I like to ride my bicycle - for long distances. I have earned the California Triple Crown and finished the Furnace Creek 508. My goals include qualifying for RAAM and ...(read the blog to find out).
"The bicycle has a soul. If you are able to love it as it deserves, it will give you emotions you will never forget."
Mario Cipolini
"Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride."
John F. Kennedy
"The important decisions in my life I make while out riding my bike."
Former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi
"Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever.” Lance Armstrong
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Saturday ride under the clouds
Ride Statistics
Date: 2010-02-06Miles: 39.31
Average: 13.50
Max Speed: 29.10
Elevation Gain: 0
SBC Saturday Ride. I felt strong for the first 30 miles, and then slowed down. The skys were cloudy with some drops, but nothing you could call rain.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Friday Lunch Ride in the Sun
Ride Statistics
Date: 2010-02-05Miles: 13.28
Average: 14.50
Max Speed: 23.40
Elevation Gain: 191
Friday lunch Ride. Jon and Elise joined me on a very warm (65 degrees) sunny day. Rode the Colnago for the first time since the accident with no worries.
It was so nice outside, that I just had to ride a fast bike so I chose the Colnago CT2. The riding was so nice I wish I had the time and energy to ride till sunset (and beyond)
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
SBC Wednesday Night Ride
Ride Statistics
Date: 2010-02-03Miles: 18.07
Average: 13.30
Max Speed: 23.30
Elevation Gain: 246
SBC Wednesday Night Ride. Joanne, Jim and I. A bit of wind and a bit of rain, but a nice ride overall.
My first night ride since I started riding again after the accident.
I really enjoy riding at night, and I really do not know why. Perhaps I am more focused due night hiding distractions. Perhaps it is because the aromas are much more intense. Perhaps it is because the night hides how far I have to ride. I don't know, it is just fun.
Lunch Ride in the Rain
Ride Statistics
Date: 2010-02-03Miles: 12.54
Average: 14.20
Max Speed: 24.10
Elevation Gain: 143
Lunch time ride with Jon Wolf. Easy pace out to the east to ride the Brooklake Loop. Road were wet and we did get rained on.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Blogger Abandons FTP
From http://buzz.blogger.com/2010/01/important-note-to-ftp-users.html...
"For that reason, we are announcing today that we will no longer support FTP publishing in Blogger after March 26, 2010. We realize that this will not necessarily be welcome news for some users, and we are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible."
The reason I use FTP is that I host my blog on my own server where I can use the PHP scripting language. Hey, I'm a trained Server Administrator. It is what I do.
Gotta find a new service.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Lunch Ride
Ride Statistics
Date: 2010-02-01Miles: 12.22
Average: 14.20
Max Speed: 33.00
Elevation Gain: 152
Easy noontime ride with Elise in the damp mid-day.
Elise and I rode the Windsor Island loop. I listened to the weather forcast early this morning - "Some fog, clearing late morning with mostly cloudy skys". Based upon this, I sent Elise an e-mail saying I could get away for a short lunch ride and asked her to join me. She responded almost immediately with emphatic "Yes!"
Later, I looked out the window. I did not see fog, but I did see wet. Drops were falling and the roads were wet. Oh well, I was committed.
At noon, there was nothing falling from the sky, but I was prepared. Long sleeve base layer - check. Long sleeve jersey - check. Rain jacket - check. Heavy duty tights - check. Booties - check. Long fingered winter gloves - check. I was ready to ride.
Windsor Island road was busier than I expected. I almost never ride it during the week day, so I saw surprised to see the amount of truck traffic. Then I remembered, there is a rock quarry on this road. That would explain all the dump trucks filled with gravel.
We returned via River Road and there the light rain began to fall. I was almost home, but Elise had another ten miles to ride. I hope she did not get too wet!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
First Ride Since the Accident
Ride Statistics
Date: 2010-01-31Miles: 15.63
Average: 14.50
Max Speed: 30.60
Elevation Gain: 530
First Ride since my accident where I broke my leg. I felt good - seems the work I have done with the Power Cranks on the stationary trainer worked.
Yes, I am back on the bike!
I did an easy ride in the Ankeny Wildlife Refuge. My lovely wife Joanne and friend Elise joined me to make sure I did not do something stupid like falling over and breaking my leg. But I rode well, not giving them any concerns. I worked hard so that I would not appear to be a wimp. Near the end, I felt good enough to do an extra hill - the Lake/Oak Drive loop.
Let me tell you that it felt very good to have cold wind in my face again, and yes, chipseal still sucks.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Life is Good Again
Why?
Because I am allowed to ride my bicycle again!
I fell off my bicycle and broke both bones of my lower right leg on November 1, 2009. Today, my doctor gave me permission to get back on the bike. I can ride my bicycle again! To celebrate, I purchase a new helmet, a red and white Giro Ionos. I can't wait to wear it this weekend.
This three month period has been the longest time I have been off of the bike since I started riding seriously in the mid-eighties. For the first five weeks, I was not allowed to put any weight on my right leg at all. My life was mostly horizontal, and at a very slow pace. I watched a lot of TV. I slept a lot. I took pain killers.
At six weeks after the fall, I was allowed to put some, not much, weight on my leg. I was able to drive again, at least my Astro van with an automatic transmission. I also returned to work, but mostly from home and only part time. At first, working was hard. But, after the long holiday break, I managed much better.
An now today I can walk without a cane, I can ride my bicycle, and I can increase my work hours (but still, mostly from home).
I realize it will be a long recovery to get back to the fitness level I had before the injury. It will be a long time before I attempt a double century (I finished the Death Valley Double the weekend before my injury). But, now I can really start working toward my goals. Life is good again.
Wish me luck and I hope to see you on the road soon!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Glad to ride the trainer!
My doctor now allows me to ride the trainer!
So, I placed my Trek 520 touring bike in my Cycleops Trainer and went for a thirty minute ride.
I was surprised how easy I could pedal, and even thought about going for a short ride around the neighbor hood, but I guess common sense got the better of me. As you can see, I never worked hard but it was all fun! No pain in the ankle, well, there was a bit of pain near the end, but very manageable.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Final Ride of the Season
Ride Statistics
Date: 2009-11-01Miles: 5.28
Average: 15.40
Max Speed: 23.30
Elevation Gain: 110
Should have been a perm; was my final ride for 2009. Crashed and broke my leg, a season ending injury.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
November, and I'm not riding my bike.
Tomorrow, I will have my first doctor visit since leaving the hospital. I am overly eager for this visit, mainly due to an unreasonable belief that my healing will be further along than it is.
Here is what I expect to happen tomorrow...
1) More x-rays. Let's see how those bones are healing.
2) Removal of the cast, an examination of the leg, and recasting. However, I really hope I go home "naked".
3) An increase in physical therapy. Healing means physical therapy, and physical therapy is work. But this should help reinforce good habits of exercise so I am looking forward to this.
4) A better idea of when I can return to work. Being at home is driving me nuts, but I can not stand the pain (pun intended).