn he is fast and it hurt to ride with him. Next time I take him on a trip it will be all singletrack that way I don't have to make him wait so long.

I also learned on this trip that I am a bottles guy, camelbak equals cramps, I forget to drink. Lesson learned. Also learned that I am hammock guy, bivy is not going to work for me. Not at all. The recuperative rest I get from hanging in a hammock is worth the weight penalty. What can I say, its probably genetic, the hammock thing.

Take care,

Laters,

The NakeD InDiaN

TouR DiViDe TraInInG CaMp Week Two Feb13th - 20th 64 miles

2011-02-27T19:10:00.002-05:00

Week one was a huge miles dump on the legs. And I knew that on the 18th I was going to finally do a complete coast to coast 200 mile weekend, so I chose to take it easy during this week and only did two rides.

The rides were not hard, in fact, every ride was simply gorgeous.

I spent that first 32 miles or so home pondering the beauty of a route.

A beautiful route is sometimes hard.
It sometimes climbs.
It sometimes descends.
It sometimes is easy.
It has fantastic views.
And terribly boring sections.
A good route gives you a chance to notice something new and different every time you venture on it.
A good route is like a fine wine, a good poem, a great movie or a good book.
A good route is chock ful of personality and an ever present opportunity to have an adventure everytime you venture upon it.

Took me three hours to get home, I still felt slow, but it was a great day to be on the bike regardless.

That evening I had picked up some stuff Rob had dropped at the job. In one of the bike bags I found a pair of Knicker Pearl Izumi bibs. That next morning, since I knew there would be a chill in the air, I decided to wear the bibs. And its amazing what I learned that day.

The morning was not cold enough that I even needed gloves. But cold enough that I put on my wool base layers and arm warmers. But not so cold that I could keep my jersey zipped, so I rode with it wide open so it would flap in the wind like a cape.

I was amazed at how thick the Fog was. I could barely see 100 feet in front of me and I was on a bicycle. But I was impressed, that since my knees were warm, the blood was circulating better and I was riding faster. In fact I beat my best time for the 32 miles that I have ever had and made it to work in 2 hours and 10 minutes, nearly 50 minutes faster than the evening before. I love how after all this riding and training and prepping I still learn new things.

Beautiful pair of rides. What can I say, bike riding is often magical.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TouR DiViDe TraInInG CaMp Week One Feb7th-11th 164 Miles 15 hours~

2011-02-23T20:49:00.002-05:00

I must of picked the worst week in the world to start preparing for my TD.

Not only did I pick the worst week, but after owning my rain gear for one year and only using it one time, I had to pull it out and put it all on as the weather was in the low 40's and the rain was coming down in buckets.

Awesome I thought.

Perfect I thought.

If it aint raining it aint training.

5 minutes into the ride, the front brake quit working, awesome.

I felt cold as I pedaled along the route. Google maps had picked it out, and I follow it.

Darkness creeped in.
And it got colder.
But I kept pedaling.
The rain gear was working, but the time was getting late.
As I got closer to home with only 5 miles or less left, I could feel the squish in my front tire. I stopped and had to change a flat in the cold rain and wind.
Perfect.

I fixed the flat, stopped in at Wal mart and bought the food needed to make dinner and pedaled it home.

All my commuting is being done on my Mountain bike btw. This is real training.

I felt weak, and slow, but thats how it was meant to go.

The next morning I got up early and rode into work, after doing all I could to dry my clothes. Another cold morning. My time splits were way off and again I was misreably slow.

I was not happy with the time I was making at all, and 20 miles into the ride I couldnt even feel my toes.

I got to work at 750 am, very late, and rushing to grab my stuff and start my 12 hour shift.

That night I didnt ride to work, I got out so late, that a 3 hour ride would of meant me being home at midnight and as always when I get home I got to prep dinner for my son.

The next day, I drove in, worked and got out early. Early enough to ride in the sun. I was pretty happy about this and even though my legs were sore, I kept pedaling and actually felt good and before I knew it I was zipping along, taking as much sidewalk as I could. To me riding sidewalks may not be safe, but it simulates off road riding more then perfectly smooth roads.

On the bike path I was consuming riders and walkers and joggers and then along comes a slightly overweight 50 something that passes me on her trek road bike. I chased her down, caught her and passed her and tried to put her away.

She came back on the uphill and caught me again.

Ok I thought. Damn I though.

This time I sat on her wheel for a bit, and then really put in an attack, and passed her again. And then after a couple of minutes she caught me again right before an intersection, she stopped for a car I kept going. Being honorable I did not feel this was a fair pass, and I let her regain her spot and she did. I stayed about 5 bikes back, catching my breath and decided that I needed to put this Older, out of shape, but fit rider away. I put in the biggest attack yet and when I passed her, she cheered me on, as if mocking me. I really put my head down, really dug into the freddies, and then when I least expected it, she passed me and finished me off. Insult to injury I got smoked by a fat fit person. My ego was crushed and I was humbled.

I spent the rest of the ride telling myself that she was on a road bike, and that I still rode 20 more miles after getting my butt kicked and even settled that on the excuse that God took flesh form to humble me that afternoon, but the truth was, I got my butt kicked on my bike path by an older, chubby lady on a road bike...

The next morning I rode in as planned, took that evening off and then rode in the next day ending the week strong, but tired and feeling sore. I had no intentions of pedaling that weekend.

Its difficult to not criticize yourself when your just starting your training, but I had not been satisfied at all with my splits, and the earliest I made it to work, even after battling flats again, on one of the mornings was 746am. I had to either pick up the pace, or get up even earlier then 430am. None of which seemed realistic at the time to me, LOL.

O well, week one is in the books so to speak....2 flats, Front brake out.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

DeLiVeRaNcE

2011-02-10T07:27:00.007-05:00

Often as another busy week passes, the craving consumes me for pedal therapy.

I not only compete in Long distance events, I love riding long distances. AND, its not so much about the mileage, not about bragging. Its just fun to travel and experience the adventure that can come.

I departed from De Leon after a hardy breakfast in the middle of the day. Arguably a little late, but more often then not you will catch me saying, "its my day off, I want to ignore the clock".

Plus, in my deep seeded preparations for the divide I often just want to do out of the ordinary riding. I want to not follow the traditional training schedule rules. THE rule in my mind for preparing to conquer the divide, is to ride whenever, wherever.

I could not have asked for better weather. I knew that although the day was warm, once the sun would set, I would have to deal with some chilly weather.

I had spent the day before, pondering if I was going to use my single speed or beef up the 'not yet to be named cross check' for Cyclocross duties. In the great tradition of procrastination I decided at the last minute to grab the cross bike and use that.

I packed enough stuff to brave the expected evening temps, I left under warm sun and clear skies. The plan was to gain revenge for the 3 forest tour that Kai, Edward and I had attempted, which later turned out to be more than they could handle.

I started off by crossing The Lake George Forest. The forest roads where in great shape and I decided to check out the park at the end of St Johns River Road. It was such a beautiful spot, I momentarily daydreamed of bringing the boys out here on a quick over night trip.

After spending a good 30 minutes or more at the park just listening to the sounds of the river and feeling the sun on my skin, I made my way up the road and started seeing what I noticed to be Tire tracks. I remember at the time finding this to be an extremely odd thing, I was pretty far out there. And sure enough as I came around a bend, I spotted a lady, biking on a beach cruiser, walking her dog at the same time.

I tried to make noise to alert her, but she was non responsive and almost crashed once I made my pass. I hate to admit that it was a little funny to startle her, but I seriously made some heart felt attempts to communicate my passing intent.

I made it to SR 40 and ventured down to the boat docks that sit next to the bridge over the St. Johns River. I went down there to take photos, I was in a shutter bug mood and I wanted to share the sights I was going to see that day. All too often I get caught up in making bike pedal that I refuse to stop and take pictures.

As I was taking photos there were some men and a woman drinking beers about 150 feet away. One man wearing a trucker hat, sporting a beard, red faced and drunk was calling to me.

It was right at this moment that I had one of the most awkward experiences I have ever had in my life.

He proceeded to tell me he liked my britches and how he wanted to get him some of that.

I thank the great creator he was a good distance away, cause as uncomfortable of a moment as that was, if he would have been close to me and saying such things it might have turned into an altercation.

My Intuition told me to leave fast and say little and I did just that.

On the road I had visions of being chased down by this "country boy" and being ran off the road. So I kept my pace high. Off the road the bike was hard to pedal, its currently geared for paved riding only, but on the road, even with the wider Cyclocross tires, I can still put down some serious tempo.

So for the next 20 miles, that's what I did... Serious Tempo to separate myself from them "good Ole Country boys".

I made it to the Paisley Mountain bike trail.

I pedaled up and down the skinny trail, and decided to fulfill my prearranged agreement to stop for lunch at the 35 mile mark.

I found a log on the trail in the middle of now where and had a chance to take another "ME" moment.

Just then I heard the shifting of some gears and twisted my head to see Mountain Bikers using the trail. Goodness, even though this is a mountain bike trail, you don't see many people riding out here. I chuckled a bit as they passed. One guy stared at my bike, half surprised to see someone else out there riding as well, and half surprised to see a guy on a road bike in the middle of the trail.

I finished my Lunch (an apple) and decided I wanted more food. I figured I could easily make the Paisley Mart and get the supplies I needed to complete the estimated 50 or so miles I had left.

I was on a time table as I had plans.

So when I got the quick mart, I grabbed supplies quickly:

1 bag of honey BBQ lays
1 bag of coconut m and m's
1 Reese's peanut butter cup
1 Starbucks Coffee plus Energy drink.

I stuffed my pockets and hauled ass.

I opened my shirt to create a kangaroo pouch effect and stuffed my chips in there and I literally had my lunch as I pedaled. Once again I saw this as an excellent training opportunity to practice eating and riding.

Once I finished all my food, I saw a garbage can on the side of Maggie Jones Road and I disposed of my waste.

Around the bend I came and saw a person walking in the middle of the road. The closer I got, I noticed it was a hiker, complete with a back pack. When I was within talking distance he asked me to stop.

He started chatting with me, asking me if there were supplies and a hotel in paisley. I explained what they had and asked him how much longer was he walking... He said "about 3 more weeks", I started in "key west".

Ok!

I then asked him if he had water and he said he had not had any for about the last 10 miles.

I had just refilled at paisley and on a bike I move alot faster than he does, so he asked for a gulp and I told him I would fill his bottles.

While I was filling his bottles, he asked me questions about my set up, how long was I going, he took my picture, and then before we parted I asked him his name.

He said, "my trail name is Wandering Heart, but my real name is Bernard."

I responded, "my real name is Karlos, my trail name is the Naked Indian."

Off I went to finish my ride, and off he went to finish his wandering.

I cleared Seminole forest, with no troubles, changed my socks, and applied layers and lights and finished my ride. No more strange Occurrences, a total of 75 miles.

That night while having dinner with my friend, I recounted the tails and reminded myself why I Love traveling by bike, its a never ending opportunity to learn more about this wonderful planet the great creator has blessed us to exist upon.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

The GeOrGe FoReMaN GriLL OuT

2011-02-09T07:44:00.002-05:00

LiL NI, the 17yr old turned said age and we of course had to celebrate.

Celebrating on a budget is always interesting and with the hectic life I lead, (working and training full time, being a full time dad, being a race organizer, preparing for the tour, blah, blah blah) I didn't want to go through the hassle of firing up an actual grill.

SO, in my best "Monster Truck voice" I called this party the George Foreman Grill out.

This was my first Grill out, so I was new and unprepared, so when I hit the store, I just bought like 48 of everything, LMAO.

Soon enough his merry band of friends started arriving and I started grilling.

I also started sipping on Sum Rum. Ya, LIL NI didn't know, neither did LIL'r NI, but I did.

By the time everyone had finished eating, I was full on intoxicated...

IT was at this moment that my son, the birthday boy, asked me if I wanted to skate.

Of course I said yes and before I knew it, I was outside, nose manual and ripping all over the street.

Then the Box was pulled out and I was popping on and off of it like it was yesterday the last time I skated when it had actually been some time in the summer of 2010.

The shred continued and as the session started to mellow out, my son asked me to play skate.

Skate is like Horse in basketball. One person does a trick, the other person has to do the same trick or get a Letter. The first person to get the entire word of Skate on to their name is the loser.

Luke was up first and I made quick work of him. He only managed to give me an S.

LIL NI wanted to play me next and at first I refused. But he insisted.

And after a tense game, I got two letters an S and a K, I decided to start stacking boards up on their side to see how tall we could pop our ollies.

I took out Kain at the 3 board mark, but I was hardly done. All we had were five boards counting the one I was riding, but at 3 normal 8 inch boards and one 11 inch wide long board, stacked on their sides, I finished off the session with a Huge pop clearing all of them.

It was truly a good day to be a rum drunken skateboarder.

Haha.

(kids, this kind of skating is not ever recommended for anyone, remember, I am a professional, don't try this at home)

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

St FraNcis Pain CaVe WaGoN TraIL COnNector

2011-02-05T20:21:00.002-05:00

Ever since the Failed TransFlorida Kai and I had, I have been constantly considering how to make him strong enough for that type of effort.

He already commutes 5 days of the week logging a minimum of 4 miles a day, 20 a week. LOL, its not a lot but he's 11.

Not long after the Failed XFL, we went riding and he had his strongest ride ever. Proves my theory of what does not kill you makes you a better rider.

So one day I daydreamed of Taking Edward and Kailan to the Ghost town of St Francis then across the pain cave connector to Alexander springs.

I had no idea what the mileage would be. The only part of the route I needed was the Old wagon trail route, the rest I knew.

And off we set, making our way along the Undulating De Leon Bike Path. I would drop them, stop, take pictures, then chase them down, the drop them. It seemed like they were having a good time as they pedaled and chatted.

We arrived at the first designated rest and resupply spot. We had some quick snacks, I stuffed my frame bag full of food for all of us.

I made an agreement early with my fellow riders.

"I will be your pack mule", I told them....

"but I am not bringing a tow rope",.....

They agreed.

The Path to the Ghost Town of St Francis is fun with a capital F. Sick long board walks, twisty rooty trail. We even found an Artesian well, which I am willing to bet is safe for drinking.

We made it to the Ghost Town and relaxed, and looked at the river, and ate food, and rested a bit.

I knew after that, the real ride was going to begin. The wagon trail is an arduous challenge for any rider, let alone a 14 yr old and an 11 yr old.

But it was actually in amazing shape.

The wagon trail is hardly flat.

The constant long ups and downs, and Sand, kept splitting up the group. Many breaks were had. Both boys started suffering.

But they stuck to their agreement and persevered. I was very Proud of LiL'R NI as he really found his HTFU and started working out the terrain and the effort with all out body standing single speed mashing.

At one point we were waiting a bit of the Road side for Edward.

We can see in the distance that he keeps pausing. And bending over, then he rides some more and he repeats.

Well when he finally catches up to us, he shows us how his pedal had stripped out the crank arm and fell off. He had been kind of rigging it to make it to us.

Well I attempted to zip tie it and broke the ties.

I attempted to find a stick to shove in the hole so he could pedal. Afterall the last 6 miles were on forest road and with a good strong stick the perfect length and perfect diameter it would have been completely doable.

BUT No. Nothing worked.

So I went into Bear Grylls mode and started looking around the woods to see if I could find some old rope or something to tow him with. There was only one way to go and that was forward.

Eventually I took my swiss army knife out. Cut one of my tubes, and fashioned a tow rope. Edward is alot bigger than Kailan, and this was one tough work out. BUT, I got our speed up and not only were we rolling but we were rolling fast.

Kailan was hurting, but being humble and not being shy to ask for us to rest a minute. I was so proud that he finished a very hard ride in the forest under his own power.
'
At Alexander Springs, I took a nap with my cold weather gear on as the onslaught of night brought about a significant chill.

Before Long Extraction arrive and off we went to eat and celebrate the Pain Cave exploration they endured on this day.

