Ranger Confidential: Living, Working and Dying in the National Parks

A behind the scenes report by a veteran park ranger, Ranger Confidential is a riveting collection of stories that cover the good, the bad and the ugliness of being a NPS Ranger.  Andrea "Andy" Lankford served as a NPS Ranger for 20 years and has also backpacked the entire 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail, mountain biked the 800 mile Arizona Trail, kayaked from Miami to Key West and conquered numerous other fascinating edventures.  Her first hand stories about rescues in Denali, Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks range from scraping splattered BASE jumpers off the rocks after chutes didn't open to handling Code W's which is NPS speak for wimps on the trail.  This book is a fantastic report on the living quarters, daily life and rescue missions of the men and women that serve and protect the land from the people and vice versa.  Another M310 must read!

Desert Solitaire

I was first introduced to the writings of Edward Abbey while in college pursuing a minor in political science.  The Monkey Wrench Gang was one of the books assigned by Dr. Rita Bailey to better understand the ecological aspect in the realm of politics.  TMWG is fiction but spawned the eco-terrorism movement and groups similar to Greenpeace.  Edward Abbey was an extremely talented writer and, therefore, is very interesting reading as he wrote about saving wilderness from civilization.  His uber leftist idealism is where we part ways but I do appreciate his concern for our fascinating wild spaces in the southwest that he wrote about prolifically.  Desert Solitaire was written after he worked for a season as a Park Ranger in Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah.  His stories of hiking, backpacking and float trips in and around Moab are wonderful reading and a must for everyone with the M310 mindset and always daydreaming of that next adventure.

Open Season

I just recently discovered the work of C.J. Box and am glad I did.  He writes fiction and has a series of novels based on his protagonist Joe Pickett.  I believe there are eight books in the series so far so I started with the first, Open Season. Joe is a Game Warden in the mountains of Wyoming.  He lives in a federally provided log cabin with his wife and daughters and is out in the mountains daily ensuring hunters have tags, aren't poaching, etc.  Then there is a triple homicide at a hunting camp and Joe has to piece it together.  This is an excellent read for those of us interested in the outdoors even though it's fiction.  Highly recommended and I look forward to reading another C.J. Box novel about Joe Pickett soon.

Lance is Ready for France

After finishing third in Luxembourg earlier this month Lance Armstrong took second place today after a week of racing in Switzerland.  Both he and Team Radioshack appear to be in very good form and ready to pose a big threat in the Tour de France.  The three week, 2,000 plus mile race begins July third and is aired on the Versus channel.  There is nothing else in sports that compares to the TDF.  Set your DVR to record it or logon to versus.com and watch Lance and his team race through the flat lands and epic mountain stages of the TDF.

Road Work Pays Off in the Dirt

I flatted yesterday afternoon and while inspecting the tire prior to replacing the rear tube I noticed a small tear in the sidewall.  I did a more thorough pre-flight inspection than usual this morning and discovered the tube pushing through the torn sidewall.  Change of plan, I put the road bike back up and pulled down the mountain bike.  I ride the road bike much more than the MTB generally because it is a much better workout and have only ridden the MTB a few times each month since December.  Road bikes are geared much lower for flying over smooth pavement whereas mountain bikes are geared much higher in order to navigate over rocks, around obstacles and over mountains.  I never ride the MTB on pavement and obviously never take the road bike off-roading.  But today, shortly after hitting the trail, I noticed a big improvement in my strength.  I found myself flying much higher over a couple jumps on the trail without any extra pre-meditated effort.  Then further down the path I flew over a couple stretches of deep sand effortlessly (approximately 20 yards each).  The front treads were spraying sand up to my knees but I barely lost any momentum. [Note to those without clipless pedals: The foot becomes part of the pedal when clipped in and allows much more power transfer.  When the front tire encounters deep sand the bike has a tendency to become squirrely real quick.  Without being clipped in you loose torque and your feet may even slide off the pedals.]  I realized that the miles I've been putting on the road bike this year have increased my power significantly and must also assume that the obstacles encountered in the dirt also pay off with better stability on the road. Had a fun day in the dirt then went on-line and ordered a new Verdestein Fortezza SE tire for the road bike at performancebike.com.  The Fortezza is a great tire and with Performance Bike's great service I know it will arrive in two days.  Funny, I just replaced both tires on the road bike in December, must be due the big mileage in the saddle this year.  Gotta love getting your feet dirty during M310 training!!

Air Chuck to the Rescue

Fortunately I just recently purchased the Air Chuck inflator at Performance Bike because I flatted on the road today.  I have bought and used many different CO2 inflators over the years but none are as small, solid and efficient as the Air Chuck.  I was really surprised at it's ease of use particularly with it's seemingly simplistic design.  It works on both presta and schrader valve stems without requiring any adjustment.  I couldn't give a piece of M310 essential gear a higher rating!

Louis Garneau Rocks!

