2009 IS HERE.... HERE'S MY Mileage

SHADE OF THE CORN

2009-07-02T07:45:00.002-04:00

Is it Thursday already? Wow! Last day of the work week. I'll take it. Tomorrow is a work holiday. Yeah! I want to ride.

I have 45 miles to my name this week. Had a KILLER ride 3 days ago (Monday) with Bill. We rode a nice 15 mile route that both of us know like the back of our hand.

Had a great clip going for a while. The temps were in the mid 80's, but the humidity was non-existent. Perfect weather for riding.

We started quick and kept going. The legs felt good, despite doing a 26 mile ride the day before. Strong and ready to ride. I love when I feel like that. It was invigorating.

Towards the end of the ride, we turned onto Roscoe Howey Rd. Nice, hilly road. Lots of downhills and not too many uphills.

The sun was starting to hang low in the sky. It was nearing 8:15pm. We rode along the farms that had corn growing on both sides. The corn stalks had to be 8 feet tall, if not taller! Gorgeous green stalks. Best looking corn I've seen since moving down here 3 years ago.

It was a picturesque scene. The shade from the corn stalks covered the road we were on. It was actually getting cool. Not bad for a late June ride.

It reminded me of that Kevin Costner cycling film from the 80's, "American Flyers." I felt like I was cycling through America's Heartland in Iowa. Miles and Miles of nothing but corn. It's a nice stark difference to the cityscape I work in each Monday through Friday. I get to come home and ride through farm-land.

The miles added up quickly. My legs felt good. My attitude felt even better. I cherish rides like this.

Nothing better.

FLATS Suck.

2009-06-29T07:30:00.003-04:00

Flats suck. Anyone who has ever ridden a bike has experienced the "suck" of a flat tire. If you're lucky, it happens right at the END of your ride... If you're lucky, you realize you have a flat BEFORE you start your ride.

In my case, I was lucky that I was riding with about 25 other folks. 1 of whom had a spare inner tube, and knew HOW to fix a flat fast!

Bill and I drove about 30 minutes north of where we live to participate in a "group ride" consisting of 15 to 25 riders for an early morning Sunday ride of 26 miles. The camaraderie on these rides is wonderful. All different kinds of people from all different walks of life. We all share the joy of riding, which makes for a nice weekend ride.

So, as we all start heading out, I pop a flat. Hssssssssssssssssssssssssssss! is all I hear. The next word everyone heard is one I choose not to print here...

"Anthony," one of the organizers of the ride stops and asks if I have a tube and air. "No" is my response, as I mentally (and physically) prepared to sit this ride out. "No problem" he says as he takes out a tube and a CO2 cartridge from his seat bag. In under 5 mins, we were both back with the pack. (Anthony phoned the pack leader and asked them to "hold" for 5 mins while we caught up.)

Had a great (really fun) 26 mile ride with Bill and his coworker Scott.

After the ride, I tried to settle up with Anthony so I could replace his tube and CO2 he used to get me back up and running. "Don't worry about it," was his response. Nice guy. I'll definitely do that ride again.

Now I need to get a tube for myself and some CO2.

MORNING RIDES

2009-06-26T07:09:00.001-04:00

Night time rides beat the morning rides. Hands down. I'll take what I can get though and roll with it.

Bill wanted to ride last night. I did too. The kids had waited all day to go to the pool and they wanted me to come, so, after dinner we all headed to the pool. Kids had a great time. I enjoyed watching them swim, jump into the pool, and just be plain goofy like only a 9 and 7 year old can be.

This morning I got out for 3 laps in the neighborhood. 9.97 miles. Let's say 10.

Almost at 100 for the month.

NEED 100 MILE MONTH

2009-06-25T07:18:00.002-04:00

I was going to go out riding this morning. I really was. Not quite sure what happened. I was thinking more of going out running/walking. That failed to materialize as well.

Had a restless night. Tossed a turned more than I wanted to. Still getting used to the CPAP mask I have for my sleep apnea...

