SOuLooShUNz

So, you ride. Ride all the time. Ride Road all the time. AND your Fast, Fast as hell.... ON the Road. Once you get in the woods, you feel like a rookie.

Maybe you have considered that so much hammering on the road is good for fitness, but does hardly nothing for your technical skills. SO all of that fitness you got, is useless.

Does this sound like you?
I know it happened to me for a while. On the road I could hang with the A group, in the woods the A group would drop me like a bad habit.

Of course the simple solution is to ride more in the woods. BUT, that may not be easy for some of you, and the Road is all you got.
My advice -- is to Dirty up your road ride a bit.

So today here are some tips to work on your off road skills while riding on road.

You have to first realize that your road bike is not made of butter. It can very well handle more then what you give it credit for, so have no fear to ride it in above average manner. Have no fear of putting your POWER on the machine. IF, riding your road bike in Obtuse manners bothers you then pull out the Moutain bike and go for it. Keep the Knobbies on, consider it resistance training.

The first thing I recommend is sidewalk surfing. Often the Sidewalk will have twist and turns. It will be tight and it will wind with uneven pavement. Lot's more elevation changes at time then the road it parallels. Map you out a good loop of all sidewalks and it works on a couple of different skills.

Focus. Singletrack riding is inherently harder because you are having to work at going fast and at the very same time, negotiating 101 tiny obstacles and a terrain that is not static but dynamic. Sidewalk are the closest paved simulation to this. Riding sidewalks will help you develop and maintain the focus you need for riding singletrack.

IMPORTANT: Remember, when sidewalk surfing, ride towards traffic and always check all your directions when approaching intersections. You want to ride towards traffic so that you can see a car planning to turn vs. having a turning car in your blind spot.

Make your Road Ride More Technical. Yes you can make it more technical,

how you ask?

Different ways.

Take a drive and find the roughest roads you can. The kind of roads that rattle your bars. Keeping a smooth stroke and trajectory on nasty roads is a good skill to master. Find a route with lots of turns and lots of starts and stops. This simulates the tight switch backs and accelerations you may have to encounter when doing particularly twisty trails and or trails with steep or tight switchbacks. Finally, find a good dirt road. I started my road bike dirt road riding 6 years ago. I had a little 3 mile loop that I would time trial. I simply love hitting a corner at 17mph and feeling the road wheels drifting on the sand. SKILLZ...

SEEK the elevation. Find a route that has all of this. Sidewalk, starts and stops, dirt roads, LOTS OF CLIMBING. Not only add Climbing to your regular route but also seek to make it harder and more technical. (example: THE SAMURAI ROUBAIX) BTW there is no sidewalk on the roubaix.

Now use these tips, not only can you get a little better skills transfer when you go off road, but it will make you a better ON road cyclist as well.

comments??

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

TeSoRRoZ

I think as children we all daydreamed of finding a treasure. Perhaps that's part of the reason we all liked pirate movies or Indiana Jones or Johnny Quest. We want to discover, explore find Hidden Treasure, X marks the spot.

That's How I been feeling lately on my commutes, treasures abound at every turn.
There are two big peaks on my ride. I know, I know you hear the word peaks and your thinking gigantic mountain tops, but to me, they are the two highest points on the route offering vistas. Yesterday's commute home was a bit different as I chose to use My TNGA/TDR machine to hash out the brooks and comfort fit issues.

As I was crossing Peak number one, the Eye four Suspension bridge, I could see what looked like an upside down trapezoid of a storm cloud with showers raining down from it. The best part, or the worst part, was that it was located in the direction that I was heading.As I got closer to it, I could feel the cold wind that Storms often have associated with them blowing in all directions. Constantly changing, sometimes a headwind, sometimes a crosswind. I had already mentally anticipated my most likely location of encountering the storm and the possible place I may seek cover and wait for it to pass. I figured by the next highest peak on the route, the Bridge on 415 crossing over into Volusia county, I would be under it at that point, or just skirting it.
Once I was on the route it was hard to see it, but not hard to feel it. The headwind was once again strong on this day. I tucked deeper into my freddies and with effort could still muster a 17mph pace. Being Aero was indeed a benefit as I was slicing through the ever direction changing wind.I reached the next highest peak and look to the west and see that indeed I had skirted the storm and avoided the rain. I thought, what a beautiful treasure I had in being able to identify and understand a Florida thunderstorm so much that I could have the foresight and planning to avoid it. The gift of being able to see the entire storm entity as it moved across the land releasing its deluge.
All that Big gear work I had been doing had added up. My Upper Thighs felt heavy as bricks from all the effort. But this morning I got up and rolled out into the morning daylight. Either I am getting incredibly fit, or those first 10 miles I had a tailwind, cause I was doing 20 mph without barely a pedal stroke of effort. It was a bit magical.

People don't need to go Geocaching or GPS treasure hunting, they can just commute to work. I see so many roadside treasures. ON this day I found an entire wrist watch, fully functional and still intact. But I see many things on the side of the road. Women's thong undergarments, fishing weights, bungees, tools, dead snakes, Rubber Cobra snake, License plates, and toys. Today was no different. All the treasures that lay on the side of the road, that fall from peoples cars could make a pack rats day. I resisted every time. I admit the Rubber Cobra snake was tempting. So was the tiny rubber dinosaur I saw yesterday or the little action figure I saw today, but the only thing I scored was a wrist watch, that I will wash the bands and give to LiL'r NI so he may better know what time it is.
Discovery, exploration and treasures are around us each day. You just have to have the foresight and awareness to see them.

take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

Pffffftttt

So, This weekend I was pinned at home being a Dad. Missed a kick ass ride with the whole Tampa Proper Crew in San Felasco, would of been fun to go out there and deal pain.

BUT, Alas, it was my destiny this weekend to stay home and entertain my sons and be just a Dad. Not bad really, I managed to sneak in two glorious training rides.

Saturday I rolled out at 1pm. Right in the peak of the heat to do part of the Indian loop through Old Train Road, then Cassadega on to Old Enterprise to Wolf Pack Run Trail back into Deltona. Stopped at the Lost In Time Cafe to enjoy a Nice Latte, great ride, with some hard 15 minute efforts thrown in, I was on it. Kept it in the middle and just really felt good. Was upset by rides end cause after two rides I have still not dialed in the Brooks on the Black. Regardless, the rest of the evening was spent relaxing in front of the tv, watching Dew cup.

Sunday, I got up early and rolled out the house by 8am heading back to Cassadega via Old Train Road to Ranch Road, then into De land to hit a different coffee shop that I had not tried before. Even got to play with the Map My ride APP for my droid which was really cool cause at the 11 mile point it gives me verbal update on all my stats, funny.

After I finished my drink I rolled on through De land deciding at that point that I wanted to head back into Cassadega, back onto Old Enterprise Road, then Onto Wolf Pack Run, taking it all the way to the Lakes to see if I could figure out the Deltona Connector.

But then something happened....

