That is what I am doing this evening. Anyone reading this knows I pretty much took last year off from any kind of serious riding. 2.5yrs of some (for me) serious training and no fun-ride riding just left me feeling burnt out and not enjoying cycling anymore. I did one organized ride last year, thought about doing a few others, but never did.
I made a post on my Facebook page - wondering whether 3.5 (actually 15 weeks) months would be enough time to prepare for Assault on Mt Mitchell?? I sorta felt like it wasn't, so I also posted this and that I would do Caesars Head Challenge in June. Sorta gave up on the idea until an acquaintance from work posted and told me, basically, "so what if you only have 3.5 months? Train & prepare for it. You could do the ride and have a PR, but will never know if you don't do the ride. Some days you are the Hammer. And some days the Nail".
Well, I know how to train for the ride. I know the ride. I can do this. I can sit down and make out my training plan, stick to it and maybe have a PR. Maybe I won't PR, but it's a dang fun ride and I will enjoy it. Do I have to have rides upon rides in the mountains to be able to do this ride? No. I have friends from here in flatland that did the ride (pretty dang strong riders) with only training in flatland. They may have occasionally done day trips or such for climbing rides, but it can be done without.
Just because I haven't been climbing in over a year, does not mean I have forgotten how to climb. I can take a day trip to Marion and do the last 27 miles. I can head out to the Hanging Rock/Pilot Mtn area for some training. It can be done.
Damn. Do I really have a goal now? Yes. Something to work towards - something to motivate me to ride and get back in the shape I was in 2009. I'm actually excited about this!! I remember doing a post last year - talking about how I had signed up for AoMM and then bailing on it later on. My mind, and more importantly, my heart wasn't in it last year. I believe both are in it this year. :)
I guess I can use the next few weeks of lunchtime riding, to start building the endurance up, stop being a wussy with the weather & ride more on the weekends, and finally - when DST rolls around be ready to start my favorite part of training - intervals.
I can do it!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Good Grief - It has been a long time!
Wow. Here it is, a new year, January 15, 2011, and this is my first post since August 27, 2010. But, I have a somewhat legitimate excuse....family issues.
Damn. I read my last entry - I was riding so well with the guys, riding really strong, looking forward to an exciting cyclocross season, working with Taylor on training, and BAM!! It all came to a damn standstill Labor Day weekend.
Long story - short. My Dad has dementia/Alzheimers, his wife (my step-mom) couldn't deal with him anymore and she laid it all on me that weekend. "Come get him. Do something with him. I don't want to live with him anymore." And, so it began.
I managed to ride 10-12 times in September, but that was it, pretty much for the remainder of the year. My Dad was doing all kinds of crazy things and I was being pulled in every which direction trying to make the right decisions concerning him & his well being (he's now in an assisted living facility here in Raleigh. Things aren't great - he wants to move to Greenville, SC and I'm not letting him. Otherwise doing well). October came & went with me doing 2 rides. November came & went with one ride under my belt. December came & went with one ride. So discouraged and depressed about cycling at that time - here I had 7 bikes in my house, I was a really strong rider and now, I'm not getting to ride any, I've been off the bike for 3 months - felt like giving up.
7 bikes? Yep. I bought a 2008 Specialized Era FSR the first of September and then a Quintana Roo Tequilio TT bike mid September. Have yet had the pleasure of riding the mtb, but got to ride the TT bike quite a bit in September. Looking forward to doing some TT's this spring/summer.
As for being off the bike for 3 months and feeling bad...I'm not a quitter. Kept in touch with Dallas through all the Dad issues and I had decided, come January 1, 2011, I was going to get my ass in gear and do something. Ride the trainer for at least 30-45min on Tuesday & Thursday and try to get out for an hour or so each day on the weekends. I've not been exactly successful, but I'm definitely doing a lot better.