Went to an ENT Dr. yesterday and discoovered I have a pretty badly deviated septum. I always knew I was deviant. (At least my septum is...)

I have to schedule some surgery for this. Joy.

I have 5 days left in the month to grab 24 miles to make it a 100 mile month... ( I have had 150 mile WEEKS, let alone months.)

It should be easy enough to do. I'm hoping to get out tonight for a 15-mile ride. I dont' think we have anything going on.

July I want to crank out 200 miles. 200 baby!

41 and Riding Stronger Than Ever

2009-06-23T07:55:00.002-04:00

I take great pride in the fact that I'm 41 and I still cycle. Not only do I still cycle, I now ride smarter, stronger, and faster than I did as a teenager and young adult.

Last night Bill and I got out for a 21 mile ride. We started a tad slow. Got warmed up quickly, and then hit our pace. Had a nice clip going for most of the ride.

It was hot. Not humid, but plenty HOT. I was sweating pretty profusely. Loved it. The post burn was even better. We ended the right with a SPRINT. (At least I did.... I think Bill was behind me cranking it out too....)

We ended with a 17mph average.

A year ago, we were averaging 15.5 - 16.0 mph. We were TRUCKING last night.

I'm in my 40's, but I can still kick some ass on that Cannondale of mine.

I like how cycling makes me feel young.

Any ride is a good ride.

INVINCIBILITY vs. WISDOM

2009-06-16T08:18:00.003-04:00

Last night, Bill and I got a chance to head out for a "quick" 15-16 mile ride. I was stoked all day for this ride. A chance to get out and just enjoy the ride. Enjoy my bike. Enjoy the weather.

We started out quick. No warm up period apparently.

Surprisingly, we were both "on" last night. It clicked.

Bill set the pace. I followed. We were cranking out the miles. We were hauling. What a rush. We had a good 2-mile stretch where we never dropped below 25mph. It felt effortless.

I've been riding bikes now for over 35 years. Last night was a memorable ride. We averaged 18mph for close to 16 miles. That's a good clip on any day.

I love the fact that even in my 40's, I can still hold my own on a bike. I realize my days of feeling invincible are long over. I'm not in denial anymore about that. "Wisdom" has now replaced "invincibility."

Last night though, I felt shades of that invincibility return.

I'm always amazed at how EACH ride is inherently different. It may be 6 months before I feel this good after a ride again. That's fine with me. I have last night's ride under my belt. More importantly, I have last night's ride in my long-term memory.

31 miles down this week. It's only Tuesday.

2 DAYS.... TWO RIDES

2009-06-15T07:20:00.002-04:00

I'm back! I'm back on my bike! What a rush! Now I remember why I ride. The natural high of getting some miles under your feet. The feeling of the wind hitting your face. The sweating your ass off feeling of getting a good workout. It's all coming back to me now.

I got out yesterday for a flat tire shortened 5.2 mile ride. Kinda bummed! I was just getting warmed up when I decided to stop at a Gas Station for FREE air for my tires. Unfortunately, their machine wasn't working. I found this out the hard way after losing some pressure in my back tire. Too much of a loss to continue riding. I had to call Kelly to come pick me up. I was bummed! SERIOUSLY bummed!

So, this morning, I got out for an AWESOME 10.56 mile ride around the neighborhood. I forgot how quite it is at 4:30am. :) My favorite time of day. Me, my bike, and quiet.

I cranked out the miles I did. My payoff was stepping on the scale when I was done. I'm back under 200 lbs! I was at 217lbs at my heaviest. My goal is to get to 180 by the end of summer. This week, I'm hoping to get down to 197lbs. I'm at 199.5 right now.

If I get back into this morning ride mentality, I can see 197 happening.

Let's see. :)

Hope everyone is doing well.

WORD IS, I OWN A BIKE...

2009-06-11T14:37:00.002-04:00

2 actually. It's been a while since I've ridden either of them. Crazy.

