I participated in my club's training ride this evening. This is a weekly ride held every Tuesday evening. The course is a 2-mile loop with a 200 ft. hill on the backside. I did 14 laps this evening for a total of 28 miles and 2800 feet of climbing in one hour and 24 minutes. That works out to an average of 20 miles per hour, a pretty good pace for a training ride.
Am I ready for the Challenge ride? I'm not sure but I'm getting close. I'm a bit concerned that my longest ride has been last Saturday's 39 miler. I'm going to do something longer this weekend. Maybe as much as 60 miles.
I noticed today that my bike needs new tires. The ones I like, the Michelin Pro2 Race, cost almost as much as automobile tires and weigh about 1/50th as much. Talk about a small form factor premium!
Mileage so far: 394.5
Projected mileage: 534
Days left: 11
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Metcalf
The LIVESTRONG Challenge route planners have a sadistic side to them or a twisted sense of humor. At about mile 75 (out of 100) they've decided to throw one of the tougher hills in our area at the riders. A fellow rider from my bike club told me that Metcalf, at about a mile and a half long and almost exactly 1000 ft difference from bottom to top, has about the same average steepness as many of the hills the Tour de France riders climb each year. Granted, the "hills" they climb are actually mountains and much, much longer. But still, climbing Metcalf does make you feel like you're suffering like some poor domestique trying to stay on the leader's wheel. (Image courtesy of Almaden Cycle Touring Club).The weather today was spectacular, except for the haze that persists from the fires. It was a comfortable 82 degrees with a cool and gentle breeze blowing. I could have ridden all day if it were not for the other things I needed to get done. I did manage to get in 39 miles, my longest ride yet and I'm beginning to feel more ready for the 100 mile Challenge ride. I'm still not looking forward to Metcalf after having ridden 75 miles though. That really will be a challenge.
Mileage so far: 366.5
Projected mileage: 550
Days left: 14
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Bees and Shining Eyes
There are quite a few fires raging in California right now and the air quality is rather poor. It makes for nice sunsets but not so great to ride in. I was coughing more than I'd like after Tuesday night's effort with my bike club which made me decide to take a couple of days off in preparation for riding this weekend. I will probably ride tomorrow (Friday) as well, time permitting.
This leaves me with some time to write about something a bit off-topic: parenting. A friend of mine, and supporter of my Challenge, sent me a link today that was one of the best things I've seen on the internet in quite a while. It's a 20 minute video of a talk titled "Classical Music With Shining Eyes" by Benjamin Zander, a classical music afficionado who enjoys increasing people's appreciation for classical music. As a parent of an 8-year who is learning to play the piano - and doing quite well I might add - this talk really connected with me. And there are some words of wisdom for everyone near the end. If you have 20 minutes to spare you will be glad you watched it. It left me with "shining eyes".
Another link that resonated with me as a parent of school-age children was "Animal School" published by the Raising Small Souls web site. It is difficult to think about our educational system the same way after watching this, and it will make you appreciate your children's differences. Forget the sitcoms tonight. Sit down in front of your computer and watch some thought-provoking videos on the web.
I'm off to go give my bees - I mean boys (watch the Animal School video and you'll understand) - a pat on the shoulder as they sleep. Oh, and I have to play tooth fairy for Weston (Shhhhhhh....).
This leaves me with some time to write about something a bit off-topic: parenting. A friend of mine, and supporter of my Challenge, sent me a link today that was one of the best things I've seen on the internet in quite a while. It's a 20 minute video of a talk titled "Classical Music With Shining Eyes" by Benjamin Zander, a classical music afficionado who enjoys increasing people's appreciation for classical music. As a parent of an 8-year who is learning to play the piano - and doing quite well I might add - this talk really connected with me. And there are some words of wisdom for everyone near the end. If you have 20 minutes to spare you will be glad you watched it. It left me with "shining eyes".
Another link that resonated with me as a parent of school-age children was "Animal School" published by the Raising Small Souls web site. It is difficult to think about our educational system the same way after watching this, and it will make you appreciate your children's differences. Forget the sitcoms tonight. Sit down in front of your computer and watch some thought-provoking videos on the web.
I'm off to go give my bees - I mean boys (watch the Animal School video and you'll understand) - a pat on the shoulder as they sleep. Oh, and I have to play tooth fairy for Weston (Shhhhhhh....).
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Energized and Motivated
As I mentioned in an earlier post I wasn't sure what to expect going into this Challenge thing. I'm not the best at asking people for money, even if it's for a cause as worthy as fighting cancer. I can say now, three weeks into this, that it has been a truly rewarding experience and one that I would encourage anyone and everyone to do.
I had a few doubts about the physical part but since I've done century rides in the past I figured I would be able to handle that part OK. I set a mileage goal that was challenging but manageable. Twelve miles per day doesn't sound like a lot, especially to some of my cycling friends, but it is when you have a family and job to look after. If you miss a day, then guess what? You're looking at 24 miles the next day and so on. So far I have enjoyed the time on the bike so much that the miles have ticked away rather enjoyably.
The other part, the fundraising, was a big unknown to me. I've donated to many causes in the past so I knew it well enough from that side, but to get donations and words of encouragement from friends and family is really a big mental boost. In many ways it shows off the best of the human spirit, and it's impossible not to be moved and motivated by that. And some of the letters I've received along with the donations have satisfied the Jimmy V daily requirement #3. The health benefits are tangible now - 8 lbs. lost and counting - but it's the connections I've made (or re-made) and the names and stories I ride with in my head that are the true reward.
