Alcatraz Swim

A short three months ago, RiderTurbo was one of the lucky few to win a coveted lottery entry place into the 30th Anniversary Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, to be held in San Francisco on May 2nd, 2010. Given historical lore of failed prison breaks from the famed Alcatraz Island and the intimidation factor of the associated swim leg of the triathlon-- billed with freezing cold, shark-infested waters and a strong current -- Turbo along with Ridermama and Riderzoe flew up to San Francisco last weekend for a practice swim crossing with Gary Emich, Alcatraz Swim Master with 684 crossings recorded.

We all have stretch goals, and for the land-loving cyclists of Ranch West Coast, the Alcatraz swim certainly qualifies. The pre-swim briefing had coach Gary giving a primer on the tidal flows in the San Francisco Bay and seabed topography around Alcatraz. The tide in the Bay reverses between “ebb and flood” every six hours and swimming across it is complicated by eddies and “venturi” bottlenecks in certain places around rip-rap and shore edges. Gary also provided guidance on navigational issues. Its hard to know where to “sight” when swimming in open water because eyes are at water level and there are no lane markers or lane lines like in a pool, and particularly so for the Alcatraz Swim. So Gary provided recommendations of landmarks on which to sight off of while swimming. If it is clear visibility, it is pretty simple to sight off the Sutro tower in San Francisco when swimming across from Alcatraz. But if its poor visibility, you must sight off a sequence of landmarks including the Fontana apartments, Four Mason Trees and Piers, Wave Organ, Palace of Fine Arts and red roof of the St Francis Yacht Club, as described in this exciting instructional video.

The challenge is compounded by the fact that when swimming in a southerly direction one is actually moving rapidly in a southwesterly direction due to the current. If you sight incorrectly, the current can sweep you out toward sea via the Golden Gate bridge (see photo) and you could end up, say, a mile west of target exit point. That’s a long way to swim back, particularly if you must fight against the current, which is almost impossible to do when you swim slower than the current is moving! The coach also contracted with a coast-guard approved safety boat to accompany the swim, from which RiderMama and RiderZoe shot photos and video.

All went smoothly and Turbo swam across the Bay in 43 minutes feeling surprisingly strong. After a lovely brunch recuperating with friends in the area, Turbo was glad to have extinguished the psychological demons associated with this infamous swim. All trained and ready to go...next up for Ranch West Coast, the Navy Seal olympic distance triathlon in San Diego and then the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in May!

Madone

With Felice Gimondi fast approaching, a couple of the Ranchers decided to take a run down to Nice and test themselves on the Col de Madone. An old Lance favorite. It's been a long winter and the folks who needed the test most, met up last weekend in the quaint Mediterranean village of Villefranche sur Mer. Friday night, Cali and Zeke met Noshow at Nice airport after sloshow was the last to arrive. A stopoff in Nice proper for a Galette and a beer (delicious) and over to the 2 star (40 eur per night) hotel on the harbor. What a treat. Until of couse 30 seconds after laying down to sleep, Easy E lets out a small snore only to be followed up by louder and louder snores. And when not snoring it was the sleep apnea inhales. Net net, noshow heads out into the corridor to find another bed to crash in. Luckily, just down the hall he stumbled across an open door and laid down to slumber. The only noise being 2 lovers letting anyone within a 1 kilometer radius understand their passion.

The ranchers were met with a sunrise over the water that was just beautiful. A nice breaky downstairs on the deck of the hotel and soon after were saddled up for the pedal down the coast to Menton.

As we rolled into Menton about 45 minutes later, noshow's new gps for the bike was a great addition as the real turnoff is tricky to find. Many a rider have missed it but the Ranch was prepared and hit it just right. So the sea level to 940 meters was a twisting, beautiful sunny ride up up up. Easy-E faded after a few kilometers but hung in there all the way. Noshow and Cali chatted most of the way up with no fight for the lead. It was a pleasant ride, challenging enough but we weren't out to blow up, just to train. 2.25 hrs later and we reached the top. Breathtaking views all the way up. Someone clearly stole the sign at the top as indicated by the french mtn biker relaxing after he had come up the other side.


Zeke arrives a few minutes later and the reduced Ranch team descended down the other side and all the way down into La Turbie. It was a beaut. Long roads with curves you rarely had to slow down for. Let the bikes open up. What a pleasure.

Once in La Turbie we turned onto the Grand Corniche to ride back toward Nice. The turnoff for Villefranche was down the Col d'Eze which was well know in Paris-Nice and which we would do the next day.

Across to Villefranche Sur Mer and home. What a wonderful ride. 3.5 hours.

A late lunch in the center of town recommended by Easy E's friend as the best place to eat in France. Let's just say it wasn't quite what it was billed to be although fine in its own way. The beer was good anyway.
So a ride to Northern Italy was in the cards to check out the scenery and a bit of real estate. Could be the biggest mistake of 2010. Net net, I believe it would be safe to say that none of us will be venturing there again. Probably ever. No other comment.

So 4 hours later we finally get back to home base. A quick nap then Cali decides to treat the small ranch contingent to dinner. (Odd you say? yes, dear reader, it appears the boy is attempting a non "selfish/only child syndrome" poke at the world.) Question is still out whether or not the new leaf has been turned.
Dinner was had at a quaint little restaurant on the hill in the small village. It was a nice meal, a glass of wine and good company. A nice stroll along the sea back to bed (Noshow sorted out a separate room to sleep in) and the boys were slumbering along dreaming of sun on their backs and breezes in their faces.
Sunday after a moment of confusion over the time change, the boys were fed and suited up and excited to do half the ride in reverse. Col d'Eze included. So a grind out of town, up to Eze village and that left hand turn up the vicious col d'Eze. CAli up and gone, noshow dropped by 50 meters. Easy E out geared and overweight in the midsection just had no choice but to grind gears all the way. 15% grade close to the top. That was a lover.
After that , turn right and up to La Turbie. Turn left and Noshow and Cali decide to kick into top speed and go for it up to the base of the back side of Madone. Was a great ride. Easy E makes it up a few minutes after and the descent back home. 2 hour Sunday ride, crisp, beautiful. Can't even make it up.

Lunch in town again and the boys pack it up to get Cali back to the airport on time.

That's all she wrote.

Look forward to Verbier in a couple weeks for another trainer.

the alternative ranch trip

While certain ranchers were riding the col de madonne in the south of france - others opted for a weekend in Niiseko on the island of Hokkaido. Pictured are rideremilian and riderpitts hanging out after a day of ripping groomers.

The traditional japanese Onsen proved a perfect regeneration tonic - a few hundred metres down the road from the chalet.

RiderZoe Winter Ski Training, Unleashed!

RiderZoe, code name Z-star, winter ski training video with RiderTurbo and RiderMama.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKyZbuxiuHw

what did u do on your holiday?

all day everyday tom pitts forgetting the air in hong kong for three weeks in revelstoke - heart of british columbia.

Verbier

flyby - verbier early season

One day in the schweiz finds a few of the ranchers gathering for early season turns. New comer, the bite - ridersharkbite - blog reader sebbi galli, riderhowe, ridereasy-e, and riderpitts enjoyed late afternoon sun with beers, sammies, and a view that makes u go aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.