I have been busy getting diagnosed by a Sleep Disorder Dr. and it turns out I have sleep apnea. Here I thought I was just tired because I'm tired. Nope.

So, with some "actual" rest under my belt in the coming weeks, I plan on getting the HELL BACK on my Cannondale and cranking out some fricking miles! It's been too long.

Stay tuned.

WHEN THE WIND WINS...

2009-05-05T12:54:00.002-04:00

I hate when that happens. It doesn't happen often, but it did yesterday.

A big part of cycling (at least to me) is mental. Sure, the physical side can be a challenge, but more times than not, the mental side of cycling can either assist in a ride and make it worthwhile and memorable, or CRUSH you like you're a bug running through a stampede of buffaloes.

Sunday was a gorgeous day. Sunny, not too hot, but a bit humid. I snuck out for a 15 mile ride. The wind was noticeable that day, much to my chagrin. As it always does, I had the wind to my back for the 1st part of the ride. Glorious time out hauling around 20 to 25 mph. I knew though that the wind (now my friend) would soon turn into my bitter enemy as I made the turnaround right turn in a familiar ride that I can do with my eyes shut.

Sure enough, as soon as I cycled through the light on Rte 84 and turned right onto Rte 75, it hit me like a Louisville Slugger. THE WIND! "So much for my average," I muttered in between the "I HATE WIND" rants.

With 8 miles under my belt, I knew I had 7 more to go with a brute head-wind trying to break me. It didn't . I trudged on. I got all mental on the wind and won. I finished my ride with a 16.5mph average. A decent outing to say the least.

So, Monday morning I head out at 4:30am, hoping to get in 11 miles before work.

As I head down my quiet, dimly lit street, I feel it. MORE wind. STRONGER wind. WIND period! I wasn't in the mood. I was only 2 or 3 sips of coffee into my morning. "What the hell am I doing out on my bike," was a recurring thought going through my head... "Why?"

I muddled half heartedly through the first 3.42 mile loop in my neighborhood, fighting the wind at every turn. It's as if the old adage of "I walked 5 miles UPHILL... BOTH WAYS" was taunting me in the form of wind.

The wind won. I turned the cul-de-sac on my bike, but, as if a magnet were pulling me with tractor beams, I found myself dismounting and hitting the garage door opener and befriending my still warm cup of coffee, in the WIND-FREE environment of my home office.

I hate when the wind WINS...

APRIL = 200 MILES and 5.5 lbs LOST

2009-04-28T07:26:00.002-04:00

April's been a good month. I hit my stride by getting back on the bike. It feels good. I rode 200 miles this month. It's been 8 months since I've totaled that kind of mileage. July of 2008. I rode 323 miles that month. 201 of them came in the 1 day "Booty Ride" for charity.

I am hoping for 250 miles in May. Shouldn't be out of reach. It's warming up. I'm getting out more in the morning, and with Kelly's play ending, I'll have a few night time opportunities to ride. Yeah!

I'm hoping Bill can join me for some of these rides. He's transitioning to some new jobs, so his schedule is a bit hectic. I know he'll miss riding, so I hope he can join me a few mornings.

I got out this morning for 11.3 miles. I cranked out on some tunes as I rode. Had one of my best averages (for riding in the neighborhood) I have seen in a while. I really pushed myself. The music helped.

I'm striving to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks. If I stick to it, I can do this. Riding will help.

EASY PACE

2009-04-22T08:03:00.002-04:00

Bill and I have been riding together now for about a year and a 1/2. We're pretty well matched in regards to riding style, strengths and weaknesses. It took me a while to get back into my old riding form, but I'm now a stronger rider than I have ever been.

With that being said, Bill and I ride together well. We can read each other and know when to push each other, or just enjoy the riding time we get and not worry about averages, or distances.

This morning was our 3rd bike outing in 4 days. Not bad, seeing that we basically didn't ride during the winter months.