In the Days of Old when a Samurai would reach Legendary status, Other Samurai's would travel far to come challenge them to see if they could take on the best of the best. As I was pedaling up the I 4 overpass that takes me into Cassadega, a rider in a Slipstream Garmin Chipotle team kit pulls up next to me and the conversation goes like this...

" You the Cannibal?"

" Me sir? Am I The Cannibal? Why, Yes I am"...

And with that, he Clicked the shifters on His 16lb Carbon Fiber Road bike and pedaled away to crest the climb of the over pass, clearly marking his intention.

I instantly match his effort and shadow his rear wheel and as soon as we crest, I drop into my freddies. I have not been passed on a ride in weeks, say for only Rob Roberts and I expect it from him, but this lowly Garmin Chipotle Slipstream team rider was not going to best me on this day. I descend the Over pass at break neck speed, the Cannibal is showing no mercy as I hammer every single roller, up and down, up and down, not looking back, not getting out of my Freds.

I see Old Enterprise Road approaching and take a glance back. He could not match my counter attack and was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy back there. Hopefully he learned his lesson to not test the Cannibal on his home turf.

I had resolved that day to train strong. The day before I kept it in the middle ring up front the entire ride, today I kept it in the Big ring the entire ride. Things are alot easier with the GPS, as I rode around the Lake, I took time to sit and admire the water and the beauty and the sounds. Got on the bike and followed the ATV trail that was leading towards a road. Popped out onto a huge Sand dune area that looks to have lots of traffic with two deep ponds in the middle. It was a bit exciting, feeding my exploratory nature. I continued on, finding a steep gravel road at some point thinking all of this would make a fitting addition to the Naked Indian Trail, I am having entirely too much fun to call any of this training.

The ride home was beautiful, peaceful and poetic, just me and my Freddies hammering the rollers enjoying the beautiful weather that Florida Has to offer.

Feel so blessed.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

O ya, LOt's GOinG ON!!!

So,

Do you want to Ride with SSP?

Well we are very active this summer with 4 events in July.

July 3rd we will be at the Bicyclery in West Palm Beach sponsoring the First Official Ride the Divide Movie Premier in West Palm Beach.
That Same day I believe were doing an 8am dirty ride out there with Bryan Frantz, so if you want to join us on that, get at me.
As well, we will be doing a Bikepacking off road touring Clinic at 6pm and hosting the show.

If you have not seen the movie it is over the top in both cinematography and content. Its not just a story about the ride, but more about the people and the challenges they face on the route, completely and totally awesome I recommend everyone see it not just riders.

July 10th I am hosting the Samurai Roubaix starting from the Howland Boulevard Wal Mart Parking lot. Were rolling at 8am for an 82 mile ride Naked Indian Singletrack Samurai style. Truly a unique road ride featuring a traverse of the Seminole Forest.

July 17th I am heading back to Lake Okeechobee for 120 miles of suck. LOL. Starting at 7pm going the oppossite direction, riding all night till the beast is killed, hopefully 4th times the charm??

July 24th SSP well be riding From Clermont to Tampa mostly off road in hopes of mapping the connection for the future Transflorida route. If you want to do a bikepack overnight trip and have some adventure you can join. Rolling most likely early on the 24th.

A fun packed month of adventure and your invited. Email me at Nakedindian@singletracksamurai.com.

Looking forward to alot of riding this weekend,

take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

It All WeIgHs HeAvY on My MinD

Weight.

Weight that you carry. Weight that you take on. Weight that you keep on. Weight that you take off.

This has consumed my thoughts for the past 24 hours.

Weight.

How can I lighten my load.

Not just myself, cause I could definitely stand to lose a few.

Not Just my bike, cause I could definitely make it lighter.

Not just my bikepacking KIT, which needs serious scrutiny.

But maybe my mind too.

What if thoughts and deep feelings add weight?

Is that why Vulcan's adapted a life with no emotions? Or why Robots/Androids work so efficiently because they have not HEAVY thoughts to weigh them down?

Is that why they say the phrase, "these thoughts weigh heavy on my mind".

I rode home yesterday. It was hard work. Felt hard. Wind was blowing hard, seemingly from all directions.

I rode to work today, with a heavy heart and heavy thoughts.

Weight?

Does it only exist as a physical phenomenon?

Or

Does it exist Metaphysically?

Does it exist Spiritually?

Does it exist in thoughts?

Does it exist in your soul?

This all WEIGHS HEAVY ON ME TODAY....

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ToP 10

I have not had any epic cycling tales to tell as of late as the bulk of my weeks training usually kicks off late yesterday evening or today. SO, yesterday evening I was entertaining company thus the reason there is no epic story.

BUT, I have to give something. Something to my 30 Loyal readers (that's right the number has grown).
So today I give you the Top ten physical, mechanical and skills related upgrades you can make to make yourself more comfortable and faster on the bike.
10. Strengthen your core. I do Yoga to strengthen my core, but do what works for you. A strong Core will keep you on your bike longer, make you faster and will lessen your pain on those long days.

9. Stay off the brakes. For real, did you know that the brakes just slow you down? Sounds crazy, but it does, stay off of them. Also with the Brakes, stay off the back brakes. If your rear tire is your power then avoid slowing down that wheel as much as possible and use more front break anytime you can.

8. Get a good saddle and grips and some fat tires. That's right, find a saddle that is comfy. One that fits your ass sit bones well. ASS size and sit bone size are completely different. For example, I am told I have a fine ghetto booty, but my sit bones are pretty small in comparison, ya digg? I like ERgon Grips, Love em. But they may not work for you, and I even use Moustache bars on one of my MTB's, so find what works, experiment. I prefer to use tires that are 2.0 or above on my Mountain bike tires, combined with a good tubeless set up you can get some added comfort from your tire pressure.

7. Stop being so GONZO. I learned this word recently. When I hear the word I think of impromptu adult films, but after acting gonzo on a recent ride, it means stop taking every ride as a hammer fest. Recovery is more important than you can imagine. I only started getting faster when I started resting more.

6. Ride a Single Speed: Seriously folks, how do you expect to master 27 gears if you cannot be the Master of one gear. Philosophically speaking it makes sense to figure out how to get the most out of a simple one geared machine and then work off that knowledge to become better when using a bike with more gears, I think some are up to 30 now.

5.Ride Twisty rooty trails with lots of turns and twist: For real, ride the nastiest crappiest rootiest twistiest trails you can find, and then learn to ride them fast. If you can master a tight twisty trail you can really do worlds of good for your skills overall; learn to carve the corners no matter how wide open or how tight.

4. Use the BIG RING, early and OFTEN. That big ring on that double or triple you got can really help you put some power down, use it, get strong enough to use it, push it when possible, you will be surprised how much faster you can go.

3. GET a LIGHTER WHEELSET. It may take 500 to 800 dollars out of ya, but in the end, it will lighten your bike and thus give you a better power to weight ratio, thus making you faster.

2. LOSE SOME WEIGHT. I have said it time and time again, but losing weight and being lean is good for your overall health and composition. AS well, eating a diet high in processed foods, sugars and grains is slow kill to your physiology, check this site out.