Truly a great lesson was learned by all.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

The 2011 RuNNiNg of the IndiaN

2011-01-22T12:31:00.006-05:00

8 riders came out.

Biggest turn out for the ride in two years.

Lots of new fresh faces, some returning riders and of course Rob, who's never missed an Indian since the Indian began.

The ride is my training loop, 62 miles of dirt, pavement, paths, skinny trail and whatever else I could mash into it. I put it together to avoid riding on the road so much and with all the odd riding you do, going from pavement to dirt and climbing and descending its a hell of a work out.

This was a year of many first. We had the most single speeders we ever had on the ride. We had the most 29Er's we've ever had on a ride.

As soon as we took off I kept the pace high, but relaxed. It was nice as I led the group out to hear the riders just conversing, talking, enjoying the day and the company.

It didn't take long for me to get too hot and have to take off my riding shirt strip to my base layer and put it in my frame pack to keep cool.

The ride was great, but my legs were smoked from riding with Rob the day before so I kept myself in a conservative zone.

The first 30 something miles to Angelina's was awesome with lots of good times and smiles and climbing. For the first time in 5 running's we actually rode the rail road service road as a group and had a train fly by at the same time, it was pretty intense.

The singletrack at Lake beresford was buff and fast and we even found a super long slow climb out there that I didn't know even existed.

The rollers after were a beast and I played sweep as I watched the group of geared riders and properly geared single speeders race away from me. I didn't mind. I knew I could ride all day, and I knew we still had a lot of climbing and route to ride.

Unfortunately the organizer messed up cause Angelina's was closed. On a Sunday? WTF... I guess that is exactly what happens when you assume.

We ate at Beef's and I kept it light, but I was starved by the time we had arrived. Intentionally I have been keeping my stomach empty on rides, in preparation for my Tour Divide. I like to see how hard I can push on little to no food. For some reason, in my mind this helps me prepare for ridiculous Ultra efforts. Helps me prepare for the extreme situations I like putting myself thru.

We honestly could not have had a better group of folks. It was all smiles and jokes as we rolled toward the witch town of Cassadega. Immediately the route gave way to urban singletrack rollers extravaganza

Before long, we were on Old Enterprise road beginning the longest section of skinny trail for the route. I think the riders enjoyed the scenic twisty trail. We rode along a lake and climbed our way out on dirt and before we knew it we were climbing up and down on the wolf pack run ATV trail. It was at that point that we had our longest wait for a fellow rider. One of my team mates that had seriously been putting down the hammer for entire ride got the life sucked out of him on the rollers.

After clearing this section all the new dirt I had added was now done and it was time for me to solo celebrate. For once in 5 years I felt the route had finally matured into a good conglomerate of dirt, pavement, urban skinny trail, ATV path and road.

Pavement gave way to dirt, and my team mate exclaimed that he was done, and I responded, we only got 2 miles left.

And he made it, we all made it. After we conversed as the chill of the impending dusk slowly chased my cold wet self inside and the other Indian riders into their vehicles for their long drives home.

Truly a bro down like we have not had in years.

I almost felt like a king that day, as fellow single speeders knowing that I had a spinned out gear would come back and block the wind and other riders would do the same, all helping to keep us together as one big flowing unit of gears, chains and Human flesh.

It was truly a good day to ride the Indian.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ThIs JuSt In...

2011-01-20T22:29:00.001-05:00

I Karlos A Rodriguez Bernart,

Being of sound Shred and Body, declare to engage this route in all out Physical combat.

I will ride till my body demands rest. Ride till my body demands food. And rise when my body demands bike.

I will repeat this till I reach Antelope Wells New Mexico.

It has been my dream for years to ride this route and to challenge it in the grandest fashion of all.

The Most honorable way to do this is to line up and challenge the route against all competitors, be them male or female, young or old, pro or amateur, geared or single speed, on June 10th 2011.

I will be a Ronin Singletrack Samurai On the long journey to find the beauty that endless miles of dirt will give.

Han Han Catu,

Karlos A. R. Bernart,
The NaKeD InDiaN

ThIs JuSt In...

2011-01-20T22:29:00.000-05:00

T.K.O.B.

2011-01-17T19:55:00.003-05:00

Means Taking Kare of Business.

A week ago Saturday, I took Rob to show him that odd section of Croom I had stumbled upon while mapping a couple of weeks back.

After a couple of odd turns here and there we were on track.

It took a good 7 miles or so before we starting hitting the crazy stuff. Rob was pleasantly surprised and we spent the next 6 miles or so riding from pit to pit negotiating some steep drops and long tall rises.

It went on like that for a little while, and after what seemed like more than enough miles, we started speculating on how racers would feel encountering said conditions. Considering that they would at this point have 80 miles under their belt.

The Trail did not roll easy nor did it relent. It was constant challenge and you could really feel the climb up to Tucker Hill. 20 something miles later and a little unplanned detour and we were surprised that we didn't bring enough food for all the miles we had done. We cut back to the car via forest road, leaving me wondering what I was going to do with this croom section for the race.

By far it was tough terrain. By far it was dangerous at spots. By far it has some of the tallest peaks I have hiked up too in Croom. BUT, it was confusing and without a gpx file I thought it would be hard for a racer to negotiate the route. Especially since it required us to go past signs that said trail closed.

Regardless, that day, with smoked legs and hungry for food, I rolled away with thoughts heavy on my mind on what I would do with this section of the Huracan.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

RoCk SpRinGs

2011-01-16T11:12:00.003-05:00

The Huracan Ride is fast approaching and I am still finalizing the mindor details of some of the sections. Adding a Little more singletrack to keep things fun ya know.

So I set out to do the Rock springs section with more singletrack then before.

If you have kept up lately, Rob and I went out with LILr NI to map this but got rained out within minutes of beginning. This time I was solo, and there was no rain.

I set out and before I knew it the quick cadence from my single speed spin had delivered me to the Rock Springs trail head. After a little fire road assault, I was treated to sweet twisty track reminiscent of Croom or Boyette's quadrants.

A wrong turn, here, a little backtrack there and I was at the place where I was planning to do the river crossing on this years ride.

I crossed the river, easy enough, got to the other side and the nightmare began. I was super lost. For a long while wondered and tried to keep my wits as I was bushwacking thru the thick saw grass palmetto.

I immediately summoned up all I have learned in survival books and programs.
Pick a fixed point....
Try to follow the shore line.....
Eventually I found a clear spot, and took some time to clear my thoughts.

I pulled out my droid and brought up the satellite maps and guesstimated a direction and did my best to follow game trails and wallah, I was out of the woods onto a forest road.

Relief....

I did several loops to figure out the lay out, and then set off back on route, riding fast and enjoying the undulating single track.

As whereas I had started my ride in Sanford, one river crossing and some trail navigation later, I was in Apopka.

The rest of the ride was a road ride. Keeping my tempo quick I stopped to drink some coffee and eventually made it back to the car enjoying each pedal stroke along the way. It had been a beautiful ride and great way to kick of 2011.

&amp;lt;a href="http://classic.mapmyride.com/run//fl/sanford/704129401709390704"&amp;gt;2011/01/02 Import&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;br/&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href="http://classic.mapmyride.com/find-run//fl/sanford"&amp;gt;Find more Runs in Sanford, Florida&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

HoPPy NU YeaR....

2011-01-01T22:35:00.003-05:00

What does the beginning of a New Year mean to you?

Obviously its a chance to start a new, but to me, its the day my son was born and that holds a higher meaning then watching ball drops.

To me, my new year begins on the day after my birthday, cause to me, that is when I complete my annual voyage around the son on this rock that we call Earth.

BUT, its a tradition for people to party and I party, cause like I said, I started my Life Long Journey into FatherHood on the New Year.

I wanted to go pedal pedal, but instead, I wanted to spend the day with Kailan, Shelby, Edward and Edith. I wanted to swing by the shop, prep my bike with a 15 tooth cog, get some haircuts for the boys, see a 1$ movie and then head home to party.

Well, the shop was a fail, it closed early. The haircuts went off without a hitch. The movie had was fun, and then the ride home was a blast. It seems like when you put that many kids together, its chaos.

Regardless, back in the town of Deleon, we cooked, we drank, we laughed and had fun. Midnight rolled around and I had the most unique New Years experience ever. In my Neighborhood they shoot endless fireworks when he ball drops. In Deleon Springs Florida, they shoot guns. And lots of them. Sounded like a ten minute war of gun fire, big ones, little ones, automatic and semi automatic, sprinkled with pops and zips of actual fireworks. I had never had the pleasure of hearing such a symphony and was amazed by the experience.

We stayed up late, talking and laughing. Kailan and Edward lit the New Year Fire and it was built perfect, and bright and so so warm. We sat out there talking for a few more hours and then eventually after the drinks ran out and the conversation slowed down we all laid down to a new years sleep.

I had a lot of favorite moments that night. But the only one I am willing to share, happened early New years morning, when Kailan and I were sitting with our butts to the Earth, close to the fire, I turned to him, shook his hand and thanked him for being such a good fellow adventurer this year.

He smiled and shook my hand back thanking me in return.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ThE ThREE FiDdy Revisited...

2010-12-31T23:15:00.003-05:00

I would like to claim that I was the very first to at least coin the phrase Tree Fiddy.

I was even going to make T shirts,m but there was no momentum.

BUT its important to rehash and recap what 3 fiddy is.

Its doing all the famous off road 50 milers that come at the start of the year in a row.

Now I would like to claim I was the first to do this, but I don't honestly know if I was.

BUT, I have done 3 fiddies every year for as long as I can remember. Sadly this will be the first year that I wont make them. I guess I don't see the financial investment worth it this year, not the Fitties fault because they are indeed fun and they are indeed great.

NOW whats the best Fitty in the state???

Well, the first one I ever did was Suwanee. I remember pedaling in the granny gear across the flat cause my legs were cracked. And it continued to be a challenge in the following years requiring even Naps to complete the rides. NOW, I smoke the trail on a geared bike and crush it on a fixie. This one has to be my personal favorite only cause of the fact that you get to sit 50 feet above the river and see some big rapids. Big for Florida of course. By far the coolest shirts are from this ride and the food is the best and they tend to have the cutest local chicks...LMAO...

I remember how I first heard about the Tour De Felasco. I was looking in Mountain Bike Magazine and read about this ride, it would be the first running and I was there. In fact I was there every year since and I never missed a one, this will be the first year I miss. It has the most climbing by far and some kick ass singletrack. The only issue with the Tour is that its almost always cold, but I still love this place, and its so much fun to clean all the climbs. The first couple of years I caught some of the worst cramps in my life out there. But I learned, I got stronger, and now Its a joy ride, even when its freezing. I liked it when their shirts perpetuated the conquistador theme and bones i.e. like the original shirt. Now they strayed away from that and I dont even wear last years shirt at all, it just hangs there.

Croom 50 went on for a long time before I got to experience it. And by far its the hardest of the 3 since its 99.9% singletrack and offers no place to venture off mentally and escape like you can do on forest road or on double track. This place requires 100% concentration. And contrary to popular mythology, this place is chock full of descents and ascents. Seems like there are barely any flats and it has some HUGE stuff way in the back that will blow your mind.. PLUS the folks from Swamp know how to put on a event, simply put, some of the most interesting sag stops from all three as well, although they did borrow the wine and cheese Idea from Ididaride. If you like to suffer and you want to make sure you can get registered into the ride, this one is by far the easiest to obtain a spot too out of the three. I like that they experiment with the swag. Sometimes they do a shirt, or socks or a mug, thats good, makes it different and I for one appreciate variety.

Now some rare few have obtained the sacred four fitty feat. And with that being said, the raddest fitty of the state is the Naked Indian ride. Why? Well its free and I made it up... email me cause its next weekend and if you wanna join you got to ask,

take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

DaNGeH WiLL RoBinSOn!!!

2010-12-19T23:02:00.003-05:00

As a rider, one who ventures into the unknown and one who takes his kid with him into he unknown, its important to know when to realize that there is a significant opportunity for danger.

What is Danger when you are riding a bike?

Traffic of course should always be considered.

Course conditions, steep drops, technical terrain as well.

BUT weather can be the biggest danger of all. Hypothermia, heat Stroke can all affect core temperature and potentially cause a life threatening situation.

And When we set forth this past Saturday to add some singletrack to the the Huracan route we fully expected rain, around 12 pm to 2pm and instead got rain about 9 miles into the ride. With no sun in sight, no warmth for miles what do you do.

1. We assessed what we did have. Two strong riders one 11 year old boy, two equipped to handle the conditions, one in cotton save for his socks.
2. We made a plan.
3. I insulated my wool shirt with paper and asked Rob who had 27 gears at his disposal, and the stronger rider of us two to tow Kai back to the start. We called a ride abandon, we figured after wading across the river there was no way we could get dry and handle the cold without the appropriate gear. I was unprepared.
4. Execute plan. As Rob prepared the Tow rope with Kai, I took off setting the fastest 85% tempo I could muster. I gave clear instructions to the team to keep going even if they caught and passed me. "I told Rob, get him back there, and get him warm."

1 hour, soaking wet in the cold for Kailan was totally manageable. But anything longer than that could potentially cause a drop in body temperature and a risk for a serious 911 emergency. The decision we made was the right one.

Team Kai and Rob, were not able to pass me, which was good, so we stayed together till the end. And once back in the car I warmed him up with a thick blanket and we called the day early, both agreeing that during the hard effort that we just mustered, we did not feel any cold, and truthfully I was not cold, I rode my ass off to get back, and every time that Rob would pull up next to me I would stand up and pedal, just to mess with him a little. Hey, towing is hardwork and I would like some first person point of view recognition on how hard what I do with my boy is, LMFAO!!!!

Even though it was a plug pulled ride, the adventure was still in the ride... Read this carefully folks, if your ever trapped in this situation, make the right call.

Later on that day, after that gigantic blob of precipitation did its business across the state, the temps were right where they should have been, when we were supposed to be mapping, o well right....

You know what they say about Florida don't you.... If you don't like the weather... Wait ten minutes... It'll change...

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

HoW To TrAiN a DrAgOn

2010-12-18T16:38:00.004-05:00

Two is the number of Florida State Champs that I have trained.

One was LIL NI who won the State Championship for the 6 to 8 year olds, even completing the season with a broken arm after a post ride accident in Tom Brown Park.

The Other was LIL'R NI in the 3 to 5 year old class.

Huge props to Dave Berger from Gone Riding dot com. Not only did he Literally give birth to the sport of competitive off road racing in the state, but, He helps families create memories that will last a lifetime and then some.

Recently I have decided that I wanted to give a gift to LIL'R NI. Give him the opportunity, if he so chooses, to become a singletrack samurai like his father. I am giving him the chance to enjoy and cherish the joy of off road cycling and touring and the special unique opportunities that it manifest for the participant.

I feel deep passion for the task of cycling. The whole reason I started single speeding and fixed gear shredding was to refine my skills. And I can tell that Kai Tai sees that. He asked me one day, when was he gonna start riding a fixie. I told him, soon enough.

We train Dragons in my house. AND the first epiteth of Dragon training requires a rider to prove mastery of one chainring and one cog before even bothering or attempting to master 18 or 27 or 30(goodness we are up to that many gears on a bike now arent we).

The ethos runs deep. The dedication unique. And I think Kai is learning to appreciate what his adventurous Daddy does for FUN. Like 200 plus miles over a Saturday and a Sunday.

SO it came to pass that another glorious weekend had reached its maturity and I didnt have any ride plans made so I decided Kai Tai Needed to go work on his tech skills. Afterall to be a true Singletrack Samurai you have to be able to ride anything, and comfort zones are meant to be explored and dominated all the while avoiding injury, cause injuries are not allowed.

The plan was to ride Santos, Edward, Kai and I, and work the yellows, then the blues and then some reds. Not a long ride, but a skills ride, a confidence building a ride, a ride to learn to find the flow.

