Finally got a little of the better weather I had been hoping for, sunshine and mid to upper 60's! Ferocious wind, though! Man, it was tough, trying to climb some of those hills and then a headwind slaps you; feels like you'll start rolling backwards. Had a great time, a nearly 50 mile loop through Gilbert/Summit, down the southern lake shore, and through the middle of Lexington, to home.
Funny thing about riding a loop in South Carolina: even though I am essentially riding in a circle, I feel like I am always facing INTO the wind. I don't get it. Either way, it was a great ride, and even though it was slower than I wanted because of the wind, it felt WONDERMOUS to get out of the garage for a change!
Be blessed, be safe.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
23 January 2009
Gee, the first month of the new year is nearing its close, and I have not been riding or writing very much. Between putting in some extra hours at work and suffering through a saddle ailment, the bike has just been collecting dust lately. I'll get on it later tonight, though. My wife has a recumbent stationary bike in the garage now, so we'll go out and pop in a disc from season 13 of ER and pedal through a couple of commercial-free episodes.
We have also been making some food adjustments; the gym she goes to is doing a challenge in which we are participating, and this week we are in "detox" mode. Cut out just about ALL refined sugars and carbs and making better food choices with smaller portions. Also, it has us eating something about every three hours or so. First couple of days was terrible, I was starving! It's getting better though, and we are really enjoying some of the food. (REAL food, not powdered and packaged stuff!) I am already seeing some weight loss, but cutting my coffee back from two pots to one cup a day has had me feeling sluggish!
Now 17 weeks out from the 2010 Assault on Mt. Mitchell, and the weight loss is only part of the preparation, of course. Wanting to get miles in, but the weather doesn't always want to cooperate with my schedule. It's either cold, wet, or both. So, I just need to dress better. For a Christmas present, my wife bought me a pair of
Hincapie Arenberg Bib Knickers. I was kind of happy to try them on (in my usual size) and find I needed a smaller size! I like Hincapie Sportsware's stuff, they made my favorite jersey. But, here's the rub, not just with Hincapie, but with all cycling clothing makers: they are all designed for guys proportioned like a pro rider. With the shorts, the band at the bottom of the leg is too loose and hits me about the middle of the knee. I like the length of the knickers, but the band is loose, because it hits me too low (the problem is NOT my legs, these engines are AWESOME!) I guess my question is this: does anyone make cycling clothing for guys who are as wide as they are tall? I am 5'9" and want to weigh less than 170 pounds, but for now, I don't. Any ideas?
I need some warm clothing because not only am I trying to ride now, but the training rides for AOMM start in the SC upstate on March 6th and it will still be chilly up there. We will March on Caesar's Head on the 6th and do the punishing Marquis de Sade on the 27th; getting excited about this!
Anyway,riding this keyboard won't help me on the bike, so I guess I had better saddle up and get pedaling.
Be blessed, be safe.
We have also been making some food adjustments; the gym she goes to is doing a challenge in which we are participating, and this week we are in "detox" mode. Cut out just about ALL refined sugars and carbs and making better food choices with smaller portions. Also, it has us eating something about every three hours or so. First couple of days was terrible, I was starving! It's getting better though, and we are really enjoying some of the food. (REAL food, not powdered and packaged stuff!) I am already seeing some weight loss, but cutting my coffee back from two pots to one cup a day has had me feeling sluggish!
Now 17 weeks out from the 2010 Assault on Mt. Mitchell, and the weight loss is only part of the preparation, of course. Wanting to get miles in, but the weather doesn't always want to cooperate with my schedule. It's either cold, wet, or both. So, I just need to dress better. For a Christmas present, my wife bought me a pair of
Hincapie Arenberg Bib Knickers. I was kind of happy to try them on (in my usual size) and find I needed a smaller size! I like Hincapie Sportsware's stuff, they made my favorite jersey. But, here's the rub, not just with Hincapie, but with all cycling clothing makers: they are all designed for guys proportioned like a pro rider. With the shorts, the band at the bottom of the leg is too loose and hits me about the middle of the knee. I like the length of the knickers, but the band is loose, because it hits me too low (the problem is NOT my legs, these engines are AWESOME!) I guess my question is this: does anyone make cycling clothing for guys who are as wide as they are tall? I am 5'9" and want to weigh less than 170 pounds, but for now, I don't. Any ideas?I need some warm clothing because not only am I trying to ride now, but the training rides for AOMM start in the SC upstate on March 6th and it will still be chilly up there. We will March on Caesar's Head on the 6th and do the punishing Marquis de Sade on the 27th; getting excited about this!
Anyway,riding this keyboard won't help me on the bike, so I guess I had better saddle up and get pedaling.
Be blessed, be safe.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
13 January 2009
Wow, where does the time go? Hard to believe I haven't updated this in a while, but, there hasn't been a lot to say. It has been TOO cold for weenie-boy to actually get outside on a bicycle. I have missed my Tuesday night urban assault for the last two weeks because the thermometer has been down in the 30's; if you are Jill Homer of "Up in Alaska", then you can handle it. I am not. Also, I have been off my trainer for a few days allowing some 'ahem' healing to take place. Hopefully though, I will be back on the trainer tomorrow because there are now less than 19 weeks until the 2010 Assault on Mt. Mitchell.