1. GET A BIKE FIT. Call Matt Goforth and make an appointment. I have done only wobble naught so I trust only wobble naught. It was a pretty penny, but it was the prettiest penny I ever spent, and the only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner.

So there you have it folks, the 10 things that I recommend you can do to get faster and more comfortable on your bike.

I know, not a great post, but it should satisfy your appetite just a Lil.

take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

Im IN LoVE~~~

Been In Love for years.

With The Great Divide Mountain Bike route.

Started with an article about John Stamstad, continued with the discovery of the Great Divide Mountain bike race in a magazine and then its been non stop ever since. I remember my Friend Aaron Watson said he wanted to do it, and I kind of shrugged at it. NOW, I am a year away from going and I am going dammit.
Note to KOACH Crichton, teach me how to extend my accumulating fitness for the event.

Anyhow, Do you know this is going on? You should? Do you know what the Tour Divide is? You should. Check out Tour Divide dot org. Check out MTB Cast Dot com. In about a years time you will see me on their leader boards, read about me on their updates and hear my charming voice on the MTB pod cast. If all goes according to Plan Joe Polk will be talking about me much sooner in September.
Let me guess, you don't know who any of these people are do you? You need to get on it, cause until I conquer the Tour Divide in my own fashion, be it fast or slow, I will remain IN PURE LOVELY LUST FOR THIS CHALLENGE.

Get on it, this is the hardest race in the world and its going on right now!!!

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

CRuEL CaNNiBaL

If you don't know you should Know that Rob Roberts and I make up Singletrack Samurai Productions. And it had been a minute since SSP had an official BRO down. The Plan was for us to get together, take care of some things and go jam out some miles. The Planned route was West Orange trail to Apopka, then return dirty via Apopka Preserve.
BUT, since it had been awhile since we had got together, we were both pretty relaxed, talking it up, sharing information. Rob and I, or should I say SSP, will be racing the Tour Divide in 2011, so we are taking this whole upcoming YEAR to prepare.
AND frequently many topics have come up recently. We spent a good amount of time talking about KIT TOTAL WEIGHT. Rob was going to take today as a good chance to do a shakedown, I was just looking forward to riding the Black Beauty which had been laid up since the Epic Abridged ride I had did. After tuning this and that and just having a good ole time, we rolled out.

And that's when HE SHOWED UP......
Apparently I have a problem.

Soon as we hit the Rail Trail, a Roadeee blows right by us as if we were standing still.
All the Sudden something came over me. I felt like John Rambo, "You Drew First Blood, NOT ME"... and Boom it was on. I tucked into my Freddie's and started chasing. It didn't take long to draw him in, but I timed my pass on one of the short climbs on the Rail Trail. I find its demoralizing at times to get passed, 10 times more demoralizing to get passed on an up hill by a guy on a mountain bike, tailed closely by a guy riding a bike full of stuff.

I kept pace, we kept tight, every one I would see would be consumed on the spot, would be consumed on sight.

Eventually, as I am enjoying a downhill, the Roadee which I had dropped, came up right next to me on the road, I immediately sped up to stay even with him. Loving every minute of the ride so far. Fortunately for him, he was continuing on the rail trail and we were continuing to the store to weigh Rob and his KIT. We do the Weigh in and ROB and his KIT are 227lbs of Hardcore Cyborg.

I look at the time and realize that its almost 9am, and I need to be done by 12pm or so and we still have the whole trip to do. Unfortunately we had, or maybe I had, farted around too much that morning. SO, we discuss options, and finally, feeling like my legs need to just take it light for the day, say, let's just get coffee and talk. Rob suggest we ride to Winger Garden and have coffee there and ride back, sounded good to me, we ROLL.

As we are riding there, we are going up and down, eating people along the way and before long, we catch my Roadee friend from earlier. Eventually he pulls up next to me and says,

"you guys got nice LEGS",

"I say, thanks",

Then he asks,

"Do you know Dave Wood",

I said I dont. Always get that name mixed up with Dave Hawkins for some reason.

" He asked about our set ups, we chat ULTRA for a minute, then I start doing Tempo."

I know I am making Rob work, he is riding a heavy ass bike, but I figure I can Domestique. Roadee man takes over and puts in a steady tempo and then I take over trying to keep it at 26mph for as long as possible. I ride till I blow up, then Roadee Man ask if he can pull and ask me what speed, to average. I say, "18 is good" as I gasp for air, and he proceeds to do 20, which was fine, I still recovered all the same. BUT then it happened!!!!

As we are making our way past some walkers, Rob Roberts, the 227lb Cyborg attacked!
I had to delay my counter for a minute to get in a good spot with the walkers, but I Counter as quick as I can, and hit the pedals as hard as I can, so hard, my Front Ring Slips, but I still recover after almost eating it and HAMMER< HAMMER< HAMMER....

Kept him in sight, only to watch him, pull away. I should have maybe waited? Who knows... Rob GOT ME...LOL

WE got Roadee man too, as I look back it was as if he had decided to moonwalk pedal his bike backwards.

Eventually, I soft pedal and let Roadee man catch me, I invite him to Coffee, but he continued on.

It was like sitting in Downtown Vienna Italy as we sipped our Iced Latte's and talked more bike talk. The ride home was just as aggressive as I continued to eat any and all riders, walkers, skaters, even saw a couple on those weird scooter skate trianglemabobs.

Rob, didn't attack me again. I don't know if it was cause he was tired, or showing mercy, or what, but I did Attack him the whole way back, HEY, its a shakedown ride right, just being a good friend ya know???

Happy BeLated Father's day to all Fellow Fathers. I would of said it yesterday, but I don't usually BLAHG on the weekends.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

PS: I LOVE MY FREDDIE's

SO ReN Derrr...

Haha, life's funny.

This morning, I woke up at 4am, couldn't fall back asleep. So I got ready early to pedal to work. On my way to work, I decided I would keep things in the middle and keep things simple. It was God blessingly early as I left. But the legs were ticking like the proverbial clock and I was noticing that the tempo was keeping me moving at a swift pace, but it was comfortable. I felt as If a passenger in my body on my bike, barely noticing the effort that was going on around me.
I made my way Through Sanford, Into Lake Mary, I look at the clock, and notice that it was 630am. I wondered if I could make Starbucks almost 8 miles away by 650am. I then got obsessed about trying to figure out how fast I would have to go, but then let that thought go. 8 miles 20 minutes? Hmm I'm not a mathemagician but that's like 60 miles an hour. I knew the math was wrong. I got up by Panera checked the clock it was 637. I made the resolve that I wanted to see if I could make it. I put my head down and let the pedals turn, still keeping an even cadence, still not anywhere near max effort.
Pass the marker telling me I have 2.7 miles left, look at the time its 647am, almost 3 miles in 3 minutes, NO EfFIN way. SO after keeping it in the middle ring, I click it up into the big ring, and get into the most tucked position I could muster and launch the most serious effort of the day. Made Starbucks by 653am. So 2.7 miles in 6 minutes, Not bad I guess..
After I got my Drink and My sandwich I soft pedaled to work, I had about 8 miles left and about 30 minutes to do it in, that math was easy. I settled back in to my easy pace, once again a passenger in my body.

