Yesterday didn't start off so good. I was going to be meeting with a client in the afternoon to teach their kids. For that I use a game to help teach some basic principles. I'd loaned that game to someone, but I couldn't remember who - and when I finally did, they weren't home. I called to cancel the meeting with the client - and just then BowWow called me.
"Hey," he says, "I'm going for a ride, wanna come?"
To make a long story short, I decided to go for a ride with him and work out some of my frustrations. While heading to the meeting place, I ran into Bartman just getting home and extended the invitation for him to join us.
The three of us took off towards Leavitt for a quick little spin of 22km.
I was thrilled to be out on the road again. All of us were so thrilled to be riding again that once we got to Leavitt we decided to keep on going - we ended up doing 45km. When I checked later I discovered it had been almost exactly three months since I had been out on the road.
I don't even know how to describe my feelings on this ride - it took alot of work for me to hold Bartman's wheel on the Monson's Hill climb coming back. I did find that in general I was able to hang, but until the final sprint (right after Bart had pulled for the final lead-out) I never felt really strong. In the sprint I felt strong. My legs were really capable of going hard.
On the way out I did some high cadence work - in fact ran it up to 155 for half a mile (yes, I was doing a fair bit of "bouncing" in the saddle!) - on the way back I threw it into the big ring for the whole way back and worked on some power.
It snowed today, and so I was unable to get outside for another ride. I realize now, more than ever, that it's important for me to get out whenever I can. I need to ride outside! Yes, the computrainer is good, and I'm going to be working that hard so that I can get my weight down, power up, and reach some of the goals I've set for myself for 2007, but getting outside was good for my spirit. It really lifted me. Even if I have to fly somewhere warm for a weekend, I'll do it. I don't suspect I'll have to, as the weather around here does get warm with the chinooks (at least, warm enough to get out and ride. This is relative, some folks wouldn't ride in our "warm winter weather.")
I wanted to take some pics while we were riding, but my camera battery was dead. Oh well, next time.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
I've Been Tagged!
For those of you who don't know, once you've been tagged (as in, "tag, you're it") you have to post 5 little known, obscure facts about yourself on your blog - then you can tag 5 others. Howard, you shouldn't have, no, REALLY. Somehow, somewhere, I'll think of something to repay the kindness...
So, those 5 obscure facts about myself. This is difficult, as there isn't much about myself that I don't tell anyone about. I asked my wife last night for help - she laughed.
So, I've dug around in my past and present to try and find something.
1) My earliest cycling memory has me as a kid racing in a neighborhood "crit" - being the non-competitive type that I am I tended to push pretty-hard in some of the corners. My dad, being the thrifty individual he was, and not seeing any value in spending hard-earned dollars on a "toy" went to the dump and salvaged a rusted out bike for me. It was a piece of garbage - literally and figuratively, but I'd hammer it out with the other kids regularly. One race I was hammering hard through a corner when the bike fell apart - completely. The frame literally came apart at the head tube and the forks folded. I got pretty bruised and cut-up, but I was so mad at my Dad for not buying me a real bike that I remember carrying all the pieces home, throwing 'em on the front step and storming through the house. My kids all of pretty good quality bikes now.
2) In my mother's house is a picture of me holding a string of fish. It's supposedly the first fish I ever caught - it's not. Every year we used to go down to Kalispell, Montana to go fishing during Canadian Thanksgiving. The salmon run fell during that time period, and the river was literally over-flowing with fish. The limit was 30 fish/day/person - my family and grandparents made 9 - and we'd break the limit every day. I grew up thinking everybody had smoked salmon! I never had tuna sandwhiches, alwasy salmon. You get the idea. Well, one year the run was late, and there weren't any fish to be caught. I was down fishing with some friends of my parents, everybody else had left and for the whole morning they'd caught about 6 fish. They put the fish on a string and told me to go tell my parents that I'd caught these fish. Mom was so proud she took a picture and had it framed. Mom knew nothing of it until just a couple of years ago when I was telling the story to a friend - and didn't realize Mom was standing behind me...
3) On a more serious note - if you don't know me in the "real" world you wouldn't know this - but I have the GREATEST WIFE IN THE WORLD! She's supportive and helpful in almost every way (though when it comes to weight loss she sometimes is a little devil - like last night when she brought home Chinese, "this is for me and the kids - you can have a shake...") I don't talk much about her on-line, but she really is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. She makes me want to be a better person. I was told growing up that I should try to marry "above" myself - I sure did that. How she puts up with my "ocd" tendencies constantly amazes me.
4) I long to kick SombraGato's butt on Triple Bypass next year. Hold it, I guess that's not something that is unknown. Oh well. I'm running out of ideas and this one works just fine. TBP is my motivation for everything I'm doing right now.
5) The final obscure fact of Rob01? While in college my best friend and I would ride our bikes everywhere. One night we had both been dumped by our current girlfriends and it was a "preference" dance. Small college town, when there was something going on socially at the college there was NOTHING going on anywhere else. So, we rode our bike around campus, up and down stairs, etc. That got boring and so I jokingly said, "let's go ride the stadium stairs". He said ok and we spent the next half hour at the top of the stairs with the following conversation:
"you ready?"
"yeah"
"ok, one, two, ... you sure you're ready?"
Until finally my buddy Dave went - and fell. I went and endoed... but then the challenge was on. After many falls we finally made it all the way to the bottom. Later we went back to get some pics of our antics - here they are:
and on the way back from that was when I met my wife (a whole other story.)
So, those 5 obscure facts about myself. This is difficult, as there isn't much about myself that I don't tell anyone about. I asked my wife last night for help - she laughed.
So, I've dug around in my past and present to try and find something.
1) My earliest cycling memory has me as a kid racing in a neighborhood "crit" - being the non-competitive type that I am I tended to push pretty-hard in some of the corners. My dad, being the thrifty individual he was, and not seeing any value in spending hard-earned dollars on a "toy" went to the dump and salvaged a rusted out bike for me. It was a piece of garbage - literally and figuratively, but I'd hammer it out with the other kids regularly. One race I was hammering hard through a corner when the bike fell apart - completely. The frame literally came apart at the head tube and the forks folded. I got pretty bruised and cut-up, but I was so mad at my Dad for not buying me a real bike that I remember carrying all the pieces home, throwing 'em on the front step and storming through the house. My kids all of pretty good quality bikes now.
2) In my mother's house is a picture of me holding a string of fish. It's supposedly the first fish I ever caught - it's not. Every year we used to go down to Kalispell, Montana to go fishing during Canadian Thanksgiving. The salmon run fell during that time period, and the river was literally over-flowing with fish. The limit was 30 fish/day/person - my family and grandparents made 9 - and we'd break the limit every day. I grew up thinking everybody had smoked salmon! I never had tuna sandwhiches, alwasy salmon. You get the idea. Well, one year the run was late, and there weren't any fish to be caught. I was down fishing with some friends of my parents, everybody else had left and for the whole morning they'd caught about 6 fish. They put the fish on a string and told me to go tell my parents that I'd caught these fish. Mom was so proud she took a picture and had it framed. Mom knew nothing of it until just a couple of years ago when I was telling the story to a friend - and didn't realize Mom was standing behind me...
3) On a more serious note - if you don't know me in the "real" world you wouldn't know this - but I have the GREATEST WIFE IN THE WORLD! She's supportive and helpful in almost every way (though when it comes to weight loss she sometimes is a little devil - like last night when she brought home Chinese, "this is for me and the kids - you can have a shake...") I don't talk much about her on-line, but she really is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. She makes me want to be a better person. I was told growing up that I should try to marry "above" myself - I sure did that. How she puts up with my "ocd" tendencies constantly amazes me.
4) I long to kick SombraGato's butt on Triple Bypass next year. Hold it, I guess that's not something that is unknown. Oh well. I'm running out of ideas and this one works just fine. TBP is my motivation for everything I'm doing right now.
5) The final obscure fact of Rob01? While in college my best friend and I would ride our bikes everywhere. One night we had both been dumped by our current girlfriends and it was a "preference" dance. Small college town, when there was something going on socially at the college there was NOTHING going on anywhere else. So, we rode our bike around campus, up and down stairs, etc. That got boring and so I jokingly said, "let's go ride the stadium stairs". He said ok and we spent the next half hour at the top of the stairs with the following conversation:
"you ready?"
"yeah"
"ok, one, two, ... you sure you're ready?"
Until finally my buddy Dave went - and fell. I went and endoed... but then the challenge was on. After many falls we finally made it all the way to the bottom. Later we went back to get some pics of our antics - here they are:
and on the way back from that was when I met my wife (a whole other story.)
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Virtual Wheelsucking
First, let me say that a couple of nights ago ol' Bartman came to visit and I put him on my computrainer. If you've got one, check out the course "Madeira World Championships" - it's got 3 climbs at 15%. It's a killer. Bart called my voice mail the next day and left a message "you owe me a night's sleep!" hahahaha
Anyway, this morning I dragged myself out of bed at 9am (after last night's 4am cooking fiasco, that was pretty early.) and headed down to get a computrainer work-out in. I chose a course I've done before, not particularly hard, and only 24.5km long, but I wanted to hammer it.
I haven't been on the computrainer for awhile - or any bike, for that matter. So, I really wasn't expecting to post up any great numbers. At the end of the ride I felt like I'd worked hard, but my average wattage was 22watts lower than my best time, my HR was a little higher, but my time was 6 seconds faster than my previous best! Yup, wheelsucking that little silver computer dude allowed me to be in worse shape and set a new PR....
Tammy would have been so proud!! I'm learnin'...
Anyway, this morning I dragged myself out of bed at 9am (after last night's 4am cooking fiasco, that was pretty early.) and headed down to get a computrainer work-out in. I chose a course I've done before, not particularly hard, and only 24.5km long, but I wanted to hammer it.
I haven't been on the computrainer for awhile - or any bike, for that matter. So, I really wasn't expecting to post up any great numbers. At the end of the ride I felt like I'd worked hard, but my average wattage was 22watts lower than my best time, my HR was a little higher, but my time was 6 seconds faster than my previous best! Yup, wheelsucking that little silver computer dude allowed me to be in worse shape and set a new PR....
Tammy would have been so proud!! I'm learnin'...
Chef Rob01
Some friends wanted to have a bit of a dinner party. I love to cook. So, I volunteered to be the chef.
"Don't worry," I told them, "I'll think of something fun and creative that'll taste GREAT!
At first I thought I'd do Chinese. I haven't done a really big Chinese dinner in a couple of years, and I love the mess I get to make of a kitchen when I cook it. Then I thought about how badly I want to get my weight down and decided that a traditional Turkey dinner might be a better idea.
Hmmmmm, how do ya make that creative and fun? I know! It's been a few years, but I have this GREAT secret marinade recipe that combined with a DEEP FRYER would be FANTASTIC. (That's gotta be one of the best ways to make good-for-you-food suddenly be bad-for-you-food.) I don't have a turkey fryer anymore, so I do some quick checking and order one in. No problem, they tell me, it'll be here in plenty of time.
I buy the turkey, thaw it, marinade it - I'm ready to go! Go to pick up fryer - oh, we're sorry sir, that didn't come in. AGGGHHHHH! So, I start calling. Canadian Tire says they have 3 - but they're 45 minutes away. No worries, I get my wife to start on a few of the vegies for me. I jump in the car.
On the way there I decide to call and confirm - so I call. Yup, the computer says there's 3 of 'em, but, just to be sure the clerk says she'll check and call me right back. 20 minutes later I'm almost to Canadian Tire and still no call - so I call. Nope, nothing. Computer must be wrong. I start calling every place I can think of. Peavey Mart - sold out. Home Depot - sold out. Other Canadian tire - sold out. I'm getting desperate. I call Home Hardware. "Yes, we've got them on sale this week and we have lots of them!" Great - what's your address. Way over on the West side? No problem! It's only another 20 minutes, but I'm on a mission. I get there in 15. I talk to one clerk - she's not sure what I'm talking about, but takes me back to customer service. "Oh yeah - I know what you're talking about, but we don't have any left, and haven't for a couple of weeks - are you sure you're at the right store?"
"Well, unless there's two Home hardwares at this addres..." - I notice a clerk standing off to the side - I suspect he's the guy I talked to on the phone and I'm about to tear a strip off him when I decide it's just not worth the time or effort.
Frustrated would be the under-statement of the year.
Only one more place I can think of - Wholesale sports. I call. Yup, they carry 'em, but they're out of the kits and only have the components. It'll be more expensive this way, but I can get it. - I speed over as quick as I can. Did I say speed?
Speed limit is 50km/hr - I'm doing 80km/hr when I think I see lights on the roof of a car coming towards me, but my radar detector's not going off - ooops, I unplugged it to charge my phone up. The cop hits his lights, but instead of whipping around and plastering me, just gives me the thumbs-down sign to slow down. I do - for about 5 minutes, anyway.
Finally arrive at Wholesale sports. Pick up the stuff, and head for the till. I ask the guy - "you're sure this is the right size and everything, right?" He assures me I've got what I need.
I get home and start assembling. My dinner guests are already here, so we're gonna be about 1.5 hours late for dinner. I get it put together, fill the vat with oil, fire up the burner - and the vat doesn't fit on the burner. AGGGGGHHHHHHHH!
A little creative "McGyvering" and I'm ready to go. Turns out the burner won't throw off enough heat to bring the oil up to the temp I want it at - I throw the turkey in anyway. We're running a little later than planned (dinner was to start at 6:30 - we're now looking at 11:30 before we start eating.)
