No I Haven’t Blogged in A Month, Give Me A Break

Give me a break, it’s a crazy holiday season and a time of the year that no one should really have the time to be reading such smatterings of rambling nonsense. After all there is food to prepare, guest to entertain, shopping for that special item for that special person, not to mention a rare lunar eclipse. Throw in being the “Team Mom” for your 10 year olds basketball team can just run a house husband ragged. With the hustle and bustle of the season I foresee a nice relaxing ride on Christmas Day before I prepare my goose less hunk of meat and the typical side dishes, to make a colorful presentation, to offer up to juveniles that only want to be bothered if there is a newly found present to unwrap that may have been previously lost in the piles of wrapping paper thrown about. Yes Mothers of the world, I have true and sincere empathy for you.

Well my break is over, the eclipse will soon arrive and there are boxes Santa needs to finish wrapping while Mrs. Clause is putting finishing touches on presents Santa needs to take to the neighbors. So for you die hard followers, thank you, and may your stocking be filled with the latest cycling gadget you have dreamed of and have a,

Very Merry Christmas and a Safe Healthy New Year

Till Next Year
Ride Safe, Ride Warm, But Ride

“G”

Cyclocross in Arapahoe County Colorado

On November 20, 2010, at about 7:00 AM cyclists of all sizes and ages made their way through the fog in the 20 degree weather to converge on the Arapahoe County Community Park. Why are these crazies doing this? The “Alphacross”, a Colorado Cross Cup event of the 2010-11 Cyclocross series, sponsored in part by Alpha Bicycle Company of Centennial.
What is a Cyclocross you ask? Good question but difficult to answer. A cycling sport, that starts in the late fall and into the winter, when normal everyday cyclist wrap their selves in layers of warm clothing and ride around a closed, off road course, on what appears to be expensive European road racing bicycles to have the time of their life. Now that is probably not an exact purist definition, but to the laymen recreational rider it sure sums it up.

The races, of various timed lengths, anywhere from twenty minutes for the junior class, 8 and 9 year olds, to forty-five minutes for the serious levels of the experts. Yes 8 & 9 year olds and believe me they are fast, well equipped and are having a ball, even at thirty two degrees when their race started at 8:31 AM. After observing a Cyclocross at the Centennial City Hall, my tall son wanted to try one. The “Alphacross” held a “Newbies” race which was just a handful of those present, doing thirty minutes around the approximately mile and a half course. The “Newbies” start time was scheduled for 7:50 AM the riders were whistled off, to start the day of racing, at 8:01 AM. The fog was thick and from the starting line, you could not really see where you turned out of the parking lot and on to the course, but the seven riders were guaranteed they would be able to see it when they got there. My son only made about a half a lap before he could not feel his fingers and was not sure if he was squeezing the breaks or not. Being on one of his teachers, very expensive, carbon fiber, competition Cyclocross bike he felt it might be wise not to destroy it. A friend that we sometimes ride with finished but became so cold she was unaware of hitting her shins on her pedals, causing multiple bruising, until she was home and thawed out. A note to self for next year, start collecting cold weather riding gear.

The course was very professionally laid out by the Alpha Bicycle Company and was available to pre-ride the course, the afternoon prior to the event, which, both of my boys and I did take advantage of. Alpha arranged for a free pancake breakfast, some vendors, and a jump house for the kids when they were done and Mom and Dad were riding their races. Yes this was a full out family outing of great camaraderie and just plain fun for family and friends. The event could be as short as a couple of hours or spend the whole day. The last 45 minute race went out at 3:46 PM. If this sport peaks your interest, check out the American Cycling Association’s web site (www.americancycling.com ) for a race near you. This is a very large sport in Europe and has been catching on here in the States over the last ten years.

Since I mentioned Alpha Bicycle Company as a sponsor, I should mention that they were assisted in that sponsorship, by the Groove Automotive Group, United Health Care, Raleigh Cycles and Moots Hand Built Cycles.

Till Next Time

Ride Safe, Ride Warm, But Ride

“G”

A Winter Ride

In Colorado we are spoiled. The weather changes daily not to mention hourly or go a block away. We can ski in the morning drive 45 minutes and golf, bike or enjoy the fresh air at your local park. Then the cold comes just to screw with your mind.

Yes it’s cold; at least to my old body it is cold. I see some sturdy cyclist going by the house, in shorts no less, see that beautiful mile high blue sky and I’m ready. I go to get my water bottles and look at the thermometer outside the kitchen window …….28 degrees what the…….Yeh, it’s Colorado.

One of my rides last week, my 32 mile loop, it was a beautiful 58 degrees, blue sky, no wind, the ideal ride in November. On the way south I watched the black cloud come over the Rockies the temp was now 68 and I had a nice breeze. 5 miles later there was a wind, not a nice wind, but a wind that took my bike with my super sized daintiness and blew it of the path. For the first time I actually wanted to call home for a ride. The wind eased the temp went up to the high 80’s (love that temp mode on my computer), and it was bearable. On the way back the wind kept changing directions, there was moisture falling from the sky, here and there, nothing consistent or getting anything wet. I decided to skip the trail and make a direct shot home, and cut off a couple of miles to get the ride over with. Then it became calm, the sun was back with the blue sky and no wind, just beautiful. I got home and sat on the back bumper of my van, getting my shoes off, taking in some more water and protein drink as I watched the first snowflakes of the season fall. Yes this is Colorado.

Riding in these weather changes, takes some self preservation as well as good clothing. There are a lot of companies out there getting on the “base layer” band wagon. I have been wearing Under Armour© for years, year around, it really does keep you cool in the heat and warm when it is cold. The plus side, besides having a shelf full of it, is it is cheaper than the same thing with a cycling logo/company on it. Leg warmers and Arm warmers are outstanding. I think of it as a cheap way to stay warm when you don’t ride below 55 degrees. You can usually find them from $14 - $19 for a pair of either (try Performance or NASHBAR online). This is much cheaper than buying a pair of $190 Gortex© winter bibs that you can follow snow plows in and be toasty warm. I also picked up a cozy pair of grippy, light weight, but warm gloves at COSTCO for $9.