Sometimes, in order to conquer, we must first learn and see and experience the power in Surrendering.

That was the lesson I learned today.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

BiG ThUnDeRsTorM RaCeR

The Rumblings Started Early.

To you, it was the ever present afternoon call of Thunder.

To Me it was Smack Talk, straight Smack Talk.

Thunder knew damn well that I was riding home today. Knew damn well that I had forgotten my Rain coat, but it was of no consequence, I rarely back down to a challenge.

I was the first to attack. Made Thunder give chase. He had wind on his side, I had fresh legs on mines. I decided to Flank his approach, and pedaled fast, never letting the tempo in my legs get any slower, steady effort, as aggressive on the climbs as on the flats. Hit the Seminole Wekiva bike trail, Thunder had not caught me yet. I figured, if he did catch me, I would let him go for a second before mounting a counter attack, so the plan was solid. I made my first spot to seek potential cover from the deluge and chilled air that Thunder travels with.
Started the Long section of the trail that ascends next to Mitchell Hammock and Thunder had done the work of chasing and was starting to catch me. Rain drops were hitting, 3.7 miles till the next potential cover area.
Even though Thunder was nipping at my heels, I kept the pace high and kept the effort fast, I was not gonna let up, he had not caught me yet. With 2.3 miles to go, I look overhead and Thunder was on Top of me. 1.7 miles to go, he lets loose with his attack. At the most wide open and unexposed spot Thunder & his storm had caught me, but I did not let up and 2 minutes after catching me, with barely a soaking to my skin and my gear, I made Panera and sat under the patio cover as Thunder & his storm Flexed their Mighty muscle. Lightning flashed, the wind blew hard, the air was cold.

But I was safe, and patient, as I sat and waited for him to make his noise and pass me by. Once I saw the Tail end of Thunder & his Storm's Peloton I started my counter attack. Quickly stopped at the Winn Dixie and stuffed two newspapers in the front of my shirt and one the in back to keep me warm as I started to ride into the back of the group.

As I pedaled fast, before I knew it, I was right Under Thunder and his storm. My counter attack was fierce, As I picked them off one by one. First I passed the Lightning, then I overcame the chill, eventually, as I cheered myself up and over the Bridge taking me into Volusia County and carved the dirt that led to the Gemini Springs Path, What had been a cross wind and a headwind, Gave way to a tail wind and gave me an added boost.

Now I knew I had Thunder right where I wanted him. His chase had been too long, his muscle flexing too much, It was time for him to feel the Fury of my attack. I was flying, spinning perfect circles and being pushed by the very own wind that was pushing him.

As if fired from a HIGH caliber Rifle I eventually punched through Thunder and His Stormy Peloton, going faster than before, I didn't let up. I kept it going, with His Own Fuel fueling me, I covered the final 9 miles in Record time.

Thunder & His stormy peloton did well today, but just like everyone on my commute he succumbed to my Cannibalistic ways.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

EvOLuTiOn

What's Happening to me?

I feel a change.

I always said if I want to become the kind of person who can handle riding 100 plus miles a day I needed to become Hard. I needed to become Callous. I needed to be the type of person that saw sleep as something I did while in between my Hundred Mile plus rides vs. something I have to do every night or I am a little grumpy in the morning. And I feel it.
I feel the Evolution. Last Friday I went to bed at 1230 am, was up at 430 am to go ride. Not cause I had too. Not cause I paid an entry fee. Not cause I had come up with another Singletrack Samurai production. NO, just to ride for fun, just to put in 5 to 6 hours on the bike. First I had to drive 1.5 hours. But it didn't matter that I called myself an Idiot as I awoke in the a.m. I did what I WANTED to do and that was get up pack up and roll to go do some miles on the bike.
After 11 years of riding you think me and this BITCH right here would want to break up. BUT NAH, I think I feel her now more than ever, NEED her now more than ever, WANT her now more than ever. At first it almost felt like an obligation to find "SPEED".

"I got to ride, this many days a week".

"I got to do this, I need to work on that, I want to try this."

NOW, I NEED to just go do a couple of miles to feel right. I have become dependent for my pedaling needs. I need to go and ride, maybe ride fast, maybe ride slow, maybe stop here, maybe stop there. 8 miles feels like a second in my mentality, 20, an inconsequential distance to cover, 31, something I do before I even eat breakfast some mornings.

Those numbers used to represent a paradoxical puzzle in my mind. WE GOT 8 MILES LEFT, OMG. Now I think we got 8 miles left, what time is it? O we will be there in so and so minutes if we maintain this pace. My sense of trail miles to real miles has not blurred, I can predict my distance for my route, My estimations have focused in, its weird what is evolving in me.

And I realize. When the evolution is complete, I may become so hardened that I will lose this baby face. No longer "look" so youthful, I may burn my matches and progress into looking more like a leather bag instead of what I look now. Sleep ignoration is not a good thing is it? Cant be good for me in the long run? But this is what I wanted right? This is where I needed to go, needed to evolve too, if I want to transcend to the next level. A level, where even in the midst of difficult terrain, arduous challenge, insurmountable miles, I can look up and still have the soulful mind frame to admire the beauty in that little flower growing out of that hard stone.

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

SaMuRaI RoUBaIX

July 10th at 8am we will roll from the Wal Mart Parking Lot on Howland boulevard on a real dirty road ride.

Picture hills, lots of them, twisty roads, Ups and downs, bike paths, A Forest Traverse and miles of pavement and you will have a good Idea of what the Roubaix will entail.

Quite interesting that the first dirt roads I ever explored where on my road bike. I would do the loop through Stone Island once, then come back and really hammer it. I enjoyed the feeling of the thin tires drifting sideways in the corners and learning that hammering would help me float over all the dirt just as easy as if it was asphalt.

I thought I was the only one, but learned through the years that when the Tour De France first came out, not only where all the mountain roads dirt, but they raced them on Fixed Gears, and all this time I thought I was hardcore.

So come out, enjoy, take a look at the route. Remember I am a certified route architech so you know this is gonna be one hell of an experience, and dont worry, pump up your tires, you will be fine, your road bike can handle it.




Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

LuCkEE SoX

The Morning of the Huracan I thought I had packed it all up nice and tight and I did. I was almost in Minneola when I realized I forgot my Poly wool blend socks that works so well cause they dry so fast.

So even before the adventure started, the adventure had started. I had to unpack and get out my spare socks, which were intended for spare purposes and not for primary use. I had resolved I would buy some better socks along the route somewhere.

As I pedaled on, and eventually made Greenway Cycles in Santos right across from the Santos Trailhead. I eyeballed like a predator some socks with spiders on them. Indeed I liked the socks, being a Native and being a person who delves deep in spirituality I saw the Spider as a fitting totem as of late. I see him here, I see him there, I see the spider everywhere.