Turkey's cooking slow - It's midnight when I pull it out and start cutting - what's this - PINK?! Still not done. I hate to give up, but it's time to pack this one in.
By 1:00 my guests have left (we played some games and filled up on the veggie trays I'd put together earlier.)
I now throw the turkey into a roaster pan and put it in the oven. By 4am it's finally done and I pull it out, cut it up, and throw it in the fridge. Time for bed.
Don't know if anybody's gonna ask me to cook anything again! oh well. Guess I"m gonna have to go shoot a clerk at Wholesale Sports.
"Don't worry," I told them, "I'll think of something fun and creative that'll taste GREAT!
At first I thought I'd do Chinese. I haven't done a really big Chinese dinner in a couple of years, and I love the mess I get to make of a kitchen when I cook it. Then I thought about how badly I want to get my weight down and decided that a traditional Turkey dinner might be a better idea.
Hmmmmm, how do ya make that creative and fun? I know! It's been a few years, but I have this GREAT secret marinade recipe that combined with a DEEP FRYER would be FANTASTIC. (That's gotta be one of the best ways to make good-for-you-food suddenly be bad-for-you-food.) I don't have a turkey fryer anymore, so I do some quick checking and order one in. No problem, they tell me, it'll be here in plenty of time.
I buy the turkey, thaw it, marinade it - I'm ready to go! Go to pick up fryer - oh, we're sorry sir, that didn't come in. AGGGHHHHH! So, I start calling. Canadian Tire says they have 3 - but they're 45 minutes away. No worries, I get my wife to start on a few of the vegies for me. I jump in the car.
On the way there I decide to call and confirm - so I call. Yup, the computer says there's 3 of 'em, but, just to be sure the clerk says she'll check and call me right back. 20 minutes later I'm almost to Canadian Tire and still no call - so I call. Nope, nothing. Computer must be wrong. I start calling every place I can think of. Peavey Mart - sold out. Home Depot - sold out. Other Canadian tire - sold out. I'm getting desperate. I call Home Hardware. "Yes, we've got them on sale this week and we have lots of them!" Great - what's your address. Way over on the West side? No problem! It's only another 20 minutes, but I'm on a mission. I get there in 15. I talk to one clerk - she's not sure what I'm talking about, but takes me back to customer service. "Oh yeah - I know what you're talking about, but we don't have any left, and haven't for a couple of weeks - are you sure you're at the right store?"
"Well, unless there's two Home hardwares at this addres..." - I notice a clerk standing off to the side - I suspect he's the guy I talked to on the phone and I'm about to tear a strip off him when I decide it's just not worth the time or effort.
Frustrated would be the under-statement of the year.
Only one more place I can think of - Wholesale sports. I call. Yup, they carry 'em, but they're out of the kits and only have the components. It'll be more expensive this way, but I can get it. - I speed over as quick as I can. Did I say speed?
Speed limit is 50km/hr - I'm doing 80km/hr when I think I see lights on the roof of a car coming towards me, but my radar detector's not going off - ooops, I unplugged it to charge my phone up. The cop hits his lights, but instead of whipping around and plastering me, just gives me the thumbs-down sign to slow down. I do - for about 5 minutes, anyway.
Finally arrive at Wholesale sports. Pick up the stuff, and head for the till. I ask the guy - "you're sure this is the right size and everything, right?" He assures me I've got what I need.
I get home and start assembling. My dinner guests are already here, so we're gonna be about 1.5 hours late for dinner. I get it put together, fill the vat with oil, fire up the burner - and the vat doesn't fit on the burner. AGGGGGHHHHHHHH!
A little creative "McGyvering" and I'm ready to go. Turns out the burner won't throw off enough heat to bring the oil up to the temp I want it at - I throw the turkey in anyway. We're running a little later than planned (dinner was to start at 6:30 - we're now looking at 11:30 before we start eating.)
Turkey's cooking slow - It's midnight when I pull it out and start cutting - what's this - PINK?! Still not done. I hate to give up, but it's time to pack this one in.
By 1:00 my guests have left (we played some games and filled up on the veggie trays I'd put together earlier.)
I now throw the turkey into a roaster pan and put it in the oven. By 4am it's finally done and I pull it out, cut it up, and throw it in the fridge. Time for bed.
Don't know if anybody's gonna ask me to cook anything again! oh well. Guess I"m gonna have to go shoot a clerk at Wholesale Sports.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
It's all coming together - sort of.
Well, the work-outs are coming along great - I haven't been able to do all of my "two a days" 'cause I just haven't been able to make the time, but I have gotten in at least my morning work-out.
Diet is still my big problem. Yesterday was going pretty well - then I had to go to a funeral, and, well - I think I did pretty good there, too! (I actually said "no" to all those buns and pasteries! and for lunch I didn't indulge in any of those jello/whipped topping salads - stuck with a couple of slices of roast beef and glasses of water.) - but that night was a hurried night.
My wife was off to do some Christmas shopping, I was stuck with the kids and nothing in the house. So.... PIZZA!! Pizza is my kryptonite. I managed to limit myself to 2 pieces, but then snacked on some chocolate and, .... well, I blew it.
I've gotten back on the wagon today, and didn't put a ton of weight on after yesterday's slip, so I guess I'm making progress. I'm really trying to do something dramatic this month, though.
Tonight is season finale of Biggest Loser. I'm looking forward to seeing how all those folks "at home" have done. These guys/gals really accomplish something amazing, but what I'd like to see is something like the folks like me - people who have a 30-50lb goal in mind.
Diet is still my big problem. Yesterday was going pretty well - then I had to go to a funeral, and, well - I think I did pretty good there, too! (I actually said "no" to all those buns and pasteries! and for lunch I didn't indulge in any of those jello/whipped topping salads - stuck with a couple of slices of roast beef and glasses of water.) - but that night was a hurried night.
My wife was off to do some Christmas shopping, I was stuck with the kids and nothing in the house. So.... PIZZA!! Pizza is my kryptonite. I managed to limit myself to 2 pieces, but then snacked on some chocolate and, .... well, I blew it.
I've gotten back on the wagon today, and didn't put a ton of weight on after yesterday's slip, so I guess I'm making progress. I'm really trying to do something dramatic this month, though.
Tonight is season finale of Biggest Loser. I'm looking forward to seeing how all those folks "at home" have done. These guys/gals really accomplish something amazing, but what I'd like to see is something like the folks like me - people who have a 30-50lb goal in mind.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Weight struggles
Well, I've now done what I had hoped to never do again - I crossed the 190 mark again. This weekend I weighed in at a monster 195lbs. OUCH! That's way too close to the dreaded 200 number that I swore I'd never cross again.
Last night I finally made a point of getting to bed at a reasonable hour - still later than I wanted, but a couple of hours earlier than my recent "evenings" have been. Then, at 5:45am I got out of bed and my wife and I headed for the gymn. I had a good upper-body work-out and am looking forward to tonight's run. It won't be very long, as I'm still concerned about my ankle, and with all this extra weight I don't want to do any damage.
I've planned out a two-a-day work-out schedule - every evenings will be running. Mon/Wedn/Friday are weights in the morning, Tues/Thurs/Sat is computrainer in the morning. If I can keep a handle on my eating I should shed some big pounds this month.
My fear is next week's trip up north to Fort McMurray. That always throws my schedule out of whack.
Last night I finally made a point of getting to bed at a reasonable hour - still later than I wanted, but a couple of hours earlier than my recent "evenings" have been. Then, at 5:45am I got out of bed and my wife and I headed for the gymn. I had a good upper-body work-out and am looking forward to tonight's run. It won't be very long, as I'm still concerned about my ankle, and with all this extra weight I don't want to do any damage.
I've planned out a two-a-day work-out schedule - every evenings will be running. Mon/Wedn/Friday are weights in the morning, Tues/Thurs/Sat is computrainer in the morning. If I can keep a handle on my eating I should shed some big pounds this month.
My fear is next week's trip up north to Fort McMurray. That always throws my schedule out of whack.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Hey Stupid! Wanna try...
So I get this email from a friend. He's been doing some reading and thinks maybe he has something to really get me motivated.
I've been talking about getting my mountain bike out and starting to ride off-road again. It's where my start in cycling began, and, to be honest, I miss tearing down some single track. My friend (and I do use that term loosely here.) has heard about many of my adventures on-road over the last couple of years, and thinks he's found the answer to my recent lack of motivation.
The Leadville 100.
If you don't know about this race, it's 100 miles through the mountains of Leadville, Colorado. It's tough. Elevations that almost never dip below 10,000 feet, and LOTS of climbing.
I then chatted with my good friend Steve. See, Steve has been talking about doing the Leadville 100 for about 5 years. Yes, he's crazier than I am - it's his fault I did the Death Valley Double last spring. Oh yeah, he's game - but he's recently found this other ride in Colorado - the Durango 100. Supposed to be harder than the Leadville, and it's right smack dab in the middle of his already scheduled holidays... 18,000 feet of climbing and altitudes of 11,800 feet. Oh yeah, that sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday...
So, I haven't said yes yet. I haven't said no yet, either. I'm thinking. It would sure force me to get my weight down, 'cause ain't no way I'm climbing 18,000 feet on a mountain bike carrying an extra 30 lbs!
I've been talking about getting my mountain bike out and starting to ride off-road again. It's where my start in cycling began, and, to be honest, I miss tearing down some single track. My friend (and I do use that term loosely here.) has heard about many of my adventures on-road over the last couple of years, and thinks he's found the answer to my recent lack of motivation.
The Leadville 100.
If you don't know about this race, it's 100 miles through the mountains of Leadville, Colorado. It's tough. Elevations that almost never dip below 10,000 feet, and LOTS of climbing.
I then chatted with my good friend Steve. See, Steve has been talking about doing the Leadville 100 for about 5 years. Yes, he's crazier than I am - it's his fault I did the Death Valley Double last spring. Oh yeah, he's game - but he's recently found this other ride in Colorado - the Durango 100. Supposed to be harder than the Leadville, and it's right smack dab in the middle of his already scheduled holidays... 18,000 feet of climbing and altitudes of 11,800 feet. Oh yeah, that sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday...
So, I haven't said yes yet. I haven't said no yet, either. I'm thinking. It would sure force me to get my weight down, 'cause ain't no way I'm climbing 18,000 feet on a mountain bike carrying an extra 30 lbs!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Been awhile
Wow, does time ever go back quick! This last month has been a virtual write-off for me cycling-wise. I just haven't been able to generate the time to do what I should be. My weight is up, my cycling is down, and I'm grumpy. I think my wife is going to make me get on the bike tonight regardless of what I say.
That's it for now - look forward to some interesting pictures, as there will be some "Tailwinds Roller Lessons" posted soon...
That's it for now - look forward to some interesting pictures, as there will be some "Tailwinds Roller Lessons" posted soon...
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
OOOOUCH!
I got up this morning - "self," I say, "let's do a different course on the computrainer this morning."
"Good Idea" I reply.
"What course?"
"I saw one called 'World Championships - it looked interesting."
"ok"
Off I go to the computrainer. I get warmed up, recalibrate, etc. Load the course, 3,2,1, GO! Off we go. Hey, I didn't notice that this was uphill right from the get-go. Oh well, it's not bad, just 1-2%.
Look at that hill in front - it looks steeper than anything I've tried on the computrainer so far.
I hit the hill, it gradually increases, topping out at 10%. Wow, that was tough! Nice downhill now. Hey! This is fun, downhill at 13%!
Hmmmm, that didn't last all that long - HOLY COW! Average speed is only 26km/hr! - and that's AFTER the downhill!
Oh, oh - I see a little bit steeper climb.
I'm watching the little bike guy on the profile inch (more like millimeter) his way up the hill - then I start laughing - the rear wheel of the guy is hanging out in space, as the grade is too steep for both wheels to show on it. 13% climb there - whew!
Downhill at 15% again, I hit 73km/hr, but I'm spun out at 134rpm.
EEEEERRRRCH! Okay, it wasn't wheels squeeling, but the wall I hit in front of me stopped me so fast I might as well have been locking the brakes up! For the next 2km I climb at 15%. 6-8km/hr is all I manage for some of it. I can't seem to generate any power! (230-250watts) - I glance at my HR - oh, that explains it, 183. That's only 95% of my max. I crest and try to pick speed up as I go. Down we go again.... not for as long, but it sure is enjoyable. Then 5 or 6km on a false-flat.
The last climb - coming at km #29. Grade creeps up to that magic 15% again - 2 more km of this! I'm no longer trying to go fast, I'm in pure survival mode. Once my pace guy even stops to wait for me. (AGGGHHHH!) Finally I crest and begin the final descent down to the finish.
I try and get my HR back to 95% of max - it takes a while. Meanwhile I'm picking speed up again. Hmmmm, I think, maybe I can take my pacer dude at the line - it's a downhill run all the way to the finish.
With 200 m to go I stand and hammer past my pacer. He lets me go by and then picks up the pace significantly to close the gap. Wheel sucker! He starts to come around, I kick up one more gear and sprint for all I'm worth. I glance at the wattage output - 450watts! Wow, where'd that come from! I've gotta sit, I'm getting close to spun out. I hit the line 2 lengths in front of the pacer. Yeah!!
I go to get off the bike. I can't. I can't walk. I can't stand. I'm having trouble unclipping. Would love something to drink - can't get up the stairs for more water. I'm cooked. I hurt everywhere.