With a new year coming up, you may also want to start the year off trying one of the free on line training logs. I mentioned the one on Bicycling.com, and that the tall son was doing “Daily Mile”. We are doing both now, and I have been doing them together for about 6 months. They are both very good for the basic stuff and easy to add to, in their comments section, if you want to add more like I do. Daily Mile is also a cyclists’ social network which is pretty interesting without getting personal.

Till Next Time

Ride Warm, Ride Safe, But Ride

G

My Fitness Level Snuck Up On Me When It Became Cold

Well here we are at the end of October, goblins, witches and transformers getting ready to appear and we are still riding. I’m talking about being in Colorado, where the first ski resort opened this morning, are we fortunate or what? Yes it is a little cool in the morning but it warms up nice. There was a group of about five that went by the house this morning when the thermometer read 46 degrees, right now it’s 64.

I have noticed a new wonderful problem with my fitness level. You see as your fitness level improves, it is not always in leaps and bounds that give you that instant gratification. The long term gains are quiet and sneak up on you. Till it started getting colder in the morning I did not get the full impact of my rides becoming faster and longer. As I was attempting to stretch rides out to 20 miles 25 miles, 30 and now 32+ miles I kept attempting to do the distance faster, as I got faster I stretched it further. This summer my rides were about an hour and a half, hour forty five, doing 18 miles. I am now doing 32 to 35 miles a ride in about two hours, two hours twenty and haven’t thought much about it. This is great but it’s cold in the morning and I can be a woos when it comes to the cold and bicycling. No big deal, just start later. It’s in the high 50’s low 60”s around 11:00AM till noon and my old body will tolerate that without a problem. After all if you take the first half mile at a fairly quick pace and high RPM you will be nice and cozy warm. So this is a problem? I have the tall son that has no desire to drive, I mean after all why drive when Dad and Mom take him anywhere he needs to go that he doesn’t bike. He gets out of school at 2:40 and with an intersection re-build between home and school, I need to leave 45 minutes earlier than I did a month ago. So combined longer rides and longer trip to pick up the tall kid it is just to close time wise. It is time to invest in some winter riding gear and suck it up.

There is a lot of good winter riding gear out there but if you think out of the box there are some really good alternatives that you will not need a bank loan. I love bib shorts, they don’t slip down and when I had a bigger belly regular shorts were forced down and the belly would flop out and it was annoying. Winter long bibs with cold weather thermal fronts where the cold hits, lighter in the back to dissipate the excess heat and moisture, $190.00, not going to happen. Even a good mid weight long bib will be about $75.00 this time of year. Good winter riding gloves full finger or three finger “lobster” style, 35 – 85 dollars, wow. You need to look at what you are really going to ride during the winter and how cold of a temperature will you really put up with. I came to the conclusion that, at least for this year, I will not need clothing to keep me warm riding behind a snow plow. My decision, leg warmers and arm warmers at around 14 – 18 dollars a set. I get to use my own comfy bibs, or shorts now that the belly doesn’t fall out, as well as a plethora of jerseys I have been told were unnecessary. After all this is Colorado, I can put on the leg and arm warmers start my ride and when it warms up pull them off and put them in a jersey pocket. As far as gloves go, COSTCO has “Head” (the ski company) gloves that are a lycra/neoprem type material with silicone grips on the palms for $10. There warm and cheap. I also found that my stacks of ”under armor” sleeveless, short sleeve and long sleeves make a great base under jerseys no matter what the weather.

Well I have babbled enough, I hope there was something here that you can find usable for yourself. Fly away as a free spirit and enjoy the cold and you will have a beautiful swimsuit body next summer.

As an unrelated side note; my “new” Specialized Tri Cross, went over 4000 miles last week. The results of 26 months worth of fat burning.

Till Next Time

Ride Fast, Ride Warm, Ride Safe, But Ride

“G”

I Am Now Supporting Another Cyclist

Well here we go; I’m now supporting another roadie (a road cyclist). Yes the short son now has a road bike. Thanks to “Craig’s List”, where we were looking for a 44cm Specialized Dolce. After all, the women I have talked to, with the Dolce, wouldn’t get rid of the one they had for anything. We did see a couple for sale, but they were only a couple of hundred less than a new one. So the little guy understood and wasn’t expecting a road bike till the spring. Then comes an email, we just put our Dolce up for sale and saw your wanted add. So on the evening of the 28th the short son became the owner of a four year old Dolce Elite which was in excellent condition, to the point of the guys at Bike Source, who went through it for flaws, could not believe it was four years old. What flaws were found on super find you ask? Even if you did not ask, there was a slight screw adjustment on the front derailleur and the end of the cables need caps on them.


Short son and I managed to go out and get in his first longish rode ride today. It was fun and a Father or Mothers great joy of celebrating this first experience.


Short Sons first Rode Bike Ride (Photo by Connor Livingston)

With all of the work he has put in on his Mountain bike and year around Basketball, he rode 26.35 miles in two hours. He took a break while I extended my ride another six miles. He had a good time, the only thing that was slightly sore, on him, was his neck and he did not think it was that hard. So by late spring, I imagine, I will have two sons that I start rides with and they will wait for me to catch up every ten miles or so.

That tells me I will need to have quite a few back to back months like September. I rode 408 miles in September which includes the last three weeks of over a hundred miles a week. My rides have been getting longer a mile or two at a time. This, in turn, gives me more endurance which makes it easier to go further. Such a wonderful circle to cycle. I really see a century in our future next year, or at least the MS 150. I wanted to attempt to do the “Ride the Rockies” when I turn 65.   I’m much closer to both.