And thats what we did, we had a lot of fun, I had to hold my breath in some moments as I would look over my shoulder and suggest to Kai that maybe he should dismount for the sake of safety, but NO, he was rolling some insane stuff that day. They both were. Edward caught the brunt of a couple of good NASCARESQUE crashes, which he shook off but definetely raised his awareness level.

Enjoy the clips!!!

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TraNsFLoRiDa TuRkEy TriP

2010-12-12T13:45:00.006-05:00

(First and foremost, Huge apologies. This blog has become like a Flashback that you see in TV shows, so just imagine and enjoy flashing back to a couple of weeks back)

The dream was to take Kai and I across the state.
The Day before I thought it would be smart to start on the west and ride east, thus saving Edith less of a drive on Sunday to come and fetch us from the finish. Less of a drive to get home and begin the rest from the long journey.
So Impulsively I went with it.
That morning we were all packed up and loaded up. Chris Plesko, famos Single Speed Record holder for the Tour Divide, generously lent us a tent so that Kai and I could keep warm in the Florida chill we would surely contend with over the 3 day adventure. My plan was 65 miles or so a day. I figure, Kai might not be strong enough, but with a rope and some patience I was strong enough for two.
Talk about the mother of all Late starts. The day before that Faithful Friday was Turkey Day and ya know the deal with Turkey day, you celebrate, you eat, you drink and your merry. And we did all that.
So 1130 we roll to the Western most terminus of the soon to be famous Trans Florida Mountain Bike Route. Quickly the Bikes are strapped, Quickly we say our good byes, and my sweet Dear Friend Edita watches us pedal away with the plan to be, to see each other sometime on the east coast on Sunday.
I am blessed that LiL'R NI and I have such a Jovial and trusting relationship. As Soon as we Pull into the parking lot we could smell the salt air. The Terrain around here, was flat, but Rocky, Huge Limestone rocks abound, remnants of the attempt to cut Florida in Half.
We made quick time to the beach, we had to pedal out and back, somethign I dont necessarily like, but something that was totally necessary to get to the coast.
We documented the ceremony of the sacred wheel dips, Jovial as always, joking and making laughs, two videos and one pic later we are off.
The Plan was to two Kailan early so he could save his energy for the 28 or so miles of Santos singletrack that we had to deal with later in the day. Not cause LIL'r NI requested it, but because I was planning on strategy.
The towing was unexpectadly heavy. My legs were unexpectadly Brick like. I was unsure about why I was having to put in so much effort. Why it was so tough. Later I would find out why.
BUT, in the time being, I had no idea, and I figured it was lack of fitness or lack of pedal time or the stiff head wind that was constant in the direction. But Kai willingly agreed. We navigated the Technical Jeep Road that was finishing up that Florida Barge Canal Section when we got to the "sometimes Mandatory Hike a bike", we heard a siren. Now normally I would call this a " imminent bomb invasion alarm", and I explained what it was, and kept pushing on.
Some fence hops and head wind later, we were on a road heading east, watching an enormous storm cloud flanking us from the north. AND this sucker was big, both us impressed with its size.
I was concerned, I had not necessarily waterproofed my gear, I had not gone through the impressive pre care of bagging each and invdividual piece in left over wal mart bags how I usually do.
So I pedaled faster, hoping that along the way I would come upon a church or a shelter or something with a roof overhang that we could hide at. But as well time was an issue, we were already about 4 hours behind my manifest departure time, something in a way that I regretted, but in others I did not.
And as we turned from the last dirty section to the next dirty section, there it came the storm had caught us and started reminding us of its damp existance. I hung a quick right and found a tree to dive under quickly to make the adjustments to avoid soaking our clothes.
AND we got prepared and navigated the sandy road next to the railroad track. Pushed through the vanishing double track, then back onto Deltona Blvd (non paved sandy version of my east coast hometown), and eventually, got on the bikes to pedal again.
The most curious thing happens on the west coast of Florida. There is literally another version of my hometown, with identical road names, with more hills. Every downhill was a chance to rest, I could feel the work I was demanding from my body, I was tired, so tired, but we had to keep going.
Before long, the up and down road gave way to a convenience store, where I stocke up on candy bars and batteries. The day was getting late, and I knew for sure that darkness would catch us along the Santos segment of the greenway.
We stopped at Stumpknockers to feast and refuel, had plenty of laughs and good food and filled up on water, before we took off, still with daylight, heading towards the Haltapa Hell track.

LILR NI: " Papa, why do they call it the Helltrack"
ME: " Well, Kailehr, most of the time, its way more hellacious then what your riding now".
AS Lucky as LiL'r NI is, it was not that bad, good easy riding.
Kai proclaimed as we crossed Haltapa, how it seemed like we were in the middle of nowhere, and it was true, we were.
As darkness encroached to set a new standard for the day, we made it to Pruitt Memorial. I never ride just by it, I always stop to check it out. I mean,where else in Florida can you find a spot with HUGE boulders arranged in a stone henge like pattern. I cant think of many so I never pass it by, stopping to remember the pilot who died.
Kai Tai was cracked, wide open. I could tell that I was going to have to help him alot to get through to Santos. People were expecting us, but my partner and team mate were my priority, nothing else, so I let him rest till he was ready.
And even though there was no rush, he decided to get up. We went on to navigate 1/4 mile of dirty soft horseshoe poxed trail. As we pedaled along the old Limestone road, I told Kai my battle stories from being out that way so many times. The stories about the Boars, truthfully Kai's Fatigue was running deep and I was doing all I could to keep his mind off his tiredness.
Eventually we made 200, then made the start of the singletrack that would start our long awaited skinny trail journey into Santos. I engaged the Rope, there seemed to be so much climbing that I was bewildered. The good news was that Finally my body felt warmed up to the task, and the pain from earlier was gone.
We Got to the point on the Yellow where we cross 484, when Kai lost his front wheel in the sand, fell down, and I was yanked backwards off my bike, Ripping my Osprey Packs tow tab in the process.
No one got hurt, we crossed the road and got into the beginning of Nayl's and I had to put air into my rear tire which I suspected was out of Sacred Stans Goop. As I pumped air into the valve, my bike fell over, ripping the valve and forcing me to put in my only tube.
I made a quick change and set off to ride some seriously fun trail with Kai. It was exciting, for us both. Our faces were stretched from Huge endorphin fueled smiles as Kai was enamoured by the twisting, dropping and steep rising trail.
It was scary for me to see his bike disappear into a deep crevace, but then elation as He shot out the other side, no brakes, at times, losing control and overshooting the sharp turns.
But he was getting tired, and when we finally got out of Nayl's trail, Kai collapsed on the Limestone road, gasping for air, desperately trying to catch his breath, mixed a little bit with tears from frustration and exhaustion.
There was a clearly visible tug of war going on his little mind. He wanted to get to Santos that day, but he was so tired. I encouraged him to lay, encouraged him to rest, told him we could easily make camp there. But he wanted to keep going. I offered the rope, he declined. And we continued.
As we came close to the end and where almost at the Landbridge Trailhead parking lot. Kailan was panicked. He was out of breath and could not catch it, which was scaring him and causing him to panic and initiating a vicious cycle.
I was scared, but trying to stay strong for him. I thought he might of been having an Asthma attack although he had never been diagnosed with it. Donnie showed up and we both tried to calm him down so he could steady his breathing, but it wasn't stopping, and out of shear fear for my lil man's life I called 911.
After what seemed an eternity in time, the Ambulance pulled up. I admire the hard work that these men do, but sometimes their dismissive attitude is annoying.
"O he's moving Plenty of air" He proclaimed.
And he was right, but that was not stopping the gasping and panic stricken attack.
Donnie is a man of action and went on to the task of stashing the bikes. I grabbed our clothes and we rolled out, on our way to the hospital.
Minutes after being on the Ambulance, Kai was calm and breathing fine. And after filling out paper work we were now citizens of the waiting room.
I asked Kai if he was better. He said yes. I asked him if he wanted to see the doctor, He said No. So we left.
Why bother waiting...
Down the street we went, made our way to Duncan Dee to sip on some warm Coffee. Donnie came and got us quick and he invited us back to his home to rest and relax. We accepted of course, Donnie is the Salt of the Earth and a pretty bad ass cyclist as well.
After some conversation, we cleaned our legs a little, and fell asleep on Donnie's couches.
That next morning, we got up early and pedaled to Greenway Cycles. Kailan was done, sore, and tired, but still in good spirits. The trip was over early and not long after our arrival, Edith showed up to pick us up and take us back home.
You know everything happens for a reason. That next morning I woke up feeling sick as a dog, if we would have continued I probably would have had to pull the plug as I was so Ill that Sunday and so under the weather, the next couple of days proved to be a task as I had to deal with my illness and work, and do all the other things I have to do.
Since the ride I have practiced with Kai some techniques to avoid him having a hyper ventilation attack again. The plan is to prepare better for the ride, do a couple of more small overnighters before we go again. That first day was tough and those 65 miles proved to be hard and challenging on us both. Next time, we will make it across together.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

MaKinG BiKe PeDaL

2010-11-16T22:41:00.002-05:00

I saw it like a gleam of glass in the distant mountain range.

An Opportunity to go ride San Felasco with some of my Favorite Mountain Bikers, all in one place.

SO I seized it.

And thus it was on the First morning of the First Real Cold day in Florida, I met up with Rob Roberts, Mucaro MTB dot blogspot dot com and Afro Nipples.

Ya, I know I said I was breaking the War Machine.
(breaking it meaning, turning into a coastie single speed)
But I had "conveniently" not found the time to do it.

That day all I had is my fixie, who cares, its just a bike. I doubled up on my wool layers to combat the effects of the 37 degree chill. I was so happy to be hanging out with Robbee Rob, that I couldn't stop chatting, and talking.

Eventually, Mucaro MTB dot blog spot dot com shows up with Blond Afro.

As it seems to be the tradition of the clown like nature of Blond Afro. He took forever to get ready and I swear at one point he started installing brakes from scratch.

Not mechanical either,

Hydraulic.

Eventually, we were rolling only to hear B.A. comment on the needing of a nature break.

It was no real matter, I was happy to see them, and Blond Afro always makes me laugh so hard.
The pace was brisk right off the bat.
I was tired, man I had pulled one of my favorite moves and stayed up super late hanging out with a friend, barely slept and worked a LONG Hard Week. I was FEEEEEEEEEELING IT..( have I made enough excuses yet)
But I kept up. Spin spin spin, down down down, climb climb climb, pedal pedal pedal. Tech stuff, great switch backs, I was having a blast. I couldn't really keep their wheel, but I didn't care.
After more miles, I lost contact.
It was weird.
They kind of forgot, LMAO.
But I kept going.
Eventually passing the same exact sign 3 times.
I called Rob left him a voice mail.
I kept going, and then realized, I needed to start using my gps to figure out my navigational errors.

I did, it helped, I needed to kind of go NORTHWEST.
LMAO.
NORTHWEST.

I saw off in the distance, that there was a neighborhood, that I could, worst case scenario, get into and use google maps to get back to Alachua.

Rob Called.
I told him I am pretty sure I could get back to the lot on my own. I still wanted to ride.

So I did, I came a cross a guy, never got his name, followed him till I recognized where I was, and then just hammered my way along turning on every sign that said parking lot.

I got to the lot ahead of the others.

Great.

It was freaking chilly, but my 3 hours of sleep dictated some sort of napping. So I did a little here and there.

The guys showed up, they found Conquistador, which I really wanted to ride.

25 miles for me, 33 for them. We all had a great time.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

The 3 FoResT TouR

2010-11-14T19:02:00.004-05:00

The spice of life is challenging yourself.

And because I love to travel and I love to ride, I cooked up what I believed to be a reasonably doable challenge for Kailan and Edward. 80 or so miles, 3 forest crossings.

It seemed like a good plan, and I had been Eye balling the Lake George forest since before the TNGA had a route mapped and after some conversation with Edward we decided to go for it.

No hammocks were packed as we were sleeping one night. The night was to be cold and chilly, so sleeping bags were had, but as it is sleeping bag would not have been enough to sleep if the temps got really cold in the forest. So the Goal for day one was the Florida Trail Camping shelter at the edge of the Seminole forest.

As I was rolling out, I estimated the distance to the shelter to be 40 something miles. Of course my estimates were off. But at the time we did not know that, we were all packed up, I was all sherpad up and we were rolling on the highway.

The Mood was good, but I could already tell that Edward was starting to go through some growing pains. Granted, he has never even ridden 10 miles, let alone the distance we were planning to cover.

The Lake George forest was pristine, forest roads hard enough to ride a road bike on. With about three miles left the boys were already begging for a break and with some coercion and some encouragement, we made it to the first break spot at St Johns river and Astor Florida.

14 miles in and we had 10 miles to go before we could take our swim at Alexander Springs. Those 10 miles proved to be hard, as Kailan asked for the rope, and I watched as Edward drifted way off the back. I could see him reaching deep into the pain cave.

But, the sun was bright and the mood was great, I was enjoying every minute of every mile. The music going, the Ocala National Forest wide open; huge and intimidating as always with its gradual ascents and gradual descents.

Both Kai and I kept turning our heads seeing that Edward was now becoming a small dot on the horizon. With only 3 miles left I figured he may need some reprieve, so I unbuckled the rope off Kai's bars, rolled it into my Osprey pack and sent Kailan ahead as I waited for Ed to catch up.

He caught up, I offered the rope, but to my surprise, he refused. I was impressed by his determination, and I immediately set off chasing Kailan, who had taken off as if we were in a race.

As I caught up to him I offered the rope and we were able to engage the tow rope while we were riding, wow, we have gotten really good at this rope thing.

We cross the river and turn towards Alexander and I can see the Brown National forest park sign like a small stain in the distance, indicating that we were now within sight of the finish of goal 2. BUT ahead there was small climb, that seemed to be a steady grade for 1/4 of a mile. Kai and I got to the park gate and waited for Edward.

Not long after he emerged around the corner I could only imagine his mind state when he came around and saw that beastly gradual long climb that he had to do.

We got into the park, had a little food, and went swimming and sunning for a couple of hours on the banks of Alexander Spring. The water was gorgeous and I imagined my Native cousins in this land would of thought this to be as much of a paradise as I did.

The boys had cooked up this great idea that they wanted to camp here. But after telling them, I would consider it, I had NO intention of cutting the day short. I could tell that after 24 miles under our belt, the party had bitten off way more than we could chew. There was no way we were gonna make the Seminole shelter, so I wanted to complete the second forest crossing so we could at least wrap up the day with some pride.

We could take paisley road across, but a couple of weeks earlier during the race, it proved to be a tough 7 mile grind. I figured 11 miles of singletrack would be better. I was itching to see what was going on with the paisley mountain bike trail since they claimed that it was closed for some kind of forest project.

4 miles into it, as the suffering really started to set in for Edward, I could see that there was nothing going on with the trail at all. Which was a bummer, it would of made for a real big difference during the CFiTT. Any how, Kai requested the rope and we did it up, and we kept going, and at mile 8, I let Edward know that Paisley was the finish line, we were cutting the trip short.

A cycle set in, Kai and I would ride,
put a gap on Edward,
wait ten minutes,
then roll on.

Admittedly, Paisley MTB is challenging, with its long gradual inclines and declines. I still had the CFiTT route loaded and I could see Paisley Road. I figured at this rate, Edward was going to really have to suffer with 3 miles of singletrack left, so I opted to try and get to Paisley road and that would put us miles closer to the extraction point. After some bushwhacking, we found a forest road that was showing on my GPS. A bit sandy in spots, but Kai and I worked together and after a mile or more we made paisley road, a little more distance and we made the shopping mart on CR 42 to the expected pick up spot, 40 miles after starting the day.

I was proud of the both. Riding in the forest is no easy taskl, and for a kid who has never even done 11 miles, 40 forest miles was HUGE for him. AND he did it under his own power, incredible.

We got picked up, went back to De Leon, where LILr NI, went on to attend a Fall Festival party,
I went on to take a nice nap,
and Edward,
eventually,
went to bed Early that night.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

Re YouNiON

2010-11-02T14:27:00.002-04:00

20 years ago I graduated High school.