What a GREAT machine!!!
"Good Idea" I reply.
"What course?"
"I saw one called 'World Championships - it looked interesting."
"ok"
Off I go to the computrainer. I get warmed up, recalibrate, etc. Load the course, 3,2,1, GO! Off we go. Hey, I didn't notice that this was uphill right from the get-go. Oh well, it's not bad, just 1-2%.
Look at that hill in front - it looks steeper than anything I've tried on the computrainer so far.
I hit the hill, it gradually increases, topping out at 10%. Wow, that was tough! Nice downhill now. Hey! This is fun, downhill at 13%!
Hmmmm, that didn't last all that long - HOLY COW! Average speed is only 26km/hr! - and that's AFTER the downhill!
Oh, oh - I see a little bit steeper climb.
I'm watching the little bike guy on the profile inch (more like millimeter) his way up the hill - then I start laughing - the rear wheel of the guy is hanging out in space, as the grade is too steep for both wheels to show on it. 13% climb there - whew!
Downhill at 15% again, I hit 73km/hr, but I'm spun out at 134rpm.
EEEEERRRRCH! Okay, it wasn't wheels squeeling, but the wall I hit in front of me stopped me so fast I might as well have been locking the brakes up! For the next 2km I climb at 15%. 6-8km/hr is all I manage for some of it. I can't seem to generate any power! (230-250watts) - I glance at my HR - oh, that explains it, 183. That's only 95% of my max. I crest and try to pick speed up as I go. Down we go again.... not for as long, but it sure is enjoyable. Then 5 or 6km on a false-flat.
The last climb - coming at km #29. Grade creeps up to that magic 15% again - 2 more km of this! I'm no longer trying to go fast, I'm in pure survival mode. Once my pace guy even stops to wait for me. (AGGGHHHH!) Finally I crest and begin the final descent down to the finish.
I try and get my HR back to 95% of max - it takes a while. Meanwhile I'm picking speed up again. Hmmmm, I think, maybe I can take my pacer dude at the line - it's a downhill run all the way to the finish.
With 200 m to go I stand and hammer past my pacer. He lets me go by and then picks up the pace significantly to close the gap. Wheel sucker! He starts to come around, I kick up one more gear and sprint for all I'm worth. I glance at the wattage output - 450watts! Wow, where'd that come from! I've gotta sit, I'm getting close to spun out. I hit the line 2 lengths in front of the pacer. Yeah!!
I go to get off the bike. I can't. I can't walk. I can't stand. I'm having trouble unclipping. Would love something to drink - can't get up the stairs for more water. I'm cooked. I hurt everywhere.
What a GREAT machine!!!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Quick update
I haven't been able to do anything for the last week - I'm up in Fort McMurray, and things have been busy enough up here that I haven't even been able to get to the gymn - last night I didn't get done until after 10pm.
I fly home tomorrow - looking forward to being back home for a few days (just a week) before my next tour up here.
I fly home tomorrow - looking forward to being back home for a few days (just a week) before my next tour up here.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Football vs Cycling
Well, I was hoping to get a good, long ride in on the computrainer today - was thinking about doing "the assault on Mt. Mitchell" just to see how badly it would hurt. But, alas, it was not to be.
Yesterday morning my wife took off to Vancouver (about 1200km away) to help out a friend. She's supposed to be back tomorrow night - which is good, 'cause I'm leaving for Fort McMurray (about 1000kms away) for a week on Monday morning. Guess we'll literally be saying hello as we pass each other in the doorway. Yuck.
Anyway, today I had both of my football boys playing games. First up at 12 noon was Brady. He's in Pee Wee, and it's great to see him learning something that he really loves. I hope he continues to love sports. I suspect that next year he's gonna be tearing it up on a roadbike. Anyway, he played well, his team played well, and they came away with a tie. They learned a whole bunch. He made some great tackles in the second half that made me wonder how a little body like his can take that kind of impact. He bounces right back up, but if he doesn't get a little bigger he's gonna have to find something else.
Next up was Khan. They were playing Raymond. Arch rivals. Now you have to understand something about football in this part of the world. While Football here is nothing like football in Texas, it's treated about as strong. Both Cardston and Raymond are communities of 3500 - and the schools are little schools. Both high schools play in the 4A league (in Canada 4A is the biggest, single A the smallest) so they play against schools with as many as 2000 students. Raymond has won provincials so many times that I've lost count - I remember 3 years straight while we lived there a few years ago.
Anyway, this is Bantam age kids (Jr. High) In the Southern Alberta League, coming into this game, neither Cardston or Raymond had lost a game - and neither team had had a point scored against them yet. (They really dominate down here - it's sad they don't have more competition.) Anyway, we usually play one game during the season, and then usually meet in the league championships - and the winner goes onto the provincial finals.
This year we have a home and home series (today and next Sat.) My boy was excited for the game - and I knew it would be a hard fought learning experience for him. Game ended up 15 - 8 for Raymond, they scored a touchdown with 1:07 left on the clock on a great flee-flicker play from their own 35. Just one of those things (I won't go into how a rookie referee missed a clipping call right in front of him 'cuase he had his back turned to the play running for the end-zone...)
This year the Bantam league will be taking two teams from our league to the provincial playoffs. That means we could potentially play Raymond 4 times - twice during league play, once during league playoffs, and then possibly again in the provincial final. Wow, wouldn't that be something!
Anyway, getting pictures showing my boy in action is tough, as he was always buried in red shirts (every play he was double-teamed, occassionaly triple teamed. he still managed to get his share of tackles, plus two fumble recoveries.) Here's a pic of my boy - #62 - after having come all the way around and about to lay the big one on #20.
Here's another of him being triple-teamed (he made the tackle on this one, too.)
So, by the time I was finished with football I had just one chance left to ride, as Steve had made arrangements to do a 75km tailwinds ride into Lethbridge - but with me having the kids here... well, no riding for me today. But the football was great fun!
Yesterday morning my wife took off to Vancouver (about 1200km away) to help out a friend. She's supposed to be back tomorrow night - which is good, 'cause I'm leaving for Fort McMurray (about 1000kms away) for a week on Monday morning. Guess we'll literally be saying hello as we pass each other in the doorway. Yuck.
Anyway, today I had both of my football boys playing games. First up at 12 noon was Brady. He's in Pee Wee, and it's great to see him learning something that he really loves. I hope he continues to love sports. I suspect that next year he's gonna be tearing it up on a roadbike. Anyway, he played well, his team played well, and they came away with a tie. They learned a whole bunch. He made some great tackles in the second half that made me wonder how a little body like his can take that kind of impact. He bounces right back up, but if he doesn't get a little bigger he's gonna have to find something else.
Next up was Khan. They were playing Raymond. Arch rivals. Now you have to understand something about football in this part of the world. While Football here is nothing like football in Texas, it's treated about as strong. Both Cardston and Raymond are communities of 3500 - and the schools are little schools. Both high schools play in the 4A league (in Canada 4A is the biggest, single A the smallest) so they play against schools with as many as 2000 students. Raymond has won provincials so many times that I've lost count - I remember 3 years straight while we lived there a few years ago.
Anyway, this is Bantam age kids (Jr. High) In the Southern Alberta League, coming into this game, neither Cardston or Raymond had lost a game - and neither team had had a point scored against them yet. (They really dominate down here - it's sad they don't have more competition.) Anyway, we usually play one game during the season, and then usually meet in the league championships - and the winner goes onto the provincial finals.
This year we have a home and home series (today and next Sat.) My boy was excited for the game - and I knew it would be a hard fought learning experience for him. Game ended up 15 - 8 for Raymond, they scored a touchdown with 1:07 left on the clock on a great flee-flicker play from their own 35. Just one of those things (I won't go into how a rookie referee missed a clipping call right in front of him 'cuase he had his back turned to the play running for the end-zone...)
This year the Bantam league will be taking two teams from our league to the provincial playoffs. That means we could potentially play Raymond 4 times - twice during league play, once during league playoffs, and then possibly again in the provincial final. Wow, wouldn't that be something!
Anyway, getting pictures showing my boy in action is tough, as he was always buried in red shirts (every play he was double-teamed, occassionaly triple teamed. he still managed to get his share of tackles, plus two fumble recoveries.) Here's a pic of my boy - #62 - after having come all the way around and about to lay the big one on #20.
Here's another of him being triple-teamed (he made the tackle on this one, too.)
So, by the time I was finished with football I had just one chance left to ride, as Steve had made arrangements to do a 75km tailwinds ride into Lethbridge - but with me having the kids here... well, no riding for me today. But the football was great fun!
Friday, September 29, 2006
Not a gentleman like Kin
Well, I don't rate like Kin does - oh well.
| You Are 76% Gentleman |
 You are definitely a gentleman. You're very considerate and you have excellent manners. Occasionally, you slip and do something foolish... but usually no one notices! |
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
OUCH!
Well, the last couple of days I have begun in earnest my "program" - which really just consists of higher protein and not alot of calories - and a whole lotta pain. I've started using my new computrainer (thanx again Slantz!!) and it's everything it's been hyped up to be. It has the ability to 'cause pain like I haven't felt in a VERY long time.
That's all I've got to say for today - oh, current weight - after this morning's work-out - was 84.3kg. I don't want to hear any comments about how fast weight loss isn't healthy, etc. I'm not advocating what I'm doing to anybody else, it's what seems to be working for me.
That's all I've got to say for today - oh, current weight - after this morning's work-out - was 84.3kg. I don't want to hear any comments about how fast weight loss isn't healthy, etc. I'm not advocating what I'm doing to anybody else, it's what seems to be working for me.
Monday, September 25, 2006
It's Time
No, I ain't gonna take no pictures of myself naked on a bike ala Mike Magnuson - but it's time to enter "The Magnuson Zone". Being the OCD that I am, jumping in and dedicating myself 100% is the only way I'm gonna get my weight down. I stepped on the scales this morning and cried when I saw 87kg - that's about 191.4 lbs. Took me awhile to be able to actually write that - it hurts. Now I must begin to pay the price for my slothfulness. I began my diet today - and will begin the work-out phase this afternoon. It's gonna hurt - alot - but I need to pay the penance.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Ridin' some lil' hills
This last week I had to head out to Kelowna, BC for a business conference. My wife wasn't attending this year's event with me, as once again it was falling on the twins birthday. I really wish they'd change the date! Anyway, because it was just me, I loaded my golf clubs (which I hadn't even picked up since last year's conference) and my bike into the car (any guesses at to which was gonna get used more?) and headed for Kelowna - 857km away.
The trip out was pretty fast and uneventful - got behind some folks who wanted to act as rabbits for me and so I just cruised along at - ummmm, maybe I won't post the speed here - anyway... I usually don't book a hotel or anything when I'm travelling - more fun to just play it by ear and see what kind of an adventure I end up with. About 5 hours into the trip my cell phone rings and it's my partner, Kent, telling me he's got me a place to stay. Turns out to be at a resort, and I'm staying in a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo. Would be really fun with the family - with just me it feel like a big, empty house.
The last 16km from the hiway to the resort it up and down and round and round - this road twists and turns every which way! It was dusk when I got out there, but the whole drive I'm thinking "I can't wait to ride this!" Then I get into the resort and find some really STEEP hills! (they don't let the staff try and drive the carts up these babies!) First thing next morning I went out and did a little loop on the bike - didn't have much time, so was only able to get in a few of the hills. I couldn't wait for the big event the next morning.
Next morning I jumped out of bed early. Phone calls and necessary emails conspired to slow up my exit, so I knew I wasn't gonna have as much time for the ride.
Geared up and out the door. The first km was a slight 1% grade, just enough to get me warmed up a little bit - then I headed out to the highway and down a gentle slope. Then the climbing began.
First climb was a nice little 6% grade - not really long, only about 1.5km. Fast decent - didn't think about it at the time, but I was gonna have to go back this way... next climb was about 9% for 1km. Again, not being very long, I kept a pretty good pace up it. A nice long, gentle descent - I didn't look at the grade on the way down, but on the way up I discovered it wasn't as gentle as I thought...
Next climb started off at a nice easy 7%, that changed to 8, then 9, then 10, then 11, then 12, then 13... I'd call this "the wall" but a hill coming up later gets that honor.
Did I mention that I'd forgotten to change my cassette from my nice, fast 11-23 used at HHH back to the 12-27? Yeah, that's right, I'm running my 11-23. The only saving grace is that I'm running compact cranks - but I've changed the rings out on those for racing, so the gearing is 52/36 instead of the 50/34 I'd have loved a little more.
I pass a couple out for a walk - they give me one of those looks that say "are you NUTS?! There's hills around here" - I wave, call out a friendly greeting and keep on. I'm still feeling petty good.
The next descent is steep - and long. Speed limit is 60km/hr, with signs posted for corners at 40km/hour. I hit 75km/hr as I passed a car just before the corner - leaned hard and held the speed as good as I could for the coming hill - car passes me with a wave and a honk. They passed 'cause this hill kinda slowed me down a little. Not a lot, just a little. I think my top speed climbing on this one was around 15km/hr, bottom speed was 12km/hr. It lasted for about 5km and averaged 12%. I turned around at the top.
Passed two cars on the decent. Did I mention before how fast I was able to go down this next hill? Well, going up wasn't a case of holding speed - it was more like - AGHHHH! The couple I'd passed earlier were near the top of this one. I thought I was smiling at them as I went by, but the look they gave me makes me believe that maybe it was more like a grimace of pain. I didn't say much, I guess. I thought I said hello, but it may have sounded more like "ugh". They clapped and cheered me on.