After my clean up and rest I came back, bought the socks ate, hung out and chatted and rolled on. Needless to say after the epic I continued to ride with them socks I grew quite attached to them.

Saturday I met up with Jonesy and Curt to ride the Santos Epic Plus abridged version. I carried three bottles and no food as I figured I would pedal up to the convenience store on 200 and get food. The game is changing at Santos, so many cool things you can do with that trail system, about one hundred different types of rides you can do out there, pick your poison folks.

I intentionally kept the pace high, busted out some sprints here and there to open up the legs. Kept driving at the front like a good little domestique. Rear Cassette was skipping, front tire ran out of Stan's and kept going flat, but I kept the pressure. Kept my poker face.

On the way back, there is a nice long climb on the limestone road that flattens out, then you climb over the land bridge, it is there that I always attack those who I am riding with and today was no exception. As I hit that spot, I stood up and pedaled away. I did a Lance Armstrongish look over my shoulder saw Curt, but then didn't. I pedaled up and over the Land bridge, kept the pace high and then it happened. After accumulating almost 400 miles since June 1st I caught my first cramp, right leg calf muscle. OUCH. I figured if the guys took it easy on the climb, and then gunned it on the downhills, they could maybe reel me in before the lot. Not even a second after I completed the thought I saw Jonesy leading the charge around the corner, I kept the pace steady as I worked thru the cramp and they came in just behind me as I made the lot. It was fun like always.

After refueling we finished the ride, with minor stops and I was noticeably upset that I missed my 12pm finished time and almost made the group start all over again, JOKING, LMAO.

As I cleaned up, ate some Lunch with Jonesy I made quick pace to Apopka to take my Friend Magii who is recovering from a knee injury. When I got there I decided to lay my soaking sweaty clothes on top of my car so it would dry. We hit the Skate park, I kicked around a little, then basically just watched more then rode. When I came back I grabbed all the clothes that was on top of the car, or so I thought. When I got home, I noticed, I forgot to grab the socks, and pictured them Lost on the roadway somewhere. That evening, I took the boy out for Pizza buffet, then we attempted to see the film but my addled brain messed up the showtimes and place.

Regardless, that night I slept well. The next morning we got up, went and saw kick ass in Port Orange, drove home and a friend came to visit. As I was preparing for the visit, I was walking by my truck and I noticed that on the rack stuck in a strap were my spiders socks. WOW, I drove to Apopka, to Deltona, to Port Orange and back and the socks never left the rack, I snatched them up and brought them in, happy I had not lost my new luckee socks.

Training update, this week is a so called recovery week, so I got some miles to make up from missing Sundays work out but it should be easy.

As well, I am cooking up a Crazy Road Ride as crazy as my off road rides, I am going to Call it the Samurai Roubaix, you should join once I post it up.


Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

MeeSaLaYKneeOuS

The title of this post is ODD indeed cause that's whats UP right now, I got a bunch of miscellaneous things to share and I figure a good verbal dump post is perfect at this moment.

So this morning I logged another 31 miles to work. NICE, felt great to be out there, felt so fast and so strong, the dead legs are gone.

I LOVE my Fred Bars. BUT, I tried them on the War Machine. USELESS. Tried them on the Road bike; makes the cock pit too crammed. But on the Black Beauty, Aka the Mamasita, PERFECT. The Fred bars are Ideal. They are designed as an Aero bar adapter that fits on the stem cap replacing spacers instead. Makes it so you get a better more comfortable Aero Postion on an MTB for super long off road epics. I have also used them for extra handlebar real estate so unintentionally they serve more than one purpose. On the Mamasita it puts me in such a good comfortable position that I can sit in for hours and simply hammer away comfortably due to the Aero advantage. You don't believe it works, just ask the people who have rode with me when I am on the Freddies, I literally keep the same cadence yet pull away. So the Freddies get my thumbs up for sure for super ULTRA off road touring epics. Contact Brendan, Owner operator of Siren Cycles for details.

I didn't talk about Treadlight's Farewell ride. So I will now.

Anyone who doesn't know who Treadlight is can maybe remember him from when him and I did the Day before Horrible Hundred Post and from the 4 riders of the Apokarip post where he came along to bikepack through the Ocala National Forest when it was FREEZING COLD. Treadlight is an all around good guy and he moved back up north somewhere where you can ride real mountains instead of the trail riding we do here. He organized a farewell ride at Croom.

Lot's of people came, I was impressed, everyone brought food to share it was a big group. I was on my Fixie War Machine, fixed all the issues from the weekend before and I was really tearing it up. I lost contact with the group for a second or two, then after hammering and feeling lost I finally found them waiting patiently. I was worried about John the Unicycle rider but I was assured he was fine and we rolled out. I noticed right away that Treadlight had lost the ability to handle the Florida heat, so after stopping to wait again I let the main group go and hung back with SandPine who was hanging back with Treadlight. I figured, I am here not so much to hammer, but to hang with Tread, its his farewell ride after all.

And we rode, and I was having a blast, I just love to ride that bike, and then we came across Jerry and now there were four. Eventually, at some point, Sandpine said he thought he saw the front group, I was feeling Froggy so I chased, and chased, till I bonked, then when I bonked, I caught sight of them again, so I chased and chased, till I got lost. I felt lost, but Jerry assured me we were on track, so we kept going and then my chain exploded. I went to quick link it and it was like 4 links too short, WTF, I lost a length of chain, damn, I need to ease off. I was once again, walking.

Thank goodness for GPS, as soon as I saw the Road, I bushwacked too it. I hiked pretty quick and was able to Skate the downhills, once on the road I honestly could not figure out which way to walk so I trusted my intuition and stepped. Eventually Jonesy found me and gave me a ride back to the lot, but not after completing a good day with 20 miles of traveling, not bad.

This week has been kind of rough. Middle of the week proved to be kind of a downer as I was having troubles at home, and then the ride home on Wednesday just killed me. But Thursday evening I met a friend for Coffee and I was just restored. This mornings commute was the icing on the cake, really looking forward to the weekend and the miles.

So, whats the plan for the weekend. WELL, I will be hitting Santos tomorrow for an Epic Plus. If I ride the Fixie I have to bring two bikes because I want to get it measured for a Frame bag after I am done and before I meet up with my Friend Magii, were scheduled to go skate a mini ramp later that afternoon. Or I can just ride the Black and make it an all Black weekend. SO, I guess I will decide tonight.

Sunday I plan on taking the Naked Indian Trail in to Lake Helen, crossing over to Deland, taking 44 into Cassia and then crossing Seminole Forest into Sanford and then crossing over the lake and jumping back on the Naked Indian trail back to home for another 5 hours plus of riding. So lots to do this weekend, feeling pretty good about it all.

Lots on my mind. A friend on Wednesday, let me borrow a book on Love, and then my friend last night gave me another book about Love. So that will make two books bout Love that I have to read about, I wonder what the Universe is trying to tell me????