Dallas contacted me 12/31 and wanted to know if I wanted to get out for a New Year's Day ride?? Hell Yes. :) There were 6 of us total riding - Dallas, Randall, Grady, Ricky, Philip & myself. OMG. I knew I was in for a serious hurting cause these guys have been able to continue riding, hitting Umstead on the weekends or the mtb trails. But, I was determined to do the best I could and despite only riding 3 times in the last 3 months - I did damn good. :)
33 miles in 1:50+ hr, a 17.5 avg. The pace was a bit hot for the first 18mi - I didn't think I'd make it back if it continued that way and told Dallas. Grady, Randall, & Philip went on ahead and finished up the ride with a 19+ avg. 19+ in the dead of winter. Dallas & Ricky got me back at a decent pace. Anyways...since then, I've tried to ride the trainer 2x/week and start a run/walk program.
Run/walk?? Yep. I have decided to try a duathlon! The first one is 3/5 down in Waxhaw, NC and it's 2mi/19mi/2mi. I'm on week 3 of the program and should be able to do the 2mi by then. The ride part should be fairly easy for me, at least I hope so!
What else? That's pretty much it, in a nutshell. Keep getting some cycle time in my butt & legs via trainer & road and I'm going to be strong again! Haven't really planned any rides like I had in the past years - I might do 1 or 2 organized rides, but not sure.
Hope everyone that reads this is doing well and having a great start to the New Year!!
Damn. I read my last entry - I was riding so well with the guys, riding really strong, looking forward to an exciting cyclocross season, working with Taylor on training, and BAM!! It all came to a damn standstill Labor Day weekend.
Long story - short. My Dad has dementia/Alzheimers, his wife (my step-mom) couldn't deal with him anymore and she laid it all on me that weekend. "Come get him. Do something with him. I don't want to live with him anymore." And, so it began.
I managed to ride 10-12 times in September, but that was it, pretty much for the remainder of the year. My Dad was doing all kinds of crazy things and I was being pulled in every which direction trying to make the right decisions concerning him & his well being (he's now in an assisted living facility here in Raleigh. Things aren't great - he wants to move to Greenville, SC and I'm not letting him. Otherwise doing well). October came & went with me doing 2 rides. November came & went with one ride under my belt. December came & went with one ride. So discouraged and depressed about cycling at that time - here I had 7 bikes in my house, I was a really strong rider and now, I'm not getting to ride any, I've been off the bike for 3 months - felt like giving up.
7 bikes? Yep. I bought a 2008 Specialized Era FSR the first of September and then a Quintana Roo Tequilio TT bike mid September. Have yet had the pleasure of riding the mtb, but got to ride the TT bike quite a bit in September. Looking forward to doing some TT's this spring/summer.
As for being off the bike for 3 months and feeling bad...I'm not a quitter. Kept in touch with Dallas through all the Dad issues and I had decided, come January 1, 2011, I was going to get my ass in gear and do something. Ride the trainer for at least 30-45min on Tuesday & Thursday and try to get out for an hour or so each day on the weekends. I've not been exactly successful, but I'm definitely doing a lot better.
Dallas contacted me 12/31 and wanted to know if I wanted to get out for a New Year's Day ride?? Hell Yes. :) There were 6 of us total riding - Dallas, Randall, Grady, Ricky, Philip & myself. OMG. I knew I was in for a serious hurting cause these guys have been able to continue riding, hitting Umstead on the weekends or the mtb trails. But, I was determined to do the best I could and despite only riding 3 times in the last 3 months - I did damn good. :)
33 miles in 1:50+ hr, a 17.5 avg. The pace was a bit hot for the first 18mi - I didn't think I'd make it back if it continued that way and told Dallas. Grady, Randall, & Philip went on ahead and finished up the ride with a 19+ avg. 19+ in the dead of winter. Dallas & Ricky got me back at a decent pace. Anyways...since then, I've tried to ride the trainer 2x/week and start a run/walk program.
Run/walk?? Yep. I have decided to try a duathlon! The first one is 3/5 down in Waxhaw, NC and it's 2mi/19mi/2mi. I'm on week 3 of the program and should be able to do the 2mi by then. The ride part should be fairly easy for me, at least I hope so!
