Team Extreme

The team's last outing. Big beers are great...

2006-06-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

All the boys.

Gavin. Looking pleased with himself thanks to the extremely large Corona there.

Alex plus one. Think she was a flight attendant.

I was getting quite excited by so many large beers...

Whilst Garth was taking things a lot more seriously as you can see. It's not all fun and games!

Out at the Arctic Monkeys, Sheffield's finest- lead singer was wasted- but managed to pull it off all the same. Well good.

And the last dinner. Sophisticated aren't we...

Good times in Southern California

2006-06-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

'Shearers' and sunset in Mexico. That's a 'wifebeater' for the english amongst us.

Flags are big in Mexico, of course.

Three of us with Alex (our extremely generous host here in San Diego) outside a Californian institution (apparently.) Ask for the animal- its not on the menu- locals secret (and now team extreme's.) Hospitality all round.

Celebration shot at the border into TJ.

A road sign to prove we didn't just make a big flag and pretend we were in Mexico.

Gareth's chain broke again 8 miles shy of the border. Then his chain tool got busted. No problem- it's a team effort- so we hooked up some bungees and towed/pushed him the rest of the way. All that weight...

The Baywatch van. Where's the Hoff?

Look for me and Alex smashing a few chin-ups on Venice Beach. Showed the big guys how its done...

Anastacia in Ventura, CA- the greatest tourist information helper of all time. Sorted out all our problems, including sorting out Gav's lost passport, finding bike shops for Alex's bottom bracket, feeding us many many chocolates, and giving us all massage claws for those lonely nights...

Top Gun. Headed through a US army base just north of San Diego. Hit the breaks and they'll fly right by...

Linked onto the back of the peleton on the way into San Luis Obispo. Cruising along at 25mph (40 kph for australians) for 10 miles or so. Fitted right in. Easy.

Went to see the Arctic Monkeys last night- it were reet good, as they say. Pictures to follow, hopefully. Later all.

Done and dusted!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-06-01T14:25:00.000-07:00

A quick note from Team Extreme; After approximately 100 cups of tea, 18 keg's/kg's of porridge, 120 loaves of bread, 10kg's of rice, 20kg's of pasta, 8 jars of jam, 160 donuts, 15 punctures (mainly to Dan), 2 tyres, 1 rear wheel, 1 chain (Gareth), 1 bottom bracket (Alex), and bucketloads of sweat, Team Extreme finally reached the Mexican Border on Saturday 26th May after 42 days on tour and 36 days in the saddle. We are currently staying with a friend, Alex, top bird, who we met here in San Diego. She has been brilliant putting us up and giving us top notch San Diego hospitality. Photos to come in the next few days.
Enjoy

2006-05-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

KIDS; DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!

Results are in for the Donut Challenge (12 donuts) and the bookies were right on the money!
Gareth 18 minutes
Alex 19.37 minutes
Dan DNF
Gav DNF

Not much more needs to be said really. Two DNF's. Soft.

Dan piped up with this after it was over...... "I feel like I've let myself down, but there was no point going for third. Third is nothing."

He is right. Third is nothing - but a DNF is FAR WORSE! Better luck next time champ.

Gareth and I are animals.

Peace out
Westside

Alcatraz

2006-05-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

It were reet good. Well interesting, and a top class sunny day too- who says San Fran is full of fog? Sight seeing is nearly as tiring as cycling by the way- it was supposed to be a rest day but we were knackered after tearing it up out in Berkeley...

And look what happened to Abell's back- what a fool!

Its amazing how stuff comes to light....

2006-05-19T18:38:00.001-07:00

Good fortune often arrives in many forms. You can win the lottery, you could be given a free pack of donuts or you could end upstayin in the next campsite to a Calfornian Wine Merchant. Last night "The Tour" as it is rapidily becoming known had such luck. Several bottles (10 at least) of very expensive wine some costing in excess of $380 were consummed for free. Well done Dave and his Brazilian mates, Alex and Ciney! And word up as well to the Berkeley dudes!