Till Next Time

Ride Fast, Ride Far, Ride Safe, But Ride

“G”

Do Shinny New Bells and Whistles Make You Pedal Faster?

Well I went to Performance Cycle and spent some money. Actually I went to their web site since the actual store did not have the sale Items on hand, big surprise. I went on line and they had a few items but not what they showed in the size I wanted, or the color they showed. A little disappointing but the tall son now has possession of a new jersey and we both did get some new carbon fiber substance, pedals. I still would like to have/need a new helmet.

We replaced our Shimano “SPD” type clip in pedal with a, heavier (they are much bigger), carbon fiber, Forte “Keo” type clip in pedal. The sale prices were well worth it, the pedals have fixed a couple of problems. Since I have an updated, designed in this century, new pair of bike shoes I could never get the cleats adjusted to the pedals quite right. With the new type pedals and cleats, I was actually forced to learned how to adjust them to work together correctly. I’m not a professional but I am in a really small ball park of being right on. The results, I have no more ankle, knee or hip pain. Another plus, the pedals are large and give you a larger platform to actually pedal in comfort and more important, efficiency. Lance Armstrong, the cycling legend, has been quoted as saying “Cycling is measured in millimeters”. This was during a discussion of advantages between competitive cycling teams as well as the members within those teams. Bottom line, for the recreational rider, adjust, adjust, adjust.

So am I any faster? Did the simple change really make a difference or did the shiny new bobbles, that we are all so attracted to, just make me feel faster. 10 rides with the new shoes, the last 3 with the new pedals. Prior to the new found comfort I was pretty consistent with 13 -18 mile rides and an occasional 25 -30 miler. The last 10, 6 were over 30, my cadence is up, and the last 3 rides, 2 were with an average cadence of over 70 for over 30 miles. That is coming up to the lower end of being respectable. Even though I am only faster by fractions, I feel much faster. Feeling faster combined with no pain, equals longer rides, which will equal faster and lighter.

As for the tall kid, he’s taller and now about an average of 1.5 mph than his previous rides, Ahhh to be young again.

Till Next Time

Ride Fast, Ride Safe, But Ride.

“G”

Ever Notice How One New Bike Item Leads To Another

I got back on the bike after three weeks of swimming and vacationing with the boys. Like I had mentioned at the beginning of the year getting back into the swing of things can be scary. Also I treated myself to a new pair of shoes, after 18 years on the old ones, who knew that grown feet changed so much.

Was going with the tall son as he shopped for a new pair of shoes and figured hey, I deserve a new pair of shoes too. The good thing my size was in stock. Our friends at Bike Source fitted tall son perfectly, with growing room, and then had him order a half size bigger. They have watched him grow the last couple of years. Anyway I picked up a pretty spiffy pair of Specialized Body Geometry shoes in white, I like a little flash. It is amazing the technology that has occurred over the last 18 years in bike shoes. The new ones are like slippers that seem to self cool as you ride, amazing, simply amazing. After the down time and armed, or should say footed, with my new shoes I took off on my first ride. My time came up, my cadence came up and I did not hurt. No pain in the ankle, knee or hip joints could this be from shoes? I waited a day took another, same outcome, the next day a 30 miler and wow. Till I attempted to move the cleats from a neutral position on the shoe no pain. The last 12.5 of that 30, after my SWAG adjustment, my ankles, knees and hips burned. So much for SWAG. The cleats went back to neutral. The tall kid’s shoes came in; I set his cleats very neutral, with a plum line and a ruler neutral. He took a ride and we slightly dialed the feel in till he could not feel any discomfort and we were good. Good enough to jump into a 55 mile ride with a couple of friends, fast friends. We were a group of 5 and though I have stayed away from group riding just because of my slowness. It didn’t make much of a difference, we all rode with each other at one time or another, I pushed a little harder, and we all had some really good conversation, good laughs and an excellent ride. I really need to reevaluate the whole group ride thing, especially if it is a small group. If you have been worried about your abilities take that step and give it a try, you may have the same happy surprise. Even the female in the group made me feel good by riding with me about 14 miles even though she was, tall son fast, and showed it down the stretch. The new shoes, never thought about them or my joints the whole ride. Bottom line if your going to bike, fit is everything.

Speaking of those shoes, what’s a new shoe without putting feet with new socks into them? Throw in thoughts of having new shoes and getting accustom to getting in and out of the pedals, tall son gets me thinking, this would be the time to switch to a larger platform carbon fiber pedal. This gets me thinking more, not a good thing in my case. Tall son has a new high end Giro helmet, mine is a good 10 years old, not acceptable for safety. New shoes, new socks, possibly new pedals and skid lid, hey my bib shorts are looking a little saggy. So the question here is; bicycling a money pit or the more you bicycle things just wear vs. ever notice how one new part leads to another. Oh by the way I just received a new Performance Cycle’s warehouse clearance catalogue and it looks like I might be able to save a little over $200 on my recent thoughts. Timing is everything.



As for the actual riding in August, 151,8 miles in 5 rides, I deserve some new gear.



Till Next Time

Ride Fast, Ride Safe, But Ride

“G”

OK, I Didn’t Make A Post The First of The Week

I know how important it is to have a good group of followers and to keep them a blogger must be consistent. I also have had times I haven’t been that consistent and the amount I have been read shows the drop. Life does really get in the way of all of us, especially if you have a real life. I have thought of what I was going to write in this post, being first after vacation, and as I had said I came across some things on the vacation that was of interest.

