Celebrating My First 50 Miler!

Well, I am now over half way to my training goal! I just completed my first 5-0 yesterday and feel great about accomplishing this. I know 50 miles is nothing for the average cyclist, but it is for me considering that I just started riding my bike the second week of April.

After my ride, I came home and promptly had a protein recovery drink. I was so charged about finishing this ride that I didn't even mind the fact that I came in DFL. Yep, I finished "Dead F---in' Last" and was ecstatic about it. Who cares that even a 60 year old guy finished before me. All I knew was that I finished a hard hilly ride in a respectable 3 hrs. 10 minutes.

So, after I showered I celebrated with a few beers and a Big Juicy Double Chili Cheeseburger (rare, of course) and fries at the Longhorn Cafe (the best burger in town!). I felt like I could conquer the world after doing this morning's ride. That is until I got home.

Yep, ever heard the term Ride, Eat, Sleep, and Repeat? Well, it's truer than you know. I road, ate and was wiped-out! I ended up crashing for 3 hours. I guess the hills, heat and miles totally took the wind out of my celebratory sails in about 30 minutes after my meal.

BTW-It was the BEST nap EVER!!!!!

Views from My Weekday Rides

As I was riding today, I took a few photos so that you can see what I see on my average weekly training route. I just love this area because it is filled with quintessential "Texas" scenery. Everything from Longhorns and horses to windmills and creek beds.

The photo above is a snapshot of some longhorns in a pasture grazing. I know it's not the best quality, but hey...what do you expect from a camera phone! Just imagine sunny and 80 degrees with the wind in your face.

Yes, I feel truly blessed and ALIVE when riding my bike. They say you find time for what’s important to you. As I’ve gotten older I’ve found that to be truer than ever. In my life after cancer, I discovered that time goes rushing by and there’s a sense of urgency in me to do all those things I really want to do and less of what I don’t.

People ask me, "How do you find the time?" I tell them it's not about finding the time, but making time for what is important to you. And that’s how it goes. While the really important stuff–making time for family, work, paying bills, squeezing in some golf now and then–gets done, a lot falls by the wayside. Life after cancer has been about exactly that: Taking the time to chase dreams, face challenges, and see what I can do if I really try.

Yeah...I've learned that the yard mowing, vacuuming, cooking, cleaning, and the dog hair will all still be there when I’m done. I think Erma Bombeck's philosophy on life hit the nail on the head when she said that you should "seize every minute of it...look at it and really see it...try it on...live it...exhaust it...and never give that minute back until there was nothing left of it."

Maybe that's why I stop my bike and just look at a windmill every now and then. God, I am glad to be alive!

Back in the Saddle Again!

After a week of healing the Road Rash since my bike mishap on the 12th, I am proud to say that I am back in the saddle again! I still have some bruises, cuts, aches and pains but for the most part I am back to my training regimen for the Lance Armstrong Challenge. I am on a mission to make every moment of my conditioning count because Oct. will be here before you know it!

I took my bike with me up to Sherman, Texas this weekend when I went to help my son move into his new apartment at college. Since I my injuries were starting to heal, I figured that I could get some bike rides in between the cleaning and shopping for necessities for his new place. Sherman, TX is a small college town in north Texas (about an hour north of Dallas) and it has some very beautiful countryside as well cooler weather.

After some light cleaning on Saturday, I decided to Google for the area bike shops in Sherman. BINGO, I found one. Then I got in my truck and went by the shop to ask about area bike routes. The nice guy there printed me a map of a great 25 mile route not too far from where I was staying. Yeah, now I was all set to go for a ride on Sunday!

As I mentioned earlier, the weather here was gorgeous so there was no need to plan my ride early or late in the day. The cool weather in Sherman made it perfect for riding any time. So after shopping for apartment items and doing some more cleaning I decided to take a break and go ride.

I went out to a road called "Dripping Springs" and if that name is not a sign from above I do not know what else would be. It's where Lance has his ranch house and where the famous "Deadman's Hole" is that he wrote about in his book.

Anyhow, I only got lost once and was able to enjoy some awesome Texas scenery. Due to the hills and being a little out of shape, I only did 20 miles this day. I figured getting in a short brisk ride was better than no ride at all. When I say "brisk", it's because I was chased by a few dogs on this route. Def a good cardio workout when this kind of surprise happens to ya!

The only drawback to my rides this trip were that my bike gears started slipping on uphill climbs and chases...so it looks like back the bike shop for more adjusting.

Photo above of the REAL Deadman's Hole

No Longer a Virgin to Road Rash-OUCH!

Sooner or later, they say you will fall off you bike. Well, I finally had my first crash on the bike today-OUCH!

Let's not get into the reasons why I found myself crashing onto the gravel and dirt on the side of the road; the circumstances are far too embarrassing to repeat. But after I picked myself up and hopped around my bike repeating the mantra "sonofabitch," it occurred to me that I should probably write up a piece about riding within yourself (ability level) on my blog.

The frustrating thing about it was not that I did it in front of a new group of riders, but that I wiped out on a downhill turn that I ride twice a week.

Having performed very well on the Saturday ride, I felt I was ready to test the waters with a more advanced group. I wanted to join the group for two main reasons..(1) to enjoy some of the camaraderie of riding with a group for a change during the week and (b) to use the group's energy to try and ramp up my average miles per hour.

A fairly large group of riders had assembled at the start point and things looked very promising for a good ride. The weather was not too hot, just a little humidity in the air. The wind was starting to kick up, but with the group, that looked like it wouldn't be a big problem. So off we went. The group speed took a little getting used to, making sure I kept up with everyone once we hit an open stretch of road. Little did I know what was ahead.

Not much to write about it because accident happened about 7 miles into a 32 mile ride. The reality is, if you fall off your bike, it is usually your own doing. Owning the reason I fell today instead of blaming it on the road conditions is the first step to becoming a better rider.
NOTE: Prevention is the best medicine…ride within myself.

Is This The Last Hill?????

Yep, believe it or not this is the name of the ride I did last Saturday through the Texas Hill Country. It's a ride that has routes that vary from 25 to 70 miles and go through Comfort, Sisterdale, Waring-Welfare and Old Hwy. 9 to Luckenbauch. The description on the website said "The hills are challenging and definitely not for the faint-of-heart."
NOTE: Read ride descriptions carefully!

I got up early Saturday morning and went to the kitchen to prepare my usual weekend pre-ride breakfast. My plan was to do about a 40-45 mile route. As extra "carbo" insurance, I decided to add some yogurt and black berries to this morning's menu.
NOTE: Extra calories are a good decision.

I showed up at the starting point on time, signed in on the ride roster and started to warm up with a few laps in the parking lot. As I began to look around, I noticed that today's group was not attended by the usual suspects.
NOTE: When other riding attendees look like Hammerheads, be ready for a challenging ride.

As I got into the ride, I found a couple of riders to hang with and made light conversation with them. It appears that the ride got its name from some first time riders who were panting this mantra during the last miles of their ride back to the starting point. After finding out this little bit of trivia, I began to start considering doing the 35 mile route.

The scenery was incredibly beautiful and the hills were the most challenging thus far. I somehow managed to hammer out 35 miles this day. YES, I found myself panting at the end...Is this the last hill? The ride was my hardest yet and I am glad I did it.

My goal next time on this ride? 45 miles...hoo-ah!