Giving

Over the past several years i have had the good fortune to be in reasonable health and have really enjoyed cycling. Every year I attempt to raise funds for one or more charities. Last year Will, Josh, and myself participated in the Tour de Pink, to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer in young women. The organization that is hosting, and organization, and benefiting from the money raised is the Young Survival Coalition

I like this event for several reasons, First it is a physical challenge, it is 220 miles over three days, so it is alot of saddle time, and you do need to be in some shape.

Second: In my mind all cancer sucks!! So raising money to help find a cure for breast cancer, may lead to finding a cure for other cancers. The YSC does not only a great job fund raising etc, they are also a tremendous organization in terms of support and resources for those afflict with cancer.

Last year i meet some great people, I know i will again this year, i also know this ride will challenge me. Last year i was concerned about finishing, this year, i will have the luxury of pushing myself and leaving it all out on the 220+ miles between Hershey and NYC.

I would urge all reader to donate, It is tax deductible, it is for an awesome cause!

Donate Here!!

For those many generous donations.... I thank you!!

Thanks

T

Back in the Saddle

So after a week break from the bike I forced myself out for the Monday night ride. My legs felt pretty good, but my heart and lungs were suffering, hopefully it was just the shock being back on the bike.

We did the Ladies sprint triathlon route, there are some good climbs, and a couple monster downhills.

While i didn't break my max speed, i did manage 53.2 mph down one of them. On one of the other descents the computer said i hit of 60 but, that is just crazy cause it wasn't that big of a decent, and I'm sure i wasn't on a Ducati. But i think with a big enough hill and the tall gearing on the Masi, 60+ isn't unachievable. hehe




I'll try and see if i can get out again today!

T

i'm Back

Last week i packed up the wife and the baby, and headed for the hills. Well the lake. We went up to the finger lakes for a week long vacation. I had high hopes for cycling and relaxing, but sometimes reality is cruel.

For the record i had a pretty good time, the cottage, had no tv, no cell service, and no Internet. I must admit that was fantastic.

The downside of the week was the weather, I had two main focuses for the week, fishing and biking. I only got out fishing 3 times, and cycling 0 times.

Monday - Wednesday it was cold and rainy, Thursday and Friday we had to fight our way through some significant thunderstorms.

Oh well. i do feel a bit rejuvenated none the less, and while i'm not looking forward to starting work today.

T

Short Quickie

Tonight i decided after dinner that i would get a quick ride in. I thought i would go out across the Wrightsville bridge and back. I was annoyed that i didn't get any riding in the morning, so i figured i'd make the most of the evening ride, and keep the hammer down.

My first mistake was forgetting my inhaler, not that i require it, but my lungs defiantly tightened up. Yeah i figured that cost me some speed.

It amuses me to play games while i'm riding, tonight's game required me to see if i could get to the bridge with an average speed of 20 mph. Well I got to the end of the bridge with a speed of 19.5. Not bad, probably could have done 20 with the inhaler.

What really pisses me off, because i'm a guy with pride, and testosterone, is when someone just spanks you. I was heading towards the bridge, moving at a good clip when i passed a gent that had just turned on 462. He had a yellow jersey and was riding a FELT. Now i passed him on a descent at about 39 mph. I didn't pay him any attention. A few minutes later I'm climbing one of the rollers, and he goes past me like i'm going backwards. I'm like you've got to be shitting me. So I decided that my best option was to pull a Rasmussen and pull him back in.

Well that didn't happen, i was able to match his speed, and if it were a race, at least I would have controlled the damage. He turned off in Wrightsville prior to the bridge, so it would have been interesting to see if i could have paced him across it. oh well i'll be fast next time.

I turned around and headed home. i did the 17 miles in under an hour. although my computer showed an average speed of 16.8, It had to be faster as i did the 17.22 miles in 59 min.

Anyway, good just to be out tonight, even if it was short.

The nice thing about motionbase.com is that you can easily see improvements.

Earlier this year on June 4th i did the same ride.
Avg speed 14.2

Today

Avg Speed
17.5

Not to shabby.

Anyway, i've got to adjust my heart rate monitor as that was really flaky today, perhaps i'll add a new battery to it.

Here are the details of today's ride.