On our first day of the trip we were heading west on I-70, going through some of the canyon lands of Utah and observed an odd thing. Out of nowhere, in the middle of nowhere, at the crest of a long climb, there was a cyclist. On a road bike, the full roadie outfit, no luggage or bags, and just hammering away. I thought, WOW, this guy is nuts to be out here alone. It was about 1:00 pm and touching just under 90 degrees. Then I thought this could be cool if you had a couple of friends to do it with. I was now a couple of miles down the road and there were two more, same shorts and jersey as the first guy, no bags and a pretty good pace. Looking ahead, tall son saw another single rider. As we passed same thing and we figured this must be a local club ride only there was nothing that resembled local. Up a head we saw a van with a major load of bikes on the roof and a rear rack and I said “I bet this was all part of a tour company”. I was partially correct; it was a tour company with mountain bikes from a company that did tours back in Moab. All in all we passed about 10 of the roadies. Watching them ride a good pace, especially at the front, I thought this really would be cool. Traveling down the interstate going to exciting places, cool. I did see a couple of good swerves with all the crap in the emergency stopping lane they were riding in. Bottles, trash and nasty chunks of blown out semi tires. Then an actual crossed my mind again, no bags, how many flats have they had or what are they using for tires. All and all it was pretty darn cool even though they were spread out over about 7 miles.

Since this was a boy’s road trip and Mom doesn’t like Vegas the boys wanted to spend a few nights there. One of the impressive things in Vegas, to me anyway, is the Metro Police Department bike unit. Now the casinos have their security, also dressed in Yellow shirts and black shorts and some, a lot, are also on bikes. But Metro is impressive. It caught my interest since I started a PD bike unit in the early 90’s and I attempt to talk to a couple of the guys every trip I make to Sin City. They travel in a minimum of pairs, spread a lot of good PR by taking endless silly photos for the tourists and are very, very visible. For those of you that may not have taken the drive to the 24 hr never sleep city, you would be amazed at the amount of people and wonder, recession? I’m not talking at rush hour; I’m talking about 3:00 am. The strip is so backed up it is easier to attempt to walk it rather than drive or take the monorail, bus or cab. On occasion you can see a swarm, 4-6 members of the bike unit, crossing 8 lanes of traffic going against the traffic at 2 -3 times the speed of the “moving” traffic. The grace and precision is that of the water show at the Bellagio and should be seen by all. They jump the center medians, the curbs; avoid the crowds all without a hesitation or mishap. They are as cool as the roadies in the middle of nowhere.

We did take a kind of a ride one morning on the beach in Ventura California. The Tall Son wanted to ride in a two person surrey and we attempted to stay up with the little guy on a recumbent trike. It was fun but made us wish we would have brought our bikes.

The Ventura Performance Cycle was closed down and the space was empty. We did not see any other shops during the trip. I was really expecting them to be more visible.

Did you hear about the LA Mayor? Typical politician, bike friendly roads didn’t mean squat until, while riding downtown last month, he was hit by a cab that pulled out in front of him. He fractured his shoulder. Local cyclists did not even know he rode, but now sharing the road is a priority, funny how that works eh?

Till Next Post

Ride Fast, Ride Safe, But Ride

“G”

On Vacation Miss The Bike

Sorry about the gap in posts, I realize that is a blogger’s #1 no no but, life really does get into the way.


Son’s and I have been out of state for a little over a week and should be home and back on the bike the this weekend. We have missed the bikes and need to reconsider taking them on the next adventure. We did get to ride on the beach with a bicycle type contraption, but not the same.

I will have some observations to share, from group riding on the interstates to the remarkable bike units of the Las Vegas Metro PD.

Look for me again early next week.

Till Then

Ride Fast, Ride Safe But Ride

“G”

Bikes and Energy Drinks for the Recreational Rider

Well we are through July and I have racked up a mile over 200, the tall son will hit 400 on our ride tomorrow, the energy is up and I thank some drinks.

It appears I have dropped another 5 lbs., I love eating the “South Beach” way and my energy level is way up. I would say a lot of it is from the 15 lb., loss since My Dr. decided my body and metabolism needed a shock. Even with the loss my rides have improved as in longer and faster without hurting. I believe this is all attributed to experimenting with drinks. As much as I would like to credit the consumption of Margaritas, I have been playing with two types of powdered, costly energy drink mixes. Though I have always rode with “Gatorade” when I started the South Beach it was actually worthless. By favorite bike shop, Bike Source, yes I’ll plug them, gave me some suggestions. The first was Accelerade Hydro. Their claim to fame is a 4 to 1 ratio of Carbohydrate to Protein and 30% less calories as well as 55% less sugar. I believe that because it says so right on the container. We, son and I, picked the lemonade flavor in the 1.76 lb container, 50 servings, and $40. A serving before the ride and a water bottle full during the ride and in two rides a noticeable difference. I really felt better that first two weeks of the South Beach. I had the energy to ride and actually felt good doing it. My average speed came up, 1 mph and I started riding farther. Son, he went wild, his averages came up almost 5 mph and did not hurt a bit. But then you need to know that this is a kid that is wired on Benadryl, tried that once. We finished the container and were very happy with the results. We were also recommended, same shop, Heed by Hammer Nutrition. This was recommended because a salesman was aware of my type II diabetes. Hammers claims, made from all natural food products and the sugar content is only 2g of sugar a serving compared to Accelerade’s 8g. We bought the 2.04 lb container “Subtle Strawberry” flavor, 32 servings and $25. There are no artificial colors and looks like a bottle or glass of water and a very light flavor. This has worked very well for me I can tell the difference it brought me up about 2 mph which is no big deal but remember I’m an old fat guy. The young kid does not feel the energy spike even though he is even faster he does take a separate bottle of low callorie Gatorade. Neither of us finishes our ride with soreness, pain or feel totally wiped out. This is a good thing. The first time with the HEED I had a burning in my stomach, the second time only very slight and none since. I don’t think the complete verdict is in but we will see.

Till Next Time

Ride Fast, Ride Safe, But Ride

G

Bicycling and Life is Better Than Good

Well here we go again. I became involved in a riding group, I’m attempting different riding mechanics to pick up my average speed, my son became very fast, and I will soon have some input into a transportation master plan plus a five day trip to Vegas with four cops and no significant others. Above all, life is better than good.