The top photos show left overs from Gareth's evening on the good stuff not mine. Good fortune is great if you can handle it!

We were a bit worse for wear in the morning, but being the animals that we are, still managed to knock out 65 miles. You're not hardcore unless you live hardcore....

Look at this!

2006-05-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

Click on the link below to see President Bush being roasted by Stephen Colbert at a dinner party. Neil Hudson (who we stayed with) showed us this and it's really worth watching. Apparently, Stephen Colbert hosts a programme where he comes across as being quite conservative in his beliefs (hence the invite to speak) and this is what the Bush administration were expecting in his speech. Instead, Colbert just rips in to them, and it's good to see the reaction of everyone at the event. The fact that he criticises the media, too, is interesting; although the event was recorded live, there was no mention the following day that it had even happened.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879

Yosemite National Park

2006-05-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

We've had the past four days off. So to speak. I mean, it's not like we're at work or anything, but four days out of the saddle gives certain parts of your body a little bit of time to recover.

Anyway, we hired a car and drove to Yosemite National Park for a couple of days. It was absolutely stunning, especially with the snow-melt of the waterfalls adding to the whole beauty of the place. If you've never been, I'd strongly recommend that you visit before you die. You have to pay $20 to get in to the Park itself, but you can use free buses, and the management programme that is funded by your money would appear to be effective. Top place to spend a couple of days off.

Half Dome seen from a path, high above Camp Four.

Nevada Falls

El Capitan. Or 'The Nose' as it's sometimes referred to. There were several climbing parties on the face that we could just make out. We've circled one climber, although they're quite hard to spot. This face has been climbed in less than a day, although most people spend a night or two on their way to the summit.

A rate big waterfall, gushing over the top of a cliff. It was a noisy bugger, although to be fair, it did look quite spectacular.

Another view of Half Dome, but this time in black and white. Check out Ansel Adams' photographs of Yosemite. They're nearly as good as the ones we've taken. Well, maybe they're slightly better...

Hospitality beyond belief.

2006-05-14T23:28:00.000-07:00

Blown away by American generosity, we are indebted to John and Millie of Fairfax, CA, and Neil and Sofia of Oakdale, CA, who have very kindly put us up over the past few days and really helped us out. Here's a picture of us with Neil and Sofia. Neil's a professional photographer and Sofia makes the best omelette and fresh orange juice in the world. Fact. Our photo isn't quite up to their professional standards, but we did have a real one taken as well.

We met Neil when we were struggling to use the petrol pumps at a local station. Gavin asked him if he knew of any local campsites, but he didn't. Luckily for us, he offered us the best bit of grass in California, situated on his back garden. Plus, if you want a quality photograph taken, whether you're in California, the USA, or anywhere else in the world, I'd bet my last dollar that Neil's your man for the job. If Neil and Sofia's kindness is anything to go by, your photo will exceed your expectations. Another fact. Check out his website at:

www.nhudsonphoto.com

Alex, making himself at home at John and Millie's house. We were having lunch, when a fellow cyclist came over and mentioned his travelling, kindly offering to put us up, store our bikes, and even driving us somewhere so that we could hire a car and visit Yosemite. What a nice man. After arriving back from a weekend in San Francisco city, we came back to John and Millie's house to find that they'd gone away for the night. They'd very kindly left a door open so that we could stay the evening in the comfort of a lovely home. For those about to give up their homes, we salute you!

On the road again.

2006-05-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

On the otherhand...

2006-05-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

This is Dan, celebrating his 23rd birthday on May 8th, with a beer in hand and the wind on his back. Notice how he's still on his bike, in control, and only drinking in moderation. A perfect example of a modern and responsible young citizen. Unlike Gavin.

The evidence is there for all to see.

2006-05-14T23:14:00.000-07:00

See that? That's Gavin's bike, somewhere along the Mendocino county coast line. He's fallen off in a drunken haze, just out of the frame. Drunks, eh?