On the fundraising front I am excited to report that I met my primary goal today! It took me 16 days to do it and I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can exceed it in the remaining days. I've created an additional goal for myself to increase my training mileage 1 mile for every $5 over my goal that I receive, so if you've thought about donating then it's not too late. You can get me to ride more and help even more people in their fight against cancer. And a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me reach my initial fundrasing goal. You are the wind at my back.
I did ride today: a fast-paced 27 miles with the bike club I belong to. Thanks guys and gals for the quality, butt-kicking workout. I would not have ridden that hard without you.
Mileage so far: 310.5
Projected mileage: 543
Days left: 18
I had a few doubts about the physical part but since I've done century rides in the past I figured I would be able to handle that part OK. I set a mileage goal that was challenging but manageable. Twelve miles per day doesn't sound like a lot, especially to some of my cycling friends, but it is when you have a family and job to look after. If you miss a day, then guess what? You're looking at 24 miles the next day and so on. So far I have enjoyed the time on the bike so much that the miles have ticked away rather enjoyably.
The other part, the fundraising, was a big unknown to me. I've donated to many causes in the past so I knew it well enough from that side, but to get donations and words of encouragement from friends and family is really a big mental boost. In many ways it shows off the best of the human spirit, and it's impossible not to be moved and motivated by that. And some of the letters I've received along with the donations have satisfied the Jimmy V daily requirement #3. The health benefits are tangible now - 8 lbs. lost and counting - but it's the connections I've made (or re-made) and the names and stories I ride with in my head that are the true reward.
On the fundraising front I am excited to report that I met my primary goal today! It took me 16 days to do it and I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can exceed it in the remaining days. I've created an additional goal for myself to increase my training mileage 1 mile for every $5 over my goal that I receive, so if you've thought about donating then it's not too late. You can get me to ride more and help even more people in their fight against cancer. And a huge thank you to everyone who has helped me reach my initial fundrasing goal. You are the wind at my back.
I did ride today: a fast-paced 27 miles with the bike club I belong to. Thanks guys and gals for the quality, butt-kicking workout. I would not have ridden that hard without you.
Mileage so far: 310.5
Projected mileage: 543
Days left: 18
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Pedaling On
Friday and Saturday were blistering hot but I rode anyhow. Today the temperature dipped almost 25 degrees and I was rewarded with some fabulous time on the bike. It's amazing how much the weather can affect the overall enjoyment of a ride. It also helps that my leg strength continues to improve and I've shed about 5 pounds already. It's time consuming riding this much but it has definite advantages. My challenge after this will be to keep riding and not let my work schedule interfere as much as I let it this past year.
It's about time for an updated graph to show where I am on my mileage goal:
I'm going to take the day off tomorrow and then ride my bike club's Tuesday night training ride which is always a fast paced workout and great for tuning up the cardio-vascular system.
Mileage so far: 283.5
Projected mileage: 513
Days left: 20
It's about time for an updated graph to show where I am on my mileage goal:
I'm going to take the day off tomorrow and then ride my bike club's Tuesday night training ride which is always a fast paced workout and great for tuning up the cardio-vascular system.
Mileage so far: 283.5
Projected mileage: 513
Days left: 20
Friday, June 20, 2008
Strength Returning
I rode at lunchtime today (the 2008 summer solstice) which was a bit of a mistake. The weather reports put San Jose at a high of 102 degrees today and I think I pretty much hit it at or near the peak. You don't quite notice how hot it is while you're riding because of the wind, but it is quite evident when you stop riding and it takes you two hours - seriously - to return to a normal body temperature.
Despite the heat it felt great to be out there on the bike. I was able to clear the rollers (small hills) in my big chainring which I had not been able to do since resuming training, so that's an encouraging sign. Also, I climbed Camden which is a medium sized, gradual ascent hill in my big chainring and I was quite excited about that. Another 24.5 miles added to my log and I'm now almost exactly on pace. With some extra time for riding this weekend I should be ahead of the pace by Monday.
Mileage so far: 236.5
Projected mileage: 497
Days left: 22
Despite the heat it felt great to be out there on the bike. I was able to clear the rollers (small hills) in my big chainring which I had not been able to do since resuming training, so that's an encouraging sign. Also, I climbed Camden which is a medium sized, gradual ascent hill in my big chainring and I was quite excited about that. Another 24.5 miles added to my log and I'm now almost exactly on pace. With some extra time for riding this weekend I should be ahead of the pace by Monday.
Mileage so far: 236.5
Projected mileage: 497
Days left: 22
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Fundraising update
What do San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and The Netherlands all have in common? Locations from which I received donations today. This was the second best day of fundraising, bettered only by the first day. It's exciting and inspiring to get this support from family and friends. Thank you again to everyone who has helped put me in position to make my fundraising goal. I'm only $115 dollars away with three weeks to go and while I don't want to let up too much, it's looking pretty good for me to make the $3000 goal. So good, in fact, that I've decided to update my mileage goal. I'm going to challenge myself to maintain a $5/mile pace. This means for every $5 I raise over $3000 I will ride another mile in training for the LIVESTRONG Challenge century ride. So if you haven't donated yet here's your chance to make me get out and suffer ride even more! Go for it! I know I'm up for it. Are you?
Funds raised so far: $2,885.00
Funds left to go: $115
Days left: 23
Funds raised so far: $2,885.00
Funds left to go: $115
Days left: 23
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