I attempted to become involved in a group ride with some really good people from my local municipality’s administration. Great people, good attempt, a wonderful bubbly organizer but really fast. The majority has left the fold due to being too fast, my son thinks they are a tad bit slow as well as a racer in the group. Has this discouraged our bubbly organizer, not a bit. She will break us up into a fast group and a slow person group. I volunteered to lead some of the slow guys so we will all get what we want, social and healthy as we all strive to improve. So please keep in mind, if at first a group ride doesn’t work out for you, don’t give up, adjust.

Attempting to improve is a big goal of mine. I have improved amazingly, in my mind anyway, but looking for more. I am now working on completing shorter rides, 15-18 miles of rolling terrain, in high gears only. With the weight loss and keeping in that big front sprocket my average speeds are coming up and more weight is coming off. The main theme though is ride. Ride as much and for as long as you can. I am, right now, behind my mileage schedule. I wanted to break 2000 miles this year and I’m only at 658. Will I? I still plan to, we will see.

My son is getting cocky; he is averaging right at 17+ mph on 15-17 mile rides. He is still riding his “Flat Bar” road bike and enjoys to annoy the really fast guys. Yesterday we were doing a loop and a “super star” goes by us like we were standing still, (I was doing 18 mph) all tucked in with his aero bars and seat up in a race position. Son pulls up next to me with a sheepish smile on his face and says I’ll be back. He was off in a sprint. He caught up with the rider who was still tucked in and moving at the speed I envied. Son pulls up to him in an upright position and gives him a wave and rode with him for a bit. Ahhh, to be a teenager again.

My local municipality was accepting applicants to serve on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Community Advisory Committee. The City’s first Transportation Master Plan will provide a vision for the future transportation network in Centennial. The plan outlines improved vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian and transit facilities that will ensure citizens and businesses have access to high-quality transportation systems for all of their travel needs. I applied and was accepted to sit on this committee. If anyone has good information and proven ideas from your own community, especially about combining bicycle and motor vehicle traffic together, please let me know. If I get some good input I will put together an electronic means to collect this information.

Did I mention something about Vegas? Yes five nights in Vegas in 100 degree plus heat and even without the adult beverages, of which there were too numerous to mention, I wondered a recession? I saw thousands of people that obviously were not worried about or even knew they were supposed to be worried about their finances. If any of you admitting to partake in “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, can you remember standing in line to check into your hotel for an hour on a Wednesday afternoon? Then find out you were at the wrong hotel, not to mention the cabana reservations were not kept. I won’t even mention the accusation of getting lost at the airport, I wasn’t lost the baggage and the other cops were.

Till Next Time

Ride Hard, Ride Safe But Ride

”G”

The Goose Chase and Some More

Well I am use to the diet, my body has came around and is working as normal or as normal as the 62 year old parts work.

Started the 30 mile loop of the Goose Chase did the first 15 with a 13.7 average, but #1 son could not go on. Actually he asked to go to the Para-Medics. He took off strong but there was a snag in the course directions and he went down hard in the first quarter mile. It was quick, he was 3rd and I was about 8th he and the bike were up-right, not bleeding yet and said he was fine as I went by. He soon caught up with me and told me what had happened. He is nursing a beautiful road rash from his right buttocks down to his right ankle. He even got a few thumbs up from the employees at Bike Source when we took his bike in to straighten the rear derailleur. That really raised his spirits. On the plus side it was really nice to actually ride with him for a change. Other than that mishap and the route mileage was off quite a bit, it was a great event. There was a new venue this year and it was laid out in a city park, with plenty of room for vendors, aid stations, and a beer garden that was quite busy. Some small problems but it will be worth coming back next year.

As far as “some more” goes, a pet peeve popped up again. Actually it was about a month ago and I still haven’t been able to let it go. I had complained before about the inconsiderate “Super Stars” and the way they sometimes pass. I have been used for passing practice before but I don’t think this incident was right in any manner. I was finishing up a twenty mile ride on a long gradual incline. It was a closed two lane road that is in very good shape. No big deal but there was an enormous head wind. I don’t mean a stiff breeze but an actual wind. Normal speed in the stretch for me, and I do get passed there a lot, is right about 12 mph. That day I was straining at 5 mph attempting to roll in a straight line. Now I’m sure, all of you have all came up on someone who you can recognize as obviously having a bad time. I know I have, and I give them room as well as let them know I am there. I do on occasion pass someone. I digress, back to the “Super Star”, on a two lane road with no other bike in site. As I stated I’m struggling and wobbling then without warning, I see a front wheel next to me which appeared very close. Close, an understatement, BOOM, his arm hits my elbow. Now as I’m stupidly expecting some verbal grunting coming from him all decked out in his green team jersey, shorts and socks, but noooo, he was a true “Super Star”. He got off the seat moved over to what would have been an oncoming lane and pedaled like he was possessed, till he was out of sight.

OK, now I can let it go, and it is time to go.

Till Next Post
Ride Hard, Ride Safe, But Ride.

“G”

South Beach and The Goose Chase

Well the Greenwood Village Goose Chase is here. I hope my body will work like I want it to, but I will be happy if I just get through it. The Goose Chase is a funny sort of ride, no stress, no high mileage, just a fun time. There will be some elite athletics both running and biking as well as the people that have never attempted an organized ride, like my son and I last year. Good place to start and a good place to come back to.