An extension of the truth

2006-05-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

As always Gareth's way with words sometimes is elaborated a little. In answer to his smart comments I'll leave with this picture. This is where most of his comments come from. gav

Alcoholics NOT anonymous

2006-05-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

See the beer strapped to Gavin's pannier rack? While the rest of the team were performing basic mechanical repairs to their bikes and giving them a lot of TLC, Gavin nipped to the local Off-Licence and picked himself some Corona up. He then proceeded to ride around the campsite, necking his bottles one by one and shouting, "CERVEZA, CERVEZA" as he tossed empty bottles over his shoulder.

Gavin's taken fondly to swigging red wine straight from the bottle. And he's not sharing either. Although, to be fair, he probably looks more sober in this picture than I've ever seen him before.

The Australian

2006-05-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

Taking advantage of happy hour after an extreme crabbing session. Took the barmaid's challenge to sink another of these with 3 minutes of happy hour remaining (after dinner so we were bloated as well.) Hardcore. Check out Alex's handle-bar 'tache- a winner with (some) ladies who think he looks like this guy- Dale Earnhardt Jr- he's a NASCAR Driver (that's the one where they just go round and round for ages...)

'Junior' is on the right.

Or is he the one here next to Gavin- you decide.... Gavin needs to work on his facial hair a bit though.

And here he is taking his bike to the 'restrooms.' Drive through facilities he says...

The west coast is massive

2006-05-08T15:27:00.000-07:00

Donnuts and "wildlife" aside, we are riding through some of the most beautiful countryside I've experienced. Fantastic beaches, breath-taking views, sweaty ascents, and sweeping descents. The west coast is just stunning. The best thing at the moment is that everyone that we speak to simply tells us that the next section is even better. (Gavin)

Wildlife corner- caring for the wildlife is often extreme...

2006-05-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

But, if they get too rowdy you may need to 'learn them some respec.'

Banana slug.

This elk appears relaxed, but after the photo it turned all shifty-like. Don't turn your back on an elk or else...

Can get a lot of milk off this bad-boy...

In response to what you might do if you were being chased by a T-Rex, Alex said, "You just deal with them in the same way as you would a prop forward (big fat rugby player for the non-sporty readers), take out their legs...."

This is Jeremy, Gareth's new friend. It's the only one he's made so far but there's still a few weeks to go so you never know...

Cheeky racoons stole our milk and butter (and cake- but they didn't really get the cake- me and Gareth ate it later hahahaha.)

Bird- liked hash browns.

More birds. Out of their natural habitat. One of us found one of them loitering in the hot tub. Oh joy of joys.

Team Extreme progressing extremely well.......

2006-05-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings fan club,

Team Extreme have been knocking out the miles since entering the US, helped along the way by 30mph tail winds and cracking weather, although Dans bike (Louise) has been playing up a little; plagued with flat tires and a wobbly wheel that continues to wobble.

We are now in Mendocino, California. From here San Fran is calling........ and we'll be arriving there on Wednesday to smash it up at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate. We are also going to hire a car and head to Yosemite Nat Park to check out a few Yogi Bears.

The Donut Challenge will be taking place this week. A Dozen Donuts each (a normal dozen - not a Safeway dozen - which here is actually 14!!). Time constraints: 1 Hour, or 15 minutes after the first person finishes - whatever happens first!
Latest betting odds to Win

- Gareth 6/4 fav
- Alex 7/4
- Dan 2/1
- Gav - a fleeting outsider a 4914/1 (or NO CHANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

Contact us for betting instructions if you don't know our bank accounts....

Take care (but not too much - you've got to keep it extreme remember!)

Team Extreme

Tillamook Cheese. Cheese can be extreme, as long as you take full advantage of the free samples...

2006-04-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

Kiwanda. Good beer here, and a large rock.

2006-04-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Pre meal snack time for Alex. Its a rather large pile of mash...

2006-04-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

The name says it all for these two.....

2006-04-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Gareth the sea lion. Arf arf...

2006-04-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

Astoria, OR. It's the Goonies- check out the truffle shuffle (we've got a video as well it's ace...)