Somehow I missed my first reunion. But this year, I got on the ball, and because of magical things like Social Networking I was able to be aware of the event and I made it.

I was really interested and curious in seeing how everyone was doing.

I thought for sure that everyone was going to be a hot mess and that the years would not have been kind on them. Quite the Contrary as me and my wing man for the night arrived at Rt 46, everyone looked great. Amazingly great.

Sure there were a couple of folks in there that were a mess, but for the most part some people didn't look a day different since the graduation happened.

I drank, and drank, and chatted and danced, and had fun. Got to see some girls I had crushes on and was confessed about Crushes upon, who would of thunk.

As a teen I was obsessed with skateboarding and I had plenty of girlfriends, but none in my class, it was difficult. By the time we got to high school it seems that they had all chose to click up whilst I clicked solo with a few friends here and there. Interesting how even back then I kept it simple when it came to my associations.

That Saturday I mounted the road bike for the first time in months since I had to let my bladder heal, I could not attend the Catch 22.

I rode to Deleon Springs, beautiful ride, beautiful place, really enjoyed myself. Visited with a Friend and then rode back to meet up with the bus. I didn't want to over do it, since I was supposed to be recovering from the previous weekends 180 mile effort.

Life is funny, and I continue to try and figure out exactly wtf the great creator is trying to teach me. Believe me great creator my eyes are wide shut.

That night I went to a party and stuck around just to watch the drama. It was supposed to be an "80's" party, but hardly no one participated which I thought was lame. So I ate, drank and watched people interact and interacted myself.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw and experienced. But remain even more curious about how all this plays into my current state in life. Without a doubt in the past year or so my life has changed a ton, and I continue to search for understanding amongst it all. I think I am getting close.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

AFteRMaTh

2010-10-31T19:29:00.002-04:00

I have SOoooO Been meaning to get back to the daily act of writing.

I like to write, but life has been a handful lately, to the point that I don't want to dwell o n it.

Today's post subject, and I have quite a few to catch up on, so if all goes well expect a good week of blogging.

I would say that its official.

What is official? Well I think calling myself an Ultra Endurance Racer is truth. I have proven that I can compete in the long events and even do well.

BUT, what I have discovered is that it is punishing on the body in ways you could not imagine.

For Example.

After the Trans North Georgia, although my legs didn't swell up like some of my fellow racers. I did have two numb toes and that lasted for about a month.

After the Cross Florida Individual Time Trial this year, I still have some fingers that remain numb from the race and even ended up peeing blood due to riding too long with an empty bladder.

Finally the skin on my sit bones died and peeled off and my ass is so scarred from the TNGA bout with hives and from Saddle sores that I can pretty much kiss my possible and imaginary career in adult film goodbye.

Still, I cant resist the urge to go pedal for hours and days on end and I still see more on the horizon.

It's officially my off season and I am converting the fixie war machine into a single speed war machine and just spending alot of time bikepacking and having fun, tis the season after all.

The Black Beauty is still as dirty as the day that I finished the TNGA waiting to be dismantled and being sent to the painter so that I can someday ride that same bad ass bike from Canada to Mexico.

Speaking off, seems like Life may get in the way of me making that challenge in 2011, but I really see some changes on the horizon so who knows maybe I can turn the tide and still ride the divide.

Short, brief post, but tomorrow there will be more.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

CFiTT 2010

2010-10-13T21:52:00.002-04:00

What possesses a person to want to ride 180 miles of mostly off road terrain?

Now what possesses a Person to want to do it on a bike that has no suspension, does not shift and does not coast.

I don't know and now I have done it two years in a row.

Regardless I was gonna race it geared, but I really wanted to test my fitness and new things I have learned on my Fixie, plus my geared bike is not even cleaned or fixed after the TNGA.

So I had two goals, Beat my time from Last year and Beat as many Geared riders as I could.

Now be advised, Just because I am on a fixie, I have no respect for their gears and contraptions, I have no respect if your pro or semi pro, you line up against me I am going to attack, its a race and that's what I do.

And that Crisp morning after my Lil'r Naked Indian Reminder checklist was completed and the whole SSP clan rolled into the parking lot inside of Rob Roberts Rave Wagon, it was quick prep to get the ride rolling.

Once we did, I took off the front. Led the charge. The route had changed because we could not use the single track and I knew that I had to really work hard this first 40 t0 80 miles to keep myself in the race. And I was in front for a little bit, but when we hit Paisley Road I could not match Rob's Counter attack.

Eventually, as the wash boarded Chaos ensued, Bryan Frantz passed me. ThenTom Rassiga caught and passed me. I look back and there sitting comfortably was Roberto Infante and Lynne Daniels. I started wondering what happened to Mike, where the hell did he go?

As I thought that, Roberto Creeped up and passed me and I had to quicken my already fast cadence to keep him in sight. I knew if I could keep the three guyst in sight, when we hit Billy Bay I could pass them, maybe break their spirit.

Mike eventually comes up from nowhere and proceeds to chase down all the riders that had just passed me and put a huge gap on me.

Just as we start reaching the north end of Paisley road, the sand got deep, and I took advantage to slowly reel in Both Tom and Roberto, hit the pavement, and entered Billy Bay Determined to close the gap.

I see a rider up front, assuming that it was Mike Kanning.

I pedal, pedal, pedal and eventually reel the rider in and see it was Bryan Frantz. I thought, Damn, Mike put the turbo boosters on. I kept going, finished the road, got on the pavement, dropped my snickers, had to stop and grab it. As I finished up, Bryan countered my attack and caught me. I kept him in sight on the Dragon's Tail Forest Road, gaining serious ground on him on the climbs. But eventually as it flattened out and got harder packed, Bryan took off. ON Forest Road 10, Tommy Caught me.

I got to Silver Glenn, Got my supplies, and got into the water, fully dressed, got out and got on the bike. Bryan, Mike and Tommy were taking it easy, but I think once they saw me blazing through the swim, it forced them to hurry up.

Eventually on the pavement Bryan Caught me again, then Mike Kanning, Then Tommy.

All the work I did seemed to be lost on the hard packed forest road, it was obvious that I had to just accept the spot I had and hope I could stay close enough to close a gap if they got tired. As I entered Lake Eaton, I came across Bryan, I still had him within 20 minutes. So I got motivated to work again and had the worst and my first Off road over the bar experience on a Fixie. It was a little painful, but I got up fast and got through there fast, and chased on the forest road for miles, and It felt bright and hot, and I was glad I had dark glasses.

Right before making it across State Road 40, Roberto caught me. Brother was riding a good race, and seemed very calm as he pedaled no handed up the climb and ate food all at the same time. I was pretty smoked all that work I was doing was catching up to me.

I had only touched the bike once since the TNGA, I had done tons of work early, and had only ridden my fixie once since May, LOL.

Regardless, I kept my pace even, took my pics, kept hydrated, ate, rolled.

Cleared the River, Cleared the swamp, then got to the gas station, grabbed water and a sandwich.

As I finished Greenway cycles checkpoint, I look and see Roberto sitting there. Cool as a cucumber, waiting for a pizza pie. I go to the parking lot where his wife and Bryan's wife are at. I lay on the pavement stretching my tight back, the first real rest in 102 miles.

I felt so sore already, felt like I had done so much already, but I still kept my stop brief and rolled on, despite how sleepy I felt, I knew I had to try and clear as much of the Santos Singletrack I could before darkness.

At some point, I sat a bench to put on my lights and Team Tandem flies by.

I catch them at the Landbridge parking lot, give them some motivation and keep going. AT some point on Nayl's trails the exhaustion had gotten the best of me and I had to stop and just sleep right there on the side of the trail. I was riding really technical trail, feeling super sleepy.

I decided thirty minutes should clear my head. So I slept, and in the distance I could hear a bike and I see Roberto Roll up. I'm thinking damn he ate fast and left fast and is flying.

Then Team Tandem rolls up, and I sleep just a little more and get up and roll out feeling alot better.

Since about mile 60 I had been fighting cramps. Instead of stopping to let the pain overcome me and lock me, I would get off and walk, I figured any forward movement was better than zero movement.

At one point in Nayl's Trails, I cut a corner short, went over the bars, landed in the bushes, both my calf muscles locking up simultaneously. As I sat there and watched my calf muscles ripple in electrical painful backfires, I got a call from Rob Roberts.

He was concerned about some people he came across in Potts. I told him just to roll on through like he owns the place, he should be fine.

I got up, got going, and eventually as I emerged from the forest onto State Road 200 I caught up to Team Tandem.

I told them I was going to Wal Mart to try and put myself together. ON the road I was impressed at their speed. AT Wal Mart I drank coffee and used the facilities, changed my gps batteries and after a stretch rolled out.

I was feeling good, getting a rhythm going. Climbing, descending, coasting when I could. My right Toe got caught in the rear wheel. It was painful, but the bike stopped rolling. I get off immediately removing my tire, trying to smack it against a tree to get it straight.

But it didn't work. I didn't really know what I was doing. Plus I was tired. It seemed easier for me just to keep walking forward. So I did. I get a message from Rob saying he was done. Awesome, great ride. I keep moving.

Team Tandem rolls up and Paul said he could help me fix it. And he did, and about 1 hour or less later, I was on the road, pedaling again. I decided I would help them over the Haltapa hell track fence and stick with them for awhile, and not long after potts, as we negotiated the thick fog, I lost them in the hell track.

I waited at the end to help, but I got tired of waiting and went to the gas station on the route, to get more coffee and regroup once again. I was pretty hurt at that point, but happy that my cramps had finally stopped.

At the Gas Station I could see Jeanne was hurt, I encouraged her to rest, I was in no rush. At that point I was so happy to be alive, and still in the race. It had been such a hard day for me.

Amazingly enough we rolled on. We got on the levy, crossed the fence, got through potts, reached the caboose and after my picture I decided it was time for a stretch and take a nap.

Team Tandem joined me and we all snoozed right on the pavement, HOBO style.

That was probably a Bad Idea.

When I woke up, I felt so cold that I had to retreat to the bathrooms. I went in there and attempted to dry out, took another nap.

Decided I would get up at 6am, get dressed and leave.

This decision took some time. I was thinking maybe I could not beat my record and didn't know if I felt like bothering with it. But I didn't give into it.

I put on my dry socks.
I put on my wool base layer.
I only had a right arm warmer and a left leg warmer.
I put on my mismatch combo, zipped up my paper towel stuffed shirt and made the choice to pedal to the finish, I knew I could beat my time.

2 miles in I had to stop, the urge to pee was strong, but hardly nothing would come out, then I had to stop again. This went on for the next 15 miles, I didn't realize that I was dehydrated.

I kept going, and before long, as the day got bright I emerged at the Tucker Hill parking lot, satisfied that I had beat my record time by 22 minutes. Not the 18 hours I wanted, but maybe there will be another time.

Rob showed up. It was easy to cat nap. I must have been a comical sight in my mismatch attire.

I hogged out at Denny's, slept a couple more hours at his house and fell asleep super early that night. I was beat.

I was super impressed with how prepared everyone came out and how much homework they did. It was great to see the differences from last year to this year.

I was not satisfied entirely with my ride but I know I did ride strong and I rode hard and I finished.

25 hours and 15 minutes.

Take care,

Laters,

The NakeD InDiaN

The LasT WoRd ON The TNGA

2010-09-25T19:13:00.003-04:00

Yes, I know this post is about a week late, but what can I say, I'm back to 13 hour work days, coming home to cook dinner, then go to sleep to get up and do it all over again....

Regardless.

FIRST and FOREMOST. I am so FORTUNATE to have the Sponsors I have. Although they don't make my experience free, with their support and deep discounts, they make my dreams possible.

At the top of that list is Bikeworks Orlando, Especially Broadus Bunch and Carson Wampler. A 10 plus year relationship that continues hopefully to be beneficial to us both or at least entertaining. I may not be their fastest rider, but I am sure the one who rides the longest and farthest!

I already thank them once but Edith and Sarina Williams did a tag team effort to get my bike to Bikeworks for a final tune up and then brought it home to me. Working 13 hour days makes for little time to do much after, without them I would not have made the start line.

Marisabel Matta, My good friend, watched LiL'r Naked Indian and made sure he got him to school each day while I was gone.

Next, ENORMOUS thanks to all my other sponsors, Busby Flooring, Mountain Bike Feedbags, Specialized and SRAM.

I cant say enough How well my kit worked, and 90% of that KIT was created by Rob Roberts. Its a dream come true having a Best Friend who makes great bags, on top of it all Rob put my drivetrain together for this ride.

What drive train was that? Well I rode the ride 2 x 9, no granny gear, 44 big ring, 29 middle ring, 12 - 36 9 speed cassette. I think it worked awesome, the Sram XO drivetrain was flawless.

For the Ride I used Water Bottles, and my Mountain Bike Feedbags on top of holding some small essentials held one water bottle in each, I liked my set up, no complaints.

For lighting I alternated between my Light and Motion Stella and my Princeton Tec EOS bike light, again, perfect for what I was doing.

I have to thank Sean Crichton. For the first time in my Cycling Career I trained hard, and it was his plan that I followed. Truly helped me a ton, I feel kind of bad that I actually achieved the goals I was after, to ride the ride and enjoy it with minimal suffering.

Marcel Aguirre played a huge role in getting my support out to me for possible pick up and to bring out the tubes. Where I was, there was no cell signal and I was able to get a hold of him and he coordinated it all, HUGE THANKS TO YOU BROTHER!!!

Mulberry Gap made so much possible for me, cause Logistically things were not looking up. Rick Moon saved me from not finishing, I have to thank him for that as well. Mulberry gap is the place to be and I see lots of associations for us in the future.

I tried to pack as light as possible. I didn't take any toiletries except some baby wipes so for days I took no showers and didn't brush my teeth. I focused mainly on bringing items that would keep me speedy and comfortable in the temperature changes and I think I achieved that. I had some thin wool socks, some thick wool socks, a wool base layer, some Capri Hoss Shorts, 2 bibs and one shirt. Every morning I started with Fresh Bibs and on the cold mornings and at camp I wore my thick wool socks. I used that wool base layer many a time. On Tuesday morning I was quite the sight. I was wearing my wool base layer, arm warmers, and bibs only. Did I mention that my wool base layer was sleeveless? I must of looked like some sort of freak, but I was warm. I like to put a cargo net on my rear pack and its the perfect way to dry gear as I ride, also a quick way to access gear while riding. I tied my other pair of bibs to dry and sun bake. The UV rays throughout the day will bake them and kill any bacteria on them essentially cleaning them. Also my socks and arm warmers would be tied back there making for quick changes. The race really tested the extremes as it started and peaked with 40 degree weather and then got way up into the 90's before it was all said and done. I had rain gear as well, and I used the jacket on the coldest of morning, choosing not to put on my wet shirt and letting it dry on the rear pack. Everything worked great.

Unfortunately I had an issue with my front tire flatting. During the final tune up, I asked them to re stans the rear wheel, I should of had them due the front. On top of that, I should probably send that tire to specialized its probably got over thousands of pavement and dirt miles on it, been riding that particular tire hard since January 2008. All my fault really, I could of been better prepared, but like all my challenges I learned alot and the Tour or whatever my next Enormous challenge will be, will go alot smoother for sure.

The TNGA has by far been the most beautiful experience I have ever had on a bike. No matter what, It was great to be up there, pushing up over that peak, then sitting in a truck driving around doing Tech work.

Cant wait till my next adventure, which will be the CFiTT on October 9th, which I will go and attempt to break the fixie record, in the process of tuning my bike now. I have not ridden since the TNGA, but I figured that was best, let my muscles heal and my body recover, I feel great, just got to tune up the war machine so it feels all day ready.

I am planning on painting the Mamasita, so I will probably move some parts over so that I can be a serious threat even to the geared riders at the CFiTT.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TnGa StaGe 4.5 The CHAsE

2010-09-16T18:45:00.003-04:00

I heard the distinct sound of tires crunching gravel.

