Rough ride

This is actually a picture of White Rock Mountain, but it pretty much describes the conditions of my mountain bike ride. My favorite trail at Devils Den State Park was far Rockier and rough than it has ever been. The Huricane that passed over the state a couple months ago ravished many large trees as they layed across the trail about every 20 to 50 feet apart. The trees are huge and not just a technical challenge, but several were at chest level or full of limbs and debree. Aside from the extreme number of small to large jagged rocks on the trail, everything is covered with leaves which hides any true line that might present itself. Because I haven't ridden a mountain bike in a long time, or at least the technical sections I use to ride, I had to walk several sections because they were too dangerous or the trail was blocked by large trees that had been blown over and ripped from the ground from their roots. As I rode on, my mountain biking instincts began to come back and my technical skills were not that bad. However, because I was riding a borrowed bike that I was not use to, and that seemed to sag the bottom bracket too low for rocky conditions, I found my pedal hitting rocks and I just didn't feel set up for some of the more challenging and scary spots, so I just used good old common sense and hiked the scary sections. I got some really good down hill experience where my balance and forward scanning came back into play, but I felt I needed to be extra careful being away from medical help if I needed it. If I get a mountain bike in the future, it will definitely be a full suspension as a hard tail would have beaten me to death. Very hard work out. I felt strong and my endurance was good, but the trail was too rough and needs attention. Besides the very cold north wind, it was a glorious day to be out in nature and on the bike.

Cool Mountain Ride

Thursday morning I am going to borrow my friend, Ranger Tim Scott's mountain bike and visit my favorite mountain bike trail. Mountain biking use to be my only form of riding and I put a great deal of energy and time into it. Well since then I sold my equipment and then later migrated to Road riding. What I loved about mountain biking was the fact that I had to focus and get into a zone, not only physically, but mentally or I would suffer possibly hazardous results. It use to be my form of meditation where after an hour or so, the problems I felt took a back seat to living in the moment. I look forward to my ride tomorrow. It is suppose to be colder than the last few days, but being in the trees deep in the woods shouldn't be too bad. It will certainly be a change of pace.

Fall

Well now it is getting cooler. I am less motivated, and I have never really enjoyed cooler air. I would do more on my bike, but I don't want to put a lock on my road bike to do errands. I am thinking about getting a light cable lock and putting a terry cloth around it so it won't scratch my bike. I am considering finding a place to do weight training or core exercises during the up coming winter months. My big goal is to get my truck fixed and taken care of as I certainly can't afford to get another one. Anyway, this picture pretty much describes my mood lately, tumultuous. I am needing something positive to focus on, so I think I will just go for a ride as a good form of meditation, come home, and clean my house. The tour de cure ride went well, but the wind the second half of the century was murder for everyone. The roads in Missouri were rough. I took a wrong turn at the end of the ride just a few miles from the end and ended up doing 105.36 miles. I did ride a little before the event to warm up, but most of the added miles were from getting lost. I felt pretty good except for a little tendinitis from working so hard in the wind. I rode 13 the next day, and then did 40 the next week, and then 35 the next week. I guess I need some cross training, and I am thinking of borrowing a mountain bike to do some single track next week.

Seven more days

It is Saturday, October 4th, 2008 and seven days until I ride the Century at the Tour De Cure for diabetes. Today is a very special day for me, a very personal anniversary, but not a birthday, but a kind of re-birth, a second chance at life, which has lasted 19 years. I am grateful that at age 50, I still have relatively good health. I have started to notice the little things that I assume comes with age and is controlled by genetics and the life long experiences my body has had to endure and heal over time, but generally I am in OK shape. I am in as good of condition as I can get before the 100 mile ride. My average speed with out pushing myself to my limits has crept up to over 16 miles an hour over distance, anywhere from 26 to 51 miles. But to survive the century, I know I will need to keep my average low for most of the ride to ensure I don't bonk, or over tax my body. My max distance at one time is a little over 62 miles. My last 26 miles felt very good, but I can see where I need far better discipline with regards to keeping control of my effort and speed. My "yard dog" mentality doesn't help me be consistent. Around other bikers or racers, I catch myself trying to keep up at their tempo and not mine which can be disastrous to my performance and endurance goal. 16 is almost always in my range of average speed taking into consideration the hills I often climb and the changing wind conditions. Wind is my biggest enemy and when hit with a wind or hill challenge, I give up on my average and just do the work. I allow my self to be slow. Often, it is benificial to train slow and build up slowly. I try to be mindful and listen to my body signals. It takes these old bones and muscles several miles to warm up, but after about 13 miles it seems my body gets into a pain free and comfortable posture. Things that bother me like a knee, or an ankle, or back pain seems to settle out and I feel free of pain. Occasionally it takes a little longer, but if I drink enough, stop to stretch and just take it easy, my body responds. Most importantly, I have to ride my own ride and do my own pace. I will also try to eat and get my glycogen levels up before the ride and hydrate well. I have a hard 3 and half days of work to contend with, and then I will need to be well fed, hydrated, and rested. The lower back exercises and stretching exercises are helpful, but I haven't kept them up and I can't change much in a week. So hopefully, my basic fitness will be enough if I keep my speed and effort low at first and try to conserve energy.

Nemo has new tape

Nemo has new bar tape, a new hg 105 10 speed chain, and stunning white fredestein tires. She is getting all gussied up for the October 11th, 100 mile ride at the Tour de Cure. in Northwest Arkansas. My co workers at Walmart Optical Lab in Fayetteville are helping to raise money and sponsoring me at this years tour. I am very humbled by their generosity. I have ridden 3373 miles this year and even then, I am nervous about the ride. It is difficult for me to pace myself. I did 51.01 miles the other day with a 16.01 average with windy conditions and long climbing sections. It was the first time in a long while that my legs were sore and I felt bonked climbing the drawn out hill back to my house. Even though my legs were wanting me to stop on the last hill, I carried on. My bicycle, Nemo, has been such a blessing for me personally. She is a well designed hand made Italian road bike and made of columbus nemo steel, with assorted carbon fiber parts. She is very well balanced and has performed extremely well in all conditions. Thanks again Tom at GVH bikes for putting her together. Hope to see you at the Tour.

Riding with the wind.

I love this painting on the side of an old bike shop that once flourished in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This outer wall on the small building says it all about what makes me feel and stay alive! Bicycling has saved my life in so many ways, and I am very grateful. I am looking forward to the Tour de Cure on October 11th. I will be riding the century, and I am trying to raise 500 dollars. I hope I can do it... I think I can.... I think I can... I think I can.

Rickie

Gearing up for the Tour de Cure

Never mind the pillow in my jersey, I've started raising money for the Diabetes Association's Tour De Cure. Please visit my Tour De Cure web page by clicking here. I will be riding the century on October 11th. Thanks so much for your contributions which will help fight to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.