We were both tired. Neither of us admitted that, but we didn't need to. We saw how the 1st lap of 4 went in the neighborhood. We coasted along and wrapped up a 12.4 mile ride in 50 minutes. No land speed records set or broken this morning. We do have 46.2 miles to our names though this week.

I'm hoping to ride tonight, if the kids have CCD.

My son is fighting a fever. HOpe he can bounce back. If not, I'll ride tomorrow morning. :)

DO YOU KNOW THAT I HATE WIND?

2009-04-16T10:43:00.006-04:00

Have I mentioned my disdain for wind here ? I think I have. :)

This morning was a windy ride. The 2nd such ride in one week. Whatzupwiththat??

Ugh!

Today, I was mentally beaten from the wind. It was all encompassing. It was cold. It slowed me down. It ripped through my layers like I was riding naked... It sucked.

It's one of those components of a ride that makes you happy you can get off your bike when you're done and just be done.

As great as yesterday's ride was, the "suck" factor this morning was equally as high.

Did I tell you I HATE wind?

MID-WEEK and I'M JUST WARMING UP

2009-04-15T07:40:00.003-04:00

It's Wednesday. Mid-week. A.K.A. HUMP DAY!

I've got 44.2 miles so far for the week. Ah, it feels good. Bill and I met up in the circle at 4:30am to get in 12.37 miles. I rode another 8.38 miles to and from work. Tonight I'm hoping to get out for 12 more.

I'm liking my totals this month...

BEST MONTH THIS YEAR

2009-04-13T08:31:00.004-04:00

12 more miles this month will put me over my entire total of miles for last month. Not bad, seeing that it's only April 13th...

Bill and I rode yesterday after our respective Easter Dinner meals. Bad call on my part. I felt like crap the whole ride. Thought I was gonna puke. Not good. The ride ended OK, but I was fried.

4am rolled around WAY too early this morning.

I laced up the riding shoes and met Bill in the cul de sac for another ride. We cranked out 11 miles. Not too shabby. 23 miles to the week already. Good thing too, because rain is in the forecast for the next 36 hours. Glad we rode when we did.

I was going to ride into work today, but the rain curtailed that. I hope this system passes quickly. We shall see.

TIRED LEGS

2009-04-10T07:55:00.005-04:00

Most rides, I feel energized. Mentally, and physically, it's good to be out on the bike. Warm temps tend to let your mind forget to send the "I'm tired" signal to the legs.

Today, that signal went through. Bill and I met up in the cul de sac to ride 12.37 miles before we both had to head to work. I was either not awake (mentally and physically, or just tired.

It was a tough start today for me. Slow, lagging attempts to get going. About 10 miles into the ride, I felt things starting to "click." That's when rides get fun. A feeling of youthfulness overcomes you. You ride easily and quickly. Things I used to do a helluva lot easier in my 20's. I can't complain though. I'm 41 and I still ride my bike almost everyday. Life is good.

So, we got going and I was feeling good. Unfortunately, I only felt that way for 2.3 miles of a 12.3 mile ride.

My legs are tired. I either need to rest more or ride more. I think riding is the answer... :)

MOUNTAIN BIKE

2009-04-09T12:06:00.002-04:00

Over 10 years ago, I got a GT Mountain Bike. I have most likely put in over 4,000 miles on that bike. Love it. It's heavy duty, but light as a feather. Nice combo!

Last night, Bill and I got out for an hour ride after dinner on some trails in our neighborhood. Nothing major, but some decent hills and creeks to cross, and obstacles to avoid.

It has been quite some time since I last went out mountain biking. I forgot how much fun it can be. Still a great workout!

Bill tested out his new bike and it passed with flying colors. Now it's time to find some more trails. :)

33

2009-04-06T08:24:00.002-04:00

Miles that is. In the last 2 days. It's going to be a great month! Bill and I rode yesterday for 22 miles. Great ride. A bit windy, but it was warm enough, so our attitude toward the wind didn't turn sour.