What else? That's pretty much it, in a nutshell. Keep getting some cycle time in my butt & legs via trainer & road and I'm going to be strong again! Haven't really planned any rides like I had in the past years - I might do 1 or 2 organized rides, but not sure.
Hope everyone that reads this is doing well and having a great start to the New Year!!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Has It Been That Long?? Really??
Since I last posted? Wow. Not a lot different here, but I am getting some good miles in on the bike each week - anywhere from 150-200+ miles per week. I've kept pretty busy just doing stuff around the house (stupid outside housework!), puppy training classes, & riding.
Taylor finished up puppy class 2 weeks ago - she did pretty well, but I still have a bit of work to do on the Leave It and Come When Called commands. The next class starts in about 2-2.5 weeks and I'm not sure we'll have those commands down by then. I may wait until the October class because I really want her to have the others down well before we start another class. She has been a PITA and a true joy, all at the same time. :) There are times, where I wonder what ever came over me, to get a baby at this time, but I suppose in the long run, she will well be worth the effort.
She turned 5 months old last week and today she went in for spay surgery. I really hate that she is or could be in pain from this, but hopefully, it won't be for too long. She had 2 teeth pulled while there (the baby fangs) because the adult teeth were almost completely in, micro-chipped, and nails trimmed. She also got a long acting (till tomorrow probably) pain medication injection and an antibiotic injection for some sort of skin rash (a few bald-ish spots on her from scratching) that is good for 2 weeks. I opted for the laser surgery - supposedly it is better for them - no sutures to take out and less blood loss. She's been sleeping pretty much the whole time since I got her home at 2pm. Hopefully, she'll be back to almost normal by next week....
Riding.....Tuesday/Thursday Hammer rides. I thought, at one point this year, I said I wasn't doing those kind of rides this year. What happened? I got sucked in, I got better, I got faster, I became able to hang on with this group of guys, so I ride hard & fast on Tuesdays & Thursdays for 35 miles at an 18-20 mph pace! Saturday rides have been with the guys, but we usually go to the Grocery Bag and ride with the Cyclepaths. Those rides range anywhere from 40-60 miles and they, too, are hard & fast. I try to hang on with the fast boys and usually do unless it's extremely fast (faster than 20).
Sundays have become "Metric Sundays". We do a nice route from Dallas's house down to Brogden, Pinelevel, Micro, and back to his house. It's a really flat route, 65 miles and supposed to be a "recovery" ride from the hard Saturday ride. For the most part, it is a recovery ride. Pace has been averaging 18-19.5mph! Yea baby!! That's a recovery ride!
That's about it, I guess. I'd like to get back out for a 2-3 day backpacking trip, but probably won't do that till later this year. Company coming up next week for a 2 day visit. Can't wait!! :) <3 September 18/19 to Greenville, SC for the USA Pro Cycling races. Paris Mountain!!
Later!!
Taylor:
Taylor finished up puppy class 2 weeks ago - she did pretty well, but I still have a bit of work to do on the Leave It and Come When Called commands. The next class starts in about 2-2.5 weeks and I'm not sure we'll have those commands down by then. I may wait until the October class because I really want her to have the others down well before we start another class. She has been a PITA and a true joy, all at the same time. :) There are times, where I wonder what ever came over me, to get a baby at this time, but I suppose in the long run, she will well be worth the effort.
She turned 5 months old last week and today she went in for spay surgery. I really hate that she is or could be in pain from this, but hopefully, it won't be for too long. She had 2 teeth pulled while there (the baby fangs) because the adult teeth were almost completely in, micro-chipped, and nails trimmed. She also got a long acting (till tomorrow probably) pain medication injection and an antibiotic injection for some sort of skin rash (a few bald-ish spots on her from scratching) that is good for 2 weeks. I opted for the laser surgery - supposedly it is better for them - no sutures to take out and less blood loss. She's been sleeping pretty much the whole time since I got her home at 2pm. Hopefully, she'll be back to almost normal by next week....
