The Single Life

Yesterday, I went for a little ride with the kids. They wanted to go behind our community (on the other side of the power lines) and see the horses, goats, and such. So we headed out on our bikes in search of livestock. Since the Diamondback has a flat and I'm too lazy to fix it, I grabbed the single speed. It's only fair; the kids are riding single speeds, so should I. I didn't have any "cycling gear" on except for my helmet so I wasn't clipped in or anything. My daughter decided that we should race to the end of the street. Now, I'm always up for a good sprint, so I took off.

I forgot just how much fun that bike is to ride! No need to worry about shifting, being in the wrong gear, or any of that. Just go. I need to ride this bike more. Heck, I need to just ride more. Experiencing riding around the neighborhood with my kids was definitely one of the highlights of my weekend. I hope it was for them too. I plan to keep this part of our "activity idea box" when we're looking for a fun activity. I want them to grow up and reminisce about how we used to ride our bikes around and how much fun it was.

Who knows maybe one of them will grow into a cyclist and enjoy the sport as much as their old man...

I'm a Sloth!

Allow me to explain. I spend the better part of this work week at our corporate headquarters in New Haven Connecticut for some training. Some would call it reprogramming, we'll just stick with "training". When I have to travel, I tend to eat worse than I would at home. Typical evenings are spent eating later than I usually do (or at least closer to bed time) and the food is way heavier than I normally eat. For example; the night that the whole class went to dinner, we went to this very nice Italian restaurant and had the appetizers, drinks, and of course the heavy Italian meal. I was good. I didn't binge (that would make me a glutton), I had a grilled salmon and vegetable dinner. Of course the salmon and vegetables were smeared in butter. I normally would grill or broil my salmon with a light spray of olive oil and steam the veggies. Working really long days, and by working at these training sessions, it's sitting there listening, and being on a different time zone really messes with you. My routine is completely thrown off. I don't feel like walking tonight, riding this weekend, or anything physical. After this week, I absolutely should get out and move a little.

So, after this last trip, I'm feeling fat and lazy. Maybe I'm just tired. Maybe I just need to suck it up and get out there....

New Bike!

Here she is, the new bike. You're probably thinking I've lost my mind. That isn't a picture of a bike but it's a sprocket, a gear, a cog, certainly not a bike. Hear me out. this part when out onto my rear hub will turn my singlr speed bike into a fixed gear bike. Essentially, I will have 2 bikes in one!

What's the difference? I'll break it down for you. A single speed bike is just as the name implies one gear. There are no deraileurs to get goofed up, no shifting cables to get loose, no upshifting when you want to go faster and no downshifting when the road gets too steep. You never have to worry if you're in the right gear at a stop light; you're always in the wrong gear! This type of bike is what most kids ride to start out. With the exception of reversing the pedals for brakes (a single speed coasts), they are very simliar.

A fixed gear is basically the same concept except you can't coast. That's the thing about it. Say "it's a fixed gear" and you usually get blank stares, say "it doesn't coast" and people understand. Sort of. Why would anyone chose to ride a bike that doesn't coast and that can't change gears? Well, why do you ride a bike instead of drive a car? Do you like the wind rippling over your legs as you spin the planet beneath you? Do you like the feeling of going faster and farther than you ever could alone by adding a bit of machinery to your life? Take all that bikeness, strip it down to it's essence and put it on the road. What you have is what I'm looking forward to riding. The bike is simple, about as simple as you can get. It doesn't coast. You don't coast as you start out and put your foot in the second pedal. No, you grab the pedal on the fly. The bike won't ever let you forget -- it doesn't coast. If you want to go fast, you pedal fast. To go slow, you pedal slow. When you stop, it stops.

I will be able to flip the back wheel over for those "organized rides" when you have to coast a bid for others' safety. Otherwise, I think I will keep it as a fixed gear. I can't wait to ride it!

Welcome to the Plateau!

When I started riding with Team Bad-Ass last year, I was one of the "strong" riders. I would typically lead the pack or at least be up near the front. I slowly found myself slipping to the back of the pack, sometimes watching the team pull away from me. I used to think it was me trying to hang in while riding a mountain bike with slicks. Then I read an article from Bicycling magazine about hitting the plateau (something that most cyclists hit at some point). I thought, "holy crap, that's me". The author described almost exactly what happened to me with my team. It turns out that it wasn't the bike, it was ME, I figured as much but this article confirmed it. He then outlined a plan to get back into form and get stronger.

Part of his plan was taking some time off (and get "fat"), which I have already done.I'm going to modify that plan a little; I took the time off, but didn't get fat. i think I burned out. Riding the same course most of the time, failed to challenge me. This year, I will ride a wider variety of courses to challenge me and force me to either get stronger or die. This will include more hills. Phoenix is geographically a pancake, very flat. There are, however, some outlining areas that are hilly. That's where I will be. Sure, I will still take the quick 20 miler out the front door to spin some, but I will also add in some serious "training".