Crazy Ride Idea

After thinking what would be a really hard cool ride. I've contemplated it, I've thought about it, and now I've got it.!

200+ miles of riding. Not sure if i could pull that off in a single day or not, but it would take about 12 hours and an average speed of 17 mph to do it.

As I keep training I'll be refining the route. Perhaps early October ??

Saturday Ride -60 Miles-

So this week was a little lack luster as far as the amount of riding I was able to get in. So Saturday morning i awoke with grand aspirations to make up for it, and get to my 100 mile mark.

I went out to mapmyride.com to find a suitable route. I figured I would head back up to the MDT (Harrisburg Airport) then out rt 230, cut through Mountville, and continue south looping back to Columbia then home. That route was estimated at 75 miles.

I hit the road a tad later than i wanted but at least i was motivated to get home while getting the miles in.

The good news was for the first 30 miles to the airport, i put down an average speed of 17mph, which for this fat guy is pretty good!. Since i felt good getting there i figured i would spend the next 40+ miles at a tad more relaxed pace.

I headed into E-town to get Gatorade, and a candy bar, I had been without any liquid for about 25 minutes and in the heat i was sure do for some. I filled the bottles, drank what wouldn't fit in the magnum bottles, and headed towards Mt Joy. After getting comfortable climbing the rolling hills, i was just starting to hit my stride, when kerpow my rear tire exploded.

So after taking the tire off there was a quarter size tear / blowout on the tire. I attempted to put a patch on the tire, knowing full well that it would be futile be i though what the hell.

Well it didn't hold, and i blew out my last remaining tube. So after a call to my SAG vehicle i walked up to a closed body shop and waiting.

Beth rolled in after awhile, and i had already removed the tire, as i had a spare tire in the back of the subie. less than ten minutes later i was rolling again.

I still felt pretty good, but the heat of the day had taken its toll, i had to still roll about 25 miles home in about 1.5 hours or so. Had this been the start of the ride, no problem, but now after a while i was getting tired. By the time I hit Chickie's rock my head was starting to pound and i knew i was starting to feel the effects of dehydration. It was the heat of the day and i was sweating more fluid than i could take in.

I focused on my breathing and relaxing as i climbed up and over the monster hill. Still even though i was starting to hurt i still climbed pretty good.

I got into Columbia and realized that i still had to be home in 30 minutes. Well i knew i can make the ride from home to Columbia in 30 minutes because it is down hill, but i hadn't in a long time made the return trip in under 40 min. I was tired, and suffering, but oddly felt that i was going to make it. I didn't attempt to hammer home thought i just set a good 15mph+ pace the entire way. I rolled in at 5:00 on the dot, 30 minutes to the number. I'm still not quite sure how it all came together, but all in all a good ride.

Total Mileage 62.62
Average Speed 16.3
Average Heart Rate 145!





T

Sunrise Friday Morning Ride

So after a week off the bike due to a nice Summer Cold and then extreme heat, and just enough work to keep me busy, I was able to steal away this morning with my guide Will to bang out some miles.

While it wasn't super hot today, the humidity had to be at least 100%. My Oakley's were fogging up like a Chevy after prom.

Anyway It was a pretty good ride, and we averaged well over 16 mph for most of the ride, before Will was like, hey i got a great idea lets do some climbing.

This was after a pretty good attack on the famed Turkey Hill.

Well at least there are some miles for the week, Hopefully I'll get out Saturday and Sunday and Salvage what i can of this low mileage week.

T

Bike Safety

While riding you always have to suffer the indignities of what our society now refers to as the white trash.

These are the people that throw bottles, insults and skim their mirrors so close to your head or shoulder that unless you have a strong sphincter you end up with poop in your shorts.

These are the people that I would throw 8 rounds of hollow point 9mm ammo at if you could draw a bead on them while attempting to stay upright on the bike.

None the less the point of this is people: People on Bikes are Human! No No its true they are.

So the next time you speed past somebody on a bike, cause you have to get your Double Fat Latte at the nearest Starbucks. Consider the consequence of clipping that rider and killing him / her.

In a society of impatience, a society where people text message while driving (oh the stupidity) It really makes cycling a dangerous sport. So for you drivers here are some tips.