Riding.....Tuesday/Thursday Hammer rides. I thought, at one point this year, I said I wasn't doing those kind of rides this year. What happened? I got sucked in, I got better, I got faster, I became able to hang on with this group of guys, so I ride hard & fast on Tuesdays & Thursdays for 35 miles at an 18-20 mph pace! Saturday rides have been with the guys, but we usually go to the Grocery Bag and ride with the Cyclepaths. Those rides range anywhere from 40-60 miles and they, too, are hard & fast. I try to hang on with the fast boys and usually do unless it's extremely fast (faster than 20).
Sundays have become "Metric Sundays". We do a nice route from Dallas's house down to Brogden, Pinelevel, Micro, and back to his house. It's a really flat route, 65 miles and supposed to be a "recovery" ride from the hard Saturday ride. For the most part, it is a recovery ride. Pace has been averaging 18-19.5mph! Yea baby!! That's a recovery ride!
That's about it, I guess. I'd like to get back out for a 2-3 day backpacking trip, but probably won't do that till later this year. Company coming up next week for a 2 day visit. Can't wait!! :) <3 September 18/19 to Greenville, SC for the USA Pro Cycling races. Paris Mountain!!
Later!!
Taylor:
Monday, July 26, 2010
Coosa Backcountry Trail - Vogel State Park, Georgia
This past weekend, I had a trip planned with one of my friends from the Atlanta area. He wanted to hike the Coosa Backcountry Trail in Vogel State Park, Georgia. I mentioned that I would like to do something like that and he asked if I was interested in joining him. Sure, if you are sure you don't mind the company. He didn't, so we made the plans....
Below is a quote from him about the trip (he's not the long-winded writer I seem to be at times).
I'll add a bit more detail to MV's ripped post...
Hmmm, I didn't think the trail was too terribly tough, but tough none-the-less. I think our biggest problem was not having a good topo map and/or corresponding profile map. We thought we were further along based on the profile map, but while stopped at lunch (after 3hr of hiking), we looked the topo map over and realized that we were NOT where we thought. Not quite to the half-way point.
So, realizing that we had quite a ways to go, it was a bit depressing....it seemed like the next climb after lunch was harder - maybe it was, maybe we're just out of hiking shape, but we became a bit discouraged and thought that we'd just cut the hike short by taking the forest road. Maybe about 9-10mi total hiking (had we taken the correct direction at the intersection of the 2 forest roads).
So, we get to the intersection of the 2 forest roads. Due to the inability to read the topo map after it got all wet - we chose to head to the left. Should've gone right.
We walked and walked and walked. At one point, after stopping at a campsite to rest, MV said he was about ready to just pull the compass out and head cross country. He knew in what direction the park (main part) was, so we "could" do that. But, we didn't. Soldiering on...
OMG....'twas a gully washer about 30min into our short cut!! Stopped to put our rain covers on the packs and soldiered on. My camera was in a shorts pocket and got wet (even though it was in an unzipped Ziplock ). I think MV's phone got messed up too. I had water sloshing around in my boots, we were totally soaked. I just wanted to finish....miserable with water sloshing in my boots. I'm glad I had sock liners (Wigwam Gobi) on, otherwise, I think I would be nursing a blister or two also...
After about 2hr from the diversion to the forest roads and going mostly downhill (and thinking we'd just die if we had to turn around and hike back UP the way we'd came), we came upon a campsite with some guy camping. We had decided that we had had enough, especially getting caught out in the gully washer, that we would try to hitch a ride back to the park. 1st guy turned us down cause he'd been drinking. Told us where to find the trail....duh. We know where that is and it's at least another 4mi hike on the trail plus what we had left to get to it. Fortunately for us, a big redneck Dodge truck came along and they gave us a ride back to the park.
I was so glad to get back to the park and get out of those damn wet socks & boots. My feet were like prunes - all wrinkled.
I did have a great time and don't let MV fool ya...he's quite the hiker too! I would really like to go back and complete this trail. Yea, it's quite a drive, but I want to finish it. Not sure I can do it in a couple weeks, but the fall would be a really good time - maybe less leaves and more views from the ridge tops. Dang!! I had a great time!! Already thinking about when/where I can go around here or towards the western part of the state.