2006-04-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Sunset at Bruceport, WA

2006-04-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

Nap time on the dunes.

2006-04-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

Out on Mark and Stacy's deck- Victoria hospitality at its best! Brilliant pancakes and muffins.

2006-04-28T13:46:00.000-07:00

Out with the old (dirty pan), in with the new. Teflon bad boy...

2006-04-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Key quotes so far

2006-04-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

"Sometimes being extreme means taking care of your skin" (Alex Abell) Following the discovery that Alex was applying hand moisturiser to his fingers and palms. [Alex here, the wind on your hands sometimes makes them dry..........]

"Sometimes being extreme means going to bed early" (Dan Owen) After Dan and Alex had retired to bed at 8.50 pm. [Alex again, we had knocked out 130Kms that day, and I was carrying at least 57Kg's on my back wheel]

Following a puncture to Gavin's bike, Gareth helped to put the tyre back on to the rim. Gavin said, "The strength of a bear." Dan replied, "Yeah, a Care Bear" before informing us that his favourite Care Bear was "the green one". How we laughed...

Classic conversation (at least five times a day based around different products or services)

Anyone English: "Alex, do you get (fish and chips/BBQs/Cricket/Baked beans etc...) in Australia?"
Alex: "MATE! We f****** invented fish and chips/BBQs/Cricket/Baked beans etc...)"

When Alex was told that we'd be going sea-kayaking one day, he remarked that he would be "doing a Viking roll."

While waiting outside a supermarket, a man sitting in a car said hello to Gareth and asked where we were heading to. I told him and then he told me how he'd been in a car accident a few months before and how he'd had to have his face reconstructed. So, I said, " You're on the road to recovery, then?" To which he replied, "No. I live on that road over there (pointing behind the supermarket). Do you know where I mean?" I didn't.

GARETH

Wanted: Floor space for four!

2006-04-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Do you live or have connections along the coast of Oregon or California? Are you generous and would enjoy the pleasure of three lovely english lads (and an aussie- but we can keep him in the shed...)? If yes, or you know someone who can help, drop us a comment and we'll call on by! We'll provide the beer and the humour- all you need to bring is 10 square metres of carpet. Pillows are a bonus!

Thanking you in advance.

Dan

Gavin's still drinking copious amounts

2006-04-20T01:46:00.000-07:00

Sea kayaking on Salt Spring Island

2006-04-20T01:42:00.000-07:00

Peter laughs at a poor X-Box performance

2006-04-20T01:39:00.000-07:00

Nice lasagne man

2006-04-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

Hmmm... I'm not sure if they know how to spell

2006-04-20T01:34:00.000-07:00

Where we'd pose if we were in a band.

2006-04-20T01:32:00.000-07:00

Joan, Miguel, and a bunch of scruffs.

2006-04-20T01:25:00.000-07:00

Vancouver to Victoria

2006-04-20T00:44:00.000-07:00

We flew from the local airport in Cranbrook all the way to Vancouver and it was the easiest flight I've ever taken, despite there being three of us with fully laden bikes. Plus, there were only six of us on the flight, so it felt like we had our own private jet.

Anyway, we landed in Vancouver and finally met up with Alex (who was delayed by a few hours) and then we had the good fortune of being put up by a very kind lady called Joan, who Alex knew. Joan took us in for the evening, fed us, and told us some interesting stuff about sailing around Vancouver island, as well as some stories about some of the local whale pods in the area.

In the morning we met her son, Miguel, and we had our photo taken before setting off to the shop to stock up on some supplies. Joan had also very kindly phoned her cousin, Peter, who happened to live somehwere along our intended route and asked him if we could stop at his house too! An extremely nice lady indeed. Thanks Joan!

The first part of the ride out of Vancouver was nice, although it started to get a bit wet and our first camp was quite damp. We passed a scout camp and called in for directions to our campsite. The people staying there didn't have a clue where it was as they weren't local, but they invited us in for some free leftover lasagne, some salad, some fruit, and a nice can of pop. So they were very nice, too.