OK folks, Go out and shred it up this weekend, Holler if you wanna join the rides, I promise they will HURT!

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

ReCoVeR

Quickly let's do the Mileage math from May29Th till today.

225 or so GPS miles on the Huracan.
20 or so Miles at Croom on June 5th.
42 miles yesterday Riding home from work.
287 miles in the past 11 days.
Ok no Wonder my legs felt like radiating bricks when I got home from my Headwind crosswind battle.

Let's rewind to a couple of days Before the Huracan I got a package in the mail, it was addressed to the Singletrack Samurai and it was a jar of this:
I read the ingredients list and was impressed by the contents. That Tuesday after the Huracan, when my legs were smoked and my ass and nuts were severely chapped, I followed the instructions for a therapeutic bathtub soak. What I first noticed was the aroma of perpemint that filled the air. As I sat in the tub I could feel my skin tingling all over, and when I was done, my muscles not only felt considerably better, but all the soreness was gone and the chapness on my bits and pieces was relieved.

I actually felt fantastic. So after my grueling commute home yesterday, I went and did the same thing again. Goodness, this product simply does what it says it does and works. For a couple of years now I have understood the need for recovery better than ever. In fact that is when I actually started getting faster, when I rested more. But at this point, as I ramp up for back to back Hundred milers and serious mountain climbing I need products that can help me recover as I continue to repair. This Muscle Soak Did the trick last night. I'm almost bummed that I will run out cause I see many more soaks in my future. For$12.99 and I will definitely order some more I have a feeling I will need it.

Today I got up, and Drove to work, I have a specific workout tonight and I didn't feel like pushing this morning, so I will go home, unchain the Mamasita and take her out to do my work out into the evening. Then Friday, ride into work, then Saturday 50 miles at Santos on the Fixed Gear, and then Sunday 60 to 80 miles on the Mamasita as I do a little dirt road combo with the Fred bars on my bike. I really need more Brooks saddles, I am selling some items, an Ergon BD2 a Chris King headset, sleeping bag, etc. If you need some stuff like this contact me as I need to make funds to buy more saddles that my ass likes. I seriously need to put a different saddle on the Surly or I cant see me riding it too much no matter how fast it is.

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

INteRnEtS Meet KoAch, KoAcH MeeT INteRneTs

SO, a couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about being "open" to coaching. NOT coaching, but KOACHING. What's the difference??? Well I will tell you, when I do something it gets a K put on it cause its just a little harder or different than everyone else.

I was specific in what I wanted and what I could do and what my abilities and time restraint was. Days went by and then one day I got an email. It came from someone who has commented on my blog before and who I suspect maybe one of my 29 usual readers or not. He told me quite honestly that he is not a coach but he is experienced with lots of aspects of coaching and then he asked me what I could do what I couldn't do what results I wanted, lots of KOACHee questions.
I have been riding for going on 11 years now. I NEVER had a coach. NEVER have really trained, done just a bunch of Haphazard shit and my results really shows it. BUT, I never really minded either. Now that I have no Love life, and I have no real Life other than caring for my sons I figure it was as good a time as any to be HARDCORE. SO, I want to get serious, I want to really perform and do well and test my new shape and body and abilities.
So I told the Koach how many hours I could ride, told him what I needed to work on, told him the type of bikes I had, and a week or two later, I got an plan that detailed what I should be doing everyday right down to the day of the race. WOW. What race am I preparing for?? Well I'm always preparing for something but the race in particular is the Trans North Georgia.
I looked over the plans, asked alot of questions and started training. I pretty much jumped right into the third week of the plan since I got the Plan a couple of days before the Huracan and I figure Huracan was probably gonna be good enough BASE miles for what the first couple of weeks covered.
Last night I went for my first on the Calendar Training ride. I Had fun. The first of the three prescribed effort was hard, second made me feel the hot lactate pouring into my muscles and the third was actually a piece of cake. I don't use a Heart Rate Monitor and I am not going to get one, so I used an online calculator that described my heart rate ranges, and then compared it to another online chart that focused on perceived effort and what I should be able to do and not do or feel when I am in the zone.Because I don't own a watch nor do I plan to get one, I had to figure out an "organic" way to time these efforts. Simple, I put it on Pandora, Lil Wayne radio, and when a song would start, I would do the effort for the entire song, rest a song, then repeat till I was done. Worked great. Who knows maybe it will lead to some type of hypnosis and I will be riding hear a LIL Wayne song and instinctively ATTACK.OK, WHO is the Coach. Well I will tell you, he is a proven Tri Athlete which was perfect cause Hike a Bike in an event like the one I will be doing is practically a second sport in the race. He is a proven Expert racer, Road Racer and Time Trialist. Local Athlete, Owner Operator of Recover Better dot Com and Volunteer average guy Koach for the Naked Indian aka the Singletrack Samurai Sean Crichton.
If you see him say hi. If you need products buy from Recover Better dot com, show support, after all, he did all of this, and did extensive research to help me, out of the kindness of his heart.

Here is a shot of him in Action, all Pics taken of Facebook!In short, Thanks Sean, I dont forget easily when someone is generous and I really appreciate it, I will kick ass and take names and proclaim the name of the first ever Singletrack Samurai Koach!

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

HuRaCaN FuRy: TuCkEr HiLL to RiDgE MaNOr

I wasn't asleep long before the sun had already risen and I heard some inquiries from the park attendant. After a brief conversation he recommended I move my current sleeping arrangements down to the picnic tables by the main trail entrance. I packed up and shuffled my tired frame over there for more sleep.
It was 10 am when the sun was beaming on my face acting like a natural alarm clock waking me from my rest. I got up rubbed my eyes, immediately I start doing math. Before I can get prepped to roll out a Green Law Enforcement vehicle pulls up and the officer gets out. After answering several questions, just the basics, who, what, where, when and how, He checked my I.D. and let me be. I packed up and got to work on the task at hand, 12 miles of singletrack on a fully loaded non brake having fixed gear bicycle.

Pic courtesy of Donald Harries via facebook looking good!!!

I was not excited about how I had to start my day and was not sure how my body would react to the effort. But I got rolling soon enough and did the best I could to stay busy. I had to push some of the uphills, and I worked the best I could, was so relieved when I got back on the Withlacoochee paved trail attempted to sit and rest, but now, it was close to 1230 pm and it had taken way longer then I expected. I still had 68 miles to go and only 4.5 hours to do it in. The feeling of defeat was washing over me. I was hungry for a hot meal, and it felt like the distance was too great for me to relieve my appetite. I would either have to wonder off course 4 miles and then cover the ground needed in what seemed to be at this point in the ride a pace that I could not muster. I pedaled the best pace I could, took a break in the shade and told Rob Roberts that I was about to ride to 50 to see if I could hitch hike back to Clermont.

Rob replied that he was at Jimmy cottons and would come get me if I wanted, I said, that was up to him, and he said he was on his way. I pedaled to the main trail head, enjoyed the shade then pedaled on towards Clermont on 50 immediately spotting a gas station not even 1 mile off the course. I will remember this for future restocks as its the closest one within the start line.

