Cycling / Life Update

It's been a while since I've written anything. It has been a whirlwind couple of months. I'll do my best to try to catch you up.

When we last left our hero, he was feeling his age on the bike. Since then, he has moved to Flagstaff, gotten a mountain bike (again), and fallen back in love with riding the trails. I told you; whirlwind.

Let's start with the move. There are 2 schools in the state of Arizona that use a teaching style that suits my son best. One is in Phoenix, the other in Flagstaff. They are Waldorf schools which, in a nutshell, focus on the child's brain development rather than test scores. We had been on waiting lists for both schools for the better part of the year (longer for the Phoenix school). We bout some property right next to some of our best friends over the summer in Flagstaff with the thought of building a home and eventually moving up. During the kids' fall break (mid October), the school in Flagstaff called with news of openings for both kids! This was certainly a sign that we needed to be at this school. So, in 2 short weeks, we packed up the house, rented a couple trucks, and headed north. The kids love their new school and have already made friends. In fact, Matthew's "girlfriend" as he calls her, is in his class and will be our neighbor once we build our home onthe our property. We got up to Flagstaff just in time for the first snow of the season too. I wasn't sure how this crew would do in the snow & cold, but they're handling it well! We are learning to dress in layers and have enjoyed the benefits of heated seats in the van (never really needed them before).

Anytime one moves, he discovers that he has a lot of unused "stuff". We were no different. Many yard sales were had and before the move, most of the big stuff was sold. However, there was still lots of "other stuff". Many moons ago, I took guitar lessons. Enjoyed trying to play along with my brother (who is pretty good) when we lived closer. I sold my electric guitar a few years ago as it was sitting in the the closet and not getting played. Hardly fair to the guitar. My acoustic has sat for years on it's stand in the corner ready to be played at any time. I think over the 7 years we lived in Gilbert, I played for maybe 2 hours total. Knowing that buying another bike was out of the question, I decided to trade the guitar for a mountain bike on Craigslist. I found a guy who was willing to trade trade straight up. The bike is decent. Needs some loving, but for not having to shell out any cash - perfect. I immediately swapped out the saddle. It had one of those HUGE seats that could fit a couple kids at once. After my first little ride, I need tobe change out the pedals to clipless ones, get a computer, some lights, and possibly a mud fender for the rear. Definitely need to get a tool bag for under the seat and change the chain. The bike was stored outside and the non-aluminum parts are starting to rust. Overall, the bike isn't bad. It's a GT mountain bike with Rock Shox on the front. I'm not used to suspension so it may take some getting used to.

The other day I decided to take the new MTB out on the trail. Flagstaff has an "urban trail" system (FUTS), which is scheduled to be 130 miles of trails around the area. These trails are either paved or hard aggregate and about 10 feet wide. Like any good rural area, there are plenty of hiking/MTB trails that branch off of the main trail. So the number of places to ride the new MTB are limitless! Besides all the great trails, Flagstaff is a college town and cycling is a very common mode of transportation. Back to my ride. I ventured out to the FUTS right near our current house. It felt really good to ride on dirt again! The first part of the the trail I took was slightly downhill so I was cruising pretty good. It gave me a good opportunity to get a feel for the bike and how it handled. I found a nice little single track branch that had some good climbing. Luckily, the bike has a triple chain ring, because I needed the little gears. I got to the top of my first climb and was dying. My lungs were burning and it was everything I could do to catch my breath. I quickly realized "this is why athletes train at altitude". I only rode about 3 miles, but the terrain and altitude made it a great ride! I can't wait for my next ride to explore more of these awesome trails!

Internal Battle

Since it's the 19th of the month, I figured I'd go for a ride before work. The plan was to do 30 miles or so.
I started out with an empty tank as it was. No big deal, I can push through that. Done it before, can do it again! Legs weren't quite feeling it, but I told them to shut up and keep going. They quickly fell in line. My lungs, however, were a different story. They decided that we were going to not ride as far as the rest of the body & mind wanted.
At 6 miles or so they started to squeeze. Since my ride today (and in the future) are somewhat contingent on them working, and even though they were out numbered, they won the battle. We didn't do the 30ish miles that the brain had in mind (lol), but we squeezed out 12. Not too bad, but better than nothing I suppose.
That's not the end of the story though. The brain and legs decided that since the lungs were being wimpy, the should be punished. After every other corner, the legs decided to do some interval sprints. After the first few, the lungs were burning. We kept on riding and made it home without having to use emergency services! That'll teach them.
It was still a great way to start the day and the week! Thank you lungs for allowing the rest of me to finish the ride today and ride again another day.

