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
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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”
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”
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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”
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”
Thursday, June 17, 2010
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”
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”
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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”
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”
Friday, May 14, 2010
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
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
Monday, May 10, 2010
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”
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”
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