This morning, we rode for another 11 miles around the neighborhood. Boring ride, as far as scenery is concerned. Windy ride too. This morning our attitude was not as gracious as yesterday. "I hate wind" was heard from both of us more than once. :)

So, I've got 45 miles in for the month so far. Almost 1/2 of last month's total, and it's only the 6th. Sweet!

Tomorrow, I will most likely jog in the morning and then ride into work for the short 4 miles (one way) that I normally do. Today was rainy (after our morning ride), so I hoofed it into the office.

A SELF IMPOSED "GET OFF YOUR ASS" MONTH

2009-04-01T12:10:00.002-04:00

It's warming up down here in the South. Amen. I've been dying to cycle more. I rode 105 miles in March. I've done that mileage in 1 week before... (1/2 a day before, actually....)

Anyway, it's 105 miles. I'm creating a self-imposed "get off your ass" month for myself. I'm going to cyle 200 or more miles this month. I'm going to jog at least 12 times this month for 30 to 45 minutes. I will do it. I'll track it. I'm excited to get active again. I rode my Cannondale today, and I swear I heard angels singing as I effortlessly coasted through my neighborhood on the way to riding 12 miles this morning. Good thing too. It's going to rain all day. No chance to commute in on bike. No chance to ride after dinner. I rode early and got it done. Amen.

Tomorrow morning (if it's dry) I will ride once again, as well as ride into work. Should get close to 20 miles tomorrow, if the weather cooperates.

I also hope to shed about 10 pounds this month. Seriously.

105 MILES FOR MARCH

2009-03-31T09:49:00.003-04:00

Without even trying, I racked up 105 miles this month. Mostly this mileage came from me riding into work each day, back and forth. April's total should be double this, let's hope.

I'm itching to get out for an afternoon ride when I get home from work. Nothing major. 10 to 15 miles. Piece of cake ride. A "mind clearing" type ride. Those are the best.

Let's see how April goes.

4:30am.... Where's BILL?

2009-03-18T07:01:00.002-04:00

I chatted with my neighbor (Bill) yesterday. We both mentioned how we're getting the cycling "bug" once again. It's a wonderful feeling to have. The need to get out and get some miles under your feet. Winter is over. The days are getting longer and the weather is warming uop. Just perfect.

Last week's rains are a distant memory. So, we decided that we would ride this morning.... Actually, let me clarify: I told Bill, "I'm riding at 4:30am the next 3 days. Care to join me?" His response was a hesitant "yes" for this morning, but more solid for a Thursday outing. "Sounds good" is the last thing I remember telling him, as I headed inside.

I laid out my riding gear (long pants, sweatshirt and 2 other layers, socks, gloves, helmet, light, speedometer, etc...) before heading to bed for the night. I also ironed my work clothes for Wednesday. That way, I could ride for an hour, quickly jump in the shower and be out the door by 6am.

At 4am my alarm went off. I awoke to freshly brewed coffee. Does it get better than this? I stepped outside to check the weather. I don't rely on websites that tell me the temp. 35 degrees was the temp. A bit colder than I was hoping for.

I opted for my balaclava (facemask) to keep me a bit warmer on the ride. Hindsight will call that a "wise" choice.

4:30 rolls around. I open the garage. No sign of Bill. No porch light illuminated on his house. Not a good sign. I have a feeling either GREEN BEER won out over our ride, or SLEEP did. I can totally relate to wanting to sleep in and opt out of a ride. Not for me today though. I was ready to go.

So, at 4:31am I hit the ground. I got in a nice 10 miles at a decent clip. It was chillier than I wanted it to be, but I've ridden in MUCH MUCH colder weather.

I'll have to give Bill a boatload of crap today for missing out on a good ride.

Maybe tomorrow we'll both be out at 4:30am?

CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?

2009-03-17T08:39:00.002-04:00

One of the most important things for me, when I cycle, is making sure motorists can SEE me. I ride early in the morning, often in the dark. I'm not worried about ME seeing the cars, but I do try to ensure that the CARS see me.