I am also going to cross train with walking and some light jogging (my orthopedic surgeon better not read this). There will be some strength training as well, not so much with weights, but resistance bands. I have obtained what I am calling my jump box which I need to start using more frequently (more to come on that later).

So, here's to a stronger, faster 2011.

A New Year, A New Set of Goals

How did 2010 slip by me so fast? It seems like just yesterday, I rode to the top of Las Sendas mountain and proclaimed my mileage goal for the year. I didn't exactly shout it from the mountain top, but when I got back I wrote about it. Not nearly as poetic, I know. In fact, I think I did pretty good on my goals that I set out for the year. You'll have to ask my wife about #'s 2&3 but I feel that I did pretty good. For the work one, I feel I did well. To recap, here were my goals:



1. Ride 3600 miles by year's end

2. Be a better father to my kids (lengthen my fuse)

3. Be a better husband to my wife in general

4. Focus my energy at work on being more productive (work smarter, not harder)



Hmmm, 3 out of 4 isn't bad, right? Turns out my total mileage was only 1674 miles. Not even half of my goal that I set out for myself. How did that happen? I was kicking ass. My miles for the last 3 years were going up considerably until last year. 2008 - 2064 miles, 2009 - 3053 miles, last year - complete fizzzle (fo shizzle). I'm not going to sit here and make up a bunch of lame excuses. Yes, my hand issues continued, but so what? Maybe my goal wasn't realistic? Maybe life just got in the way? Yes, life did get busy, but isn't it always? Wasn't 2009 busy too? You bet!



Instead of complaining about not meeting my goal, I'm going to celebrate it. Hey, I did over 1600 miles! That's a whole lot better than sitting my fat ass on the couch and doing nothing! In 2010 I did manage to drop about 10 pounds and lower my cholesterol to under 200. I've been eating healthier and feeling better.

So for this year, I have a new list of goals. Here they are (in no particular order):
1. Continue to lengthen my fuse with my kids
2. Be an even better husband to my wife
3. Get our office in the top 5 agencies in the country (currently we're at the bottom)
3. Better my time in the Tour de Scottsdale (4:26 in 2010)
4. Compete in a sprint triathlon
5. Compete in 1 running event (Warrior Dash - already scheduled 4-30-11)
6. Better my 2008 mileage number (2064miles)
7. Try to help people understand Autism and share our story more
8. Get rid of some clutter
9. Improve my overall well being through meditation and relaxation
10. Expand our home garden to grow more of our own food.
11. Have fun!

I picked 11 for 2011 (clever huh?). I have started walking the dog most nights with a friend of mine, Mark which will help with my mileage goal and overall health. Yeah, we got a dog just after Thanksgiving. Starting off 2011, my weight is 281 and my cholesterol is 299 (this is more a reference for me to see how I do this year). I believe that all of these goals are attainable. I hope to blog more to share my journey with both of the people that read this.

Here's to a great year!

I don't want to go off on a rant here...

but, I was riding back to the car shop to pick up the swagger wagon. Apparently, our swagger was low and needed a refill. Anyway, as I rode, I came across a group of about 10-12 people out for a ride. It was a mixture of adults and kids. There were kids on training wheels, kids in trailers, and the others on all types of bikes. It was cool to see a group out doing the sport I love. Then I realized everyone was wearing a helmet EXCEPT the adults.

As parents, we need to set an example for our kids. Everyone should wear a helmet while riding. What good is it if we are out riding and we fall (or get hit) and we are left incapacitated (or worse) and our kids are ok? I know we all want what's best for our kids, but being around to watch them grow up is also best for them. We need to be around to raise them (whether it's the right way or some other way). Sure a helmet might mess up your hair or not look cool, but how cool does a head wound from having an accident and not wearing one?
Ask anyone who's ever been in a serious bike accident and I'm sure they'll tell you they were glad to have a helmet on. I know I was!

I saw on Facebook this morning, one of the local newscasters riding a fat tire bike for the upcoming Tour de Fat and he wasn't wearing a helmet. Lots of people posted comments about what a cool bike it was and how they wanted one. I left a comment that it was a cool bike abd that he should set an example by wearing a helmet.

So, please, when you're out riding please wear a helmet. Be safe, especially on the roads. Cars don't look for us. Ride as if you're invisible - because you are. I help organize the ride of silence every year (a ride for fallen or injured cyclists) and I don't want to add any more names to the "fallen" list.

Ride safe.

Tour de Scottsdale

Race starts at 7:00. I set my internal clock for 4:00 so we could eat something and roll out at 5:00. 1200 of my closest friends would be there to join me on this little ride. My body knows that I like to hit the snooze button, so it started at 1:00am, then at 2, then again at 3. I finally got up at 4.