My diet is still going, my energy is still missing, but improving. The old muscles hurt really badly but it is improving. “Kid Doc” told me to pick up a powered energy drink mix so I had a talk with my favorite people at Bike Source. They suggested a couple brands for riding and dieting and I picked up some with some little gummy bear energy shot chewable items. If I thought they worked well or knew they did not I would mention them by name. Right now I feel my body is getting accustom to the diet and compensating, throw in a very low sugar drink mix and candy caffeine and you have a combination that has let me throw together a couple of good rides. I’m sorer than I can remember being, have some pain I haven’t felt before but I do have some more energy. With the drink and super gummy bears, I have managed to get in a couple of 20 plus mile rides in. I also was talked into actually get up at 5:15 a.m., remember I’m retired, to take a group ride in a group that had never ridden together. Good time, really good time, I had forgotten how beautiful early mornings are. I hurt but riding in a group you push a little harder which is a good thing. I hung in there for about 3 miles then stopped for my son who was in the front with the leader but pulled over to check a noise. I just could not keep up after that but ended up not that far back. The great group stopped and waited for me a few times but that gave everyone the chance to get to know each other which was a good thing. I did get my average speed out of the sickly 11 mph range, not back to the 13 range but for now I’ll take the 12’s.

Saturday my boy and I will have a successful 30 mile Goose Chase, take in an evening Rockies Baseball game and sleep well.

As far as the diet results go, “Kid Doc” was correct, I have lost 11 lbs in 11 days and my blood sugar levels down about 15 points in the same time. Fathers Day I get to add some fruit, certain starches and cereals so I foresee a great week coming up.


Till Next Time
Ride Hard, Ride Safe, But Ride

“G”

Bicycling and the South Beach Diet

My new Doctor decided that with the amount of bike riding I have done this past year I wasn’t getting the results that a reasonable person would expect. So let’s shock the body and kick the metabolism speed up. I’m about a half a point from being out of the type II diabetes as well as the rest of the mysterious numbers just being one margarita out of normal. The new kid Doctor says, the benefits are enormous to trying the “South Beach Diet”. He gave me the good old sales attempt and said it will, very quickly, use up the belly fat to produce energy, which in turn will eat away the middle age “beer belly”. Now, since I can vaguely remember my middle age I have retained the gut. He ended the sales pitch with, pick up and read the book and then decide, so I did.

I read through the book, which was a very easy read just like the Kid Doc said it was. As I read I thought I need to change my diet very little, I like this food, just not sure if I can eat that much, really they have good food, but a lot of it. So I emailed the Doc and said I will try this as soon as I get back from the conference I was involved in.

The first two weeks are the most difficult, no “bad” carbs, no sugar and no starches. Not that big of a deal, until you realize what the body does without those foods. If you’re a cyclist that means no carb loading, no energy bars no Gatorade or other sports/energy drink. No big deal I can do this.

June 6th was the start day and I was off and running. Felt good all day a little tired earlier than normal but then I just came back from a busy conference week. I got up the next morning made myself scrambled eggs with celery, broccoli, Canadian ham and decaf coffee. I told you there was good food. After some odds and ends I filled my water bottles, with water only, and took off on a well deserved bike ride. I started late and I was riding in clear 90 degree weather. I hadn’t ridden in a week so I just did a 19 mile loop that I was used to and no big deal. The ride was hard, the simple climbs hurt, my feet were killing me, I was tired and there was something that did not feel just right. I got home did my stats and noticed I had lost a full mile an hour on my average. My thought, heat no ride for a week, typical BS.

On the 8th I took a ride with my son who hadn’t ridden since March and finally had a chance to smoke him. The diet was going well, but I was tired felt a little weak and light headed but again wrote it off as BS. We started out doing well, I kept the pace at about 14 mph and was just happy my son was with me. About 8 miles out I hit a wall, a wall that I usually feel at about 20 miles. It did not ease up, but became worse. I had to stop on a hill that is usually difficult for me but I never, never, had to stop going up it. The worst had not happened yet, the first time ever I puked without having alcohol involved. I was so light headed when I caught up with my son, who was taking a nice rest, I felt like I would pass out. OK this isn’t BS anymore, it must be the diet. As I struggled to get back home I was thinking where did I miss the information about these side affects, was this the Kid Doc’s sense of humor that drew me to him up till now. I cut the ride short, 5 miles short, and suffered the rest of the way home. My usual 5 minute recovery time went well into the evening and my stats were the worst in 18 months. I wrote Kid Doc an email without my anger showing, much, and relayed to him the symptoms. He returned an answer promptly, as usual, and said “It should get better quickly”. He said if it didn’t we would add something for an energy shot.

Will see, I have 9 days till the Goose Chase, bad timing eh? I will see how I feel on my ride tomorrow.

Till Next Time

Ride Often, Ride Safe but Ride.

“G”

The Goose Chase and Other Good Bicycle News

Like I mentioned in my post on Monday, though I have only gone over 300 miles so far this year, I have seen some promising things.

Before I get into the odds and ends I also mentioned the Greenwood Village (Colorado) Goose Chase. I don’t work for the chase and no longer work for Greenwood Village so this is an unbiased recommendation. On June 19, 2010 the City of GV along with some great co-sponsors will kick off the 15th Annual Goose Chase. If you are unfamiliar with this, it is a party atmosphere with a 15, 30 or 45 mile bike ride that is compatible with all skill levels. For you runners, there are 5K and 10K certified runs. After working it, (or working at getting out of working it) for 13 years, I used it for my first organize ride last year. My son and I used it for our first experience in a large group. It was fun, non-intimidating and no more effort than what we normally ride. As a matter of fact, it was a typical ride that 100’s of people take every weekend. The majority of the ride was around the Cherry Creek Lake (Reservoir to the Colorado locals) and the area around it. The difference was that 100’s of riders were doing it together and all at once, it was cool. If you are going to be riding that Sunday or want to stick your toes into the world of bicycle tours this is the place to be. It’s fun, it’s as easy as you want to make it but most of all it is just plain fun with a small country fair feeling. Check it out www.goosechase.org.

As for the odds and ends go I believe they are pretty cool. What I am the most happy about is the actual show of bicycling camaraderie. I guess this comes from all my years on a motorcycle. Whether you knew a rider or not, you gave a greeting while moving or a small conversation on a break. My logic for expecting to see it with bicyclists, you are on two wheels you have stepped outside of that normal box. I have seen more noticeable greetings whether it is just an animated nod or wave of the fingers, more than one. Or and all out verbal greeting. I have even been passed with a short verbal greeting and a few words of conversation. I’m hearing more people pass, I am passed a lot, and hear the “on your left” phrase. I have annoyed at least one “super star” by swerving to avoid a very bad piece of tarmac and unbeknownst to me, he was practicing his winning form of passing in a pack on me.