I could see two sets of headlights pulling into the parking lot.

I look at my Droid, its 630am.

I watch from my camouflaged perch, half expecting someone to jump out the car and call my name. My extraction team had come.

But when they get out the car and start talking to one another I cant understand a word they are saying.

I figure it's maybe hikers or bikers so I get out of my hammock and walk down from the high position I had mounted my hammock up on the mountain side.

I cant make out any faces, but it looks like its 3 men and one woman. As I get closer, I realize the reason I cant understand them its cause they are speaking some sort of Asian Dialect.

No matter, I ask, "are you guys bikers or hikers?".

No response.

Then after what seemed like an eternity one of them conjures a spell of words in his best broken english "Whadda R U Doin Heyre, You Sleap Here??" I try to explain to a group of folks who don't understand that I am a mountain bike racer, I started several days ago in South Carolina, that I had flatted.

But no one understood me so I walked away and went back up to my loft on the mountain side.

As I sat there and heard them talk some more eventually I watched as they loaded up their shot guns and walked up the trail towards the peaks.

Marcel told me they were close.

In retrospect I wish I would of known the rules better cause I could of accepted a tube from Ruth and not had been penalized.

O well, My fault, right!

Marcel said they were coming.

Eventually, I see a familiar car tearing into the parking lot, moving at a speed that resembled an emergency of life or death. It was my new best friend Rick Moon!!

I was so happy to see him. He offered me a tube. And I took not one but two. He also told me there was a creek on the trail up aways over the peak that I could drink at, and it was safe.

This was of course not my first visit of the morning.

Ruth and Jeff had pulled up two hours earlier. I told them my predicament. Like I said Ruth offered help, but I declined, again, because I didn't know the rules enough.

Rick was my second visit, and when he offered the tube, I didn't hesitate to accept. I didn't care, I had worked hard to get here.

This had been a route that I had known about for almost 2 years and wanted to do.

This bikepacking race, my third to be exact, was something I had been training and preparing for.

I was not going to let my hard work go to waste over a flat, that's bullshit. So I tubed up and got ready to roll out.

Rick left, on his way to work.

Then Dianne From Mulberry gap pulled up, and I took more tubes for her.

As I got ready for battle, I packed one tube in my Front bag and tied two tubes to the net on my rear bag, I was determined to finish and if I could Chase down my fellow racers Ruth and Jeff.

Off I went.

Railing the single track when I could. Hitting the jumps when they called upon me. Shredding the trails like a well crafted swordsman. Climbing in the saddle when I could, and pushing when I had too. Taking a break here and there, each time telling myself, I bet they walked this one, and they had to have taken a break too.

Eventually I see wet tire tracks on a huge creek crossing that actually had metal grates installed in the middle of it.

I turn up the heat, and on a downhill come around the corner to find my fellow racers.

I tell them I will wait at the road, cause I can hear its close.

We meet up, turns out Jeff Flatted. We were all low on water. I had one bottle left and so did Ruth and Jeff was out. He wanted to go to the store. I only had one mission. Forward.

So I took off.

As I was riding away from them, whilst pushing up singletrack, here comes little red Shredding Hood Ruth passing me on a climb that I was walking(how embarassing), dancing on the pedals like a ballerina dancing on cracked ice. It was effortless and I was dumbfounded.

I admit it motivated me and when I got back on, I was really mashing the gears.

And then on a downhill, there she is and here I come, the Big Bad Wolf, hunting for Red Shredding Hood.

I pass her, making a sound and spooking a little. I will fully admit, I was not going to let anyone finish in front of me if I could help it. But I also know, that she would not leave Jeff's side cause she was not 100% solid on navigation. So Even though I would gap her in certain sections, where I would attack and attack, if a tricky intersection came I waited for her, but trust me, she was right there, I wasn't waiting long, this girl is No Joke.

And we rode, pretty much the whole way out, even taking time to ride next to each other, even though we were keeping the pace high.

On the rail trail we came across the rabid dogs that Rob Rob spoke off, and I told her to ride off that I would handle them, and I did. Neary a problem they were to me as my Yelling of "STOP" did indeed stop them.

I spot a church and we stop to get water, and Ruth offers me some country time Lemonade.

When I got there, I Immediately chugged a bottle. Then I chugged a lemonade filled bottle, then I filled up two bottles and we hauled ass.

That sugar hit me like a quadruple espresso shot. This section of the route reminded me of the old enterprise rail bed that I have trained constant hours on and I got into my freddies and started flying away.

If I can smell the finish line I can go like a PRO!

We hit pavement and we are absolutely flying, the both of us.

Andrew from Mulberry gap is on the side of the road, he tells us we got three miles left and we are off. I am really putting down some serious Tempo.

I look back and Ruth is Right there. Damn. I though for sure I would pull away.

As I keep the Tempo up, I look and she flies right by me. Little Red Shredding Hood was on the attack, or so I thought, but she did fly by me.

Even though I am almost pegged, I dig deeper, and I pull myself up to her wheel and I wait.

Wait for her head to pop up just a little and I come around her, having to full on pedal sprint as hard as I can, get around her, tuck into the freddies and go.

I get around her, but she still holds my wheel. As we hit a climb, I am gassed, but she stays behind me, we pedal across another little flat, and she is back there. At that very moment, I think of Rob Rob...."Attack on the climbs...." and as soon as the road kicked up just a little bit, I got up on it, opening up a bigger gap. Big enough that when we got close to the line I coasted across the line with Ruth 2 seconds behind me.

8:15pm with 27 seconds, 4 days 11 hours and 48 minutes.

Almost a full day behind my dream time and within my realistic goal time.

56000 feet of climbing 343 Gps miles, probably close to 360 real miles with all my missed turns and repaired based detours.

I hike and biked and camped along the way from one side of Georgia to the other, hitting every freaking mountain along the way. To say I am proud is an understatement.

I eventually received a 12 hour penalty for accepting the mobile support, but no matter, I had accomplished a dream.

Admittedly, and I hate to say this, but, this was not the hardest thing I have done on a bike. Admittedly I have spent a lot of time preparing, so a dream was fulfilled cause I was able to do a long bikepacking tour and I was able to enjoy it and not suffer. I didnt get a single saddle sore, I didnt get any knee pains and never even had a cramp. Sure I had my moments, but the beauty remains and the fun was there.

Admittedly I don't even know if I want to do the Tour Divide now. A 20 day commitment might be real hard to pull off for a single dad. Maybe I will wait another year or five or maybe I will go do the shorter races first, like the AZT and the CTR. Or maybe not. The allure of riding from Canada to Mexico by bicycle is very strong. The desire is still there. Its just hard, with all that is happening to see me being able to finance such an endeavour. The challenges right now seem insurmountable, like I said, I am the one who has to move mountains before I can climb them.

Regardless, when it all comes right down to it, I am very confident I can do the divide now. My preparation is right on track and I want to be there as long as I can make it happen.

Expect one more Wrap up Post, giving out the much needed thank you's to all that helped make this thing possible for me.

Check back tomorrow or Sunday, LMAO.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TnGa StaGe FOuR MuLBeRRy GaP To SQuiRReL GaP

2010-09-14T18:42:00.005-04:00

I admit I was apprehensive after listening to the other racers.

I had a slight fear that I would become so comfortable at Mulberry gap that the next morning I would see it better just to pull the plug then to keep going.

But that morning, as I saw Matt Lee pack up and leave, and I caught a little more snooze, there was no apprehension as I loaded up my bike, ate two of the Best Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwiches ever, and rolled out for second breakfast on Pinhoti 3.

I was now beginning my third official day of Eat, Sleep and Ride, and I felt great. As I made my way up the Pinhoti, I was savoring every morsel of dirt that laid before me. Thankful, that I had finally found the balance of riding hard everyday, in a consistent manner, then waking up the next with the legs still feeling crisp and sharp.

It was sheer pleasure to be had the entire time, when I finally reached Tatum Lead, I saw bear cub on one side of the old overgrown road, and Immediately and Intentionally Yelled to spook the animal, sure enough another one charged out the woods right behind him.

This was my second bear sighting of the trip. The first one was on the fire roads in the Cohutta section on a downhill I watched as one darted across the road as I made my way down.

I felt so blessed by this sighting that once I reached a peak, I stopped to give the world of MTBCast and Update.

Called my Mom as well to let her know I was OK, cause I know she was worried about me being on this adventure.

As I got back on the bike, it seemed like in no time at all I was on the pavement, and I tucked deep into the freddies to make my way to Dalton. Once I was sure that Pavement was all there was left, I took my Bandanna off my Aero bars, soaked it in water and placed it on my head under my helmet to keep me cool.

The road to Dalton was going to be a hammer fest for me as I had every intention to make some good time.

Being from Florida, I am real strong on Flats and Rollers so I took advantage of them and kept the pace Scorching across the Valley.

Right before reaching Dalton I saw a Person waiving to me on the side of the road and as I approached, I saw that it was my new Best Friend Rick Moon. We chatted it up, He reminded me who he was and I told him I had not forgotten. He Told me that I had some tough singletrack ahead and I was off to eat, and stock before heading up the mountain again.

You would think after 3 days I would have learned my lesson regarding lunch. The lesson of not eating too much and getting sluggish, but I am dumb. I ate too much and the climb up to Dug Gap was Hard. Had to talk myself out of walking on the road and I didn't walk, merely to avoid embarrassment.(from the passing cars ya know)

AS I finally reached the Top of the ridge, I was having such a hard time staying cool. I touched my lips and they were noticeably swollen. I drank and drank but nothing would quench my thirst. I eventually just took my shirt off and broke a cardinal sin of cycling, riding shirtless while wearing bib shorts. But, I knew I was alone, so I didn't care. Who was gonna see me. I had seen Jeff and Ruth in Town, but they had to restock, so I knew that there wasn't anyone for miles.

On top the ridge it immediately gave way to the most technical Rock garden I have ever ridden. 4 miles of rock garden to be exact. But, I live for stuff Like this. I live to push my technical limits and actually fantasized about riding it on my Fixed Gear War Machine. Technical Mayhem for miles and miles, O what a RUSH. Eventually I Flatted my Last tube. I was so concerned at this point and that I started to kicking myself in the ass for not fixing the issue when I had the chance.

After the fix, onward I pushed and eventually I got control of my body temperature and put my shirt back on.

Before I reached Dalton,
Before I started riding the Ridiculous Rock Garden,
I had made a pact, that I would take it easy till Dalton and then I would turn myself inside out, no matter how long I would ride, to finish. All night if I had too.

This was my plan and I had the energy and the lights to do it. I wanted to Catch Cricket. I knew that once the Sun Set she would stop, and I would pass her, maybe chat, before continuing my 24 hour self imposed solo.

So I was rolling, the day once again gave way to the night and before I knew It I was descending the last 100 feet of Squirrel gap and my last tube Flatted. I cursed. I felt it in my heart that my race was over.

I walked to the parking lot, only to find I had barely a hair of cell signal. I first attempted to patch the tube. But I had no luck. Then I walked up the mountain to try and get a call off, but no luck. Eventually I decided to just put up my hammock and wait the daylight. I decided, just on a whim to see if I could get a hold of my friend Marcel in Florida via text message. I did and He said he called Mulberry gap and left them a message. I figured my race was over and decided to enjoy my last night in the woods. It was 1030 at night, and I was out of water.

After putting up my hammock I searched for a creek or anything, but all was dry. I decided to just enjoy the night and slept well in my little hanging Cocoon.

Over and Over in my head, I played out all the chances I had to fix this tire.

Over and Over I played in my head this exact dialogue:

I have had this front tire since January 2008. Have ridden and raced it, in the CFiTT, 2 PMBARS, 10 50 milers, tons of mapping rides, several bike commutes, the Huracan 300 and almost 300 miles of Georgia mountains. I guess I could of got a new front tire before the race.

Even with all this playing in my mind, My body didn't have any trouble finding a deep, deep restful bliss.

Last Part Tomorrow,

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TnGa StaGe ThReE, LoNg BrAnCh To MulBeRRy GaP

2010-09-12T21:49:00.003-04:00

The weather was perfect Monday morning as I got up and got packed up ready to start my day on some singletrack.

As I was finishing packing up and getting ready to go, I see a dog dash through the creek followed closely by some hikers.

Cordial everyone was as pleasantries were exchanged and they continued on their hike.

I ate my breakfast which consisted of a couple of candy bars and rolled out, happy to be starting my day on some skinny trail instead of Gravel.

By this day I was happy to be doing something other than Gravel Grinding.

I had seen all types by then. More Gravel road then I ever thought imaginable, I consider myself and expert now.

As I made my way up the single track and down the single track I was having so much fun that before I knew it I popped out on the same parking lot I had started the night before.

At that point I wished I had bothered to at least took the cue sheets for the single track as the GPS Green Line I normally followed was not very accurate.

I remember something about a green mountain and that was the only turn I saw, so back I went, re rode half of the trail, went up green mountain, only to do an excellent descent to another parking lot and then get even more directions from a guy who lived in a cabin and waived me over.

For a second I thought I was going to get an offer for coffee, but instead he was able to give me a better Idea in which direction I should be going, and all my detours eventually were for not as I was on track.

The wonderful skinny trail gave way to gravel and pavement, and at some point I started running low on water. I saw a gas station and asked them if they had any vending machines and they said no. I kept going on route, saw a church and after some searching found a water spickett under the building and was able to at least get water.

On I pushed up and down some pretty big rollers. On this day I had found a new rhythm in my climbing. Some Climbs I would actually push the big ring and push the big gear and climb standing, others I would spin and grind away, and others, I would get off and push. But the rhythm was well established and much of the slipping from climbing that I did in day one, had passed to well seasoned adaption to the current conditions.

At some point I pop out on pavement and see what I think is a sign for a grocery store in the distance and pull up front, park the bike and get a huge amount of food to consume.

I sit, eat, drink, eat, drink, eat, and then before I know it, Cricket and Stephen pulled up. Once again I was happy to see them and at the same time disappointed that I had been caught. Once again we rolled out together and spent a minute of discussion, talking about distance goals.

They wanted to get past Mulberry, I was content with just reaching it, after learning that my distance estimates had been way off and after comparing mileage with them I had covered at least 15 more miles then they had.

They apparently came across the guy who gave me directions, and we continued on wondering when the Pinhoti would come.

Once again, the road kicked up and once again Crickett and Stephen drop me and once again I had ate too much and had to rest and ride, rest and ride, till I felt better.

More road unfolded in front of me. And then it gave way to Gravel, and then I recognize and notice that I am Big Ring climbing a part of the Cohutta Course that I had to walk a couple of years before. Interesting how time changes things. Since I recognized and new part of this area, I was able to hammer the huge rollers and use the big ring to motor halfway up some of the climbs and really let go of the brakes on the downhills.

Finally after some gravel grinding, I was back on the skinny trail and back on the Pinhoti.

The day gave way to dark and creek crossings. As I crossed some creeks I started noticing wet tire tracks and that eventually pushed me to pick up my pace. And just as I was wondering, looking my odometer estimating when Mulberry gap would appear, I come up a small incline and find Cricket and Stephen. They tell me they had been walking, I don't bother asking why, and Stephen tells me they will probably bivy there, I was motoring on to the Gap. He told me he estimated it to be 4 miles and I really picked up the pace.

Up and down, executing some sweet fully loaded bike jumps along the way and finally after a couple of false endings, I come out on Cosamunga road and I know I am close to Mulberry Gap, but nothing looks familiar.

As I see the start of Pinhoti 3 I Look behind me and see the sign that says .4 miles to Mulberry gap and I take off, wondering if I anyone will be up, or what will happen when I get there.

As I make the steep climb up the access road, I hear yelling and cheering, roll right into an interview with Joe Polk from MTB Cast. All this was very surreal for me, as I have been listening to MTB Cast for years, it was just an awesome moment for me to be on it.