The next few hills go by relatively uneventfully, but I'm starting to feel pretty tired. My knees feel fine, no pain there, just the quads yelling at me. Seems that not riding for a couple of weeks and then subjecting them to this wasn't what they were thinking when I said "business conference." Oh well, they'll adapt or I'll die.
I get back into the Resort and head for "the loop" - going down to the bottom is hard. It's rained a little, so the roads are wet. Corners have some sand in them, and it's switchbacks all the way down. I'm riding the brakes hard and leaning back. I feel like I'm back on my mountain bike going down stairs.
There's the lake - the hill bottoms out at lake level, and immediately begins the climb up the other side. The climb weaves around the resort rooms on this end and through a couple of parking lots. The first 300m isn't too bad - only about a 8% grade, turn the corner and it kicks up to 13% really fast. I call out a couple of friendly hellos to the pretty girls getting into their cars in the parking lot - they just shake their heads. My speed is down to 12km/hr - and I'm solidly in the granny. A couple of more switchbacks at 12-15% and I turn the last switchback to meet THE WALL. HOLY COW! The grade climbs as I grunt it out. My back is HURTING! Knees are fine. Back is killing me. I'm down to 3.8km/hr at 26%! I'm forcing myself to not stop, knowing if I do there's no way I'll be getting back on. 'Sides, I ain't EVER let a hill beat me. My legs are threatening me. I know they'll really get their revenge in the next few hours/days. But for now, they will listen to ME!
I also refuse to zig zag up this hill. I've had to do that on climbs in the past (Talimena Parkway) - of course, it might have had something to do with the fact that the road is only 8 feet wide (it's one-way) and just not enough room to zig if you zag anyway. (I didn't even try.) I was gonna beat this hill straight up (and I do mean STRAIGHT UP!) With about 25m left to go I glanced down at my HR - 188. Yup, I'm working hard on this one! I begin to wonder if these nice, light handlebars can take the pounding that I"m giving them right now. My mind starts to wonder (I think it's a self-defense mechanism to keep from really feeling the pain I'm putting my body through.) I start to wonder what would happen if the bars broke right now (would be pretty.) I start thinking about all these emails I keep getting from Graham something or other re: building core muscles for cycling. Hmmm, maybe I should read those more carefully.
Finally I crest. I hear some noise off beside me and look across to see people out on a few of the balconies cheering and a few others looking not as happy. I found out later they were making bets on whether the fat man would make it up the hill. That made me smile.
A slight climb (only 5% - amazing how flat 5% can feel.) and then the km long coast back down to my room.
Whew!! That was some work. I can't wait for an excuse to go back there and see how many more of these little hills I can find! Of course, by then I hope I'm 30lbs lighter - and maybe I'll do some of that core work-out routine...
The trip out was pretty fast and uneventful - got behind some folks who wanted to act as rabbits for me and so I just cruised along at - ummmm, maybe I won't post the speed here - anyway... I usually don't book a hotel or anything when I'm travelling - more fun to just play it by ear and see what kind of an adventure I end up with. About 5 hours into the trip my cell phone rings and it's my partner, Kent, telling me he's got me a place to stay. Turns out to be at a resort, and I'm staying in a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo. Would be really fun with the family - with just me it feel like a big, empty house.
The last 16km from the hiway to the resort it up and down and round and round - this road twists and turns every which way! It was dusk when I got out there, but the whole drive I'm thinking "I can't wait to ride this!" Then I get into the resort and find some really STEEP hills! (they don't let the staff try and drive the carts up these babies!) First thing next morning I went out and did a little loop on the bike - didn't have much time, so was only able to get in a few of the hills. I couldn't wait for the big event the next morning.
Next morning I jumped out of bed early. Phone calls and necessary emails conspired to slow up my exit, so I knew I wasn't gonna have as much time for the ride.
Geared up and out the door. The first km was a slight 1% grade, just enough to get me warmed up a little bit - then I headed out to the highway and down a gentle slope. Then the climbing began.
First climb was a nice little 6% grade - not really long, only about 1.5km. Fast decent - didn't think about it at the time, but I was gonna have to go back this way... next climb was about 9% for 1km. Again, not being very long, I kept a pretty good pace up it. A nice long, gentle descent - I didn't look at the grade on the way down, but on the way up I discovered it wasn't as gentle as I thought...
Next climb started off at a nice easy 7%, that changed to 8, then 9, then 10, then 11, then 12, then 13... I'd call this "the wall" but a hill coming up later gets that honor.
Did I mention that I'd forgotten to change my cassette from my nice, fast 11-23 used at HHH back to the 12-27? Yeah, that's right, I'm running my 11-23. The only saving grace is that I'm running compact cranks - but I've changed the rings out on those for racing, so the gearing is 52/36 instead of the 50/34 I'd have loved a little more.
I pass a couple out for a walk - they give me one of those looks that say "are you NUTS?! There's hills around here" - I wave, call out a friendly greeting and keep on. I'm still feeling petty good.
The next descent is steep - and long. Speed limit is 60km/hr, with signs posted for corners at 40km/hour. I hit 75km/hr as I passed a car just before the corner - leaned hard and held the speed as good as I could for the coming hill - car passes me with a wave and a honk. They passed 'cause this hill kinda slowed me down a little. Not a lot, just a little. I think my top speed climbing on this one was around 15km/hr, bottom speed was 12km/hr. It lasted for about 5km and averaged 12%. I turned around at the top.
Passed two cars on the decent. Did I mention before how fast I was able to go down this next hill? Well, going up wasn't a case of holding speed - it was more like - AGHHHH! The couple I'd passed earlier were near the top of this one. I thought I was smiling at them as I went by, but the look they gave me makes me believe that maybe it was more like a grimace of pain. I didn't say much, I guess. I thought I said hello, but it may have sounded more like "ugh". They clapped and cheered me on.
The next few hills go by relatively uneventfully, but I'm starting to feel pretty tired. My knees feel fine, no pain there, just the quads yelling at me. Seems that not riding for a couple of weeks and then subjecting them to this wasn't what they were thinking when I said "business conference." Oh well, they'll adapt or I'll die.
I get back into the Resort and head for "the loop" - going down to the bottom is hard. It's rained a little, so the roads are wet. Corners have some sand in them, and it's switchbacks all the way down. I'm riding the brakes hard and leaning back. I feel like I'm back on my mountain bike going down stairs.
There's the lake - the hill bottoms out at lake level, and immediately begins the climb up the other side. The climb weaves around the resort rooms on this end and through a couple of parking lots. The first 300m isn't too bad - only about a 8% grade, turn the corner and it kicks up to 13% really fast. I call out a couple of friendly hellos to the pretty girls getting into their cars in the parking lot - they just shake their heads. My speed is down to 12km/hr - and I'm solidly in the granny. A couple of more switchbacks at 12-15% and I turn the last switchback to meet THE WALL. HOLY COW! The grade climbs as I grunt it out. My back is HURTING! Knees are fine. Back is killing me. I'm down to 3.8km/hr at 26%! I'm forcing myself to not stop, knowing if I do there's no way I'll be getting back on. 'Sides, I ain't EVER let a hill beat me. My legs are threatening me. I know they'll really get their revenge in the next few hours/days. But for now, they will listen to ME!
I also refuse to zig zag up this hill. I've had to do that on climbs in the past (Talimena Parkway) - of course, it might have had something to do with the fact that the road is only 8 feet wide (it's one-way) and just not enough room to zig if you zag anyway. (I didn't even try.) I was gonna beat this hill straight up (and I do mean STRAIGHT UP!) With about 25m left to go I glanced down at my HR - 188. Yup, I'm working hard on this one! I begin to wonder if these nice, light handlebars can take the pounding that I"m giving them right now. My mind starts to wonder (I think it's a self-defense mechanism to keep from really feeling the pain I'm putting my body through.) I start to wonder what would happen if the bars broke right now (would be pretty.) I start thinking about all these emails I keep getting from Graham something or other re: building core muscles for cycling. Hmmm, maybe I should read those more carefully.
Finally I crest. I hear some noise off beside me and look across to see people out on a few of the balconies cheering and a few others looking not as happy. I found out later they were making bets on whether the fat man would make it up the hill. That made me smile.
A slight climb (only 5% - amazing how flat 5% can feel.) and then the km long coast back down to my room.
Whew!! That was some work. I can't wait for an excuse to go back there and see how many more of these little hills I can find! Of course, by then I hope I'm 30lbs lighter - and maybe I'll do some of that core work-out routine...
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Random catch-up thoughts
Last Thursday I underwent the knife - well, not a knife, actually a lazer. I got my eyes Lasik'd!
The procedure itself was pretty non-eventful. I got a little nervous before hand when a lady before me had taken 1mg of whatever relaxant drug they give you - and then just before surgery had come back out all shaken, was given another mg, went back in, 10 minutes later came out for a 3rd shot... Holy Cow!
I remember that JohnnyE had taken something - and I decided that being the rock I am, and much tougher than John, I'd take NOTHING. (I'm sure Mr Pharmacist will give me a rough time about that just 'cause it would've been a great excuse to take some drugs legally!)
My wife watched the surgery - and now I don't think she's going to be getting it done - it kind of freaked her out. (When I heard the nurse asking her if she was going to need to run to the bathroom I figured she was having a tough go of it.) I wished they'd have had it on DVD for me - I'd like to have seen it.
Anyway, the surgery went fine, that night I couldn't see much, but by morning and my post-op exam I was already seeing at 20/20. My eyes get tired by the end of the day, but my vision is getting sharper by the day. I still see halos around lights at night. If that stays forever, I'll live with it. Being able to see cleary during the day is worth it.
Now - onto my weight loss challenges.
I've put weight on this last month or two. It's frustrating. I know why - I haven't been riding much, and I've been on the road alot eating crappy food, and when I wasn't on the road I was still eating crappy food. I can't even guess at how much pizza and ice cream I've downed the last couple of months.
The only eating plan that has consistently worked for me in the past, and where I lost the first big bunch of weight, has been a low carb/high protein diet. So, as of yesterday, that's what I've returned to. It's not a "no carb" plan - I'm eating veggies like spinach, carrots, and other yellow/orange veggies so that I'm making sure I get what my eyes need to heal.
Work-outs are still in slow-motion, but I'm getting better. I know I really need to work on doing some weight lifting and working on my core - so I'm building a plan.
I guess that's what frustrates me so much. I KNOW what I should be doing. I know HOW to do it, I've just been too lazy to do it. No more. By next spring I'm gonna be a lean, fast machine!
To make my cardio work-outs more regular and effective (I want to do a good interval program) I'm looking at picking up a computrainer. Yes, lots of money - but I've already spent a ton of money on my bikes, shouldn't be such a big deal to spend the money on the trainer. Next year is Triple Bypass, and I'm gonna make Shadowcat hurt in the hills!! *grin*
The procedure itself was pretty non-eventful. I got a little nervous before hand when a lady before me had taken 1mg of whatever relaxant drug they give you - and then just before surgery had come back out all shaken, was given another mg, went back in, 10 minutes later came out for a 3rd shot... Holy Cow!
I remember that JohnnyE had taken something - and I decided that being the rock I am, and much tougher than John, I'd take NOTHING. (I'm sure Mr Pharmacist will give me a rough time about that just 'cause it would've been a great excuse to take some drugs legally!)
My wife watched the surgery - and now I don't think she's going to be getting it done - it kind of freaked her out. (When I heard the nurse asking her if she was going to need to run to the bathroom I figured she was having a tough go of it.) I wished they'd have had it on DVD for me - I'd like to have seen it.
Anyway, the surgery went fine, that night I couldn't see much, but by morning and my post-op exam I was already seeing at 20/20. My eyes get tired by the end of the day, but my vision is getting sharper by the day. I still see halos around lights at night. If that stays forever, I'll live with it. Being able to see cleary during the day is worth it.
Now - onto my weight loss challenges.
I've put weight on this last month or two. It's frustrating. I know why - I haven't been riding much, and I've been on the road alot eating crappy food, and when I wasn't on the road I was still eating crappy food. I can't even guess at how much pizza and ice cream I've downed the last couple of months.
The only eating plan that has consistently worked for me in the past, and where I lost the first big bunch of weight, has been a low carb/high protein diet. So, as of yesterday, that's what I've returned to. It's not a "no carb" plan - I'm eating veggies like spinach, carrots, and other yellow/orange veggies so that I'm making sure I get what my eyes need to heal.
Work-outs are still in slow-motion, but I'm getting better. I know I really need to work on doing some weight lifting and working on my core - so I'm building a plan.
I guess that's what frustrates me so much. I KNOW what I should be doing. I know HOW to do it, I've just been too lazy to do it. No more. By next spring I'm gonna be a lean, fast machine!
To make my cardio work-outs more regular and effective (I want to do a good interval program) I'm looking at picking up a computrainer. Yes, lots of money - but I've already spent a ton of money on my bikes, shouldn't be such a big deal to spend the money on the trainer. Next year is Triple Bypass, and I'm gonna make Shadowcat hurt in the hills!! *grin*
Monday, September 11, 2006
My boys ROCK!
Saturday was a day of football. First up was one of my twin sons playing Pee Wee football. He plays on the grade 4,5,&6 team and they were playing against the big boys from the grade 7 & 8's. Kind of an inter-squad game.