Color, there is a lot more color this year. Last year I felt weird with purple shorts and an orange sleeveless jersey. OK maybe that is still weird, but there are a lot of you out there with yellow, red, different blues, green and yes, I saw purple shorts on a much better looking posterior than mine. This isn’t a blah sport, it is enjoyable, it is fun, we love it, be bright show you are happy.

Another thing I have noticed which is also really great, more newbies. Yes, there are new people out there full of doubts as to what they are doing, full of questions and on a journey of long range fulfillment of life. Kudos if you have found these scribblings of semi-insanity.

The last thing that I have noticed and yes, like the other items I really like it, the snakes are not overwhelming yet. Due to the cooler weather they are just beginning to wake up keep your eyes open.

Ride Hard, Ride Safe, But Ride

Be Safe Out There

G

Life, Is Still, In The Way

Yes, at the most inopportune time’s life is still jumping up and popping me in the face. I have always been a big believer that timing is everything and with every passing day it is proven more true.

I am involved in a group that is planning a state wide school safety conference. I had expected more assistance from the group that placed me there. I’m sure you know how those things work out. It goes along with the multitude of state agencies and organizations that have taken this undertaking. I was hoping for a cooperative, sharing of ideas, from all of the separate agencies that put their individual conferences on every year. Yea, that was really going to happen. What does this have to do with Bicycling you ask? The amazing amount of stress relief, which can be credited to bicycling. But then with what I am enduring right now the cycling is not even beginning to scratch the surface.

This brings me back to the timing and life getting in the way. I was expecting to be back into a good riding routine and popping out close to a hundred miles a week by the middle of last month. Spring has been a beautiful time to ride in Colorado. This spring, we received our winter. It has snowed, multiple times, stayed cold, windy, all those stupid Mother Nature things that I can not seem to deal with, especially when I’m not into a solid routine yet. Then add the pre mentioned stress. We have had some great riding days, don’t get me wrong, but that is where the timing thing comes into play. My son’s and I have enjoyed beautiful, calm, sunny weather as we have driven to basketball practices. Why just yesterday we commented on the 70 degree temperature and the amount of cyclist out as we were shuffling between three different games. It was Mothers day which is why there were only three. By the time we came home, the wind woke up and the overcast skies with the threat of a storm rolled in. It is predicted to dump a foot of snow sometimes tomorrow. This morning hit 50 before nine am. I was going for a ride.

I grabbed the bag of new tubes I had just bought at Performance Cycle last week to fix my flat front tire. As a side note I discovered that if you ride very fast and make very gentle turns you can get at least 12 miles on a front tire going flat. Back to Performance Cycle. I know from experience, doing small parts and clothing business with them for years, that what you buy from them is not necessary what’s in the box when you go to use it. I was sitting in the front room pulling small pieces of glass out of my flat front tire then opened one of the new “True Goo” self sealing tube (side note #2, “True Goo” tubes don’t plug up the stems as easy as “Slime” tubes do.) and discovered that it had a shrader valve and not the presta the salesman got for me, yes my fault. A quick check of the other “True Goo” tubes and they were the same. I jumped in the car, drove the seven miles to Performance, twenty minutes one way with the morning traffic. But alas, the timing thing again comes to play, and I arrived fifty minutes before they opened. I figured I would just go home and throw in one of the other non-Goo tubes I bought and change to Goo the next time. It is sticker season you know. I went home, less traffic going east, put in the new tube, threw on my shorts and a jersey while I attempted to ignore the whistling wind threw the screens on my windows. I grabbed the wheel all ready to go went into the garage and watched my garage door bow in and out with the force of the wind and hoped the door did not get jerked off. Results, I’m back in front of this dam computer banging out this smattering of nonsense.

I did get some rides in, in April not many and not far but did bring up my average speed to the mid thirteen mph. Even a thirteen point three on a twenty two mile loop. So all has not been lost, speeds to look forward to and as the lovely Ms. Neff pointed out in her comment, which I agree with completely, I can not give up the fun and the exhilarating workout bicycling gives me.



I also managed to sign up my older son and I for the Greenwood Goose Chase. If you are local take a look at their web site, goosechase.org. This is fun and just a daily ride with a few hundred of your closest strangers.

More on the Goose Chase and the positive things I have seen on my rides so far this year, later this week.

Ride Safe, But Ride, More important Be Careful Out There.

“G”

Life Sometimes Gets In The Way

A problem with maintaining a good exercise program is sometimes not motivation but life it’s self. Now those of you that are single and whose responsibility is only to ones self you are not affected by life quite as often. For the rest of us, we have the untimely wait for the cable guy. Then there is, like this week was, spring break. When I have the alone time with my boys the time is theirs to do what they would like and my time is dedicated to solely insuring I can facilitate their wishes. Some day they will realize and be thankful for that. Oh yeah, that sometimes curse of the retired which causes people to think you have absolutely nothing to do, they’ll make a request that needed to be completed yesterday and ties you up for an unexpected three hours.

Speaking of the curse of the retired, some of it we bring on ourselves. In my case, which I believe is relateabel, I know I now have the time, I am in better shape then when I was working and just came off of a year where I biked 1,718 miles, I pick my time. Meaning, if there is a 10 to 20 mph breeze and 52 degrees without the breeze, I’ll wait till another time. Not consistently but at times. I can only do it on occasion because I now feel miserable and want to sleep if I don’t ride. This past week of spring break, I rode twice. One great ride with my 16 year old, his first of the year but more important the first since his heart surgery. He didn’t kick my butt but he did beat me home but he was sucking air.