I got out of bed and started getting everything together. Truth be told, I staged everything except my bike the night before. I filled my water bottles, had some coffee, made a batch of oatmeal, and I was set. I arrived in front of the Rosier's just before 5 and waited for the caravan to begin. We headed out at 5 and got to the starting area without incident.

The tour had us set up in "corrals" according to our estimated finish time. I suppose this was to let the faster riders be up front as not to run over the slower riders. I estimated my ride time to be 4 hours. Kate and Ron estimated 4-1/2. Geoff, Lance, and Jacob also gave a 4 hour time. Jake, Lance & I hung back to start with Kate & Ron while Geoff went to the forward corral. After some safety announcements and the salute to our country by Jimi Hendrix's version of the Star Spangled Banner, we were off.

The ride started out pretty slowly with everyone getting out of the chute, but once we were past that, we rolled pretty good. I was hanging with Jake at about 22mph as we passed some and were passed by others. As the riders thinned, Jake & I got in a group the was really rolling. We had a slight downhill and we were making good time. I decided it was my turn to pull and moved to the front (which felt really good). Once we turned and started North, the course took a slightly uphill direction. That's when the group pulled away from me. I was moving pretty good, I thought, they were just moving better.

I figured to make my 4 hour time, I had to average 17.5mph with this uphill, I was still hanging in there. Before I knew it, we were turning on to Cave Creek Road. I was surprised how quickly we got there. Of course this was still uphill. I was starting to slow a bit now. This part of Cave Creek Road was steeper than the hill we'd been climbing and I felt it. Since this hill was a little steeper, I decided to get out of the big chain ring. Ahhh, much better. Slower, but better. Before I knew it, we were turning to head south down Pima Road. I stopped quickly at the aid station to refill water bottles and grab a banana.

Pima Road from Cave Creek to Dynamite is slightly downhill (not as much as I've already climbed), with rolling hills. I was re-hydrated and recharged. I flew down Pima! At this point, since most of the groups had pulled away, I was on my own. I got behind a couple guys a few times, but mostly it was all me. Left turn on to Dynamite. I blazed through the intersection pulling away from the guy I was drafting. There was a photographer at the corner waiting. I hope that picture surfaces somewhere. Maybe on the TdS Facebook page.

Dynamite was the steepest climb so far. i downshifted to my middle chain ring for a bit and decided I needed to go lower. My front derailleur decided it didn't want to go. WTF? I tried again, nothing. Shit. I knew there was an even bigger climb ahead and without the "granny ring" it was going to suck. I just sucked it up and hammered. At the aid station at the top of this climb, I got off refilled my bottles, had a banana and checked out my bike for any obvious reason for this derailleur issue. I couldn't find anything. Anyway, it was time for the nice 9 mile downhill. There was a crash a little more than half way down and the ambulance had to come. I hope the guy I saw laying on the ground is OK. At the bottom of the hill, we started to make our way into fountain hills. Nice rolling hills. Due to pushing a higher gear, my legs were now cramping. It's only been 37 miles! I told my legs to "shut up" and keep going. They did, albeit, at a slower pace.
On the way out of fountain Hills, we turned West onto Shea Blvd. This road is about the same pitch as Dynamite as far as steepness. There's a slight bend in the road and then, BAM! We went from slightly steep to steep. Keeping in mind that I had no granny ring, I decided that I was going to have to power through. I made it to the top and enjoyed the downhill! Strangely enough, it's not as steep as "9 mile" hill, but I went faster somehow.

By this time, my legs were really hurting. As I coasted during the downhills, I massaged them as best I could. What the hell? I've only experienced cramping in my legs once before and that was climbing a steep hill on the single speed. I knew what was going on there. This was all new.

At the last aid station, Kate & Ron caught up to me. We chatted for a few seconds and decided to head back out. Only 8 miles to go. 8 miles uphill, that is. Who decided to put that in the route? I finished only a coupe minutes ahead of the Rosiers. My clock time was 4:26:15 and my chip time was 4:22:18 (it took that long to get through the chute). My actual riding time was 4:05:00. Out of 966 finishers, I was 732. Not the best results, but I finished. I enjoyed the experience and would do it again.

What did I learn? Probably my biggest lesson learned is that I need to ride more hills. Most of my training rides are pretty much flat. I ride starting out from my house and the east valley is pretty flat. I need to branch out a bit and ride more hills. I also didn't ride much in the month of September. That needs to change for the next race. As I write this, my butt is sore, my legs are tight, and I can't wait to get back on the bike.

Before I finish, I would like to thank the Scottsdale Police and MCSO for holding traffic for us so we can continue to roll. I would also like to thanks all the voluteers at the aid stations and finish line for all your work. The families and friends of riders along the route were awesome! Thanks you for shouting words of encouragement - they helped. And to the ride organizers, thank you for a well organized, fun ride. If you know anyone in the aforementioned categories, please thank them on my behalf.


Keep it rubber side down!