1. Remember that you're in a two ton vehicle, if you even tap the cyclist you will probably kill them!
2. Give them Room. If you see oncoming traffic wait to pass the cyclist. Don't try and squeeze between them and the oncoming traffic (dipshits)
3. Treat cyclist as vehicles. They have the same right of way as a car does.
4. Don't pass a cyclist just to turn in front of them

Bottom line is to slow down, give them room, and treat them like a car. (or horse and buggy if your in Lancaster)

Also think of your friends who ride, think about what it would be like if you killed them cause you were in a hurry, or because you weren't paying attention because your cell phone was so far up your ear that it was blocking blood flow to your brain. (And on that note, get a god damn blue tooth head set!!)

Remember when you see a person on a bike, think of your friends who ride!

T

Motivation

Well... There are significant questions around what motivates people. What keeps people in the game, what pushes people to perform, to train, to continually improve themselves?

I think that there is an innate behavior the forces man to compete to push themselves to be better than the next.

In my quest to get back into some semblance of shape i often ask that of myself, what gets me on the bike, what pushes me over the next hill.

For myself it is the reality of not succumbing to the ride, the bike, the hill, or myself. It is the belief that I can improve, that i won't be conquered.

I still find it hard to get on the bike, to motivate myself to get out an ride, it is always easier to sit around, work, or even play with my daughter (the latter being very noble) but in an effort to get in shape so that i can see her graduate, and walk her down the isle all in the next 20+ years I find myself saddled up, out on the asphalt.

Motivation for the super athlete is most likely about winning or more to the point, getting paid, for us mere mortals, it is most likely a combination of things, family, our innate will to perform, our humanity of resolve that pushes us forward. The trick is to figure out how to tap into the motivation that is all around us so that we can be better people.

T

Results from the week.

Well I didn't get out on the Monday Night Ride. I was a tad under the weather, with sore throat and runny nose, and lack of energy. At least that is how is started out yesterday, so i passed on the ride, so i could recover, and today, i'm feeling pretty good.

Anyway i had a pretty good week on the bike.

Miles - 155

Average Speed - 15.1

Average Heart Rate - 150

I think that the biggest improvement has come in the dramatic drop in the heart rate. I found over the past several rides that i am no longer pegging the heart rate monitor and only exceeding my limits on the most strenuous climbs. Where in the past the alarm on the monitor seemed to be chirping at me after every pedal stroke.

I am glad that my average speed is up. I would really like to be able to turn 17 mph as an average speed for the week. but that won't be easy so for the moment I'm happy with the results of the 15 average. To contrast when i started my avg speed was down in the 13's.

This week is going to be a little harder to get miles in due to work, and i may have to break out the trainer and do some training indoors at night. Not ideal, but may be necessary.

Thanks again to Will for some great rides this week!

T

What is the basis for who you are?

I tend to find that cycling is in some ways therapeutic. Typically while riding alone, your mind tends to wander as the continual sound of the chain meshing with the gears creates a kinda of unique white noise.

It also allows for one to take their mind of the burn in the legs and or lungs. So the last question i contemplated is what defines one? What will one's legacy be?

There are several categories that i see people falling into.

• Family
• Money
• Religion
• Vanity

For me, I hope my legacy will be my family, my daughter whom brings more joy than a trillion dollars, she has really become my motivating factor.

We all need to be grounded in something, there is something that is at the core of us, that is the basis for what / how we make our decisions. It is the very fiber that drives us.

Even if your not particularly religious, fundamental christian values are instilled in us, it is the basis for our government, it by enlarge helps to focus our looking glass of life. One simple illustration would be compare this to radicals of the middle east. They are hell bent on killing, they want to wipe the US and Israel off the map, it would seem that hate has tainted their looking glass of the world.

So my question is when was the last time you truly hated somebody, enough to demand that an entire country be annihilated?

However i would like to think that it is a small percentage of radicals in the Middle East, but i'm not convinced.

So what does define somebody? is it charitable works, is it the wealth they accumulate, is it their bond with their family, is it devotion to God? Obviously all of or some of these factor make up what we are. but ultimately there can be only one core item that is at the root of all of the others.

I would look at it this way, what one factor directs your compass of life?