I try to wear lightly colored clothing. I have a headlight on my bike as well as a SUPER bright blinking tail light that I just got for my birthday. That tail-light is the best I've seen... ever. I swear it's bright enough to land airplanes with. I like it!

I also got a speedometer for my mountain bike. I now have a speedometer for each bike. No need to "guess" as to the mileage I'm attempting to accumulate.

I'm hoping to ring up close to 150 miles this month. With the warmer weather heading our way, those mileage totals will only grow. I'm stoked!

My goal is to ride over 2,000 miles this year. I came close last year, but fell short after abandoning my bike after the July ride of 201 miles. I rode very little after that excursion. Not sure why, but I did. :) Not this year. Steady miles are in store.

RAINY BIRTHDAY and a NEW BIKE?

2009-03-13T06:48:00.002-04:00

It's raining this morning. No ride into work. It's been a bad week for that. Mostly due to my choices. I hope next week sees a reversal in that pattern.

I've been combing Craigslist this week for a full-suspension mountain bike that I can pick up (for under $50) to ride in the 4+ miles I do each morning. It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to be light. I just want it to be comfortable. Those bikes are.

My GT Mountain bike is one of the lightest mtn bikes I've ever picked up. I love that bike. When I'm on the trails I love that bike. When I'm on a bumpy road riding into work? I don't like my GT on those days.

Give me a full-suspension mtn bike and I'll be happy.

Off to see what's been posted on Craigslist.

A FEW

2009-03-12T10:19:00.002-04:00

I've ridden a little bit this week. Not as much as I'd like to. The weather in the beginning of the week was fantastic. It is turning colder though.

I have been rollerblading, walking and goofing around on the bike with the kids though.

My birthday is Friday and I'm hoping to get a VERY comfortable full-suspension mtn. bike for commuting. $50 is my limit. I will not spend more than that.

Hope to get something soon.

WANNA SAVE FORTY-FIVE BUCKS in 3 Days?

2009-02-27T08:02:00.002-05:00

Ride to work like I've been doing.

Let me back-track. I have been riding into work as some of you know. Not far. I park about 4 miles out which gives me a nice 20 minute ride into work each morning. Great way to start my day. It gets my blood really pumping and puts me in a good mind-set for the day.

This week, here in Charlotte, there is the CIAA tournament. I wish I could tell you what CIAA stands for, but I can't. I do know that there is a TON of traffic (both cars and pedestrian) around the QUEEN CITY this week.

Apparently, since this tournament is town, all the local Parking Lots went into the "LET'S RAPE THE PARKING PUBLIC" mode and JACKED their daily parking rates up through the roof. My normal $3/day lot jumped to $15/day. Another lot that normally charges $5/day is up to $20.

With the threat of some rain today, I decided to drive in and just park at my $3 lot and walk into work. That is, until I learned about the aforementioned rate hiks. So, after seeing that, I drove out to my 2-mile spot, parked the car and RODE into work. Saved myself $15 today. CHA-CHING!

Oh, and another benefit of riding in... I've lost 5lbs this month w/o really even trying. (Imagine if I applied myself?) ;)

HALF MARATHON?

2009-02-26T11:28:00.002-05:00

So, it's Tuesday and I get this email from Bill. He wants to know if I'm interested in signing up for a 1/2 marathon?

Now, let me preface this with I have never run more than 2 miles (at one time) in my life. And that was back in 8th grade! (27 years ago...)

So, I got to really thinking about it. I would love to cross that off my "bucket" list, so to say. I will always be able to say I rode 201 miles in ONE DAY. Can't say any form of "marathon" yet.

SO, I think I'm on board. I need to get into a more structured routine. Training for a marathon (1/2) will definitely help me do that.

Tonight is Thursday. I'm hoping to run tonight. Outside. No treadmill. Real pavement. At MY pace.

Stay tuned.