I sat in the AC, ate and drank and ate and drank and surfed the web. I felt good, I rode one heck of a ride and had one kick ass time. I am pretty sure that unless I can figure out how not to get raw buns and naughty bits from Fixed gear Ultra's I will not be doing one again anytime soon.

Rob showed up, we packed up and chatted the whole way back to Clermont. I did my best and rode a good ride, but next time I will hopefully crack the Huracan which has now kicked my ass twice, LOL.

Now I sit here a week later, some of my fingers are still numb, but I am all healed up and ready to divide and conquer my next challenge. I have a couple of more Rides I want to do but I can see the TNGA on the Horizon.

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

HuRaCaN FuRy: ELecTra to TuCkEr HiLL

I awoke to the sound of a Rooster as he expressed his paranoia about the sun rising. Rubbed my eyes, my clothes that was wet and sweaty were dry. I packed up quick, refilled on water and got going fast towards Breakfast and Duncan Donuts and then Santos to clean up and rest a little more.I really had no idea how far Santos was from here, but I was staying relaxed and not focused on the distance. I cross some rollers, crossed the last NFR of the ONF which was limestone, and then over the Oklawhaha river towards Marshall Swamp. Marshall swamp singletrack was a blast and very pretty and before I knew it I was on the paved trail heading towards the Baseline Road Main trail head, and then on the road, heading towards Duncan. Lot's of people on the trail, 20 miles into my morning, everyone friendly and saying hi, I was polite as well.Got into Duncan donuts, had a seat, laid out some more stuff to dry on the bike and ordered,2 flat bread sandwiches, a large Iced Latte and 3 chocolate chocolate donuts. Ate all that, and I was still Hungry, amazing. I got on the bike and before long I was at greenway cycles conversing and eyeballing some socks. DanO checked my breaks that quit working sometime near Buck Lake, and said my pads were gone and he had no replacements. DANDY I thought, he told me they were grilling later, and I told him I would come back.I went across, used the bathroom, took a shower, cleaned my clothes, brushed my teeth laid out my gear and took a nice long nap. The day was hot in the shade, but I was so tired that finding sleep was not a difficult task. I woke up, got dressed and packed up and rolled over to Greenway for food and conversation and bought some spider socks. RAD.After lots of talking and lots of question answering, "why did you ride a single speed all the way here?", "it only took me five hours when I did it". OF course I didn't explain it was a fixie nor that I was doing and Individual Time Trial, I let them think what they wanted, but I did explain the route and they all thought it was pretty cool.I made a video update and rolled out, with my heart set on Tucker hill or further, 77 miles away.
During the Santos Epic I noticed that It was hard work if it wasn't flat or downhill and that's when I put it all together, I had totally overgeared the bike, dammit, what an IDIOT. Nayl's was tough as I was having to use my leg muscles to not only power the bike but slow down the bike. Then when I crossed 484 I could see and hear a gigantic rain cloud conjuring up menace in the sky. I really didn't want to be in a downpour again only cause it takes HOURS to dry out. I pedaled on, it was now a time trial vs the thunderstorm. I made the end of the new Yellow single track hit 200 going full tilt, I knew there was a pavilion between 200 and pruitt I could hide out at, I rolled on and it took what seemed forever, the singletrack the added muscle use had really kicked my ass. As I made the shelter took a small break, the rain had not come so I pressed on. I made Haltapa and the storm was really starting to kick up, the drizzle started coming, but the hard stuff had not come and it really felt like a race at this point. As I made the turn on to the Haltapa hell track I immediately noticed it was overgrown and did not look nearly as nice as it did during the DAN0 100, on top of that it was mushy at some spots, but I kept on. As I rolled on and made the fence I hammered it to stumpknockers avoiding the major thunderstorm and sitting down shivering to enjoy my dinner.

It was so cold, but I ate, I drank, and I ate, and when it was all done, I was still hungry. I sat there till about 9pm and then packed up and rolled out, restocked at the store and made my way towards the withlacoochee.

As I got to the major Lock cross to get over to Potts, it was flooded, its usually bone dry and you can walk across, not today. I called Rob Roberts who is a race director requesting a re route, and he gave it to me. So I rode 2 miles to that point, rode 2 miles back, then rode 2 miles back to the same point, 4 extra miles, AWESOME!!!

Potts was beautiful, and after exiting Potts, I got on the road and kept the pace high, stopped at another store, updated the world and continued to the Withlacoochee. As I got to the Coochee I used the bathroom, re lubed and then searched for coffee having to buy a Starbucks double shot which worked out OK. I rested for a minute, ate a full bag of chips, drank a soda, then rolled out.

For the first time during the trip I pulled out the headphones and listened to Pandora, rode the withlacoochee in the dark listening to Lil Wayne Radio the whole way.

Got to Nobleton fastest I have ever done that section and then took a break to psyche myself up for 7 miles of singletrack. After a small effort I found the entrance, and went in, as I got in I heard the strangest sound. Sounded like a very loud growl and grumble, not knowing what it was I didn't shine a light towards ITS direction and kept going on my path. I did the work, was so happy when I made Tucker Hill, and immediately unpacked and took a shower in the moonlight. It was liberating to clean myself and just wash away. The cold water on my raw perineum and glutteus felt fantastic, I was in bad shape down there, but there was nothing I could do. It was 530am and it was time to get some sleep. I started doing the math, I had 80 miles to go and I had to be done by 5pm and on the road to pick up my sons. In my shape and my condition, 80 miles including the singletrack would take 10 hours, and I needed sleep, things were not looking promising for me to finish. I dismissed my concerns and decided I would think more about this in the morning. After a full 23 hour day of travel, my body was craving sleep more then anything.

Last Part coming soon...

Take care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN

HuRaCaN FuRy:PAiSLeY to ELeCtRa

What does Ham and Swiss mean to you???

To me Ham and Swiss means sliced deli ham with Swiss cheese.

Apparently to the owners of this little convenience store in Paisley it means roasted pork with Swiss cheese.

This is what I was pondering when I was doing the 20Th climb on the Paisley MTB trail heading towards the forest road wondering why it was so hard and wondering why I was having to stand. I still at this point had not put it all together that I have over geared the bike.

Every climbed sure seemed long, and the downhills were sweet. As I ticked off the miles, I got onto the forest road, not bad, kept riding, into more singletrack on my way to Buck lake. Somehow I got lost, had to backtrack to take a break and rinse off and drink water. By this time, the small numerous climbs had added up and I was feeling it, but I was determined, like I said.

As I refueled and updated the world on my status, I remounted the steed, re rode the past 1/2 mile off singletrack and made my way towards NFR 595. Before I even got to the Forest Road I could here the rumbles of vehicles. Weird. And within 10 feet of it, I saw 3 dune buggies fly by at break neck speed.

