Saturday, June 27, 2009
40 mile mark. Wind is
40 mile mark. Wind is a little stiff ... But all in all doing well. We'll see how it goes in July when we add hills.
Second pitstop. Feeling really good.
Second pitstop. Feeling really good. I'm riding today in memory of Mary's mom who went home to be with Jesus almost 18 years ago.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
So it's been a while ...
I thought that I would take some time to let you all know what's been going on ...
I finally got back on my bike this morning ... it's been a few weeks. I've been battling plantar faciitis on and off for the last 13 years. This year was the year to finally start taking care of it as it became less of a nuisance and more of a constant pain. My podiatrist says that it won't affect my bike riding so the trip is still a go. However, the last few weeks have caused some intense pain that made it so I didn't even want to step foot out of bed in the morning (my time to bike). I working through some treatments now and decided I just needed to suck it up and ride. So I did. I rode my general training route "around the block." It felt great to be back on the bike, listening to Scripture. This Saturday is also the Ride for Roswell ... looks like it will be a good day for the ride.
The other thing that got in my way of riding (only slightly) was my father's health. He was down in Mississippi last week doing some work for his mission and suffered a fairly serious heart attack. After assessing the situation, my mom & I flew down to be with him and bring him home. All in all, Dad was very blessed by the Lord to still be with us. After I returned on Sunday night, my parents followed on Tuesday evening. Dad is home now, resting! He joked with me that he has now decided that he won't be joining Tyler & me on the ride to the ADK.
Oh well ... Saturday is the Ride for Roswell ... a Metric Century or 100 km ride (that's about 62 miles for all you old school types). I hope to do some blogging during the ride so that we can test the reliability of doing so in July. Check back on Saturday morning to see how the ride is going.
Speaking of that ride in July ... I've finally secured a place for us to stay the first four nights on the road. We'll be staying at Wesleyan churches all along the way, until the last night in Tupper Lake. Tyler & I have decided to play that night by ear and simply cruise into town and find a spot to pitch our tent. I'll give advance thanks for all the places we'll be staying ... Camp Hickory Hill (Varysburg, NY), Crosswinds Wesleyan Church (Canandaigua, NY), Community Wesleyan Church (Baldwinsville, NY), Grace Wesleyan Church (Watertown, NY), and East Pitcairn Wesleyan Church (Harrisville, NY).
The next few weeks are crazy for me & the family. VBS in Orchard Park, followed by a mission trip to Newark, NJ ... then a week at home before we head off on the bikes. I believe the countdown is at 33 days. It's a-coming.
I finally got back on my bike this morning ... it's been a few weeks. I've been battling plantar faciitis on and off for the last 13 years. This year was the year to finally start taking care of it as it became less of a nuisance and more of a constant pain. My podiatrist says that it won't affect my bike riding so the trip is still a go. However, the last few weeks have caused some intense pain that made it so I didn't even want to step foot out of bed in the morning (my time to bike). I working through some treatments now and decided I just needed to suck it up and ride. So I did. I rode my general training route "around the block." It felt great to be back on the bike, listening to Scripture. This Saturday is also the Ride for Roswell ... looks like it will be a good day for the ride.
The other thing that got in my way of riding (only slightly) was my father's health. He was down in Mississippi last week doing some work for his mission and suffered a fairly serious heart attack. After assessing the situation, my mom & I flew down to be with him and bring him home. All in all, Dad was very blessed by the Lord to still be with us. After I returned on Sunday night, my parents followed on Tuesday evening. Dad is home now, resting! He joked with me that he has now decided that he won't be joining Tyler & me on the ride to the ADK.
Oh well ... Saturday is the Ride for Roswell ... a Metric Century or 100 km ride (that's about 62 miles for all you old school types). I hope to do some blogging during the ride so that we can test the reliability of doing so in July. Check back on Saturday morning to see how the ride is going.
Speaking of that ride in July ... I've finally secured a place for us to stay the first four nights on the road. We'll be staying at Wesleyan churches all along the way, until the last night in Tupper Lake. Tyler & I have decided to play that night by ear and simply cruise into town and find a spot to pitch our tent. I'll give advance thanks for all the places we'll be staying ... Camp Hickory Hill (Varysburg, NY), Crosswinds Wesleyan Church (Canandaigua, NY), Community Wesleyan Church (Baldwinsville, NY), Grace Wesleyan Church (Watertown, NY), and East Pitcairn Wesleyan Church (Harrisville, NY).
The next few weeks are crazy for me & the family. VBS in Orchard Park, followed by a mission trip to Newark, NJ ... then a week at home before we head off on the bikes. I believe the countdown is at 33 days. It's a-coming.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Sunday with Dan
Our prayers are continually with Dad and Mom. They are planning on returning to Williamsville on Tuesday.