Brady, my son, is a small guy - probably one of the smallest on the field. But, he's got heart, and he's fast. I honestly don't know how many tackles he had (he plays defense) but it seemed he was in on every play. I'll post pics after I get them uploaded. The offense didn't do so well and the team lost, but it was a close game - literally 3 broken plays that went for touch-downs against them and 3 dropped passes for touchdowns for them, and the little guys would've won! Was really fun watching him go at it. It's his first year, and he's still got lots to learn, but wow - he's FAST!
Next up, my oldest son, Khan. Khan's not the biggest kid on the team (though he is one of the top 3 or 4) - and not the fastest kid on the team (though he's one of the top 3 or 4) He is very strong, powerful, and fast - especially for a lineman! He plays both ways, and even plays on a couple of the special teams - he's rarely on the sidelines!
Poor Coaldale. The got clobbered by my boys team. Khan's official stats were 7 tackles and one sack - but I'm positive that when we watch the game tape tonight that we'll see it was more like 10 tackles. That doesn't tell the whole story. One of his team mates was in for 7 tackles, too - and most of them were him just running through the hole that Khan opened up for him.
I've got a picture of him on offense opening up a hole by blocking 3 guys at once. I've got a couple of other really cool pictures of him that I'll post here, too.
I'm not a football guy - I got cut from my high school team 'cause the coach was too scared I was too little and would get hurt. But I'm learning now, and it's way more fun learning by watching my kids play!
After the game coach asked me if I'd be interested in driving out and taping a game of the two main rivals that were playing about an hour away. So Khan and I did a road trip out to the game. Raymond vs. Claresholm. Raymond always has a good team - really strong program there. It's usually Raymond vs Cardston for the semi-finals (they are the two strongest teams in the league, but the league just can't stand to have to teams from the same area in the final, so they put them up against each other every year. The winner of this game always wins the league championship.)
We used to live in Raymond, so I know alot of the fans and players at the game. Was fun to chat with old friends I hadn't seen in awhile - though a few of them are more than just a little arrogant about their team. One in particular went on and on about how Cardston could never beat Raymond (never mind that last year the score was 14-7, and Cardston was playing with 5 starters, including their QB and my son, injured.) I hope my boys team kicks their butts this year!
We ended up leaving at half time - the score was 27-0, and we obviously weren't going to learn very much about Raymond watching this game.
More football to come!!
Brady, my son, is a small guy - probably one of the smallest on the field. But, he's got heart, and he's fast. I honestly don't know how many tackles he had (he plays defense) but it seemed he was in on every play. I'll post pics after I get them uploaded. The offense didn't do so well and the team lost, but it was a close game - literally 3 broken plays that went for touch-downs against them and 3 dropped passes for touchdowns for them, and the little guys would've won! Was really fun watching him go at it. It's his first year, and he's still got lots to learn, but wow - he's FAST!
Next up, my oldest son, Khan. Khan's not the biggest kid on the team (though he is one of the top 3 or 4) - and not the fastest kid on the team (though he's one of the top 3 or 4) He is very strong, powerful, and fast - especially for a lineman! He plays both ways, and even plays on a couple of the special teams - he's rarely on the sidelines!
Poor Coaldale. The got clobbered by my boys team. Khan's official stats were 7 tackles and one sack - but I'm positive that when we watch the game tape tonight that we'll see it was more like 10 tackles. That doesn't tell the whole story. One of his team mates was in for 7 tackles, too - and most of them were him just running through the hole that Khan opened up for him.
I've got a picture of him on offense opening up a hole by blocking 3 guys at once. I've got a couple of other really cool pictures of him that I'll post here, too.
I'm not a football guy - I got cut from my high school team 'cause the coach was too scared I was too little and would get hurt. But I'm learning now, and it's way more fun learning by watching my kids play!
After the game coach asked me if I'd be interested in driving out and taping a game of the two main rivals that were playing about an hour away. So Khan and I did a road trip out to the game. Raymond vs. Claresholm. Raymond always has a good team - really strong program there. It's usually Raymond vs Cardston for the semi-finals (they are the two strongest teams in the league, but the league just can't stand to have to teams from the same area in the final, so they put them up against each other every year. The winner of this game always wins the league championship.)
We used to live in Raymond, so I know alot of the fans and players at the game. Was fun to chat with old friends I hadn't seen in awhile - though a few of them are more than just a little arrogant about their team. One in particular went on and on about how Cardston could never beat Raymond (never mind that last year the score was 14-7, and Cardston was playing with 5 starters, including their QB and my son, injured.) I hope my boys team kicks their butts this year!
We ended up leaving at half time - the score was 27-0, and we obviously weren't going to learn very much about Raymond watching this game.
More football to come!!
C/Ya Zin!
Well, the plan was to leave Cardston around 2pm, drive down to Great Falls (just over 3 hours away) and take Zin out for a farewell dinner. Sometimes my life just doesn't go according to plan - okay, maybe most of the time, but I really thought that getting out of the office by 2pm was doable.
As it turned out, I had clients stopping by all afternoon - and didn't get done until 4:22pm - I fired an email off to Zin letting him know that I was just leaving, and jumped in the car for the trip - of course, by the time I actually got out of Cardston it was almost 5pm.
Turned the radar detector on and headed for the border. Fortunately I managed to pass alot of people on the way down and got to the border without a line to have to wait for. Border guards were friendly and had me on my way quickly.
I don't know exactly how fast I averaged - but it was quick. I pulled into Great Falls at about 7pm. I made a quick call to Zin and zipped over to his place to pick him up to go for dinner.
We chatted for a bit before we actually got out of the door - and then had to hit a couple of places before we found a retaurant that didn't have an hour's line waiting to get in. We ended up at Tony Roma's. What are ya gonna eat at TR? RIBS! Both Zin and I order a full rack of beef ribs... holy cow that's a lot of food! I really should have just ordered the half. (Zin was thinking the same thing.)
Zin spilled a little sauce on himself and our friendly waitress asked if he wanted a bib - no says he - YES! says I! I had the waitress bring us bibs and we got a photo taken of it. Great thing is, you can't tell in the photo that I'm wearing a bib!! (but you sure can tell that Zin is wearing one!! hehhehehehe) I'll post the pic as soon as I get it off my phone. (not a high quality pic, but both zin and I had managed to forget our cameras.)
Dinner was great - good food, but even better company. Zin has become one of my very good friends over the last couple of years, and I really do think of him as "my brother from another mother."
After dinner we chatted for awhile longer, and then it was time for me to hit the road. I drove the speed limit going home, and it took me about 3 hours 15 minutes to get back. I lucked out at the border again and didn't get stuck in a long line - even though I was crossing at Coutts (notoriously long lines.) -- It was 1:30am before I dragged my butt into bed, but well worth the trip.
As it turned out, I had clients stopping by all afternoon - and didn't get done until 4:22pm - I fired an email off to Zin letting him know that I was just leaving, and jumped in the car for the trip - of course, by the time I actually got out of Cardston it was almost 5pm.
Turned the radar detector on and headed for the border. Fortunately I managed to pass alot of people on the way down and got to the border without a line to have to wait for. Border guards were friendly and had me on my way quickly.
I don't know exactly how fast I averaged - but it was quick. I pulled into Great Falls at about 7pm. I made a quick call to Zin and zipped over to his place to pick him up to go for dinner.
We chatted for a bit before we actually got out of the door - and then had to hit a couple of places before we found a retaurant that didn't have an hour's line waiting to get in. We ended up at Tony Roma's. What are ya gonna eat at TR? RIBS! Both Zin and I order a full rack of beef ribs... holy cow that's a lot of food! I really should have just ordered the half. (Zin was thinking the same thing.)
Zin spilled a little sauce on himself and our friendly waitress asked if he wanted a bib - no says he - YES! says I! I had the waitress bring us bibs and we got a photo taken of it. Great thing is, you can't tell in the photo that I'm wearing a bib!! (but you sure can tell that Zin is wearing one!! hehhehehehe) I'll post the pic as soon as I get it off my phone. (not a high quality pic, but both zin and I had managed to forget our cameras.)
Dinner was great - good food, but even better company. Zin has become one of my very good friends over the last couple of years, and I really do think of him as "my brother from another mother."
After dinner we chatted for awhile longer, and then it was time for me to hit the road. I drove the speed limit going home, and it took me about 3 hours 15 minutes to get back. I lucked out at the border again and didn't get stuck in a long line - even though I was crossing at Coutts (notoriously long lines.) -- It was 1:30am before I dragged my butt into bed, but well worth the trip.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Running in the Northern Pines
I spent all day yesterday driving up to Fort McMurray - yes, the bike and gear is loaded in the car. It was a long drive, but I impressed myself with my eating habits for the day - I ate alot of fruit! Only stopped for a bathroom break and to fuel up, so it was a straight 9 hours.
This morning I got up and was planning on going for a bike ride with Kent. I brought him up a new set of Neuvation M28 wheels to replace his 105 wheels with. But then I had another idea.
Last night my wife had mentioned I should go for a run in the forest just outside of Kent's door. She said there's some great trails there - so I convinced Kent to lace up the runners and we headed out the door for the trail. The trail head is literally across the street from his front door and off we went.
Wow. This is what I remember running to be like. It was nice and cool, the air felt crisp and fresh. Pine trees on both sides of the trail reached a hundred feet straight up to the sky. The trail was well groomed (except for a few mud holes) and we saw a few other runners out on the trail. Kent hasn't been runnning in years, so we kept a pretty easy pace - and after about 10 minutes had to slow to a walk for him to recover a bit. No record 5km times today, but wow, what an enjoyable hour out on the trail! I stopped the timer every time Kent needed to stop and so we actually ran for 30 minutes - I estimated it to be about 5km. We walked for another 15 or 20 minutes. I lost satallite reception, so don't know exactly how far we went. My HR never got over 165 (I sprinted a couple of hills to do some light intervals), so I know I really wansn't pushing myself hard.
It absolutely amazes me how beautiful this country is up here. These trails all turn into cross-country ski trails in the winter. The trails are all marked with sign markers (just like the ones on street corners) all over the place. We followed "deer trail" until it met up with "Beaver trail" - and then followed that all the way up to the end of it - there were lots of other trails that branched off. Then we turned around and came back. I think I might make a point of doing a little run like this every morning I'm here this week.
I'm hoping to get a bike ride in this evening. For now, it's off to the office for a full day. We've got lots to do there!
This morning I got up and was planning on going for a bike ride with Kent. I brought him up a new set of Neuvation M28 wheels to replace his 105 wheels with. But then I had another idea.
Last night my wife had mentioned I should go for a run in the forest just outside of Kent's door. She said there's some great trails there - so I convinced Kent to lace up the runners and we headed out the door for the trail. The trail head is literally across the street from his front door and off we went.
Wow. This is what I remember running to be like. It was nice and cool, the air felt crisp and fresh. Pine trees on both sides of the trail reached a hundred feet straight up to the sky. The trail was well groomed (except for a few mud holes) and we saw a few other runners out on the trail. Kent hasn't been runnning in years, so we kept a pretty easy pace - and after about 10 minutes had to slow to a walk for him to recover a bit. No record 5km times today, but wow, what an enjoyable hour out on the trail! I stopped the timer every time Kent needed to stop and so we actually ran for 30 minutes - I estimated it to be about 5km. We walked for another 15 or 20 minutes. I lost satallite reception, so don't know exactly how far we went. My HR never got over 165 (I sprinted a couple of hills to do some light intervals), so I know I really wansn't pushing myself hard.
It absolutely amazes me how beautiful this country is up here. These trails all turn into cross-country ski trails in the winter. The trails are all marked with sign markers (just like the ones on street corners) all over the place. We followed "deer trail" until it met up with "Beaver trail" - and then followed that all the way up to the end of it - there were lots of other trails that branched off. Then we turned around and came back. I think I might make a point of doing a little run like this every morning I'm here this week.
I'm hoping to get a bike ride in this evening. For now, it's off to the office for a full day. We've got lots to do there!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Recovery riding?
After yesterday's hammerfest with Bart trying to drop John and I, I was looking forward to a nice, easy recovery spin. John's wife Sheri and my wife Melanie joined us, so I knew it wouldn't be a hammerfest. My wife is still a much slower rider, and insists that we just go enjoy our ride and that she'll see us later. It's an out-and-back loop, so I wasn't worried about her, we'd see her on the way back, and then when I got back I'd jump in the van and go track her down.
Chico showed up - hmmmmm, he's a hammer monster that takes some work to tame even on recovery rides.
Melanie dropped back at the 3rd or 4th kilometer. Chico took the pull up the first hill and kicked the pace up a bit - I jumped on his wheel. As we climbed he kept kicking the pace up higher and higher. "hey!" I thought to myself, "this is stupid." I looked back and saw Bart, Sheri, & John a fair ways back. I eased off and let Chico go.
Most of the ride out to the turn-around was like that - generally a nice, easy pace punctuated by the occassional flat-out sprint. I didn't get involved in any of those. My legs were feeling really heavy today. John and Chico hammered for a couple of signs.
A couple of kilometers after the turn-around I saw my wife coming towards us - she was looking really strong, but I thought she could probably use a food-break, so I turned around and rode for a bit with her and checked to make sure all was good. She was wearing a wind-breaker that was acting as a pretty good parachute - I suspect next time she'll take me up on the offer to get her cycling jacket... She sounded good, and looked good, so I turned around and realized that my friends had continued at a nice little clip and were now about 1km away. AGGGHHHH! Oh well, so much for a recovery ride!