Knowing that I would be heading out as always for my Saturday morning ride Christine decided to give me a Father's Day gift a day early.  She had gone to Performance Bike and bought me not one, but two, Louis Garneau cycling bibs.  Having always wanted a bib, but never wanting to dig deep and pay for one, I was ecstatic when I opened the gift bag and saw them inside.  I had noticed that many of the pro riders wear bibs so I really wanted to find out what the difference was over standard lycra riding shorts.  Louis Garneau makes only high end performance gear and it was abundantly apparent the moment I pulled on the bib.  Because the bib pulls on like suspenders going over your shoulders the waist band is replaced by a support panel so there is no binding and if your jersey were to ride up in the back the bib still has you covered.  I did indeed go out for my long Saturday ride and now I completely understand why the pros often wear bibs, because they Rock!

Iron Maiden & Dream Theater

Their are not many bands on the planet with the ability to follow Dream Theater as their opening act without being upstaged.  It was quite refreshing to see a show where the headliner didn't just hire a cheap fodder band to open their concert.  Dream Theater played an incredible set and now I've got to go out and update my cd catalog with lots of DT!

Then came Iron Maiden!
Their next cd, The Final Frontier, is going to be released in August 2010 and their stage was that of a space station on a far off planet with the galaxy behind the set and the lighting dropping down to appear as space ships flying over the space station.  I am no fan of Star Trek/Wars but the concept blew me away!  They played newer material throughout the show with the oldest song being Fear of the Dark from their '92 album by that name.  Last time I saw Maiden was with Judas Priest in 1987 and we have all grown much older since then but Maiden has continued to produce relevant metal music without all the drama most bands seem to relish.  True, there have been a few lineup changes but for several years they have been back to their most formidable crew that has endured for 35 years.  They played El Dorado from their upcoming disk and it was a new Maiden masterpiece.  After an hour and a half of Bruce and crew running about the stage they departed briefly then reappeared to play  Number of the Beast (666), Hallowed Be Thy Name, both from 1982's Number of the Beast then closed the show with Running Free from their self titled debut in 1980.  The show, sound, enthusiasm and interaction between band and audience was monumental.  Don't miss this show, Maiden is in perfect form with new material and more relevant than most bands that came on the scene 5 years ago with a hit record and have already faded into obscurity.

Bicycle to the Rescue

Christine drove herself to the emergency room Friday and was subsequently admitted to the hospital.  I drove to the hospital from work and ended up needing to get the Jeep and truck back home by myself.  There were a few options i.e. call a friend, leave the Jeep there over the weekend or get in some M310 training during a self rescue.  I elected to go with the M310 option!  Friday evening I drove Christine's Jeep home then this morning I rode the Trek MTB to the hospital.  I managed to get in my daily workout then stored the bike in the back of the crew cab and drove home after staying with Christine at the hospital all day.  Got to train every day.  Sometimes a perceived obstacle will end up as a means to an alternative workout.

Riding Into the Furnace

Christine had a couple medical appointments today and by the time we got back home and I was ready for a workout it was after 3 pm.  I pulled up my BerryWeather app on the BlackBerry and noted that it was already 109 degrees here in Phoenix but it was sunny and 70 in Seattle and 83 in Atlanta.  I hoped my M310 amigos used it to their advantage for a good ride or run or both as I changed into some riding gear, took a couple hits from the albuterol pipe and hit the road.  The first rule of cycling is generally understood to be "there is always a head wind" and it was there and in force today.  Imagine 35 degrees then throw in a 10 mph breeze and you have a wind chill factor of 22 degrees.  Okay, now reverse that, 109 with a 10 mph wind seems to escalate the temperature similar to riding directly into a giant hair drier.  Well, remember the S.E.A.L. motto from yesterday "the more you bleed in training the less you bleed in battle"?  There is another motto of theirs that is probably more well known "the only easy day was yesterday".  What exactly does that mean?  A literal translation would be stop whining, there are no easy days!  And that's the way it is with training.  It takes lots and lots of training miles to be able to enjoy the epics trips.  Training miles should be enjoyable but not in a vacation sense of enjoyment.  Day in day out we hit the trail but the payoff is just around the next bend in the road.  M310!

Morning Road Work

Went out for an easy 20 miler this morning and I could still feel the effects of yesterday's hill workout.  Felt great though.  Regrettably it is time to go plug back into the matrix for another 5 days. 

Six Rules for Becoming a Serious Cyclist

1.       Get Serious!

·         Workouts should be a daily plan and not something that happens when you have spare time on the weekends.

·         Cyclists ride with the flow of traffic.  Not on the sidewalk or on the left shoulder facing traffic.  If this seems odd to you stop right here and download a copy of your state’s DMV or MVD rules of the road and stop giving serious cyclists a bad rap.  On the trail we always pass on the left and always yield to hikers and everyone going uphill if we are headed downhill.

·         That weekend ride with your significant other does not count as a workout unless your significant other is as serious as you are about fitness and can give you a run for your money.

2.       Pedals and Computer

·         If you are ready to take the next step and Get Serious about cycling then clipless pedals and a computer are necessary equipment!

·         Pedals.  The only serious cyclists you are likely to see without clipless pedals are BMX racers or freestyle mountain bikers.  Clipless gives you a tremendous amount of power and you’ll be left in the dust if you are riding without and others are clipped in.  The pedal stroke is 360 degrees but without being clipped in you are limited to half of that and are only propelling your bike on each down stroke.  When clipped in you are able to push and pull each pedal through the entire 360 and ride much faster!