These “lazy breaks” aren’t all bad, remember the body needs to recoup and for me, I am old, and though this may be ridicules idea to a 30, 40 year old or younger guys, just wait. With the breaks I still managed to get in 150 miles for March, which isn’t much for some of you, 18 years ago I was doing 100 a week. Since my ride on New Years Day I have logged 262 miles. I am ahead of where I was last year, I will, break 2,000 this year.

So if you have been out of your routine, just had the winter blues or life just keeps getting in the way, no big deal you can do it. You need to walk before you can run, take that first step.

Till Next Month
Ride Safe, Ride for the Fun But Ride.

“G”

Fear of Restarting Exercise

When I became intimate with the H1N1 in October which turned into pneumonia in November, I was very nervous about restarting training again. Come to think of it training is not quite the word for the way I ride. Anyway I was very nervous about starting to ride again. I did start and it was surprising pleasant, like the old saying goes, just like riding a bicycle.

Well with the cold in February, it was really cold to me, I did not get a single ride in. The good thing was I didn’t gain weight and it was the shortest month. But I had a much greater fear of starting again then before. Not only did I have the fear of starting from square one but, I lost the momentum and energy to ride. I had not felt that way in October and November, so I was scarred to attempt my second restart in three months. Like everyone else who either hits bottom or a plateau a light will come on. That magnificent, mystical light that comes on and becomes a life changing wake up call.

My light, you ask, if you are still reading. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. Here is the state Governor, an avid bicyclist, out for an early morning ride with friends and he crashes. Early morning? 6:30ish, that for a retired old fart is really early. Now this is the beginning of March in Colorado 6:30ish is like 20 degrees. Kudos Governor Ritter Kudos to you and may your ribs heal quickly.

After the news and Regis and Kelly I wiped the bike down, checked the air pressure, made sure everything was tight and filled water bottles. I took off on a normal boring route with the mind set of little gears and a steady comfortable cadence. Not bad, more riders and joggers that I expected, beautiful clear skies and a unbelievable view of the snow capped Rockies. Other than over dressing a really good, stress relieving ride. Yes there was some soreness and I was not fast as a month ago but I did not lose that much. The best thing though, that was yesterday and I looked forward to today’s ride to the point of skipping Regis and Kelly.

Bottom Line, the mind is an amazing thing and will play vicious tricks on you. The sad thing is we all, at one time or another, let our minds win because sometimes it is just easier.

Time to rejoice, riding season for us non élites has arrived.

Ride Safe, Ride Courteous, Ride Hard.

“G”

So Where Is The Global Warming

Well I ended up with 112 miles, in Colorado, in January, not bad for a novice rider. A tad slower average but my cadence came up. I would much rather have my speed come up, but for right now, I need that cardio workout when I can get it.

I did find something that I am not ready for though. My body is getting old but my mind isn’t. It was not that long ago that at 45 degrees I was still in shorts but a couple of rides at 50 and I froze my butt off. Long bibs, long sleeve under armour cold gear, long sleeve cool weather jersey, tall socks and I was still cold. I see riders go by my abode some dressed like I do, they must be young, and then the guys that are so wrapped up I can hardly tell if they are male or female let alone their generation. I think what the problem is, I am not ageing I have the wrong clothes. I believe I am going to hit the closeouts this spring for some good deals on warmer clothes.

We have had some really out of the normal weather this year, which may be a distant reason. The typical snow storm then a couple or three of the 50’s and 60’s for a few days before the next snow hasn’t really happened. It hasn’t become Minnesota cold Eh, but hanging around just above freezing is not what we Coloradoans have been spoiled with. So what happened to that global warming, oh that’s right it’s not snowing in Rio.

Stay Warm, Ride Safe, But Be Careful Out There.

“G”

You’ve Got To Love Colorado

What a New Year! It has been in the 50’s touching 60, the snow is melting, slowly on the grassy areas (good thing) and the rides are on. Folks it’s January in Colorado.

I have been able to ride a few times, 77 miles worth, just about enough to get the Holiday weight off of my posterior. Most of it anyway, 2 more pounds and I’m back to pre-Christmas goodies splurging.

The down side of this is my fitness level. Back in November I had talked about being sick and not riding, but had not lost my fitness. Well after the Holidays, the below 40 degrees for weeks on end, not to mention the snow piled up on all of my good ride routes, the fitness has slipped. October through December I only had 4 rides for 70 miles and I’m already ahead of that in three weeks. I have definitely felt it though.

On the up side, on my ride yesterday, I actually passed someone. Yes it was on a long down hill, yes the bike did not appear to fit him, and the over sized nylon jogging suit he was wearing was creating a lot of wind resistance not to mention a god awful flapping noise. But the point is I did pass him and he never caught up with me to pass me back. OK so maybe he did turn off and take another route but it was the first pass of the season. I will keep it, I have given more people a target to catch and pass than I have for six months, and I get this one.

Speaking of which, I have been passed by so many old guys (yes, even older than me) that it is bewildering. How do they go so fast? Even with my lost fitness level I have cruised down some flat’s at 18 -20 mph this month, feeling good, feeling confident, enjoying the breeze and the scenery. Then what sounds like a car behind me in the distance, goes some “old guy” by me with about a 60 rpm cadence. I look down at my 84 rpm cadence and thinking this can’t be real. Sad to say it is. It is also in gear selection; gear selection is the finesse of bicycling. Having the legs to turn the bigger gears is where it all starts. That is what I’m doing this year, building the legs. More intervals (even if they are old guy intervals), more standing and sprinting over summits as well as just using the gearing in a different way, ride in the high gears.

In the mean time and to continue the trek to powerful (not to mention good looking) legs I am shooting for a 100 mile month. Wow, I rode the first day of winter, New Years Day, and now looking at 100 miles in January, Colorado you got to love it!

Ride, Ride Hard, Ride Safe.
Be courteous out there.

“G”