I jumped back into the big ring, dropped to my 14tooth cog and began spinning madly. My HR started to inch up. I'd been careful to keep it around 135-140 except on a few short climbs - it was now inching up past 160. I got down low and wished I'd left my Zipps on. Hmmm, aerobars would be nice right now, too. I could see the gap coming down, but so slowly! On the hills I tried to push it extra hard, knowing that they wouldn't be hammering on the hills. Finally, I caught up to them (after chasing for a good 6 or 7km!) and tucked into a wheel. Whew! Now I get to recover - don't think this is what a recovery ride is supposed to mean.
We got to my favorite false-flats section. There's two of them on this ride, and this is the longest. Usually we have a bit of a tailwind through here and can easily hold speeds in excess of 60km/hr without pushing the heart rate. I called out, let's go! And off we went. Of course, we had a HEADWIND today, and top speed was only about 50km/hr, but it was still fun! The pace was too high for Sheri and she got dropped. We gathered a little at Leavitt and prepared for the assault on Monson's hill. Bart dropped off a bit as he took a drink. John went to the front and began the initial pull up the hill. This is always funny 'cause we all know how much this hill hurts at speed, and we all want to draft, but nobody wants to change their pace. John ended up being forced to the front. Then Chico went by him and I stuck to his wheel. Half-way up Bart came spinning by, looking really strong. Chico jumped on his wheel and I had to sprint to catch back on. Then Chico waves me by - it threw my pace out as I had to slow a bit as he eased up. I jumped onto Bart's wheel and we continued a pretty quick climb. Suddenly Bart eased up and said "I'm done." My HR was only at 173 (great advantage to sucking a wheel into a headwind! - Bart's was 185) - and then Chico accelerated past us. I knew I COULD have jumped on his wheel, but I just didn't want to hurt that much! Bart and I eased up and took it easy while we waited for John to catch back on.
The next hill was more of the same, but it's not much more than a roller. Then, the last "climb" - the back side of the first one that Chico and I hammered up. We all took it fairly easy, except for Chico who just blew us all away. The power he's been able to harness out of those legs this year is really impressive. As we crested Bart took the first pull. This is the beginning of the second "false flat" of the ride.
I took the next pull. We went by Chico with what I figured was about a 7 or 8km/hr differential. Amazingly he sprinted up and got on to a wheel. He really was riding strong! As we approached the corner everybody started to get nervous - the first traditional sign sprint was approaching - who would go? Bart was pulling, and pulling at a pretty good clip - about 50km/hr - so I know it would take a hard effort to get around him - the sign sits at the crest of a little hill, so it makes for a pretty good sprint effort.
I was 3rd wheel - John had dropped back a bit out of contention for the sprint. I decided to go early and started to swing out - just as I got my front wheel even with Chico's rear wheel Bart must have had eyes out of the back of his head, 'cause he kicked it up. Suddenly he was pulling at 54km/hr up hill into a headwind. Chico couldn't get around him, and I couldn't get around Chico - that's how we crossed the line. Chico kept hammering for a bit after the crest - Bart and I let him go. John joined us and we reeled Chico back in.
As you enter town we used to have to take a quick right hand turn and then a left on the access road - now that there's a good second lane on the highway we typically don't take that and stay on the highway - out of the corner of my eye I saw that Bart had gone hard at the corner and was hammering away on the access road. I yelled, "Bart's taken the access... Go! Go! Go!" Chico and I hammered for all we were worth - Chico got a gap on me right away, John dropped off, so I knew this would be all about time trialing it in. I knew I could make up alot of ground on the corner, 'cause I can pedal through some pretty tight lines. (165 cranks with Speedplays make for LOTS of clearance!) Bart and Chico got to the interesection at the same time, I cornered hard and closed the gap. Then I hammered for the last corner - oh oh, somebody's having a garage sale and lots of traffic at this corner. I shoulder check and only Chico is there - I cut hard to the inside and sprint through the corner - Chico stays with me for about 25 yards and then eases up - I continued on down the line. Admittedly, it was a rough finish as they are tearing roads up all over the place, but I won the final sprint!
So, our little recovery ride turned out to be another hammerfest. In actuality, this is what I really needed. Good riding, good friends. So what if it's not the best thing for building performance right now - it's good for me just to have some good motivation to get out and ride again!
I jumped in the van and went back to see how my wife was doing. Sheri had gone straight down to the bike shop, and we met her there later. Melanie's hip had really started to hurt, and I told her to stop and get in the van. She was disappointed at not finishing the ride, but better to prevent an injury and be able to ride again next week. It was great to be able to sit back and relive the adventure with my wife. She rode really strong and it won't be long before she'll be hanging with Sheri on these rides.
Chico showed up - hmmmmm, he's a hammer monster that takes some work to tame even on recovery rides.
Melanie dropped back at the 3rd or 4th kilometer. Chico took the pull up the first hill and kicked the pace up a bit - I jumped on his wheel. As we climbed he kept kicking the pace up higher and higher. "hey!" I thought to myself, "this is stupid." I looked back and saw Bart, Sheri, & John a fair ways back. I eased off and let Chico go.
Most of the ride out to the turn-around was like that - generally a nice, easy pace punctuated by the occassional flat-out sprint. I didn't get involved in any of those. My legs were feeling really heavy today. John and Chico hammered for a couple of signs.
A couple of kilometers after the turn-around I saw my wife coming towards us - she was looking really strong, but I thought she could probably use a food-break, so I turned around and rode for a bit with her and checked to make sure all was good. She was wearing a wind-breaker that was acting as a pretty good parachute - I suspect next time she'll take me up on the offer to get her cycling jacket... She sounded good, and looked good, so I turned around and realized that my friends had continued at a nice little clip and were now about 1km away. AGGGHHHH! Oh well, so much for a recovery ride!
I jumped back into the big ring, dropped to my 14tooth cog and began spinning madly. My HR started to inch up. I'd been careful to keep it around 135-140 except on a few short climbs - it was now inching up past 160. I got down low and wished I'd left my Zipps on. Hmmm, aerobars would be nice right now, too. I could see the gap coming down, but so slowly! On the hills I tried to push it extra hard, knowing that they wouldn't be hammering on the hills. Finally, I caught up to them (after chasing for a good 6 or 7km!) and tucked into a wheel. Whew! Now I get to recover - don't think this is what a recovery ride is supposed to mean.
We got to my favorite false-flats section. There's two of them on this ride, and this is the longest. Usually we have a bit of a tailwind through here and can easily hold speeds in excess of 60km/hr without pushing the heart rate. I called out, let's go! And off we went. Of course, we had a HEADWIND today, and top speed was only about 50km/hr, but it was still fun! The pace was too high for Sheri and she got dropped. We gathered a little at Leavitt and prepared for the assault on Monson's hill. Bart dropped off a bit as he took a drink. John went to the front and began the initial pull up the hill. This is always funny 'cause we all know how much this hill hurts at speed, and we all want to draft, but nobody wants to change their pace. John ended up being forced to the front. Then Chico went by him and I stuck to his wheel. Half-way up Bart came spinning by, looking really strong. Chico jumped on his wheel and I had to sprint to catch back on. Then Chico waves me by - it threw my pace out as I had to slow a bit as he eased up. I jumped onto Bart's wheel and we continued a pretty quick climb. Suddenly Bart eased up and said "I'm done." My HR was only at 173 (great advantage to sucking a wheel into a headwind! - Bart's was 185) - and then Chico accelerated past us. I knew I COULD have jumped on his wheel, but I just didn't want to hurt that much! Bart and I eased up and took it easy while we waited for John to catch back on.
The next hill was more of the same, but it's not much more than a roller. Then, the last "climb" - the back side of the first one that Chico and I hammered up. We all took it fairly easy, except for Chico who just blew us all away. The power he's been able to harness out of those legs this year is really impressive. As we crested Bart took the first pull. This is the beginning of the second "false flat" of the ride.
I took the next pull. We went by Chico with what I figured was about a 7 or 8km/hr differential. Amazingly he sprinted up and got on to a wheel. He really was riding strong! As we approached the corner everybody started to get nervous - the first traditional sign sprint was approaching - who would go? Bart was pulling, and pulling at a pretty good clip - about 50km/hr - so I know it would take a hard effort to get around him - the sign sits at the crest of a little hill, so it makes for a pretty good sprint effort.
I was 3rd wheel - John had dropped back a bit out of contention for the sprint. I decided to go early and started to swing out - just as I got my front wheel even with Chico's rear wheel Bart must have had eyes out of the back of his head, 'cause he kicked it up. Suddenly he was pulling at 54km/hr up hill into a headwind. Chico couldn't get around him, and I couldn't get around Chico - that's how we crossed the line. Chico kept hammering for a bit after the crest - Bart and I let him go. John joined us and we reeled Chico back in.
As you enter town we used to have to take a quick right hand turn and then a left on the access road - now that there's a good second lane on the highway we typically don't take that and stay on the highway - out of the corner of my eye I saw that Bart had gone hard at the corner and was hammering away on the access road. I yelled, "Bart's taken the access... Go! Go! Go!" Chico and I hammered for all we were worth - Chico got a gap on me right away, John dropped off, so I knew this would be all about time trialing it in. I knew I could make up alot of ground on the corner, 'cause I can pedal through some pretty tight lines. (165 cranks with Speedplays make for LOTS of clearance!) Bart and Chico got to the interesection at the same time, I cornered hard and closed the gap. Then I hammered for the last corner - oh oh, somebody's having a garage sale and lots of traffic at this corner. I shoulder check and only Chico is there - I cut hard to the inside and sprint through the corner - Chico stays with me for about 25 yards and then eases up - I continued on down the line. Admittedly, it was a rough finish as they are tearing roads up all over the place, but I won the final sprint!
So, our little recovery ride turned out to be another hammerfest. In actuality, this is what I really needed. Good riding, good friends. So what if it's not the best thing for building performance right now - it's good for me just to have some good motivation to get out and ride again!
I jumped in the van and went back to see how my wife was doing. Sheri had gone straight down to the bike shop, and we met her there later. Melanie's hip had really started to hurt, and I told her to stop and get in the van. She was disappointed at not finishing the ride, but better to prevent an injury and be able to ride again next week. It was great to be able to sit back and relive the adventure with my wife. She rode really strong and it won't be long before she'll be hanging with Sheri on these rides.
Let's go for a spin
September 1, 2006
I had to head into Lethbridge to visit with some clients today - didn't think it would take too long, so called John and asked him if he'd be interested in catching lunch. He suggested I bring my bike in and we go for a spin. Sounds good, I've been feeling a little unmotivated to ride lately and thought this might be a good chance, weather was nice (about 27C) and very little wind. John's always fun to ride with, so yeah, I'll bring my bike.
Client meetings go a little longer than planned. I'm finally down to the last one, and call John at 3pm - he's got one meeting left. I agree to call him when I'm done and we can head out.
4:30pm and I'm finally done - John's running late, so I meet him at his office. He didn't bring his bike! So, it's off to Magrath to suit up and ride. While there we decide to call Bart, and the plan quickly becomes "we'll ride towards Cardston, you ride towards us, we'll turn around and ride back to Magrath together - then Bart and I will leave our bikes there, John and his wife can bring them up in the morning when we go for a spin in the morning." Great.
6:15pm - John and I are on the road heading towards Cardston. No wind, this is great! I haven't been on the bike since HHH, so my legs aren't feeling really active. We're cruising along at a comfy 30km/hr, nothing too hard. Riding side-by-side and chatting. Then we hit Shearer's Hill. It's about 2.5km long, and averages about 5%, with a couple of kicks up to 8%. John picks up the pace.
Now, generally I slow down a little while going up hill. Apparantly John hasn't figured this out yet, and drops the hammer. We're climbing at 32km/hr. OUCH! This hurts. I manage to hold John's wheel until the first ease of grade, and then I take the pull. I pull pretty hard the first third of the next climb - and then I just can't hold it, so John comes around. I grab his wheel again - for about the 2nd third, and then I pop. John hammers up to the top and then waits for me on the descent.
We alternate back and forth for the next 15km or so with some pretty good hammering along the way. At the 22km mark we're both looking for Bart, but don't see him yet. Man. This is getting hard! Finally, at the top of the climb at km #25 we see Bart and swing around to meet him.
Now we find out that there's actually been a bit of an East wind pushing us, 'cause now we're fighting it. It doesn't make sense, 'cause the grass isn't moving, the flags are hanging limp, and the windmills ain't turnin' - but the resistance is sure there! You'd think that Bart would be a little tired and not want to hammer too hard after fighting that by himself for the previous 20km he'd riddin' - or that John and I wouldn't want to hammer to hard after having laid it down against each other for the last 25km - and it seemed to be going that way for the first couple of km while we grouped and chatted.
Then we hit a coulee - nothing really steep, but a good descent to pick up speed, and then a climb back out. Somehow I ended up pulling on the climb. I was only trying to maintain pace, but by the time we got to the top the game was on - John hammered around me and I was struggling to hold a wheel. This went on for the next 10km.
Then we hit the false flats coming into Magrath. I can usually pull at around 55km/hr through here, and love the feeling of speed while pulling my friends along, so as I came around to the front I called out "hop on the Barfuss train, boys, I'll pull ya home." I hammered for the next kilometer at a lowly 44km/hr and had to give it up. Bart was next, and he ratched it up more than just a notch. He admitted later he was trying to ride us off his wheel, just to see if he could. I didn't have my HR monitor on, but I"m sure it must have been around 185 - I wasn't getting dizzy yet, but I knew I wasn't far from it. The only thing that kept me holding on through the pain was the fact that I knew it would hurt more if I got dropped and tried to catch back on.