Riding Like a Bus

While on a ride recently, I was passed by a VW Bus (probably the only thing he passed that day). I got to thinking on just how similar the bus and I are. Here's a short list of how we're similar:

1-We both are "air cooled".

2-We both get passed by most traffic.

3-Neither one of us will win a race.

4-We both keep to the right on the road.

5-When loaded down with cargo, we go even slower.

6-The bus' engine is called a pancake, and my engine runs better on pancakes!

I'm sure there is more, but this is what came to mind. When I had my 1975 VW bus it wasn't very fast which is probably the biggest similarity. Hopefully from the back, we don't look similar!

I Made That Headwind My Bitch Today...

...and other random thoughts.

It took me a couple miles to warm up this morning. Odd because it was 90 degrees out when I left. Once I warmed up, I was in the groove! Felt good to be out there today. The first thing that came to mind with the wind is that it's gonna suck for the firefighters up north if it's windy up there too. Please keep them in your thoughts.

Usually as I ride, I am thinking about one particular thing and working it out in my headf. Today, was a bunch of random stuff. Here's what went on in my head today:

...if you're going to cut me off when turning left in front of me, commit to it. Don't go, then slow, then go; just sack up and cut me off!

...feeling good that I saw a bee fly into my helmet and I was able to remove my helmet, free the bee and put the helmet back on without missing a pedal stroke.

...traffic around churches on a Sunday morning is crazy! (there were no less than 15 in the last 12 miles of my ride-at least that's when I started counting).

...I hate it when I see families riding and only the kids have helmets on. If a car plowed you guys, the kids will likely get to grow up without parents. Not worth the lack of "helmet hair".

...feeling kinda bad-ass from shifting into the big ring and throwing the chain and being able to get the chain back on while still rolling down the road!

...while the "vanilla gingerbread" GU is delicious, on a hot summer day, it just doesn't work.

...I need to start my rides earlier. It's damn hot!

...le Tour starts soon!

...I need to ride more...

...gonna jump in the pool when I get home to cool off.

...ahhhhhhh

Exc-USE-me JACKASS!

That's the phrase shouted at me as I passed her.

Let me paint the picture. I went for a quick ride today along my favorite "quick route", a 5+ mile loop around my house. While heading north along the canal, I'm confronted with a farm tractor slowly making his way north in front of me (only in Gilbert). I quickly divert behind the Riparian Preserve which has a windy bike/pedestrian path. I don't like to ride back there because it's directly under the power lines. So I come around a corner and this lady is riding slowly on a beach cruiser to the right side of the path and her dog is on the left side with the leash extended between them. I give the "on your left" warning, but apparently it wasn't as loud as the headphones in her ears. Since I was moving at about 20mph, I had to choose quickly; slam the brakes or pass. I chose to pass on the left, off the concrete. Scarred the crap out of the dog and that's when I was greeted with this "greeting". Had I gotten a flat from riding in the dirt, I would have had ample time to discuss this with her, but I moved on.

I forgave her immediately for calling me this. I'm not one to hold a grudge on someone who doesn't know better.

So if you ride with your dog, or by yourself; please respect the rules of the road. Ride to the right, keep your dog close as not to block the whole path, and be aware of others around you. Oh yeah, you should also wear a helmet to protect yourself (something else she forgot). The only thing I can fault her for is the fact that she's riding a bike, can't be that bad of a person. Maybe just having an off day.

Keep it rubber side down.

