21 September 2008

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall, but I think it is here already. The mornings have been wonderfully cool, down in the 60's, and feeling great. My daughter wanted to spend last night with her Gami after we all had dinner last night, so my wife left our girl and her car over there. I decided then that I would ride over this morning on my bike before worship and get the car and my girl.
I love this time of year, any time of year when the seasons are changing. There's a slight chill in the air that makes me wonder if I really want to ride a bike or not. The first 15-20 minutes are a bit cool, but being the Clydesdale that I am, I warm up pretty quick. I was able to turn my 13 mile trip this morning into a 25 mile trip, and some of the roads I chose were very much in line with the whole "Fall" thing; cool, hilly like the foothills, I'd heat up climbing them, and get chilly flying down the other side. Years ago when I drove an 18-wheeler, we called this "dragonfly;" you were draggin' up one side so you could fly down the other.
So, I had a great ride, picked up my girl, and headed home so we could get ready for church and go worship the One that makes these beautiful Fall mornings. I hope you know Him and how much He cares for you, and wants to join you on your ride through this life. Be blessed, and thank Jesus for it.

17 September 2008

What a GREAT morning for a ride!! Unfortunately, the wife and I had an appointment in Columbia so I had to cut it short (that's okay, I have a great wife that I'd do anything for); it's one of those days where you want to ride till you fall over.
An awesome man, who is not only my pastor but my friend, and I ride together every (almost) Wednesday morning, for an hour or so. This morning it was misty, somewhere between trying to rain and a thick, wet fog, about 68 degrees, and felt fantastic! We went out through the country near his home, and where there is normally low traffic, for some reason this morning was busier than I have seen it. You'd think these gas prices would get some people off the road but it hasn't happened yet. Other than that, it was alright; only one dog came out to say "hello."

MapMyRide!

By the way, have I said just how much I love MapMyRide.com?

13 September 2008

I started early this morning so I could ride through town. When I go that route before all the cars get flowing, I remember why I wanted to live in Lexington. Before 8am (on the weekend), it is still a small, southern town, bathed in peace and quiet. There's not enough peace and quiet anymore. Populations, even in our small town, seem to be so dense (I'm talking numbers, not intelligence here) and everyone is so busy; I would bet that if you sat at any intersection in my town and watched cars, over half the drivers would be on cell phones. With the price of gas nowadays and the risk of driving while on the phone, why don't more people just sit on a porch or at a kitchen table and have these same conversations, perhaps face-to-face over a cup of coffee?
I digress,please forgive me. Anyway, I had a fantastic morning riding through my small town, to the edge of a peaceful lake, and around some of its shore through remaining farmlands, back to my home which most of the time is a bastion of placidity. I wish everyone the peace I feel this morning. God bless you all.

6 September 2008

Once a week or so, my pastor and I get out on the bikes and take a nice, slower paced ride. He's training to do an upcoming mini-triathlon and wants to work on his biking, so we'll hit the road for an hour or more just riding through the country. We left after Men's Prayer Breakfast and did a 20-mile loop to Batesburg-Leesville and the mornings in South Carolina are getting just right for this as the temperature when we pull out is from 68-73 degrees F. I am hoping my schedule will lighten up some soon so I can get more miles as the weather improves. We'll see.

1 September 2008 - Happy Labor Day!

Rather than being lazy on Labor Day (as one should!) I got up early and met my brother for a long ride. It was awesome! The morning was cool, traffic was nonexistent, and my legs felt great. We began about 10 miles or so east of Camden and did a loop to Hartsville and back. Nothing to brag about, averaged 15.6 mph, but it felt good.
Cool note (at least I think so): about 16 miles from finishing up, we stopped on a bridge in a swamp to take a breather. I've got this thing about water so I crossed the road to look around. About 15 feet below the bridge a water moccasin was just floating there as if he (or she, I didn't ask) hadn't a care in the world. In its own environment, this deadly terrible thing that was better off wearing tire tracks (after all, "the only good snake is a dead snake!") was a fascinating creature of God, surely with a reason and purpose. It looked almost poetic as it swam off gracefully, never acknowledging our presence. Okay, end of note.
I was entered in the 2008 Assault on Mt. Mitchell and for the rider I am, I feel I did well. I made it all the way to the campground in Marion before I threw my bike in the ditch! Just kidding, but I did have to bail in Marion. I have ridden the 14.xx miles up Hwy. 80 from Marion to the Parkway, and suffered. I knew with Spartanburg 74 hilly miles behind me, I was not ready to assault anything, let alone a mountain. So, rather than throwing my bike in a ditch I turned in it to one of the incredible volunteers (what a group of servant-hearted people!) and hopped a bus for the top of Mitchell so I could see my brother cross the finish line in a hair over 9 hours (on his first attempt at Mitchell!). Another buddy of mine I ride with on occasion made it in 11 hours, but hey, anybody who finishes this ride is an awesome rider.
So, why did I say all that? Because I am training for the 2009 Assault on Mt. Mitchell on May 18, 2009 and I AM GOING TO THE TOP, on my bike, NOT A BUS! I don't have to be first, don't want to be last, I just want to finish. My plan for the coming months involve lots of miles and dropping some weight. It's difficult to be a fat mountain climber.

Yesterday's Ride

So, this is my ride I did yesterday. I had intended to do 50-60 miles, but I haven't been riding as much as I should be and I have done some "de-conditioning." I still had a great ride, though. I always encourage myself by saying, "How many 42-year-old guys got up this morning and jumped on a bicycle and rode x-amount of miles?" I know there are plenty out there, but we are still in the minority.
I left home about 7am and rode through Lexington while traffic was still at a minimum, and headed out toward the Lake Murray dam. Just before the dam, I hung a left and followed the shore (what I could see of it, development and all) and headed toward the country. Lexington county still has some beautiful farm areas and a hint of cow poop in the air is WAY better than exhaust fumes! Speaking of cows, I am privileged to see horses, goats, rabbits, and even the occasional fox and coyote.
I have said before, I am not a great, or even good rider, but I did manage to stay on my bike for nearly 30 miles before dismounting at a Shell station on Hwy. 378. (They are always pretty nice there, they never act like you're a bother to come clicking into their store in bike shoes and sweaty spandex.) But at this point I was starting to wear thin, so rather than heading around to the bridges, I turned toward home. Seven or so miles later, I am on the phone (I HATE cell phones, but will NEVER ride without one) with my beautiful wife/SAG angel, asking her to fetch me please. I did manage to get 41+miles out of my tired body before she showed up to rescue me, so I am not disappointed.
Big lesson I have learned in biking: it's one thing to push yourself and try to get more, it's another thing to be hard on yourself. There are plenty of folks in this world to beat you up about something, no need to join them. Always be good to yourself and take some pride in your accomplishments; just remember, they are pats on the back to push you forward, not trophies to shove in others' faces.
Until next time, enjoy God and His creation, and hammer safely as you do so. God bless you.
Mikeybro