·         Computer.  Your best training partner is your computer.  You get a constant display of your current speed and then know when you are “screwing the proverbial pouch” and not pushing yourself.  My simple rule is never slower than 15 mph (road and mountain bikes) unless climbing and I generally try to stay in the low to mid 20’s on the road and high teens on open trails.  In addition to being able to monitor your speed most computers have clock, trip distance, trip time, max speed, total distance functions and some have an altitude function as well.  Get Serious!

3.       Clothing

We wear hiking boots on the trail, a swim suit to the beach and bowling shoes at the alley.  Cycling has its own specialized clothing that serves a distinct purpose.

·         Lycra cycling shorts, sans undergarments, serve many purposes.  There is no bunching up causing hot spots while in the saddle.  When climbing in and out of the saddle (climbing/stretching) the material does not get caught on the nose of the saddle.  Moisture wicking material and a chamois lining add comfort too.

·         Lycra cycling jerseys are also multifunctional.  The long zipper allows you to control ventilation.  Pockets in the back allow you to store the iPod, power gels, etc for easy access.  Moisture wicking keeps you cooler and much more comfortable.  Imagine rolling down your favorite trail and your favorite Motley Crue concert shirt is saturated in sweat sticking to your back then a tree limb reaches out and snags a big rip in your sleeve that was flapping in the breeze.  Not good, wear a jersey.

4.       Hydrate or Die

·         Drink water all day every day and your riding will improve.  If you start depleted you’ll never catch up.

·         For rides longer than an hour you’ll need a gel pack or 2 in a back pocket of your jersey.  After the first hour (or when you feel yourself starting to bonk) squeeze a gel into your mouth then one about every half hour after that.  You’ll be able to ride all day!

5.       Stability and Agility

Rather than constantly riding for time or distance you need to add skills too.

·         On the trail or road you should be able to reach down and grab a water bottle out of its cage take a sip and replace it without swerving out of your line.  You should also be able to ride without hands so that you can open that Cliff Bar or gel pack, adjust iPod, etc.  Practice.

·         On the trails we often encounter obstacles so being proficient with the bunny hop can be very useful.  Practice so that you’ll be able to hop over those small logs and boulders without having to slow down or stop. Do not stand on the pedals when climbing; you loose traction and power.

6.       Ride

·         No single activity is going to improve your riding more than time in the saddle.  Ride daily in all conditions.  It would be quite unfortunate to prepare for months or years for an epic cycling adventure to have inclimate weather ruin the trip.  One of the mottos of the Navy S.E.A.L.S. applies here, “The more you bleed in training the less you bleed in battle.”

Lance Armstrong Finished Third in the Tour de Luxembourg

Lance and Johan Bruyneel, the RadioShack team manager, seem to be on track preparing their team for next month's TDF with today's 3rd place finish in Luxembourg.  Although Lance had to drop out of last month's Tour of California due to a crash requiring stitches his team mate Levi Leipheimer finished on the podium in 3rd place overall.  Next in store is the Tour de Suisse beginning Saturday June 12th and ending 8 stages later on Sunday the 20th.  The 825 mile race through Switzerland's rugged and beautiful countryside will be the last major competition before the TDF on the 3rd of July.  Obviously Lance and crew are not attending today's Philadelphia International Championship but many other top ranked teams are racing in the one day event.

Psycho Holiday

Just got in from 2 hours of hilly road work in the Estrella Foothills and it's 100 degrees at 1000 a.m. again.  I love hill workouts!  I tried a Tri-Berry GU half way through the ride and it was very tasty.  Normally I stick to the mocha's and heavier flavors but the Tri-Berry will definitely be a staple in my pantry from now on.  Had the iPod cranked, as usual, and Pantera put my ride in perspective.  I'm sure their demons were quite different than mine but high intensity long rides do the trick!

Now I'm far from home
Spending time alone
It's time to set my demons free
Been put through the test
My mind laid to rest
I'm on a psycho holiday

Of Wolf and Man

M310 was founded on the concept of a lifestyle that incorporates music, fitness and adventure.  The culmination of those three aspects is the annual epic trip.  The sojourn cannot exist without sustained levels of superior fitness because the one week exodus to the wilderness is the reward for maintaining the lifestyle.  It cannot turn into dread half way into day 1.

Out for some road work on the Trek 1500 in the 100 degree Arizona heat this morning James spoke to me from my iPod and  led me to ponder the proverbial "meaning of life" once again.  I believe a large part of that meaning is having the strength and courage to protect yourself and your family from whatever obstacles life throws your way.  And life is an endurance race one must properly prepare for.  M310 is the celebration of life for those of us that are into MUSIC, MOUNTAINS & MAYHEM.

shape shift nose to the wind
shape shift feeling I've been
move swift all senses clean
earth's gift back to the meaning of life

I feel I change
back to a better day
hair stands on the back of my neck
in wildness is the preservation of the world

so seek the wolf in thyself

James Hetfield