A Good Bike Ride Soothes the Soul

Life comes at you pretty fast. Lately, life has been coming faster than a Mercedes on the German Autobahn at me. It's been like taking a drink from a fire hose. First of all work has been crazy-busy and add in a couple trips out of town to make it even more fun. Second, my father-in-law passes away suddenly while we were in Southern California on vacation which turned our 3 day trip into a 2 week trip. Thirdly; upon my return from my last trip out of town which coincidentally was the 23rd anniversary of my dad's death, I learned that my mother has colon cancer. WTF? The universe is spiraling out of control! I decided that I needed a good bike ride to clear my head. I headed out with the intention of clearing my mind and getting back to "center". The goal was a quick 15 mile round trip to Sprouts, a local health food store that is only 3 miles away. I was taking the long way. I'm 6.7 miles into my ride and I hear BOOM. What the hell was that?!? Turns out I blew a tube. No biggie. I pull over into a church parking lot and get ready to replace the tube. Alas! No tube. Didn't I just buy a bunch last time they were on sale? No worries, I'll find the hole, patch it, be back on my way in 10 minutes. As i remove the tube, I find that the "boom" wasn't a puncture, but a "pinch flat". Pinch flat's are harder to patch because they are 2 small holes or sometimes slits that look like a snake bite. My pinch was 2 good sized slits. So naturally, the patch didn't hold. I did what anyone else would, called for back up. Luckily, I only live about 6.7 miles away and reinforcements arrived shortly. I hung my head and began my walk of shame back to the closest corner so my wife could come pick me up. As I rode, I came to a yellow light in traffic. When we drive and we approach a yellow light, what do most of us do? Gun it! Gotta get through. As a cyclist, we typically slow down because we have less of a chance to make that light and if some jack ass is chomping at the bit to go, we could get hit if we're a little late through the intersection. Not worth it. I've come to the realization that i need to look at life as a cyclist approaching a yellow light. SLOW DOWN. I have too much that i could be missing if I'm always working, or always out of town, or always distracted by work. So not worth it. From now on, I take it a little easier. Sure, I work a full week, but I won't be putting in a bunch of hours after the kids are in bed or on weekends. I need to enjoy my family. That's why I work, to provide for them. If I can't enjoy them in the process, why work at all? I have come to the realization that not EVERYTHING'S an emergency. Some shit will have to wait for tomorrow. I'm not going to bust my ass and miss out on seeing my kids grow up. I've recently taken on the role of co-leader of my son's cub scout den. That will strengthen our relationship (not that it's bad) and I'll be able to enjoy him even more than I already do. So next time you come to a yellow light or start feeling the stress of all you have to do; slow down, enjoy the moment with the one's around you. They'll thank you for it. About those tubes I thought I bought; I did buy them. They're right here on my desk where they shouldn't be. Lesson learned.

"Daddy, Why do I have Autism?"

Sunday, April 3rd was the first annual Hirning Family Ride for Autism Awareness. Matthew, Torrey & I headed out for a little bike ride to raise awareness for Autism. We didn't wear signs or blast propaganda. It was a simple bike ride with the kids. I did, however, invite all of my cycling friends from all over the country and world to ride wherever they live for Autism Awareness. I heard from some, others I did not, and that's OK.

My son asked me earlier that day, "Daddy, why do I have Autism?". As we rode, I pondered the question. The more I thought about it as I pedalled, the clearer the answer became. I still stick with the answer i gave him. "You were given Autism so that Mommy & I can learn more about it and help other people. We also have learned more about nutrition because of it and are healthier for it. Thanks to you, and your Autism, Mommy & I are better people". I can't even begin to count the number of people my wife has touched because of her knowledge of bio-medical treatment for Autism and GFCFSF nutritional information. There are TONS 9and those are just the ones she's told me about). I have been able to offer help as well. There was a lady at my daughter's dance class and we started talking nutritional stuff and I was there holding my own. She was listening and I was actually telling her things she didn't know (all because of my wife's knowledge). My wife is amazing. If you haven't yet, check out her blog here. If a dumb schmuck like me can learn from her, I know you can too.

I feel that we are given the "gifts" we have for a reason. My son, with his Autism was given to us to help others going through the same things. Maybe at first it was to teach us patience or compassion, but now it is to share what we've learned.

So what's your gift?