The next day was a long ride (65 miles or so in the end). The views were great but after the ferry journey at the end of the day, we finished the day soaked by the rain, and not wanting to really put up a soggy tent in windy and wet conditions. Luckily, we'd reached Joan's cousin's house, and he agreed to take us in.

Peter lived in a lovely house right on the sea front, and after we'd come in out of the rain, he made us sit down with a beer and watch some Ultimate Fighting on TV. He then fed us a lovely meal, which was even more enjoyable considering we were all dry, warm and full of beer, with the wind howling outside. Peter (who's in his 60s) then watched us all struggle to play a snowboarding game on an X Box that someone's left at his house, before taking the controls and showing us how it should be done. Respect is due, Peter.

We had to leave early as we had an early ferry to catch over to Comox on Vancouver Island.
For the past couple of days we've been travelling south (after going north) on the isalnd, nipping over to a small island called Salt Spring. This was a beautiful little place; we even managed to rent some sea kayaks for the day and go for a bit of a paddle. Saw quite a few seals and some purple starfish, but no whale pods, unfortunately.

We got the ferry back to the main part of Vancouver island last night, and this morning we rode down to Victoria. We had a butcher's around Victoria (very impressive, and fairly English to boot), went for some food, and then went to the local swimming baths, as we hadn't showered for nigh on two days. How easy it is to empty a city swimming pool when you've got the know-how...

Another stroke of luck for this evening, as we've been able to stay with friends of Dan's. Mark and Stacey have kindly put us up and fed us, proving once again how hospitable these Canadians seem to be. Thanks very much indeed.

Off to the US of A tomorrow.

How we laughed!

2006-04-19T22:00:00.000-07:00

3/4 of team extreme apres training ride...

2006-04-07T17:48:00.000-07:00

Value for money

2006-04-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

That box of doughnuts below cost $5.50, which is the equivalent of two English pounds and seventy five pence in real money. What a bargain. Does anyone else know of a bargain as good as this one? Just look at the variety as well. We need to eat lots of these so that we can lose the weight as we ride.

We've also decided that we're going to do this cycle trip for charity. We've opted for a lesser known charity that supports dogs that are born totally blind at birth. All too often, we hear of guide dogs for the blind, but how many of us stop and wonder about who or what guides a blind dog? I didn't, until I stumbled across this unique charity:

www.blinddogs/needguidance/too/youknow.com

(They sometimes have trouble with their webpage - probably too busy, looking after all these poor dogs)

Anyway, if you can't access the information, this charity trains up cats to act as guidecats. Normally a dog will chase a cat, but as it's blind (or sometimes partially sighted), the dog isn't inclined to chase the cat; rather it follows the cat, wherever the cat is trained to take the dog. The charity train different cats for different leading roles. For example, some cats lead dogs on energetic walks, while others have to be adept at throwing sticks and then leading the dogs to where the sticks have landed.

Now, what your money donations will do, is enable this worthwhile charity to continue training these cats. By the way, most of these cats are orphans themselves, so it's a win-win situation for the dogs and cats: the dogs get led places and the cats get a home, catfood, and most evenings off to go and scratch people.

Your money will pay for food, accommodation, harnesses, reusable sticks, human trainers, and nose covers for the dogs so that they can't smell that it's a cat's bum in front of their face. Please, please, please be generous for this most noble of anonymous causes. Thank you.

Mmm donuts

2006-04-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

If you ate all these you'd be pretty damn extreme... and possibly sick as well. But that's beside the point.