Gotta get my butt into hiking shape (as does the bf) so we can do the Foothills Trail this year or next together.
I unpacked everything from my pack this morning (Monday, July 26) and weighed it as it came out. Pack weight empty=5.6 pounds. Gear into pack=11.3 pounds. Water carried=6.5 pounds. Total pack weight=23.4 pounds. It would have been lighter had I not carried the water, but being unsure of water sources, I felt it best to carry the water. The load did get lighter as the day went on.
Sonny and I at the start of the hike....
OK....that's enough picture posting for one morning...Here's a linky to the photobucket site.....
I do wish that I had been able to get some pictures while it was pouring down rain....it was a true gully washer! The water flowing down the forest road was, at times, deeper than my boots. I think the majority of the water sloshing in my boots was from runoff from my legs...
Below is a quote from him about the trip (he's not the long-winded writer I seem to be at times).
Quote:
| Originally Posted by ModoVincere  Well, the trail proved to be tough. We hiked to the halfway mark and decided to cut it short. Came down a forest road and managed to get caught in a total gully washer...omg, the rain was coming down! So the map got soaked and basically was useless.....we soldiered on. Took a wrong turn and just kept going. I think we hiked pretty close to 15 miles total. Found someone to give us a ride in the back of their truck. Was very glad to get back to the park.....now I'm resting and nursing the blister on my right foot. WP is quite the hiker....not that I'm anything impressive, but 15 miles in one day is a long assed hike! |
Hmmm, I didn't think the trail was too terribly tough, but tough none-the-less. I think our biggest problem was not having a good topo map and/or corresponding profile map. We thought we were further along based on the profile map, but while stopped at lunch (after 3hr of hiking), we looked the topo map over and realized that we were NOT where we thought. Not quite to the half-way point.
So, realizing that we had quite a ways to go, it was a bit depressing....it seemed like the next climb after lunch was harder - maybe it was, maybe we're just out of hiking shape, but we became a bit discouraged and thought that we'd just cut the hike short by taking the forest road. Maybe about 9-10mi total hiking (had we taken the correct direction at the intersection of the 2 forest roads).
So, we get to the intersection of the 2 forest roads. Due to the inability to read the topo map after it got all wet - we chose to head to the left. Should've gone right.
We walked and walked and walked. At one point, after stopping at a campsite to rest, MV said he was about ready to just pull the compass out and head cross country. He knew in what direction the park (main part) was, so we "could" do that. But, we didn't. Soldiering on...OMG....'twas a gully washer about 30min into our short cut!! Stopped to put our rain covers on the packs and soldiered on. My camera was in a shorts pocket and got wet (even though it was in an unzipped Ziplock
). I think MV's phone got messed up too. I had water sloshing around in my boots, we were totally soaked. I just wanted to finish....miserable with water sloshing in my boots. I'm glad I had sock liners (Wigwam Gobi) on, otherwise, I think I would be nursing a blister or two also...After about 2hr from the diversion to the forest roads and going mostly downhill (and thinking we'd just die if we had to turn around and hike back UP the way we'd came), we came upon a campsite with some guy camping. We had decided that we had had enough, especially getting caught out in the gully washer, that we would try to hitch a ride back to the park. 1st guy turned us down cause he'd been drinking. Told us where to find the trail....duh. We know where that is and it's at least another 4mi hike on the trail plus what we had left to get to it. Fortunately for us, a big redneck Dodge truck came along and they gave us a ride back to the park.
I was so glad to get back to the park and get out of those damn wet socks & boots. My feet were like prunes - all wrinkled.
I did have a great time and don't let MV fool ya...he's quite the hiker too! I would really like to go back and complete this trail. Yea, it's quite a drive, but I want to finish it. Not sure I can do it in a couple weeks, but the fall would be a really good time - maybe less leaves and more views from the ridge tops. Dang!! I had a great time!! Already thinking about when/where I can go around here or towards the western part of the state.