Finally pulled into town, and Bart absolutely killed us. Great, I thought, I'm dead. No more pain. In the morning John's wife and my wife is gonna ride with us, so it should be a nice easy spin, which after this effort I'm really gonna need. A spin in John's book really means a hammerfest these days! Thanx for ripping my legs off and feeding them to me boys!
I had to head into Lethbridge to visit with some clients today - didn't think it would take too long, so called John and asked him if he'd be interested in catching lunch. He suggested I bring my bike in and we go for a spin. Sounds good, I've been feeling a little unmotivated to ride lately and thought this might be a good chance, weather was nice (about 27C) and very little wind. John's always fun to ride with, so yeah, I'll bring my bike.
Client meetings go a little longer than planned. I'm finally down to the last one, and call John at 3pm - he's got one meeting left. I agree to call him when I'm done and we can head out.
4:30pm and I'm finally done - John's running late, so I meet him at his office. He didn't bring his bike! So, it's off to Magrath to suit up and ride. While there we decide to call Bart, and the plan quickly becomes "we'll ride towards Cardston, you ride towards us, we'll turn around and ride back to Magrath together - then Bart and I will leave our bikes there, John and his wife can bring them up in the morning when we go for a spin in the morning." Great.
6:15pm - John and I are on the road heading towards Cardston. No wind, this is great! I haven't been on the bike since HHH, so my legs aren't feeling really active. We're cruising along at a comfy 30km/hr, nothing too hard. Riding side-by-side and chatting. Then we hit Shearer's Hill. It's about 2.5km long, and averages about 5%, with a couple of kicks up to 8%. John picks up the pace.
Now, generally I slow down a little while going up hill. Apparantly John hasn't figured this out yet, and drops the hammer. We're climbing at 32km/hr. OUCH! This hurts. I manage to hold John's wheel until the first ease of grade, and then I take the pull. I pull pretty hard the first third of the next climb - and then I just can't hold it, so John comes around. I grab his wheel again - for about the 2nd third, and then I pop. John hammers up to the top and then waits for me on the descent.
We alternate back and forth for the next 15km or so with some pretty good hammering along the way. At the 22km mark we're both looking for Bart, but don't see him yet. Man. This is getting hard! Finally, at the top of the climb at km #25 we see Bart and swing around to meet him.
Now we find out that there's actually been a bit of an East wind pushing us, 'cause now we're fighting it. It doesn't make sense, 'cause the grass isn't moving, the flags are hanging limp, and the windmills ain't turnin' - but the resistance is sure there! You'd think that Bart would be a little tired and not want to hammer too hard after fighting that by himself for the previous 20km he'd riddin' - or that John and I wouldn't want to hammer to hard after having laid it down against each other for the last 25km - and it seemed to be going that way for the first couple of km while we grouped and chatted.
Then we hit a coulee - nothing really steep, but a good descent to pick up speed, and then a climb back out. Somehow I ended up pulling on the climb. I was only trying to maintain pace, but by the time we got to the top the game was on - John hammered around me and I was struggling to hold a wheel. This went on for the next 10km.
Then we hit the false flats coming into Magrath. I can usually pull at around 55km/hr through here, and love the feeling of speed while pulling my friends along, so as I came around to the front I called out "hop on the Barfuss train, boys, I'll pull ya home." I hammered for the next kilometer at a lowly 44km/hr and had to give it up. Bart was next, and he ratched it up more than just a notch. He admitted later he was trying to ride us off his wheel, just to see if he could. I didn't have my HR monitor on, but I"m sure it must have been around 185 - I wasn't getting dizzy yet, but I knew I wasn't far from it. The only thing that kept me holding on through the pain was the fact that I knew it would hurt more if I got dropped and tried to catch back on.
Finally pulled into town, and Bart absolutely killed us. Great, I thought, I'm dead. No more pain. In the morning John's wife and my wife is gonna ride with us, so it should be a nice easy spin, which after this effort I'm really gonna need. A spin in John's book really means a hammerfest these days! Thanx for ripping my legs off and feeding them to me boys!
Monday, August 28, 2006
HHH Crit
When I went to sign up for the HHH cat 5 crit I sadly discovered that it was full. No racing for me. I left. Then I got to thinking - maybe I could convince them to let me race in the Cat 4 race! I found out that Bonnie was the head referee and she would be the one that would make all these kinds of decisions. But, I couldn't talk to her 'cause she was in a meeting with the other referees. So I had to wait.
And wait.
And wait - John and Peter were getting rather impatient with me. (We'd already missed dinner at the Remington with Sabeard.)
Finally, at 9:30 Bonnie showed up. I presented my case. She asked me what races I'd already raced - my mind went blank. Finally I started to remember the names of some of them and rattled them off. She asked a few more general questions and then asked to see my UCI license - and then gave me the okay! I was in. Oh oh. I was kinda hoping she'd say no. Then I find out it's 60 minutes plus 5 - now I really wish she'd said no...
Night before the crit Johnny decides to help me out - breakes out the B12 and gives me a shot. Then breakes out his little pharmaceutical bag... my own little doctor working on me.
Day of the crit. We show up to the race about 1 hour early - lots of time for me to warm-up and get a feel for things. I start my warm up and realize immediately that the legs aren't feeling good. This is not good news, as I know this race is going to be fast. I start ramping up my heart rate and after a few hard sprints I realize that I can't even get my heart rate up! oh oh.
Cat 5's finish. Cat 4's now take to the course to warm-up. After a few laps and taking some of the corners at speed I know now that I'm really in trouble - this course is safe, yes - but it's FAST! There will be no slowing down in the corners.
They call us to the line. It's time. I'm in the third row - a little further back than I'd like, but I'm on the outside so I should have a fast line to the first corner. I hear my name called, look over and there's one of my BJ friends taking my pic - then I hear my name again and it's someone else doing the same thing! Hey, this is pretty cool. Instructions are almost over - we're good to go.
BANG! - okay, it was a whistle, but how do you make a whistle sound? tweet?
Before we hit the first corner, a left-hand 90 degree turn we're up to 37km/hr - and we're still accelerating around it - my HR is already starting to climb - that's actually good news to me 'cause I know that it's going to take a high HR to be able to stick with this crowd! A slight down-hill to turn 2, a hard 90 followed by a sweeping left into torn 3, then a hard 90 into turn 4. Another left 90 into turn 5. Turn 6, another 90- watch out here, there's broken pavement in the middle of the turn. Now into the headwind for a couple of blocks. Turn 7 is another 90 for a block, turn 8 is another 90 taking you onto the finishing straight.
I am right in the middle of things and know that this is not going to last - I'm hoping that the pace will ease up a bit if I can just hang with 'em long enough!
Lap two is faster - we never drop below 40km/hr on a single corner. Because the corners are being taken at such speed there's no slowing down for recovery - it's just flat out. I fight through the inside on a couple of corners and move up a couple of spots. (Amazing how far you can lean a bike over when you're riding 165 cranks with speedplays!) But then I lose a couple of spots 'cause I picked the wrong line on the next corner - it's back and forth.
Guys are getting spit out the back like crazy. I'm still hanging, but just barely. On lap 4 the guy 3 wheels up from loses contact. Nobody else can close it and before I know it I'm 30 feet off the back. Oh oh - this is really gonna hurt to try and get back on! I sprint hard, and almost make it, but the peleton kicks it up another notch and I"m blown out the back.
Over the next couple of laps I manage to keep them in sight and every time I go by another dropped rider I encourage him to jump on with me and fight to get back on. It seems every time I pick someone up we lose the guy that got on just before. I'm hurting. I look down on lap 12 and see that my HR is at 188 (my max is 192) - and suddenly the dizzy feeling I'm having is explained a little. I ease up slightly to bring my HR back to 184. Holy cow this hurts!
I know my time is getting short - in fact - it turns out that I'm down to one lap left before I get pulled.
Everytime I've gone around I've heard friends calling my name and encouraging me - it helps, but I'm completely outclassed. Soon I see 'ol Bonnie standing in the middle of the road waving me in - I"m done. As I go around my last lap the pace car blows by me and I get myself out of the way as I know these guys aren't far from me.
I stop. I can't breathe. I stop in front of Tall163, Sabeard, and JohnnyE - I can't even hardly hold my bike up. I'm cooked. We say our goodbye's, and John makes me run for the van so that we can make our flight. I don't run so good, but I do make it.
Wasn't much of a strategic race for me - more of a "agggghhhhhh this hurts!" kind of a day. I averaged 179HR - I covered 18.15km at an average speed of 38.5 - I really started to slow down the last lap as I was completely blown. I didn't make it half-way, but I wasn't the first guy pulled off, so I wasn't the worst!
And wait.
And wait - John and Peter were getting rather impatient with me. (We'd already missed dinner at the Remington with Sabeard.)
Finally, at 9:30 Bonnie showed up. I presented my case. She asked me what races I'd already raced - my mind went blank. Finally I started to remember the names of some of them and rattled them off. She asked a few more general questions and then asked to see my UCI license - and then gave me the okay! I was in. Oh oh. I was kinda hoping she'd say no. Then I find out it's 60 minutes plus 5 - now I really wish she'd said no...
Night before the crit Johnny decides to help me out - breakes out the B12 and gives me a shot. Then breakes out his little pharmaceutical bag... my own little doctor working on me.
Day of the crit. We show up to the race about 1 hour early - lots of time for me to warm-up and get a feel for things. I start my warm up and realize immediately that the legs aren't feeling good. This is not good news, as I know this race is going to be fast. I start ramping up my heart rate and after a few hard sprints I realize that I can't even get my heart rate up! oh oh.
Cat 5's finish. Cat 4's now take to the course to warm-up. After a few laps and taking some of the corners at speed I know now that I'm really in trouble - this course is safe, yes - but it's FAST! There will be no slowing down in the corners.
They call us to the line. It's time. I'm in the third row - a little further back than I'd like, but I'm on the outside so I should have a fast line to the first corner. I hear my name called, look over and there's one of my BJ friends taking my pic - then I hear my name again and it's someone else doing the same thing! Hey, this is pretty cool. Instructions are almost over - we're good to go.
BANG! - okay, it was a whistle, but how do you make a whistle sound? tweet?
Before we hit the first corner, a left-hand 90 degree turn we're up to 37km/hr - and we're still accelerating around it - my HR is already starting to climb - that's actually good news to me 'cause I know that it's going to take a high HR to be able to stick with this crowd! A slight down-hill to turn 2, a hard 90 followed by a sweeping left into torn 3, then a hard 90 into turn 4. Another left 90 into turn 5. Turn 6, another 90- watch out here, there's broken pavement in the middle of the turn. Now into the headwind for a couple of blocks. Turn 7 is another 90 for a block, turn 8 is another 90 taking you onto the finishing straight.
I am right in the middle of things and know that this is not going to last - I'm hoping that the pace will ease up a bit if I can just hang with 'em long enough!
Lap two is faster - we never drop below 40km/hr on a single corner. Because the corners are being taken at such speed there's no slowing down for recovery - it's just flat out. I fight through the inside on a couple of corners and move up a couple of spots. (Amazing how far you can lean a bike over when you're riding 165 cranks with speedplays!) But then I lose a couple of spots 'cause I picked the wrong line on the next corner - it's back and forth.
Guys are getting spit out the back like crazy. I'm still hanging, but just barely. On lap 4 the guy 3 wheels up from loses contact. Nobody else can close it and before I know it I'm 30 feet off the back. Oh oh - this is really gonna hurt to try and get back on! I sprint hard, and almost make it, but the peleton kicks it up another notch and I"m blown out the back.
Over the next couple of laps I manage to keep them in sight and every time I go by another dropped rider I encourage him to jump on with me and fight to get back on. It seems every time I pick someone up we lose the guy that got on just before. I'm hurting. I look down on lap 12 and see that my HR is at 188 (my max is 192) - and suddenly the dizzy feeling I'm having is explained a little. I ease up slightly to bring my HR back to 184. Holy cow this hurts!
I know my time is getting short - in fact - it turns out that I'm down to one lap left before I get pulled.
Everytime I've gone around I've heard friends calling my name and encouraging me - it helps, but I'm completely outclassed. Soon I see 'ol Bonnie standing in the middle of the road waving me in - I"m done. As I go around my last lap the pace car blows by me and I get myself out of the way as I know these guys aren't far from me.
I stop. I can't breathe. I stop in front of Tall163, Sabeard, and JohnnyE - I can't even hardly hold my bike up. I'm cooked. We say our goodbye's, and John makes me run for the van so that we can make our flight. I don't run so good, but I do make it.
Wasn't much of a strategic race for me - more of a "agggghhhhhh this hurts!" kind of a day. I averaged 179HR - I covered 18.15km at an average speed of 38.5 - I really started to slow down the last lap as I was completely blown. I didn't make it half-way, but I wasn't the first guy pulled off, so I wasn't the worst!
HHH Ride
Wow, where to start. JohnnyE and I left Cardston at 3am to make our 7am flight in Calgary. As usual, JohnnyE got all the breaks. As we checked in I had to pay almost $100 to get my bike on - JohnnyE paid nothing. I got to sit in THE BACK of the plane - JohnnyE got upgraded to a bulkhead seat... you get the idea.