Tour Objectives/Aims

2006-04-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

Compiled in one of our very professional and constructive team meetings. They will be added to as we think of more entertaining and preferably extreme activities. But for now, these are our aims:

Spend a day touring around the vineyards of California, testing the local tipple/getting boozed along the way. Does anyone know how drunk you can be and still ride a bike? We will see soon enough...
Visit the filming locations (in Astoria, Oregon) for the classic 1985 film 'The Goonies.' Take a gander at www.thegoonies.org for more info. 'Short Circuit', 'Kindergarten Cop' and 'Free Willy' were also shot here. I plan to stand out on the rocks in the harbour until a killer whale leaps over me to freedom.
Get friendly with some local college chicks and visit their frat party. An educational experience of course. Do this preferably in Orange County.
Jog down Malibu/Venice/Santa Monica beach in slow motion with some red shorts on. We need to work on our chest hair for this.
Do some street performance busking type activity in LA. Will need plenty of practice, but as yet have no good ideas and/or special skills.
A tentative objective. Witness a drive-by (from afar.) To me, this does not seem like it will be a great deal of fun, but I suppose it is quite extreme. I think it was Alex's idea.
Avoid being eaten by bears. But it'd be cool to see one or two. Hopefully they won't be too angry/hungry after waking up from a long winter slumber. Bear spray is now available at a knock down price of $29.95- could double as deodorant to save space.
Exchange Gav's bike for a large bottle of Tequila, and (hopefully) celebrate a job well done on the beach south of Tijuana, obviously whilst wearing sombreros and sporting large beards/mustaches.

That's about all we could come up with. Any (extreme) suggestions are welcome...!

Team Extreme atop Polar Peak

2006-04-01T16:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome part 2 (the extreme version)

2006-04-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

Before you read this, make sure you've read welcome #1. Done that, good- read on then.

Now that you've read the introduction by the founding member of team pansy, let me enlighten you further....

Yes we're cycling down the west coast, and yes you may think something along the lines of 'thats a little foolish, it's pretty damn far and you're normally a rather lazy f***er,' but take a moment to think about it.... that's just one of the things that does indeed render us so extreme.

I feel it is necessary to point out that all of the other seemingly little things that we do on a day to day basis (yes, such as not covering our ears when next to detonating avalanche bombs- no permanent damage was done by the way) simply serve to increase the levels of inherent extremeness within.

Being extreme is something that can bring fulfillment to a lot of people. So one likes to think that by publicising how one has pushed the limits that day, it can serve to enrich the lives of those around them, by giving them ideas as to how to push their own limits further. No need to thank us by the way.

Here's just a few extreme suggestions if you're stuck for ideas:

1) Next time you are at the top of a ski hill with some friends, suggest a race to the bottom. Extreme plus points for straight lining all the way down, and minus points for putting pansy turns in.

2) Hike up steep ridges with sheer drops either side, in pursuit of first tracks in powder. Avalanche gear recommended of course. It is actually possible to be safety conscious and extreme at the same time. Only in some situations mind you.

3) Ride the chairlift with the bar up at all times. It saves effort and makes you look cool as well. Looking cool is an important part of being extreme.

4) See how many donuts you can eat in one go. A good source is the Tim Horton's boxes of 12. So you can stay at home and be extreme as well. Not everyone knows this.

Well, that's it for now. I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on all the extreme goings on throughout the trip.

Dan

'More extreme than your average American pansy.'

Welcome

2006-03-31T19:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Team Extreme blog page. Hopefully, this blog mullarkey should provide up to date information on our cycle tour down the west coast of the USA, for those of you that happen to be even remotely interested. We're not really that extreme to be honest, although the two younger members of the group think that they are, and pretend to do something extreme most days. Real people who do really extreme things, usually don't need to advertise the fact that what they're doing, is in fact, really extreme. They just get on with it, usually with a quiet and humbling modesty. Other people - such as the less mature individuals previously mentioned - are under the impression that having both feet strapped in to their snowboard bindings when they come off a ski lift, or not covering their ears when an avalanche bomb is detonated close to where they're standing, is the epitome of extreme-ness. So, the fact that this blog has been named the Team Extreme blog page, is for two main reasons:

1) To satisfy the egoistical whims and ideological fancies of certain group members

2) To ensure that when the going really gets hard and certain people are being towed along on their bikes, that the families and friends of the individuals being towed by me and Gavin are still under the (mistaken) impression that these people are extreme.

Happy riding reading.