Gotta get my butt into hiking shape (as does the bf) so we can do the Foothills Trail this year or next together.
I unpacked everything from my pack this morning (Monday, July 26) and weighed it as it came out. Pack weight empty=5.6 pounds. Gear into pack=11.3 pounds. Water carried=6.5 pounds. Total pack weight=23.4 pounds. It would have been lighter had I not carried the water, but being unsure of water sources, I felt it best to carry the water. The load did get lighter as the day went on.
Sonny and I at the start of the hike....
I do wish that I had been able to get some pictures while it was pouring down rain....it was a true gully washer! The water flowing down the forest road was, at times, deeper than my boots. I think the majority of the water sloshing in my boots was from runoff from my legs...
Monday, July 19, 2010
New Addition To The Household...
First of all......NO! It's not what you think!! :) Yes, I got rid of the teenagers, but........I added a baby! A Miniture Pinscher!
She is a Chocolate Min Pin and I picked her up on 5/28 - her name is Taylor (Taylor Cheese). The bf had rescued a Min Pin (or so we thought - after seeing him recently, I think he's part Min Pin and Dachshund). When I picked her up, she was 10 weeks old. It's now July 20 (almost) and she is 4.5 months old.
Wow. A lot of the time, I think - "what in the hell was I thinking?????" My life is so changed with having her - from initially getting up a couple times per night, to taking her outside a lot, to house training, to teaching her commands....It is JUST LIKE having a baby in the house! OMG. :) But, as much trouble as it seems at times, I wouldn't change anything. :)
I can't express how great it is to come home from work or from out cycling and have someone be excited to see me. Tiger? Well, yea, I guess she's happy to see me, but is more like - Feed Me!! Taylor is SO happy to see me after work. I am getting my backyard fenced in this week too. It will make it much easier (or so I think) to get outside with her and play and work on some commands.
Ummm, what else? She's been to doggie daycare 3 times since last week. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that I will continue taking her. She is doing very well on house training - when I don't get to her in time, she will use the "puppy pads" and when I do get to her, we go outside to 2 specific areas. But, I noticed, this past Fri-Sun, that she was peeing anywhere in the kitchen that she wanted to. Not acceptable. It comes from the daycare because she has free run over an area inside and outside and just pees/poops where ever she wants to.....this is brought home. So, I'm not sure whether to continue taking her and just being more diligent with her at home or what.....
That's all.....here are a few pictures (the first few are from 5/28 and a little blurry cuz she is all energy!) from when I brought her home (weighed in at 4 pounds 2 weeks afterwards at the vet)
This last photo is after one day at doggie daycare - she is whupped! :)
Oh, and at her last vet visit on 7/9, she weighed in at a whopping 7 pounds!!! She gained 3 pounds in a month. :)
She is a Chocolate Min Pin and I picked her up on 5/28 - her name is Taylor (Taylor Cheese). The bf had rescued a Min Pin (or so we thought - after seeing him recently, I think he's part Min Pin and Dachshund). When I picked her up, she was 10 weeks old. It's now July 20 (almost) and she is 4.5 months old.
Wow. A lot of the time, I think - "what in the hell was I thinking?????" My life is so changed with having her - from initially getting up a couple times per night, to taking her outside a lot, to house training, to teaching her commands....It is JUST LIKE having a baby in the house! OMG. :) But, as much trouble as it seems at times, I wouldn't change anything. :)
I can't express how great it is to come home from work or from out cycling and have someone be excited to see me. Tiger? Well, yea, I guess she's happy to see me, but is more like - Feed Me!! Taylor is SO happy to see me after work. I am getting my backyard fenced in this week too. It will make it much easier (or so I think) to get outside with her and play and work on some commands.