I still have bicycle on the brain though, and a gift card left over from Christmas for my favorite bike shop, Grand Strand Bicycles (GSB) in Murrells Inlet, SC. I've been friends with the owners (Tim and Mary) for several years now and whenever I can get to the coast I go see them. Because not only are they awesome people, they take excellent care of me as well as every customer that walks in their door. This IS an endorsement! If you live in Horry or Georgetown counties, or if you are on vacation in the area, you need to see Tim and Mary for all your bicycling needs and wants!
GSB recently (October '09) moved to a new location about three times bigger than the old one, and I have been unable until yesterday to go visit. So, I took my Roubaix and my giftcard and hit the road early yesterday. I wanted to get my bike checked out, it had been a while, and it was a good thing I did. I needed a new chain and bottom bracket, and was able to pick up a few other items. I am excited about the coming cycling season and am happily preparing for it.
As well as preparing my equipment for the season, I am trying to better prepare me for it. I am currently studying (that's right, not just "reading") Dr. Edmund R. Burke's book, "The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling." An excellent read, very educational, covering all the subjects such as rest, nutrition, and the different training disciplines.
So, what does the season look like? Just base miles and different activities on the trainer until March: on the 6th is a 60-mile "March on Caesar's Head" in the SC upstate, and on the 27th is the 82-mile (appropriately named) "Marquis de Sade," beginning in North Greenville and going into NC and back. April means a couple of unorganized training rides such as Paris Mountain, White Oak Mountain, and Marion (NC) to the top of Mt. Mitchell. Also in April is the Taylor Feda Memorial Ride which I will at a later date give a post of its own, as it deserves. May is the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association (please contribute, I'll post how later) and, of course, Mt. Mitchell. Don't know that I have anything in the summer months other than riding very early to beat the SC heat! I am especially excited about September as that is the MS150, a two-day ride from the Midlands of SC to Sunset Beach in NC, to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. October will probably finish the year with a century in Orangeburg,SC for gang awareness, and a metric in Camden,SC for Habitat for Humanity. Busy year ahead full of good stuff!
How's your year looking? If you're not too busy, you're always welcome to come and ride with me, I'll do my best to keep up!
Be blessed, be safe.
I still have bicycle on the brain though, and a gift card left over from Christmas for my favorite bike shop, Grand Strand Bicycles (GSB) in Murrells Inlet, SC. I've been friends with the owners (Tim and Mary) for several years now and whenever I can get to the coast I go see them. Because not only are they awesome people, they take excellent care of me as well as every customer that walks in their door. This IS an endorsement! If you live in Horry or Georgetown counties, or if you are on vacation in the area, you need to see Tim and Mary for all your bicycling needs and wants! GSB recently (October '09) moved to a new location about three times bigger than the old one, and I have been unable until yesterday to go visit. So, I took my Roubaix and my giftcard and hit the road early yesterday. I wanted to get my bike checked out, it had been a while, and it was a good thing I did. I needed a new chain and bottom bracket, and was able to pick up a few other items. I am excited about the coming cycling season and am happily preparing for it.
As well as preparing my equipment for the season, I am trying to better prepare me for it. I am currently studying (that's right, not just "reading") Dr. Edmund R. Burke's book, "The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling." An excellent read, very educational, covering all the subjects such as rest, nutrition, and the different training disciplines. So, what does the season look like? Just base miles and different activities on the trainer until March: on the 6th is a 60-mile "March on Caesar's Head" in the SC upstate, and on the 27th is the 82-mile (appropriately named) "Marquis de Sade," beginning in North Greenville and going into NC and back. April means a couple of unorganized training rides such as Paris Mountain, White Oak Mountain, and Marion (NC) to the top of Mt. Mitchell. Also in April is the Taylor Feda Memorial Ride which I will at a later date give a post of its own, as it deserves. May is the Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association (please contribute, I'll post how later) and, of course, Mt. Mitchell. Don't know that I have anything in the summer months other than riding very early to beat the SC heat! I am especially excited about September as that is the MS150, a two-day ride from the Midlands of SC to Sunset Beach in NC, to benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. October will probably finish the year with a century in Orangeburg,SC for gang awareness, and a metric in Camden,SC for Habitat for Humanity. Busy year ahead full of good stuff!
How's your year looking? If you're not too busy, you're always welcome to come and ride with me, I'll do my best to keep up!
Be blessed, be safe.
Friday, January 1, 2010
1 January 2010
Well, along with getting used to writing "2010," I have been thinking of some goals for the coming year and when you tell others about your goals, it kind of makes you accountable. So, here we go:
1) I want to pedal 6000 miles in 2010. This equates to an average of 500 miles a month. I think I can do this, but it's gonna mean getting out of the garage and hitting the road. I enjoy my trainer, but I can only take so much.
2) I want to complete The Assault on Mt. Mitchell this year. I made it to Marion in 2008, and to the Parkway in 2009, so to the top in 2010 is the natural progression. Right? Won't happen on its own, though, so everything between here and there is a training ride.