Awesome moment, after eating, doing laundry, showering and getting changed, to sit there eat food and chat with Matt Lee, and Eddie and Nam O'Dea and Joe Polk. All great story tellers, I was so entertained. Charley a fellow racer was there as well and so was Amy and some others from Mulberry gap. It was so nice to be done with a huge chunk of the route.

As I drank some beers with Joe and Matt, I eventually settled into my cot with some warm blankets drifting off into one of the most dream like, satisfying slumbers that I have had in years.

Wow, is all I can say about the ride and the experience up to this point!

Part 4 tomorrow!!!

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TnGa StaGe TwO, MiLL CreeK RoaD to LonG BraNcH TrAiL

2010-09-11T12:48:00.003-04:00

I was fortunate that I had come prepared.

That morning was cold.

No other way to say it. I got up, put my fresh pair of bibs on, my thick wool socks, my long Hoss shorts, my arm warmers, showers pass jacket and wool based layer.

I figure I wanted to be comfortable in the cold till my core warmed up.

I jump out the back of the trailer start packing things up and tying things to my rear pack when I discover that my front tire was low on air.

No worry I think, I will pump it, spin it and it should seal fine. Well, not the case at all as when I look for my mini pump, it was gone. Must of shook off on that crazy gravel rocky road I rode the night before.

I cant really describe the sense of frustration that I felt at that moment, mixed with a sense of panic. I knew I still had 20 plus miles to Helen for a chance of repair. I didn't remember the rules well enough to know if I could of accepted assistance from a fellow competitor, and I didn't have anyway to repair it.

I call MTB CAST to give them the update.

And then I start walking.

I decide to stick my thumb out, but not a single person wanted to respond or help.

I only had my emergency calories left, so I was chowing down on Almonds and cranberries as I walked and stuck out my thumb in hopes for a ride to Helen, then a return to where I left the course to continue with the race.

SO, I walked up the road, and down the road and up and down, then I reach an intersection. The road side points to the right and says "Brasstown Bald" which I recognize from the Tour De Georgia cycling race. I see a road sign after that says, "12 miles to Helen". I was devastated. I was going to pull the plug, there was no way in hell that I was going to walk 12 miles.

Just as despair and defeat were settling in, 2 cyclist pull up asking if I needed anything and I said, "Yes, do you have a mini pump". Dave did, and sold it to me after my generous offer of $20. I would of needed this pump the rest of the race, so the investment was worthy to me. I tried to seat the bead and get the Stan's to work, but it seemed to have either evaporated or leaked out. So, I took out the rim strip and pumped up the tube and hauled ass out of there back the way I came to return to the route.

I updated MTB CAST.

As I climbed up the dirt road, I had little water left and down to my emergency calories. As I am pedaling the endless but beautiful uphill Gravel road, a blue truck pulls along my side and ask if I was "Karlos".

"I said yes" and "they ask me why I had gone off course". At that point I knew they had been watching the race.

He offered me a coke and I accepted the coke and the brownie and the Gatorade and I got rolling again. He continued up the road to see if he could see any other racers, a virtual rolling Trail Angel, how awesome!

I don't know how many Racer's had passed me during the time consuming detour that I was forced to take, but since he continued up the road I assumed there were some I could catch and the race was on and my pace was combative as I ascended Tray Mountain.

At the top, I turn and see the helmet of Ruth Cunningham, riding along with her was Jeff Papenfus and after quickly catching up, I pass by and start riding some kick ass buff singletrack, my first real taste of the trip.

I had so much fun going down that mountain, and riding that crazy rocky gravel road that reminisced me of a triple wide version of Farlow Gap, I was in Mountain Bike heaven once again, just enjoying the fact that I was out riding and enjoying some beautiful Georgia trail.

As I popped out on the Road I let out a Huge Yell as I am over the top happy that I am finally back on pavement after completing another Dirty section of the TNGA. I tuck into the Freddies and Haul ass to Helen, passing 30 cars along the way.

Briefly as I passed the Woody's bike shop sign I considered going into see if I could re Stan's my wheel, but didn't think I would have another flat during the ride so I hammered on for food, refreshments, medicine and restock at Helen.

When I pulled up to Betty's Grocery, I see two bikes outside, and like a kid at the grocery store I start Scavenge hunting the store going Row by row till I find Stephen Huddle and Criket Butler over joyed with happiness that I had found some other racers. Hug's and hand shakes were given and I proceeded to eat my butt off and restock on meds and supplies.

At some point while in the store, my scalp started itching, and I started noticing Hives on my neck and my arms. That venom from the Bee must of exceeded the strength that my body was used too and I had to take even more benadryl.

After quite some Bewilderment on my part, I pack up and we all leave town together. There pace was quick and I was not able to keep there wheel, and before I knew it the Endless Tour De Georgia Road stage began, complete with ridiculous steep road ascents and descents and endless climbs for miles of miles.

Twice I had to stop on the side of the road, feeling so sleepy and tired, at the time thinking that it was the effect of the Benadryl.

Twice I rested, till I would relax a little too much and think I would hear the sound of a shifting bike and demand a rise from my flesh to get back to the task of going Forward. Forward to chase Cricket and Stephen.

My goal was clear I wanted to Make Mulberry Gap. Eventually, I started to feel better, and I the blood started flowing. I knew if I wanted to make the Gap tonight I had to light the matches so I started playing the music.

And my pace was strong and good, and before I knew it, Darkness had come and I as I made my way up a graded Fire road that reminded me much of the Forest Roads back home, I saw a campfire at the top of a climb and heard the cheering of fellow cyclist.

Apparently at my Helen Pit Stop, Ruth and Jeff had passed me and there they all were including Cricket and Stephen. They had made camp, and had made a beautiful fire and they were hoping I would join them.

But, as perfect as it was. I was not tired, and the last thing I wanted to do was lay in bed awake hoping to fall asleep. As beautiful and poetic as their fire and warmth and company would have been, I needed to pedal on.

And I was glad I did, as it was downhill for miles and miles and the stars were so beautiful that I had to stop and stare and marvel and tell the whole world about what I was seeing.

Some where along that part of the course a Huge rock kicked up and hit my Big Ring. I kept pedaling hearing a weird sound as the big ring was now rubbing the middle ring.

I stop and look to find that 4 teeth had been completely sheared off and two were bent. So I found a rock of appropriate size and I bash the rings that were bent straight and file down the others. I need and use the big ring often, so I had to make some sort of repair.

Eventually, as I am climbing up another fire road I get lost for a minute to discover that I had to navigate to a parking lot and jump on some more single track! WooHOOO, I was so excited, and the track was sweet. After riding hard, and railing the turns and enjoying some downhills, I crossed a creek and decided that at 130am it was a good time to stop and rest for the night.

I set up my hammock, got changed, and started feeling the itch from the Hives returning, took more Benadryl, and drifted off to sleep. The temperature was perfect and my dreams were filled with more singletrack riding.

Part 3 Tomorrow.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TnGa StaGe One, The GrAvEL GrInD to MiLL CReeK RoaD

2010-09-10T10:01:00.006-04:00

This had to have been the coldest September morning I had awoke too in a long time. My alarm had gone off at 3am, and the snooze button had been my friend. It was time to get my finely tuned kit put together for the adventure that was about to begin.

Out the corner of my eye I see a bouncing LED light, typical of what you would see on a helmet, and as the Light approached I recognized it to be no other than my good friend Rob Roberts.

I immediately noticed Rob was fully dressed and ready to go.

Panicked I said "what time is it"??

"4am".
**Note to reader, were supposed to leave at 430am**
I immediately go into panic mode.

I pack up my gear quick as I can, throw all my stuff in a bag, grab my other gear, run up the mountain, do what I must in the bathroom and get there in time to eat, before we loaded up and ROLLED OUT.

In the back of the Limo I could hear the chatter of the riders as they discussed various subjects.

To my left, driving the stretch Limo and listening to Kick ass tunes was my New Best Friend Rick MOON.

The chaotic morning had finally calmed for me. Whilst feeling relaxed, I still felt anxious about what was yet to come.

At the start, I immediately started strapping the bags and getting all my final last bits together. I had received a bunch of food from Mulberry and I didn't want to throw it away. So at the last minute I strapped it onto my bike in a HoboTic fashion.

Looked not so good, but it was food that I may need.

David said some quick words regarding the route and the event, and then we were off.

You would of thought that it was a 35 mile race instead of a 350 mile race, as Stephen Huddle was off the front tucked into his Aero bars in a move that reminisced something out of the Tour de France.

Seemingly the group ignored the attack. I looked around as everyone just kind of stayed bunch up as we started to go through some North Georgia Rollers.

Then on a downhill I decide to gun it, Open up the legs, and at the same time, test my set up to see if I could chase down Stephen.

Immediately I am gone, Rob follows, tells me not to get caught up in the pace..

And after we all pass Stephen, cause he stopped for a moment, we hit Gravel and the race really picks up.

Immediately there is a split in the Front as Matt Lee, Eddie Odea, Rob Roberts and a few others start pulling away.

A split had already formed in our tight little group and off the back but catching up was Mark Donagehy.

Matt Fusco, Brad Kee and myself were in the chase group.

We hit some Rollers and flow sections of double track that I was really able to just get ahead of my little group.

But once we hit a climb they would slowly creep past me and we would rinse and repeat.

I have no idea how much time had passed but this craziness and chaotic feeling was persistent.

Eventually, I saw Cricket creep up and she past by as Matt and Brad all left me on a longish Gravel Climb.

As I crested the climb, from an even steeper Road above me, descend Brad, Matt and Cricket, after apparently taking in some extra elevation meters.

Cricket stopped to wait for a friend and we continued on.

The rhythm of the race at this time persisted in that same little dance, of downhill small gap, uphill small gap, till after a turn on a climb, they all disappeared, Matt, Brad and Mark were gone. I picked up the pace, then climbed to a road going left, thinking I was following the Green line on my Etrex Well, only to end up at the threat of a Jack Russell two pronged Terrier attack at the front of someones yard.

My first Navigational error had occurred and it cost me the spot I had worked pretty hard to get in the chase group next to Matt and Brad.

No matter, I was really liking the section I was on. Overgrown double track climbing, I stopped to take a mental break, and tighten up my Hobo gear that had been starting to Lop to the right.

I kept going, seeing Brad Kee's Boot Tracks in the Dirt. Hoping If I did enough Modest work, maybe I could see some of them again. At least See Mark.

I eventually cleared the first Forest Section, feeling proud and defiant. Feeling like I was not only riding in this thing, but I was racing it as well, which was kind of the point. This whole thing is kind of like the Dare of Dares, the Feats of Feats. Pack your shit, go out and ride the ultimate Dirty Enduro and let's see in what order we get to the finish line. I love how Wild this type of event is. I love how Poetic the spirit of the event is. We go out and do it for the ride of it all and nothing more.

On the road, my Freddies were my friend as I tucked deep and kept going, searching for the way point that told me where there was a store.

Interesting, no way points could be found, and I realized that after spending Hours looking on Google Earth, making way points on the route to help me with reloads and mileage goals, I had forgotten to hit the load way points button when I loaded the route on my GPS. Costly mistake, but it was too late to make tears over.

I take on some liquid calories, and load up on snacks and roll out.

I learned something critical. During my work day on the bike, snacking is the only thing I should do and save the big meal for before bed. Now I didn't learn this day one, but I did this day one without even knowing it.

Onward I rolled. I thought I had about 30 or so miles to Helen, and I ended up being wrong. It was more like 60, but at the time I was rolling on an "I got 30 miles left for the day pace."

Up I went, down I went, this went on for hours.

Big Rocks little rocks all over the roads.

Too big to climb steady, too big to corner hard.

These Little Rocks made every type of riding a chore.

After climbing my umpteenth mountain, I stopped and eyeballed a sweet little pocket of warm sunshine that was shining on the clay, perfect size for my frame to rest in.

I laid there resting, and easily drifted into dreams, waking 30 minutes later, feeling like a new man.

I pulled a snickers out the frame bag and ate, tasting the chocolate and enjoying the flavor. As I sat up in a Yoga like pose to stretch my back and arms, I felt the familar Sting on my left Calf muscle, but wanted to dismiss it as a rock or a poke from a stinging Nettle Leaf.

I instinctively smacked only to find in my Sweaty palm, a dead Bee.

I have Not been stung my a Bee in 15 years or more and this past 8 weeks I have been stung 3 times. The first time was at work and the effects sent me panicked to the emergency room thinking for sure that I needed medical assistance to stop the Histamine reaction that was racking my body. But alas, that day when I left the hospital, the doctor told me, if this happens again, "just take some benadryl."

AND it did happen again, at work, and I DID what he said, and It DID Work.

But At this point I could not believe this was happening during the biggest challenge of my life.

WTF, for real?

Any how, I took the benadryl and got rolling. After a good little downhill I was pushing uphill when my heart started pounding in my chest making the veins in my skull pulsate.

Then the itching began, all over my back and buttocks on my arms neck and scalp.

I continued pushing, till this histamine reaction got the best of me and I forced myself to sit like a huge pile of allergic bee poison on the trail, thinking one thing and one thing only:
This is gonna cost me some time, will someone finally catch me now. I would love to see another face, someone to talk too and tell them how awful I was feeling at the moment.

But through the ordeal, no one came.

I forced myself to stand. Forced myself to push the bike uphill attempting to ignore the itch, but sometimes I would just give in.

AND I got back on the bike and kept the pedals turning, grinding the gravel away, while my body complained of Bee venom.

And eventually, as the night got dark and cold, I put more clothes on, and continued my forward movement. The torrential physical downpour that my body was experiencing subsided and dried up. The Deluge of itch was gone.

And I felt fine. Had to put on the lights. Had to put on my wool shirt. Had to keep going forward.

I got on some pavement, and I was looking around at the houses, trying to figure out how I had not reached Helen Yet. My math was apparently off.

I spotted a trailer home that looked dilapidated and kept going on my way. Got to an intersection, asked my GPS how far Helen was, and after riding all day long, since 8 something A.M., it was 1030 at night and I still had 25 plus miles to go. I was not ready.

I went back to check out the trailer since I knew that this evening would be the coldest of the three evenings I didn't want to hang in my hammock and not be able to sleep.

The back had an opening in what would of been the Trailer homes hallway, and I parked the bike, climbed in and jumped in my sleeping bag wearing all my clothes. I knew this would dry me by the morning.

Although my body slept, one lEar was always alert. I could hear the Nails from the Mice running underneath where I slept. Sometimes I would have to roll from one side to the other, but I slept good.

Part 2 tomorrow.

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TNGA

2010-09-03T16:28:00.002-04:00

So I am here. Sitting in the Recreation Room at Mulberry Gap, basically relaxing and killing time before dinner.

Its been one hell of a journey to get to this point. Even at the very last minute my bike was without brake pads on the rear and I was pinned at work unable to retrieve it once the repair was done.

Thank fully, due to the kindness of Edita and her Daughter Sarina, I was able to have my bike, and get everything I needed.

I rolled out of my house to drop off Lil'r NI only to realize that I had to return back home cause I forgot my Net that attaches to my rear pack.

I Zombie drove to Rob's house and before long, he awoke from his nap and we rode out. I slept on and off the whole way here. We hit a couple of stores and its been a marvelous day so far. I feel very relaxed without a doubt.

There is away for you to follow the events of the race. I am not guaranteeing blog updates but they may happen.

BUT, I have a SPOT tracker at http://trackleaders.com/tnga that will allow you to see my progress on the course. I will also make my MTB Cast Debut, through call ins at http://mtbcast.com/site2/. This is gonna be the biggest challenge I have ever faced, but I am composed and ready for what the ride will bring.

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

you Tell Me

2010-08-31T20:48:00.003-04:00

So in a couple of days I feel like I am finally ready, as ready as I will be to step up and do something I have spent countless hours preparing to do.

When I reflect, I see how much time, money and effort I have put into this Bikepacking/self supported racing thing, and now its time to make it happen.

I do not have the luxuries that some of you do. I cannot simply pick up and go. I have Children to consider, and I really had to go into full planner mode to make it so my 10 year old could be taken care of and get to school and back while I am gone for a week maybe more. I am after all a single dad...