I spent the day riding with Dan Richbart. He took it easy on me and only travelled 62 miles. The wind was light, but seemed to be in our face most the day. But that didn't bother me, I followed Dan all day.
One thing that I realized that I need to bring this summer is sunscreen. I got slightly crispy in a couple paces. It also appears that I have developed an acute case of cyclesundosis.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/oh/-nepolean-to-fremont/519124562810766394
I spent the day riding with Dan Richbart. He took it easy on me and only travelled 62 miles. The wind was light, but seemed to be in our face most the day. But that didn't bother me, I followed Dan all day.
One thing that I realized that I need to bring this summer is sunscreen. I got slightly crispy in a couple paces. It also appears that I have developed an acute case of cyclesundosis.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/oh/-nepolean-to-fremont/519124562810766394
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
I got wet!
28 mile training ride today and it started rain around mile 15. I was a bit chilled and I heard thunder in the distance, so I called Mona for a ride. My bike performed well in the rain, but I was definitely hydro-planing at times. I filled my panniers up with MREs so I carried plenty of weight and still managed to go under two hours.
I will probably do this route again at some point, as I was actually hoping to get to Cincinnati.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/oh/dayton/164124464797479181
I will probably do this route again at some point, as I was actually hoping to get to Cincinnati.
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/oh/dayton/164124464797479181
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
How slow can you go?
Took the family out on the bike trail today. This was the first time I made Bubba ride by himself. We went 5 miles out and 5 back and averaged 5.7 mph!
This was also the first time on the new road tires. They felt smooth and fast, but didn't really get the chance to open-it-up because of the blistering pace the fam was doing.
I guess I won't add this trip to map-my-ride.
This was also the first time on the new road tires. They felt smooth and fast, but didn't really get the chance to open-it-up because of the blistering pace the fam was doing.
I guess I won't add this trip to map-my-ride.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Riding vs. Shopping
I can understand my brother's concern with what we are going to eat, but ... come on! While I toil away on my bike, training for this ride, he tells you about going shopping for food ... and he doesn't even leave the store with what we need!!!! Unbelievable!
Can't say much in my own defense though ... today was the first day I've been on the bike since last Saturday. However, I addressed my bike ride this morning a little differently than normal. I did my standard 10.84 mile loop around the "block" (if you haven't seen it before, check out the course by clicking on the button below).
This morning, I decided to increase my speed a little. Each time out on this loop in May, I finished the ride in 47-48 minutes. That puts my mph around high 13s, low 14s. As I've been reading on mapmyride, that indicates a medium effort workout. High effort/intensity begins at 15 mph ... so this morning I wanted to average at least 15 mph. I kept the average over 16 mph for almost 2/3 of the ride, but faded as I returned home into a stiff breeze. Still I was able to keep it above 15 mph ... 15.21 to be exact. Moreover, I shaved nearly 5 minutes off of my previous times ... almost 30 seconds per mile faster. Upon arriving home, I felt like I was about to die, and upon checking my water bottle realized that in my haste I had neglected my hydration (I only had about 5-6 oz.). Little lessons learned ... now it's up to me to remember them ... I bet that there's a sermon illustration in this one somewhere ...
Can't say much in my own defense though ... today was the first day I've been on the bike since last Saturday. However, I addressed my bike ride this morning a little differently than normal. I did my standard 10.84 mile loop around the "block" (if you haven't seen it before, check out the course by clicking on the button below).
This morning, I decided to increase my speed a little. Each time out on this loop in May, I finished the ride in 47-48 minutes. That puts my mph around high 13s, low 14s. As I've been reading on mapmyride, that indicates a medium effort workout. High effort/intensity begins at 15 mph ... so this morning I wanted to average at least 15 mph. I kept the average over 16 mph for almost 2/3 of the ride, but faded as I returned home into a stiff breeze. Still I was able to keep it above 15 mph ... 15.21 to be exact. Moreover, I shaved nearly 5 minutes off of my previous times ... almost 30 seconds per mile faster. Upon arriving home, I felt like I was about to die, and upon checking my water bottle realized that in my haste I had neglected my hydration (I only had about 5-6 oz.). Little lessons learned ... now it's up to me to remember them ... I bet that there's a sermon illustration in this one somewhere ...
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Training Detour
The last few weeks I have been focused on passing my Air Force physical fitness test. I completed the first stage today by finishing the 1.5 mile run in 12:01 minutes. I was hoping to break 12 minutes, but am satisfied. The second half is tomorrow with the push-ups, sit-ups and an abdominal circumference measurement.
Went shopping to get more MREs and the pickin's were a bit slim, so I only got a few. All the good one's were gone, hope they restock soon; or we'll be eating vegetable lasagna all week.
Went shopping to get more MREs and the pickin's were a bit slim, so I only got a few. All the good one's were gone, hope they restock soon; or we'll be eating vegetable lasagna all week.
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