3) I don't want to lose weight. Instead, I'd like to develop habits and a lifstyle whose natural results would be a significant loss of weight. I am a powerful rider with strong legs and I am working on my ability to endure. However, I am carrying WAY too much weight and that holds me back. I don't care to win races, just to finish long rides that sometimes end on the mountaintops.
Those are my goals for the year. With God's help and some good old determination, I hope next year's entry for this day says I accomplished all three. What are your goals for the coming year?
Be blessed, be safe.
1) I want to pedal 6000 miles in 2010. This equates to an average of 500 miles a month. I think I can do this, but it's gonna mean getting out of the garage and hitting the road. I enjoy my trainer, but I can only take so much.
2) I want to complete The Assault on Mt. Mitchell this year. I made it to Marion in 2008, and to the Parkway in 2009, so to the top in 2010 is the natural progression. Right? Won't happen on its own, though, so everything between here and there is a training ride.
3) I don't want to lose weight. Instead, I'd like to develop habits and a lifstyle whose natural results would be a significant loss of weight. I am a powerful rider with strong legs and I am working on my ability to endure. However, I am carrying WAY too much weight and that holds me back. I don't care to win races, just to finish long rides that sometimes end on the mountaintops.
Those are my goals for the year. With God's help and some good old determination, I hope next year's entry for this day says I accomplished all three. What are your goals for the coming year?
Be blessed, be safe.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
31 December 2009
Happy New Year!! Maybe not so happy, I have to work tonight and I am feeling like a dog's chew toy. Don't know what's gotten a hold on me, but I feel lousy! Last I remember too, is that I needed ~7 miles to double last year's mileage; BUT, looks like I forgot to add my last ride to it and I am actually DOUBLE last year's mileage, PLUS 10 miles!! I don't know which one makes me happier, my accomplishment or the fact that I don't have to ride today. I love to ride, but not when I've got the old "chew toy" syndrome going on. So, again, I bid you all a Good New Year and wish you all success for 2010. "May the road rise to meet you, may the sun shine warm on your face, may the wind be at your back, and may the rain fall softly upon you." That's an old Irish prayer that I remembered best as I could; If I remembered it wrong, forgive me, that's still my prayer for us all in 2010.
Be blessed, be safe.
Be blessed, be safe.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
30 December 2009
I have to brag a little about a product I have been using for a week now. I am not receiving anything for my endorsement as a professional amateur overweight wannabe endurance cyclist. But, Hammer Nutrition has a product called "REM" that is amazing. I am a guy that never sleeps more than 5 or 6 hours, and usually that is not quality sleep. Having some time off for the Christmas holidays and not needing an alarm clock, I have been sleeping 8, 9, even 10 hours, and it has been GREAT sleep! I'm not tossing and turning all night, and I wake up feeling rested. My only fear is that I may develop a tolerance to it and need more and more for it to work, or it will quit working altogether. I have, however, had success with the other Hammer products I have used so I'm not too worried. I'll keep you posted.
I wrote earlier about what a nice guy George Hincapie is, and soon after ran across this photo from an upstate SC cycling club. They were doing their "First Fifty" bike ride around New Year's 2009 and bumped into George at a C-store where they all cheesed it up for the camera. What a guy!Trying to be more "scientific" as I prepare for the 2010 Assault on Mt. Mitchell, so I am scheduling my rides/regimens for different days of the week. I've not been one to schedule rest days and I can see where I have become fatigued for that reason. So, today is a rest day, and, I HATE IT! I want to get on my bike! But, I know that I have been working pretty hard (for me) and my legs need the break. I guess I'll go clean the garage.
Be blessed, be safe.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
29 December 2009
This is actually a NASA photo of Antarctica, but it describes beautifully how I felt tonight on our Tuesday Night Urban Assault! It was 42 degrees when we left and 37 degrees when we got back, man, it was chilly! Add to that the Congaree was a bit over her banks so we had a couple of detours where the water was just too deep to ease through. A great night as always! And a fine bunch of people, though the colder weather is revealing just who the hardcore are. Last week it was 42 degrees at the end of our ride, so I decided I had to dress a little warmer this week. It's a literal laundry list: thin socks, thick wool socks, and shoe covers; bib shorts, knee warmers, and UnderArmor Coldgear long tights; UnderArmor t-shirt, UnderArmor Coldgear longsleeve turtleneck shirt, Hincapie jersey, longsleeve t-shirt, sweatshirt, and North Face fleece; balaclava, and cap. It was a literal load of laundry afterwards! I hate being cold! I had on about eight pounds of clothing, but I didn't get cold. And, it added to my workout having the extra weight and resistance. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
Now I have a new PR for coldest ride, and it turns out I am less than 7 miles away from DOUBLING last year's mileage! Now, 43xx miles may not impress you, but it impresses the heck out of this 43 year old fat guy! I don't know if I can double it again next year, but it would be cool to see 6000+ miles. We'll see.
Keep hammering, don't let the air temps get in your way.
Be blessed, be safe.
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