Admittedly, emotionally, once again I have been given what seemed an insurmountable challenge. The changes at work, affected me physically and deeply brought back some deep harbored feelings of rejection that I thought I had shook.

It felt as if a fatal wound had been re opened and for a moment there I thought for sure, I was lost. Finally ready to run away to some Mountain Town and claim my life as an Perpetual Earth walker.

You name it, in the past 1 and a half months it has happened to me. Job loss, emotional pain, car stolen, mortgage issues, etc, etc...

One right after the other, often on top of each other, creating a perfect storm of disastrous life changing events. I wont even go into the details.

All the while, I was at work, crawling under trailers, in hot attics, up and down ladders, etc, etc, 12 hour days almost every single work day.

But, I persevered.

Like a warrior should.

I remember about a year ago someone teased my warrior ethos, but they just don't get it. That is my philosophy on life. I believe if I still existed in a tribe of my people I would be on a pony defending my clan.

I have no wars to fight, so I go out and create feats for myself.

I literally have spent the past 4 days sharpening my sword.

My sword being my bike.

I have spent the past four days, picking out my battle regalia. Going through every piece with a fine tooth combed, making easy decisions.

I call them easy because the job is simple. I will eat, I will ride, and I will sleep. That's it. That right there helped me prioritize the amount of gear that I REALLY NEED for a 4 day adventure. I am on a mission.

My goal is simple. I don't even have a mileage goal any longer. I want to ride, all day, till a little past dark, then get up at daylight and do it again. That's it. However far I go is however far I go, I will stop and smell the roses and I will not ignore any naps under trees. That is of course till I reach Dalton...What happens at Dalton? Well, you will just have to see.

While I ride from one side of the Great State of Georgia to the other, I am on a battle to conquer my own mental weakness. I can pedal that far. I can pedal that long. I got the strength in my body, and the ability. BUT, mentally I am a P****Y.

I am being hard on myself, but that is the truth. That is where the true war will be, in my HEAD. Every time I have given up, its been because of it and its horrible advice.

So, its time. It's time to make all my hard work and testing pay off.

See you other brave souls on the start line.

Have your stuff together. Its going to be a blast. I will find a way to enjoy every single lesson that the creator will teach me on this journey.

Even though I pedal through them mountains alone, I have not made it to the line alone.

There are so many people who have helped me along the way. When I reflect I have some beautiful spirits in my life and I dedicate this ride to all who have helped me reach the level I am at, I could not have done it alone.

I hope through my self imposed challenges and adventures that I share That I have brought some inspiration to some of you. That through me you see hope and you see in all my crazy feats a glimmer that with desire and drive you can do so much.

Its been one hell of a journey folks and its far from over.

Stick around will ya,

take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

MOsT AGgReSSiVe

2010-08-21T19:23:00.002-04:00

About a week ago Rob and I got up.

I am not the one to build much. I can build a bike, if I have a mechanic, a real mechanic right there to guide me.

Since about sometime over a year ago, I heard about a 2 piece crankset with a 29 tooth inner ring and how this was the cat's meow for a 29er.

Finally, a year or more later, I got some Origin 8 rings, 44 - 29, with a 12 - 36 9 speed cassette and went over to Rob's to put it all together.

Truth be told, I sat there and ran my mouth, while Rob put it all together and figured it all out.

The 44 sits where the 32 ring would and the 29 sits where the granny gear would allowing me to run my biggest and lowest combos' with no penalty.

The result is a gear combo ratio only 3 inches off the gear inches of a triple crankset.

Not bad.

I needed to test it.

EVen for me, its hot as hell out, but Rob was in to ride and so was I. I wanted to do my normal Clermont loop backwards, then ride into Astatula into the Apopka preserve, hoping to hit the wolf head hike a bike and get some aggressive bike pushing in.

My miles are way down from what they were. And my TNGA training is pretty much out the window. But I went out and did some intervals, worked on leg speed, did big gear drills, basically attempting to feast on all my training drills in one day.

God works in mysterious ways. And although installing is grueling work, it is definitely got me Lean and its definitely got my heat tolerances and suffering ability up.

If Rob and I were a two man peloton, I would easily be voted the most aggressive. As soon as we hit grassy lakes, I started launching the attacks on Rob, my goal was to make it to the tops of as many climbs as possible before Rob.

In no imaginary world do I claim to be faster than Rob, but I was riding aggressive and strong and putting the pressure on.

Eventually somewhere towards the last peak on Buckhill I pOppED, but still kept rolling regardless at my own pace, eventually catching up to Rob and launching attacks again.

I gasped at Rob that I was trying to stay away.

He offered some advice, "Don't attack on the Downhills",

I told him I thought it about it long and hard and figured that was my best bet.

It didn't work, but I still kept riding strong.

We eventually got into Astatula and I noticed my water levels were low.

Still pushing the pace, we hit Wolf Head Road, and amazingly enough my leg speed drills paid off as a quick spin cadence kept me floating on the sand and we cleared the section without having to walk.

I got water and a soak at the fire station and we continued. I knew we only had about 7 miles left so I really picked up the pace and made it a point to stay in front through Grassy Lakes and eventually we made the end, both of us hot as hell, thirsty and hungry. It was way too hot to be riding out there.

I am hoping to at the TNGA that Rob and I can ride together. Although my training has fallen off, I am still riding amazingly well and still have hopes of making these last two weeks pay off, pedaling and riding as much as possible. After crawling climbing and working all day, I admit its hard to motivate myself to get on the bike, but I am going to push myself.

I really don't know what will happen in TNGA, but my mental is resolve. I am determined to finish. I am leaving the ego at home. My goal day one will be to acclimate and finish the miles that I want to finish. Not go hard, not blow up, feed on a regular basis and keep myself healthy and patient. No secret here folks, I am speed touring the route, I hardly consider myself a racer of it.

But, I am experienced in this type of event. I do have a slight advantage over the competition and I have a feeling that If I stay healthy and I stick to my ever flexible plans, I should finish well, I will call a prediction now and say that Rob and I will finish in the Top five, maybe even the Top Three, but I don't expect to finish before Rob, but would love to finish right next to him or right behind him.

I am ready, to go out and do, once again, the hardest thing I have ever done on a bike.

I hope I never ever am able to stop saying that.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ThRu DyInG

2010-08-16T21:42:00.002-04:00

So, the other day Rob and I were having a conversation about self supported racing.

I was telling him how many more variables go into Self Supported racing vs. the normal type of racing most people are used to That I expect those who have never done it to Fail.

Of course I am going to say that. Do you have even the slightest Idea how many trips I have gone on and crumbled and failed. How many times I have gone out and turned myself inside out to the point where I completely cracked.

TOO MANY TO COUNT.

But through all those failures, all those critical moments, all those bad experiences I have learned how to succeed. Through my disappointments I have learned to overcome.

So I don't have a lot of faith in new people stepping into the game. My attitude is to expect them to fail. The learning curve is steep, the climb is long, and until you have done it, its a whole nother world that your stepping into.

The TNGA is right around the corner and it will be the biggest challenge that I will ever face.

Physically I am ready. I feel strong. Surprisingly all this installation work has increased my tolerances for the horrible temps that are out there.

My kit is ready and the bike is ready. I reconfigured my 2 x 9 set up and its optimum for climbing. I am literally missing only 3 inches of gear ratio from someone running a 22 x 34.

I dont know who the other racers for the race will be, but I venture there are not many champions stepping up to the line, and after all I am the Cross Florida Fixed Gear Champion.

So, physically I am ready, the bike is ready, the kit is ready and I have done enough self supported ride to feel that I am experienced enough.

The only thing left, the only thing I have to make sure of, is that my head game stays on the end game. And the end game is crossing that Alabama border. My end game is to stick to my goals, yet stay flexible enough to alter it. And most of all, to have no quit in my heart.

After all, through all my failures, I feel I have finally found the key to succeeding in the self supported racing game.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

The PaPaKai ToUr ParT 2

2010-08-12T22:13:00.002-04:00

We waited, ate, and chatted while the storm soaked the earth. I looked at the Weather Map on my Droid and saw that we had a good clear line down the middle, in between the storms. I figured if we moved out now, and kept a high pace, we should be to get there without a soaking.

So, we mounted up and rolled out.

3 miles later as we approached Oviedo, Kailan said his rear tire was flat and at the stop light confirmed it.

I noticed that the storms that were on both side of us had closed in pretty quick and as the soaking started again, we made shelter under the carport of a church.

I went right into repairing the flat, concerned that I had got a flat to begin with, and how I was about to use my last tube.

The Storm Raged long after the repair. Not interested in getting a soak, we waited. I thought it was best.

While Kai played his DSI I cat napped on the rug. TOOK such a delicious rest, such a deep slumber in such a short time. 40 minutes later the storm stopped and we began the Cross Seminole bike trail.

3 more miles later, Kai's rear tire explodes.

DAMN!!!

I pull out my droid and do a gps location based search for a bicycle shop. I find there is one off trail about a mile, call and get directions and I tow him on the rim till we get there.

At the shop, I discovered that the rear tire popped cause the tread was separating. I bought two tubes and a new tire, mounted it all, the guy was nice enough to give me some patches and we were off.

I thought the adversity was over, but then the rain storm hit.

Regardless, I was pushing the pedals and actually keeping a faster pace then the day before. I had adjusted to the 120 lb extra pull and I was literally flying. Even with the soaking, I was still making great time. I gave Kai my sunglasses to protect his eyes from my poisonous rooster tail.

With 3 miles left disaster struck as we made a tight corner and Kai collided with a bike trail cement Island, landing on his chest and sliding on his face. Luckily He was not hurt, just a little bruised on his shoulder and we were off again.

We arrived into Lake Mary. Hit the Publix to get out of the wet clothes. I was proud of Kai's ingeniousness to dry his socks as he wrapped them in paper towels and pressed them.

We emerged dipped in our street clothes and pushed the bike to Papa Joe's to enjoy a meal.

We ran into some friends and we all went and watched "The Other Guy's". When we finished we were all sitting having coffee or coffee drinks, when Kai asked our friend for a ride home.

We had about 28 miles left and one more night of camping, but the last thing I wanted to do was FORCE Kai to do it. So since he requested it, we went home that night, arriving around 1130 pm.

It was a fun tour. I got to practice my speed mechanic skills. Got to practice my ingenuity and problem solving skills and got to spend time with my son. The good news is, he wants to go on another tour and like always, I am already cooking up a plan.

What a blessing it is to be able to tour by bike.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

The PaPaKai TouR

2010-08-10T21:24:00.003-04:00

I dreamt this up in March.

I was thinking of things I could do with my boys.

Unfortunately LiL NI was not available, but LIL'r NI was.

I got on the bikepacking forum and asked about tow ropes and over time the plan festered and developed little by little.

I had a route in mind, a route that would have some backwoods, but plenty of civilization and destinations to keep him goal oriented.

Eventually, the weekend was penciled in on the calendar and it was time to be off adventuring as Father and Son.

I wanted to bring a tow rope to spare him the pain of pedaling farther then he had ever pedaled all year, let alone his life, let alone on a bike that would be heavier then what he was used too.

PLUS, I knew we were going to have to ride some BUFF singletrack on the first morning to traverse the Econolokohatchee forest and I knew he would need his strength.

In theory I have enough bikepacking gear for three people to go bikepacking. And a starter kit is not expensive, nor hard, just takes a little imagination.

I loaded Kai's bike Light. Mine's was not even that much heavier.

I gave Kai my Mini Newt and I used the Stella and we rolled out Friday evening ready to adventure.

We both chose our riding outfits. My plan was one riding outfit each. We both had a set of Civilian attire and we both had toilettries, swimsuits, raincoats and towels.

I have a completely different philosophy then the average person. My TNGA set up wont be much different then this minus the street wear. I actually rode Chamoisless this ride as the experiments continue and I completed the tour without a single chaff or sore.

Not even 3 miles away from the house we had to turn and go back. By that point, Kailan had decided He would accept the tow rope and we were starting to groove till his Bottom Brackett seized up.

This of course was not his fault as I have NEVER put a bottom bracket in that bike since I purchased it in 2005.

I had a back up bike, and had to switch all the gear and the seat, etc. Many times this weekend I felt like the Domestique as I was the lead mechanic and the main PULL for the team.

The swap was done and before we knew it we had Cleared Section 1.

The section was only 8 miles long, but I broke it into sections so Kailan could better wrap his mind around the challenges that lay ahead. It worked. At stop one we got water, and then continued on to section 2 which was another6 miles or so. Each section included one big climb and although I was towing him, He was required to pedal to assist up the inclines. As it was, it was taking some pedal power to keep us both moving. Towing 120 lbs is not easy.

After section two we consumed liquid calories and finished off the final part of the trip including the 1/2 mile of off road riding we had to do to get up by the river camping spot.

After a bit of searching I found a good spot, but in the end it worked out better for Kai as my hammock set up didnt turn out to be so optimal. The night we spent in the woods was as restless as the first night I spent out there. The whole night the Forest was alive with movement and often it sounded like footsteps. The chances I did get to close my eye, I would awake startled. Kailan and I pretty much spent the night, restless, barely sleeping, waiting for the sun to rise.

At first light we were both up, ready to haul ass, frustrated over the weirdness of the forest.

I made Kai pack his clothes and show him how to roll up his handlebar bag, as I did all the hard work once again of loading up two hammocks and packing up my own gear. We got on the road and began the hard traverse of the white trail. The white trail in Econolokahatchee will kick anyone's ass, and not soon long into the trail I was wondering what in the heck I was thinking bringing Kai's very unpracticed ass down such a buff trail.

Eventually, after noticing and hearing how hard he was cracking I became more active in helping him. I would help him to remount, tell him to dismount and hike, and on we went for 1.5 miles till he was able to finally plop his ass down up against a tree and rest.

For a brief moment I thought we should pull the plugg and head down some doubletrack out of there, but the double track was worst than the singletrack with the lack of traction. So I told him he had to HTFU and we continued on to the swim spot. He actually was able to ride a lot more and the entire ride to the Swim spot we hiked less, even though we still hiked quite a bit.

At the swim hole we swam and recharged and then had another hard fought battle in the forest.

Kailan was close to an emotional breakdown, smoked, just completely taxed, when I pulled out the tow rope and started pulling his ass out the forest. At one point we lost the trail, and I followed the GPS arrow towards the closest road which was taking us down an ancient double track with tall willow like shrubbery that was gently ripping at our ankles. Even when we hiked I biked I was towing him, and before we knew it, we emerged on to that road.

I thought for sure Kai would collapse at that point. Google Maps Droid App indicated McDonald's was close and as soon as we hit the pavement Kailan demanded that we continued on, "let's go". At that moment I felt such a great sense of pride. Seeing him going from Resting his head on the bars, tears welling up his eyes, to conquering the very buff singletrack that had brought him almost to tears. Not only conquering but demanding that we Charge ahead to BRUNCH.

While we sat and ate at McDonald's, I let him in on the news that we only had covered 7 miles, we still had at least 20 more to go. Just as I said this the Sky opened up and a storm started raging. Kai didnt even flinch as he knew very well, that those 20 plus miles would be on the rope.

Part 2, tomorrow.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

2010-08-07T10:20:00.001-04:00

At the swim hole.

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2010-08-07T08:35:00.001-04:00

Kai popped 1.5 miles into day 2. What was I thinking. That singletrack was way buff.

2010-08-07T01:11:00.000-04:00

In a hammock down by the river!!!

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2010-08-06T22:04:00.001-04:00

Wow what an evening so far. Lilr nakedindian s bottom brackett quit 3 miles into the ride. Were back on track about ten miles left for the eve.

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2010-08-06T19:59:00.001-04:00

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2010-08-06T19:43:00.001-04:00

And were off on the papa kai bike tour, 17 miles to econolokahatchee.

TraNsFLoridA: To The CoaSt

2010-07-29T21:15:00.003-04:00

That morning I woke up feeling SUPER Chapped.