T

Sunday Early AM Ride

Well,

In an odd turn of events I decided to get out early this morning and bang out some miles. Last night after a series of text messages with Will, we set up for a good ride.

I know i'm getting a tad bit obsessed when I dragged my candy ass out of the bed at 5:45 to get going. Heck I normally wouldn't get out of the bed that early even if the house was on fire.

I threw the bike on the Subie and headed over to Will's, it is so much nicer to ride in Lancaster County than York county, Roads are better, people's attitudes are better, all is well in Lancaster. Perhaps it is that the majority of the people are used to dealing with the Amish and their horses? I don't know but i do prefer it.

Check out the route and details!



The reality of the situation is that in order to improve you always need to ride with someone better than yourself. Thus why I enjoy riding with Will. He knows the roads, climbs, etc to mix up a good ride, and also sets a good pace that starts to push me to keep up with him.

Today's ride offered allot of climbing. I'm still not where i want to be as far as climbing, but i am vastly improved over where i was this time last year or even when i started this year. So progress is being made.

T

Thursday Morning ride

In an effort to get the most complete set of data to everyone, I'm trying some different options from Motion Based. This looks pretty cool, but I am still looking for a real time transfer of data from MB to the blog. That way i can focus on Quality content and commentary and all of the telemetry will be there.



T

A break

I've been off the bike for two days now, really itching to get on it, but my buttocks and knee are a sore, so i decided to give them a break. Hoping to get out tomorrow for close to 50 miles or more.

Still haven't shed as much weight as i was hoping. I suppose it is always easier to put it on than take it off.

Oh well, I guess we will just have to trudge through it.

T

Correction

I went back and looked at all my other rides, and unfortunatly 50.7 is not the fastest speed i have achived on the bike. 53.4 mph is the fastest recorded speed on the Masi. This was set last year on the 3rd leg of the tour de pink.

Looks like i've got something to shoot for!

Tim

Thursday Morning Hiatus

So I got a text from Will last night, to meet him at his house this morning at 8:30 to bang out some miles. Generally i wouldn't be around to take him up on it, but i was as caught up as i get at work, and figured i could work some extra hours this evening to make up for it. (so far it is working out ;)

Anyway arrived at Will's swanky pad, and we headed out. We headed south and unlike the last time we went out, my legs felt fresh and my heart rate was good, so we set a pretty solid pace and made our way to Turkey Hill via Letort road. I think that is a good warm up, because you have these step type climbs to the top. Really gets the legs loosened up.

I took point as we descended Turkey hill, and hit a new max speed for me of 50.7 mph. Yeah baby, glad i was on a MASI.

We rolled into Columbia then climbed Ironville Pike, Again legs felt good and was able to match Will's pace going up it. So some decent improvement there.

Anyway we looped up through Mount Joy and then back to Will's pad.

Ride Details

I will admit that the heat was getting to me today, and as we pulled into Will's i was starting to get a headache. I think it was primarily that I wasn't drinking enough, so I'm gonna have to better manage my hydration on these hot days.

Also i have to find something i can eat while riding. The though of cycling and riding always turns my stomach. I know it is psychological but never the less, I'll have to work through that.

T

Random thoughts of the day

Where is the world going?? I felt compelled to write a post today about the tragedies of our world.

toddlers found under the sink dead.

9 adopted children handcuffed and starved

Teen Charged with trying to steal a women's fetus

I mean what the hell is the world coming too? It is all to easy to read the news and find that humanity is it's own worst enemy.

We can't take care of our children, and yet we expect to evolve? We expect to conquer disease and poverty, but we can't take care of the very fiber that will allow us to achieve these noble goals?

A friend said it best. "you need a license to drive... Perhaps we need a license to bred" Would that philosophy allow us to start to control the propensities of humanity to stem the immoral and reprehensible behaviors?

Perhaps the world has always had these atrocities in their current volume.. Perhaps it is now with the electronic age that we can all be notified and appalled by it.

It is apparent to me that the moral compass of this world is pointed directly at Hell. The news and its outlets, have done us all a disservice, This is they have facilitated humanities acceptance of such garbage. We are desensitized to it, we read it, we say that is sick, and then go on...

think about that the next time you read an article or see something on tv... Think about your own children, friends, family if they were the victims. Attempt to feel some empathy.

T