Once we got to Wichita Falls and got our rental car we were off to find our hotel... sort of. I can't believe how turned-around John and I got - and that seemed to stay with John for the rest of the weekend. If John thought it was a right turn, it was really left. We finally found our way over to the hotel and unpacked. There I found that my good friends at American Airlines who had charged me $100 to fly my bike had decided that unclicking the buckles on my bag to take a look inside was too much like work and that a knife was much faster. Brand new bike bag - guess I'll be shopping for a way to repair that!
John and I got settled in and had an early night.
Friday was spent wandering around the MPEC - we stopped by the campsite a couple of times, but didn't see anybody that we knew there. SABEARD stopped me in the MPEC and we chatted for awhile. We decided to meet for supper at the Remington. We did eventualy get there - but SABEARD was long gone. Sorry about that!
My purchase of the weekend turned out to be a new set of bib shorts - bought some Sugino bibs, and all I can say is WoW! They are the most comfortable thing I've ever put on.
Finally, Saturday arrives and John and I are up and ready to go. Peter (HiGuy) met us at our hotel and we zipped down to the MPEC and parked by where we'd camped last year. AS we were getting geared up who comes up behind us but Kincannondale! We had a great reunion and worked our way together over to the start. While waiting, along came Talimena Tammy! She'd gotten in the night before. Her, myself, and John headed up another block closer to the start.
The ride itself was the usual hassle at the beginning. I really think that they should encourage people who are expecting slower times to start further back and let faster people move closer to the front. This could be done with different streets functioning as starting lines for expected finishing times. It would sure make it a lot safer. Fortunately we never had any problems.
The only problem I found was that John was feeling a whole lot stronger than I was - my legs just didn't seem to have the jump in them that I expected. One of the things that really had me laughing was the number of times I had to put the brakes on while going UPHILL! (And we're not talking about real hills here, just little bumps.)
We zipped through to rest stop #3. There I ran into Texas Bike Lady while waiting for the bathroom - a 30 minute wait! Unfortunately this was a theme repeated at future stops - the stops did not seem to be as well organized this year as last.
We ran into stops that had NO ICE, others that had run out of water - and ALL of them had half hour plus lines for the bathroom.
Tammy and I had let John go on ahead and were just keeping a comfortable pace - nothing too hard, but we were still averaging over 32km/hr of riding time. At the 50 mile stop Tammy had to make a bathroom break - it turned into a 45 minute wait in line.
We were staying well within ourselves, and well hydrated. Yes, the temperatures were climbing, but we were in good shape, and on track to get to Hell's Gate an hour and a half before it was supposed to close.
We got to RS #6, filled our bottles quickly and were pulling out when a gentleman informed us that Hell's Gate had just closed. 90 minutes early. We went by a couple of minutes later and I was MAD! I travelled 2700km to ride 100 miles and I was getting robbed of it. This was going to be my last chance to get in a century in August - so after 31 straight months of a century a month, I wasn't gonna make it. I thought about just doing an extra 20 miles or so after the end of the ride, but I knew once I crossed the finish line and went through the finishing line there would be no motivation to keep going.
I pulled alot into the headwind back to Wichita Falls. We did have one nice stop in that the cut-off route took us through the base and around some jets. We stopped for a few pics, and then continued on our way. I pusposely didn't push the pace hard at this point 'cause it just didn't matter and I didn't want to burn any more matches that I'd need for the Crit race the next day.
Finally we crossed the line, and they announced my name at the line. We finished with a 31km/hr average - even fighting the headwinds. However, it was only 120km instead of 162. I was disappointed and mad.
After everybody else had gotten in we agreed to meet for dinner at 5pm - and went to the Bar L Joint for some Texas BBQ - food was really good, the after-dinner entertainement was even better! I've never laughed so hard. We were welcomed by the Wichita Falls ambassodor (or so he called himself.) Good times were had by all, and before we knew it, it was time to say farewell.
I understand the officials closed the gate early - I'm mad 'cause had the stops been better organized this year with more bathrooms there wouldn't have been the long waits and we'd have easily made the early closure of Hells Gate. Had they told people down the road that an early closure was possible we could have made a decision to "hold things in" until after we were passed Hell's Gate - or we could have found a tree someplace. I don't know that I'll be going back to HHH. I know of one friend who has already said he's not going back. It's disappointing to be blocked from finishing a ride when it wasn't a case of not being able to physically do it. It wasn't a missed strategy. To the best of our knowledge we were riding the way we should, being careful, etc. Had they let us through Hell's Gate we'd have been done by about 2pm - that's still 2 and a half hours earlier than some were finishing up the 100km ride. I'm still very disappointed about it. Maybe I'll change my mind by next year, but as it stands now, I probably won't be going back.
Once we got to Wichita Falls and got our rental car we were off to find our hotel... sort of. I can't believe how turned-around John and I got - and that seemed to stay with John for the rest of the weekend. If John thought it was a right turn, it was really left. We finally found our way over to the hotel and unpacked. There I found that my good friends at American Airlines who had charged me $100 to fly my bike had decided that unclicking the buckles on my bag to take a look inside was too much like work and that a knife was much faster. Brand new bike bag - guess I'll be shopping for a way to repair that!
John and I got settled in and had an early night.
Friday was spent wandering around the MPEC - we stopped by the campsite a couple of times, but didn't see anybody that we knew there. SABEARD stopped me in the MPEC and we chatted for awhile. We decided to meet for supper at the Remington. We did eventualy get there - but SABEARD was long gone. Sorry about that!
My purchase of the weekend turned out to be a new set of bib shorts - bought some Sugino bibs, and all I can say is WoW! They are the most comfortable thing I've ever put on.
Finally, Saturday arrives and John and I are up and ready to go. Peter (HiGuy) met us at our hotel and we zipped down to the MPEC and parked by where we'd camped last year. AS we were getting geared up who comes up behind us but Kincannondale! We had a great reunion and worked our way together over to the start. While waiting, along came Talimena Tammy! She'd gotten in the night before. Her, myself, and John headed up another block closer to the start.
The ride itself was the usual hassle at the beginning. I really think that they should encourage people who are expecting slower times to start further back and let faster people move closer to the front. This could be done with different streets functioning as starting lines for expected finishing times. It would sure make it a lot safer. Fortunately we never had any problems.
The only problem I found was that John was feeling a whole lot stronger than I was - my legs just didn't seem to have the jump in them that I expected. One of the things that really had me laughing was the number of times I had to put the brakes on while going UPHILL! (And we're not talking about real hills here, just little bumps.)
We zipped through to rest stop #3. There I ran into Texas Bike Lady while waiting for the bathroom - a 30 minute wait! Unfortunately this was a theme repeated at future stops - the stops did not seem to be as well organized this year as last.
We ran into stops that had NO ICE, others that had run out of water - and ALL of them had half hour plus lines for the bathroom.
Tammy and I had let John go on ahead and were just keeping a comfortable pace - nothing too hard, but we were still averaging over 32km/hr of riding time. At the 50 mile stop Tammy had to make a bathroom break - it turned into a 45 minute wait in line.
We were staying well within ourselves, and well hydrated. Yes, the temperatures were climbing, but we were in good shape, and on track to get to Hell's Gate an hour and a half before it was supposed to close.
We got to RS #6, filled our bottles quickly and were pulling out when a gentleman informed us that Hell's Gate had just closed. 90 minutes early. We went by a couple of minutes later and I was MAD! I travelled 2700km to ride 100 miles and I was getting robbed of it. This was going to be my last chance to get in a century in August - so after 31 straight months of a century a month, I wasn't gonna make it. I thought about just doing an extra 20 miles or so after the end of the ride, but I knew once I crossed the finish line and went through the finishing line there would be no motivation to keep going.
I pulled alot into the headwind back to Wichita Falls. We did have one nice stop in that the cut-off route took us through the base and around some jets. We stopped for a few pics, and then continued on our way. I pusposely didn't push the pace hard at this point 'cause it just didn't matter and I didn't want to burn any more matches that I'd need for the Crit race the next day.
Finally we crossed the line, and they announced my name at the line. We finished with a 31km/hr average - even fighting the headwinds. However, it was only 120km instead of 162. I was disappointed and mad.
After everybody else had gotten in we agreed to meet for dinner at 5pm - and went to the Bar L Joint for some Texas BBQ - food was really good, the after-dinner entertainement was even better! I've never laughed so hard. We were welcomed by the Wichita Falls ambassodor (or so he called himself.) Good times were had by all, and before we knew it, it was time to say farewell.
I understand the officials closed the gate early - I'm mad 'cause had the stops been better organized this year with more bathrooms there wouldn't have been the long waits and we'd have easily made the early closure of Hells Gate. Had they told people down the road that an early closure was possible we could have made a decision to "hold things in" until after we were passed Hell's Gate - or we could have found a tree someplace. I don't know that I'll be going back to HHH. I know of one friend who has already said he's not going back. It's disappointing to be blocked from finishing a ride when it wasn't a case of not being able to physically do it. It wasn't a missed strategy. To the best of our knowledge we were riding the way we should, being careful, etc. Had they let us through Hell's Gate we'd have been done by about 2pm - that's still 2 and a half hours earlier than some were finishing up the 100km ride. I'm still very disappointed about it. Maybe I'll change my mind by next year, but as it stands now, I probably won't be going back.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Dealing with Idiots
Okay - before anybody gets too carried away, let me say up front that I am the biggest idiot of all for putting myself in this position.
Above my office building I have a small apartment that I rent. I also own the building next door with an apartment above it. I have a partner in that building. I let him choose the tenant - he chose a shirt-tail relative and I said okay without checking it out - big mistake.
Unknown to me, she had a couple of cats - and a dog. That wasn't too bad. But, over time she was getting a little behind in her rent - and being the nice guy that I am, I let it slide for a couple of months. Then she gave her notice that she was moving. Said she'd gotten married. Then she left with a promise she'd be back before the end of the month to get her stuff out and catch up on the back rent.
Just before the end of the month she calls my partner and tells him that her husband's ex-wife had run her down and she was in the hospital. She wouldn't be able to make it for a couple of more days, but she'd make up the rent.
Two weeks later and she was going to be late for some other reason. On and on it goes.
THEN I find out that she's left TWO cats up there alone the whole time. Yeah, she's had a friend stop in to feed them. Great. I called my lawyer (enough of me being an idiot) and found out what I needed to do to evict her.
Now I have a storage place full of her stuff and hundreds of dollars worth of damage that I've gotta fix. (You wouldn't believe how bad cats can smell!)
Above my office building I have a small apartment that I rent. I also own the building next door with an apartment above it. I have a partner in that building. I let him choose the tenant - he chose a shirt-tail relative and I said okay without checking it out - big mistake.
Unknown to me, she had a couple of cats - and a dog. That wasn't too bad. But, over time she was getting a little behind in her rent - and being the nice guy that I am, I let it slide for a couple of months. Then she gave her notice that she was moving. Said she'd gotten married. Then she left with a promise she'd be back before the end of the month to get her stuff out and catch up on the back rent.
Just before the end of the month she calls my partner and tells him that her husband's ex-wife had run her down and she was in the hospital. She wouldn't be able to make it for a couple of more days, but she'd make up the rent.
Two weeks later and she was going to be late for some other reason. On and on it goes.
THEN I find out that she's left TWO cats up there alone the whole time. Yeah, she's had a friend stop in to feed them. Great. I called my lawyer (enough of me being an idiot) and found out what I needed to do to evict her.
Now I have a storage place full of her stuff and hundreds of dollars worth of damage that I've gotta fix. (You wouldn't believe how bad cats can smell!)
Introduction
Well, I've finally done it. I've created a blog. It's pretty simple, as I really don't know what I'm doing yet. I have no idea if this is the way I want to go, or if I'm going to go back to my old web-page. Maybe I'll end up doing both, but for now, this is the way I'm gonna post.
I spent the last couple of hours reading other blogs (I really haven't done much of that) and trying to figure out exactly what I want to say. I still have no idea.
One of the blogs I read was of a good friend - Talimena Tammy. She's one of my heros. The way she's been able to handle the adversity thrown at her with humour and grace is really inspirational. My wife and I sat-down together to read some of her entries. If ya happen to find me here, Tammy - thanx!
Tomorrow is the beginning of the next stage for me. I'm developing my exercise / eating plan tonight, and begin tomorrow with a nice "leisurely" ride with Bart out to Mountain View (about 50km). It's a great ride, and if I remember I'll take my camera with me and snap some pics.
On the eating side - my problem is definitely on the portion control side of things. I've been looking at a couple of options to help out with that. I really found Tammy's RestauRANT funny just because of that very issue.
I spent the last couple of hours reading other blogs (I really haven't done much of that) and trying to figure out exactly what I want to say. I still have no idea.
One of the blogs I read was of a good friend - Talimena Tammy. She's one of my heros. The way she's been able to handle the adversity thrown at her with humour and grace is really inspirational. My wife and I sat-down together to read some of her entries. If ya happen to find me here, Tammy - thanx!
Tomorrow is the beginning of the next stage for me. I'm developing my exercise / eating plan tonight, and begin tomorrow with a nice "leisurely" ride with Bart out to Mountain View (about 50km). It's a great ride, and if I remember I'll take my camera with me and snap some pics.
On the eating side - my problem is definitely on the portion control side of things. I've been looking at a couple of options to help out with that. I really found Tammy's RestauRANT funny just because of that very issue.
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