I packed up camp staring at my still wet Chamois Bibs. Not interested in any part of that. I grabbed the Pro Lube I bought at Greenway and lubed up and decided to ride in my camp shorts.

After we were ready to emerge from our Stealthy camping spot I jumped on the bike did the sick little steep drop to the road and immediately realized I had made an excellent choice. I was not in pain.

Maybe Chamoisless riding with the Pro Lube combo is the ticket. I will have to test.

We went across the road to the Wal Mart, Subway has breakfast.

I have many super powers. One of them is amazing charm. I first charmed the greeter to watch the bikes, then charmed the young girl behind the subway counter to load up on extra bacon. Even Rob2 was envious of how much bacon I got. I had a BLT extra bacon spinach and tomato with guacamole. Delicious.

We drank coffee, water, conversated then I ate my three musketeers. I felt ready to finish it, "35 Miles to go" as we got on the bikes and rolled out.

My legs were a little tight, but i kept the pace steady, the effort beautiful. Had to apply my speed legs again in the sandy spot before the Pruitt Memorial. But the ride through Haltapa was beautiful. I really enjoyed it.

We hit the road, I did another quick pit stop, had some more calories, and off we went. I was in the mood to do some Tempo. In the mood to cover this new part of the route, swiftly. I stayed tucked in the Fred's and was even more comfortable cause this morning, instead of putting my two ready bottles in my pockets, I put them in my feedbags. So much better. I put the music on and laid it on top of my gloves on my Aero bars and I was ready to work.

The Rollers were exquisite and today we saw the biggest longest climbs of the route. In the Middle on there we were having to stop and stare at the GPS topo to figure a work around. The original route took us next to the rail road tracks and that would of mean miles of pain. I may take the Wild Solo American with me and see if we can do a day ride and map a more dirtier route. As is the current route is not bad. We actually rode through a partially abandoned Sub Division. It had a Road Warrior type of feel. The ashpalt was so bad that I would consider it off road.

Some Big Rollers later and then Rob takes off on a dirt road that seems to lead us to the rail road track. We made our way to the end of it, and I spotted a faint double track and followed it all the way till we hiked and bike up to the rail bed. Then I looked over and it seemed that there was a rideable ATV track parallel to the Rail and we rode that up and onto a road way and headed towards the Giant Climb on the Horizon.

Rob got a flat on his Front tire and I took a break in the shade, ate my last apple while Rob made friends with Two Shutland ponies. Apparently they really just had an affinity towards Rob without any effort on his part.

From there we rode up to the road, and it was a 12 miles road ride till we started zig zagging back roads to try to make the eastern most portion of the Cross Florida Greenway. Again, I followed a woodsy double track to a fence. We hopped it only to find out we could have rode around the fence. The side we hopped the fence onto was part of the preserve and some interesting grassy double track later along some canals we were on the paved trail.

I coordinated our pick up and we finished the ride. Pooling our bikes into the ocean, happy that we accomplished our mission.

I have to correct something from yesterdays post. By Greenway cycles we had done 97 miles. By the end of the epic plus we were at 120 or so. We finished the day with 177. So that last day was underestimated once again, as it was not a 35 mile day but a 57 mile day, whoops.

The ride, as always, was magical for me. I had a ton of fun. Was so comfortable and capable that I feel a strong sense of confidence for the TNGA. I am going into it with the desire to pull off 4 90 Plus mile days in Pisgah Like Terrain, at a similar to pace to what I did on the TNGA. I have a feeling this will be a race of attrition. I expect a high DNF rate. The people who do well will be the one's who have a lot of experience in riding all day, resting and riding again, on a bike heavy with gear.

I see Rob and I doing well and I hope we stick together, it will be good practice.

Now do I run the Freddies or not? I probably will, they are so comfy.

TransFlorida will be done again in Late November. Its a challenge. Its a 2.5 day ride when I do it again, and I invite anyone to be personally tour guided by me. It wont be easy, but it wont be impossible either.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TraNsFLoridA: BucK LaKe To SanTos Plus...

2010-07-28T20:00:00.002-04:00

It took me a couple of tries to find my comfort in my hammock.

I actually didnt sleep quite well a couple of times in it, but during the pisgah weekend, everything went all right. I found my groove I broke it in.

If I was to read the manufacturers specs on the Hammock I probably am violating proper sleep arrangements but its working.

That Saturday morning as I finally opened my eyes I could see Rob was already up.

I wondered if he heard me snoring. Also thought of good cyborg jokes. If you dont know its a running joke that Rob is Half Human Half Machine and thus lacks emotions. LOL. I tell you folks, not true, ROB HAS EMOTIONS. But that didnt stop me from thinking of Cyborg jokes.

For example.

You know whats good about having a best friend thats a Cyborg. Since he doesnt sleep you dont got to worry about anything during the night.

Not that good of a Joke, I thought of more as we pedaled off.

I actually thought I packed up quick and after I ate my rice and my cherries, we were off.

The Singletrack rolled well, the forest road was going good, but then there were some sandy spots, and once again I used my leg speed to get me through it. I tell you, next time you ride something sandy, spin to win. Spin like your trying to scrape Kah KaH of your toes. You float right over the sand, amazing.

Since we did ride some HORZ CATEGORZ sand on the trip so far I had wondered if thats how it was to ride on loose powder and if I would use the same spinny technique. Why in God's Name am I thinking of Snow bikes with Fat Tires? I am not that crazy.

Anyhow, the foul weather of wind and rain storms never came. I was prepared. Never happened, instead it was a blessing of pure beauty.

Once we got to Forest Road 595, I took my Bandanna off the bars, soaked it in water and put up under my helmet desert fox style. I remember something Bear Grylls said and decided to try it. It seemed counter productive, but it actually acted like a shade and the wind from me riding encouraged the rag to dry and it created a cooling effect. Amazing.

We Broke out of the Forest without incident and I told Rob I wanted to stop at the church, grab some water and eat. Was already hungry. I sat and refueled, I think Rob Changed his derailleur hanger and we were off again.

Marshall Swamp was beautiful, and before we knew it, we were in Duncan Grabbing Latte's and hiding from the Sun. I was marveling at our pace.

I looked at the numbers last night. Our ride time, our actual bike moving time was only 16 hours, we really killed it and all we did was cruize and have fun.

It also said 5400 feet or so of climbing. So ya, for Florida its a challenge for sure.

Before we knew it we rolled into Greenway to find it empty. Sure there was a person working the Store, but No DanO, no Jessica and no Donnie.

The guy at the store told us they were doing and Clinic and off we went.

Donnie's face lit up when he saw us. Well, maybe its always lit up.

But we watched the clinic, I scored a free shirt, and we hit the showers and did some much needed laundry. We got dipped in our civilian attire and made our way back to the shop to lay out our gear and keep a sideways eye on the dark clouds looming from the west.

We did our best to Party and work at the same time. I ate till I hurt. Drank three beers, caught a ridiculous buzz and fell asleep on the chair. All the while making new friends and eating great food. The Folks at Greenway are doing it right. They are creating a culture out of that shop and I DIGG IT!

I wanted to hear what Rob had to say. I took a nap mainly cause I carb crashed and mainly cause i had only slept 5 hours in the last 120 miles.

But I wanted to hear what Rob said we should do. We kept our options open, but once again we were in Tune. We were going to kill the Epic tonight. No sense in waiting for the morning, we had work to do then. I figured we kill the epic, tomorrow is a short day.

My only condition was coffee. But truth be told, I just wanted Coffee. The Epic was marvelous, and it was all over before I knew it. I found myself alone, not knowing exactly what had happened, but was sure something had. Found out once we met up at the 484 spot that Donnie had lost his light. What a trooper, the Wild Solo American Is REAL!!!!

We parted ways. His energy is intense and I DIGG it. A very good guy, tons of fun, if he gets into self supported racing I think he could be dangerous.

We finished off the trail, once again I marveled at how quick we were moving. And headed to wal mart. I bought a gallon of water a pack of three musketeers, some cokes and some doritos. Ate everything but the musketeers. I used Google Maps satellite view on the phone to confirm that we could stealth camp across the street making for an easy breakfast run in the morning. I call it the "sleep by the river" technique. As I clamoured to find two trees to make my home with, It took several tries before I scored the sweet spot. Tied my hammock, took a gallon of water shower, all the while staring at the sky the clarity of the moon. It was beautiful. Took time just to sit on the earth as I strolled barefoot once again around my camp.

I laid to sleep and drifted fast. Once again feeling great and satisfied and blessed to be traveling by bike through the jungles of this land.

Part 3 tomorrow...

Take Care,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TraNsFLoridA: The GhOsT ToWn of St FraNciS, WaGon Trail and BucK LaKe

2010-07-27T22:38:00.005-04:00

How do I come up with these Ideas?

Was a question I heard sometime last weekend.

Rob Blames me for it all, but the idea was his really. He asked if it was possible.

Now keep in mind, any dirty route is possible. Dirty does not mean that we wont ride road, Road Riding is part of it. I try to pick some scenic road if possible, or Road with bad pavement.

And really there are only two ways across this part of the state and go dirty. You either go via Green Swamp Or you go via ONF.

So if you do the CFiTT route, you essentially end up doing part of the TransFlorida and Part of the Huracan. Same thing with the Santos Epic Plus. Its an off road super highway right through the middle of the state.

My packing scheme is keen people. And Rob's New Handlebar bag was perfect. For once I was completely content with my packing.

I decided I would pack in my food instead of buying till I got to Santos.

I made 4 sandwiches, took a bag of strawberries, a bag of Cherries, a bag of Rice and 3 apples.

I decided to go with bottles this time. I even got one of those New Camelbak water bottles. I carried two bottles in my pockets and 3 in my frame bag along with some food.

The bottles worked great, even found a better way to carry them by rides end.

We rolled into dusk. I say to Rob," Hey, its only 17 miles to the Ghost Town of St Francis, We can make that before dark right?"

As we rolled along the Naked Indian route, we eventually started to ride some terrain we had never ridden before. I had no Idea that Lake Helen had a predominately Black neighborhood. It seems to me that there were not many instances on the route that we were not doing rollers. In fact seems like the whole way, all we did was go up and down, up and down. The rollers through this part of town were lovely. The Frogs were so loud that I thought I was imagining things. The temperature was perfect and the moon was bright. Right away I was thankful to be loaded up and on the bike.

We stopped at a convenience store and I had a quick snack and refilled my two bottles, I knew that till we made buck lake there would be no potable water and there would be no food till we got clear of the National Forest.

After my snack of chocolate and strawberries we eventually made the single track that led us to the Ghost Town of St Francis.

The singletrack was Uber technical, mostly flat AND BUFF, till we made a short climb up onto an old road bed elevated above the rest of the forest floor. Long bridges, constant arm slap from the shrubs, this was nice. At one point I rode right by a HUGE snake. Had to tell Rob to Stop as I shooshed it off the trail. I had an OTB moment, injury free, but painful nonetheless. And before we knew it, we made St Francis, 34 miles Later. Whoops. I guess my estimate of40 miles to buck lake was going to be a little off.

We set out on the Paisley - St Francis wagon trail. AS is the trail will stay in the "Challenge". Why?
\Well, its historic.
Think about it, Hundreds of years ago, this was the only road connecting two towns. It just feels cool. Mind you, this bastard is 50% plus, 5 miles of questionable terrain. I made quick work of it. I will let Rob post up his opinion of it, but Im pretty sure he hates it. I actually used my leg work to get through it. I found that keeping a super high spin was keeping me moving fast through the sand. When I did Hike, I was pushing, I figure I need to get better at pushing a bike, and Sean's Hike a bike workouts, HELPED a TON, Im ready for the upcoming TNGA.

As I was waiting at the clay road that was part of the old wagon trail, a truck pulled up.

"You Ok?"
" The Road is up that way"..

I respond, " I know, but I am going that way, riding across the forest", "Thanks".

He shoves off.

For a second, I thought maybe there would be some trouble. Earlier that evening I had to tell someone to fuck off. But nah, no static. It would not have been a good day to pick a fight. I felt like I just kicked part of the wagon trails ass and I was ready for more, it would not have been pretty for him. LOL.

We finished the road, took a small break as we started the single track again. From here on out it was skinny trail all the way to camp.

The trail was so fun and I really was enjoying it.

At one point we were taking the Old road that leads to buck lake and I was thankful I had the GPX track, without it I dont think we could have followed it. At one point the Grasses and weeds were taller then us sitting on our bicycles and yet you could still see the faint road that used to exist.

57 miles later we arrive at Buck Lake. Immediately taking showers and breaking camp, drinking water and refueling. After a bit of hanging out and 3gee usage we both hit the sack. I slept like a baby. Not even the mosquito buzzing in my ear was enough to keep my slumber away.

Already 57 miles in and my face was aglow in joy. I can feel that the Training is paying off. I wanted to train so I could go out and ride the ride I wanted to ride and avoid the suffering. Except for a little bit of chapping I was feeling strong and looking forward to clearing the forest the next morning.

Part 2 tomorrow.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

2010-07-25T19:48:00.000-04:00

2010-07-25T19:47:00.001-04:00

2010-07-24T16:22:00.001-04:00

Great ride so far. Both of us feel good and riding strong.95 miles done. We showered and washed our clothes, hoping they dry. Looking forward to party.

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2010-07-24T08:45:00.001-04:00

Buck lake morning

2010-07-24T02:45:00.000-04:00

Buck lake.

2010-07-23T19:57:00.001-04:00

Dirty

2010-07-23T19:43:00.001-04:00

2010-07-23T19:32:00.002-04:00

To the ghost town we go....

WhAt's ThE DeAL

2010-07-21T18:10:00.002-04:00

Well, The saga continues. Work has been Rough. That First Friday ended very late, lead right into an early Saturday. I rolled well, but towards the end I Cracked Hard, and the last 17 miles were rough as I could tell I was way under hydrated. I had drank that day plenty, but that Friday was still affecting me. I got up sore, hands hurting, Glutteus muscle screaming, but I still went out and jammed out a 57 mile day with Rob Roberts.

Had a chance to Show him a little something new, and some of the road alternates for the Indian as well as gave him a bit of course history.

Rough day. When I returned to work on Monday it was with the attitude of giving it another go and working hard, well, that was interesting as I ended up getting bit by a WASP and having an allergic reaction sending me to the emergency room to counteract the Hives and symptoms I was experiencing.

Tuesday was going great, but got sabotaged by the mandatory Urinalysis required by an accident during work hours. LOL, cant seem to win.

Today was not bad, but I had personal business so it was cut short.

Have not had a chance to touch the bike since Saturday which is not awful considering I was supposed to take it easy last week and I stocked up on miles. This week I have only missed one work out and I will find a way to fit it in. Miles are coming this weekend and I am excited as I have already mapped out the Trans Florida Route and we are going to send the big gap on Friday.

I really NEED this trip, REALLY need to get out there and escape for some days. Also Really need to either get some normal hours or find a new job. Adding up Friday, Monday and Tuesday I have worked already 40 hours, in 3 days.

Ridiculous.

I need to commute.

Seems redundant now that the office is closer its not that many miles, but the point of commuting is not so much the miles but to show people what you can do on the bike. Inadvertently everyones curiosity is peaked when they see you pedal in. Voluntarily, not forced. The child like wonder gleams in their eye as they start to see all that is possible when you want to do whats best for you.

Rob Roberts has started a blog, check it out, Http:milesforpink.blogspot.com. He definetely has his head in the right place.

The future seems so uncertain at the moment and emotionally I am feeling the stress, physically I am feeling the stress. Cant wait for the weekend to De Stress. Life is so tough for me. Sometimes I wonder if The Great Creator gets a Kick out of seeing me challenged.

I dont even know if the money will arrive for the TNGA. Will I find away to adjust and keep my training going for the TNGA? Does anybody want to donate me some rollers or a trainer for a couple of weeks?? Who knows... Everything has been turned upside down as you can see by my lack of regular post. As I adjust I will give my 39 fans their much needed words.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN