Archive: March 13, 2011

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sad day, happy day, weird day

Sunday,  03/13/11  05:13 PM

Today was a sad day; it began with a phone call telling us that Shirley's Mom has passed away.  Some of you know she has been ill and this was not unexpected.  She lived a full wonderful life and died peacefully in her home, with her family.  It is a blessed release, but still sad for all of us.  I think we don't know how to feel yet.

And today was a sadder day because I looked at my calendar and realized it is the seventh anniversary of my friend Daniel Jacoby's death.  That was good for some chills and some tears, because unlike Shirley's Mom, Daniel did not live a full wonderful life; he was taken from us too soon, despite having accomplished much and influenced many.

At right: "penguins", taken by Daniel.

And today was a happy day, because we had brunch with our girls, and it was the usual laughing joking teasing full-of-life full-of-energy experience.  We talked about Shirley's Mom, and remembered the good stuff.  And we talked about Shirley's Dad, who we lost ten years ago - also after a full wonderful life.  And I felt good about how, in the end, the greatest influence any of us have on the world is through our children, and how we have these great kids.

And today was also a happy day because later privately I reflected on Daniel.  I'm reminded vividly of the discussions we had back in 1995, when Daniel was part of spinning Digital Insight out of XP Systems.  And further back, of Daniel's friendship when I got divorced in 1991.  My enduring memories of Daniel are so positive, his spirit is ever present in me.

Today was a weird day.

 

Solvang Century!

Sunday,  03/13/11  06:10 PM

Yesterday I rode the Solvang Century, yay!  This is my ... fifth year of riding it (whew had to count my fingers) and it remains a great ride (much better with sleep; last year I managed to do it with 0:00 sleep).  I haven't done a century+ ride in some time, and it showed; I am in good shape, but not great shape for riding, I've been working out more and riding less, and I felt stronger but had less endurance.  Need both :)  I did manage to do it in 5:42, and 6:15 elapsed; I skipped the first couple of checkpoints to stay in pacelines and it speeded my ultimate elapsed time (I didn't rest as much) but it slowed my ultimate riding time (I got tired).  So be it.

As usual I posted some pictures, please check 'em out!

Here's the route, the usual with a few tweaks, an even 100 miles this year with 5,200' of climbing:

Of course a highlight is always the first leg on Santa Rosa Road through the Santa Rita Hills; yesterday there was some chilly "sea smoke" in the air, and here is my obligatory shot of the Sea Smoke vineyard, the source of the finest Pinot Noir in the world:

This is the view I had for much of the first 66 miles, up through the third checkpoint; this was a great paceline, but these guys were mean and fast and it was hard to hold a wheel.  I knew if once they dropped me I would never get back on.  Whew.

The final climb into Foxen Canyon is always a treat; here's a field of some grand old vines soaking up sun, they just don't make 'em this way anymore...

After Foxen Canyon there is the little legbreaker up above Firestone vineyard, and then up into Ballard Canyon; here I am at the top, ready to blast down through the canyon (and enjoy that new road surface, yay!)

All in all a great day, especially so since there was much on my mind, and it gave me some good think time.  I am already looking forward to the Solvang Double ... in two weeks!

 
 

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