I started my 595 traverse. I call it that, cause it was arduous, difficult and torturous. I cant quote the miles, but I can tell you I was either, standing and pedaling to keep traction, or trying to ride a 8 inch strip of path made by buggies or sinking in wet sand and pushing. For the duration of the entire road.

Towards the final leg I would see lights from behind, It was pitch dark, and I would get off the road and hide in the bushes till they passed. I didn't want to have any run ins with intoxicated people looking for entertainment. At one point I saw some lights coming from the front, I jumped in the bushes and the car stopped less than 100 feet from my location. I heard two m en exit, and saying they were going to use the bathroom, and then two ladies, who did the same thing, I could hear their entire conversation, but they did not know that I was right there in the bushes.

One of the girls said "I think I just peed all over my feet"... I did my best not to laugh. They got in the truck and took off.

I kept going. Eventually, I saw the Road, and finally was out of the forest, happy and relieved. I knew there was a church coming up, and as soon as I saw It, I was only planning on getting water, but saw that the entrance had cover and carpet and immediately altered my plan and decided I would sleep there.

As I sprayed myself down with bug spray, laid out my stuff to dry and got comfy I updated the world and quickly fell asleep. Before long I saw a light shining on my face, and I hear a man asking "hey what you doing there???"... I responded, "sir, I just pedaled 108 miles through several forest, I am tired and seeking sanctuary, I promise I will be gone in the morning". I could see the man's eyes and his wheels turning from my words. And then he said "OK, but if your here in the morning, your welcome to join us for service." And that was that. I slept like a peaceful stone on the carpet all night without further interruption.

Final part tomorrow,

Take Care,

The NaKeD InDiaN

HuRaCaN FuRy: MiNNeOLa To PAiSLeY

As always it feels like it all comes down right to the wire with preparation for this type of thing. I remember after a conversation with Matt Lee he said the hardest part of an Off road tour is "getting to the start".This morning was no different, as I finished my final prep and filmed the first clip, it was 718am when I got rolling instead of 6am as I had wanted.Immediately, I had noticed I left the wool socks I wanted to ride with and the adjustable wrench I need to tighten my chain. Rob had come out to bid me farewell, but I did not want to ask him for anything. Part of this self imposed adventure is to be self reliant and I was starting right off the bat.As I rolled out, I immediately had to turn around and get my gloves. LOL. Back on the road heading towards the hilliest part of the route with the biggest tallest climbs. The handlebars were flexy wit all the weight. If I had to guess I would say the bike weighed close to 40lbs fully loaded. I made quick work of the first couple of climbs, snapping pictures along the way. I love Clermont, Love how hilly it is and how far you can see.
Eventually, as I am making my way down the road towards the wall and the Apopka preserve entrance I come across some roadies, pass a group of them and even manage to reel one in and pass him on the climb up the wall, not that I was trying to either, I guess he was just a slow climber. I end up having a bit of trouble finding the gate, but I eventually end up on Wolfe Head road as its says on the map and begin the bike/hike section of the park. After you clear this spot you can pedal the whole way. As I am pushing, I come across Fresh bear tracks. Curious indeed its the last thing I expected to see on this side of the lake. I press on, miss my turn, back track, get on track, cruising well, hit an intersection and there he was a couple of hundred feet away, the biggest Black Bear I have ever seen in the wild and my first up close sighting in Florida. I kept quiet, and let him stroll away, didn't want to spook him, or scare him or startle him. I took photos and video, and then kept rolling. Eventually I reached the observation tower, and sat on the steps, ate a bit, reflected and meditated on what I had done so far. Was feeling just great, beautiful day, super stoked about the bear sighting.
I roll on, actually come across people working on the canal, my pace is fast. When I get to the gate, they had actually added some sort of bolt so I could not open it wide enough to squeeze my bike through. I almost panicked but I was able to go left about 15 feet and pull up the fence and slide under.On I go. I cruise right by the gas station pressing on to the West Orange trail. I see a bike shop and stop to look at socks. Didn't like any so on I go. Almost at the point where I got to make a right on Welch Road, I see an Advanced Auto parts and my intuition quickly reminds me that I have to get an adjustable wrench to have just in case I need to tighten my chain. I don't ignore it, I stop and by it. $13 bucks, OUCH, but on I go, just enjoying the ride and the bit of undulating road as I approach Wekiva springs park.
When I get there the cars are backed out the gate and being turned away, but I ride by them all, and ask if I can just get water and use the bathroom, they let me through no charge, I do that, then hit the single track in the back heading towards the river crossing. Halfway through the muddy track my chain complains and explodes. I had completely sheared a link in half. I figured I was not far from Big Buck camp, so I pushed on hoping to use the camp site as a place to stage a quick link repair.
Well I end up walking a little too long and miss the camp, fix the chain, and back track to it, Do the river crossing, bushwhack( Rob let's reroute the future route onto the white trail and cut across to Indian mound that bushwhack is ridiculous) and make it onto the faded road that leads to the main two track and over to Indian Mound camp to take another break. I soaked in the water, socialized with people that were hanging out, always very nice, always very generous, always asking a ton of questions. I bathed and reapplied lube to my sensitive areas and cleaned out my shirt and heard the first rumbles of a storm. I looked at the sky and figured I could pedal out from under it.
As I made the work of getting out of Rock Springs Run preserve an area which is often sandy and requires creative lines, I started to feel a little bit tired. On the road I spotted a guy selling P NUTS and asked him if he had any drinks for sale. He said NO, but said he could give me a diet coke. I took it and drank it, and called my Mom to check on my sons and pressed on to Seminole Forest. As I made my way through Seminole Forest I could see the Storm Clouds on the Horizon and that I was riding towards them. The thought of navigating Maggie Jones wet again was not welcoming, but I was determined.I like this part of the route, big open area, little sweet river spot, I always envision taking a special lady to that spot. I sat for a minute, listened to the storm, then got back on. As I got closer to the storm I hit the final section and the strangest thing happened. It was raining 100 feet to my left, but not on the road where I was riding. Indeed, as I cleared the gate, the storm started coming down and the lighting over head was threatening. I stopped under a small shelter waiting to see if I could get out from under the storm. But after waiting 15 minutes it was not letting up, so I zipped up my jacket and took off.

As I made my way off the dirt and onto SR 44 the storm was raining cats and dogs, gigantic drops of water were falling from the sky, but again, my resolve was steadfast. I stopped for a minute and a guy pulls up behind me offering a ride. I had to explain to him and thank him but I could not accept his generosity. He actually seemed upset by it, but I had to press on. After a little more pedaling I make Maggie Jones and the HELL BEGINS.

It was standing, and grinding and periodic sinking, and hiking and pushing, but I persevered. Even came across a truck that had bottomed out and was completely stuck, but I persevered. When I finally hit the pavement, after all this hard work, I was so thankful, I had said about 3 prayers to God on that road.

I rode into Paisley, I needed hot foot and liquid calories. I ate, and relaxed and tried to regain my composure I knew the road ahead was not going to be any better.

Tomorrow Paisley to Electra.

Take Care,

Laters,

The NaKeD InDiaN