Ummm, what else? She's been to doggie daycare 3 times since last week. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that I will continue taking her. She is doing very well on house training - when I don't get to her in time, she will use the "puppy pads" and when I do get to her, we go outside to 2 specific areas. But, I noticed, this past Fri-Sun, that she was peeing anywhere in the kitchen that she wanted to. Not acceptable. It comes from the daycare because she has free run over an area inside and outside and just pees/poops where ever she wants to.....this is brought home. So, I'm not sure whether to continue taking her and just being more diligent with her at home or what.....
That's all.....here are a few pictures (the first few are from 5/28 and a little blurry cuz she is all energy!) from when I brought her home (weighed in at 4 pounds 2 weeks afterwards at the vet)
Oh, and at her last vet visit on 7/9, she weighed in at a whopping 7 pounds!!! She gained 3 pounds in a month. :)
Sunday, July 18, 2010
First Century Of The Year
My riding buddy Dallas wanted to ride the century route that we had done 2x last year, Saturday a week ago. I was in, as were 6 other guys. So, we had myself, Dallas, Cliff, Randall, Brian, Grady, Russell, Philip in for the ride.
Left at 7am and we ran a nice easy double paceline for the first 25mi. Stopped at a store that Dallas had stopped at yesterday while driving the route and the operators had locked the bathroom and would not let us use it. Not bad for the guys, but I wore bib shorts and needed to take the jersey off in order to get the bibs off. I was sorta pissed cause I NEVER have to pee on a ride, but I did this time and the assholes wouldn't let us. The guys went behind the store....I had to ride over to the tobacco curing barns and take care of business.
But, while waiting for the "person" to come out of the bathroom, Russell said he didn't think we should be stopping every 25mi and he was going to pick the pace up. DH. I could tell that the pace was faster when we started. He doesn't know how to ride in a group. Surging & slowing. Slowing on the declines and surging on the up slopes. Just take it easy up the climbs and the group won't fracture.
I bitched and whined to Dallas and he went and told Russell to ease the pace up and to take the climbs easier. That worked for a little while. Another thing - he can't hold a line worth a shit and no one likes riding behind him. Oh well, enough about him for the moment.
We did pretty well for the next 30mi, reaching another rest stop by 10am (55mi). I was starved by then, as was Randall (and he had already eaten 2 PBJ's). I had up to that point, 2 gels and 1.5 bottles of Perpetuem and 1.5 of water. Randall and I had a cheeseburger, coke & split some Ruffles Cheddar chips. Everyone told us it was a bad idea, but we knew better.
From this point on, we had a headwind and whenever Russell was on the front, my legs were really screaming. I couldn't have cared less about the pace for the ride - I just wanted to finish without hitting the wall at 90mi or cramping. We ended up breaking up into 2 groups - the Russell group and the Dallas (sensible pace) group. Philip started to cramp because he wasn't drinking enough and when he came off the front, we told him to just sit in the draft and rest. He did up until the next rest stop and then got himself into the Russell group....bad idea.
Made it to the next rest stop at 73mi with an 18.7avg. At this point, I was filling my bottles with luke warm water from an outside spigot and then dousing my head & back. The others followed suit. Russell was hell bent on getting started again and said for us to hurry up. Go The F On then. Since Philip had cramped, he should've stayed with the Dallas group, but he didn't.
Dallas pulled for the most part in our group and when he went off, I followed because I was directly behind him. Randall pulled, then off. Then Russell. Then the group split into 5 & 3, as I just could not keep his pace - it was myself, Dallas, & Randall. They left us in the dust on the way to Kenly. When we got to Kenly, Brian had waited on us and the other 4 had gone on. It was good that he did, as he helped Dallas pull.
We have no idea the route the others took, but learned, upon arriving home, that Russell & Cliff dropped Grady & Philip. Grady had dropped Philip. The 4 of us made one more stop for water & Nutter Butters (for me & Randall - we were hungry again!).
So, we finally arrive back to Dallas's house around 2pm (I think) to find just Russell & Cliff. We asked where Grady & Philip were? They shrugged shoulders and said they didn't know. Probably 5-10min later Grady showed up. He was in bad shape.....couldn't really talk and was covered in goosebumps. He was finally able to tell us that Philip was a ways off and cramping up. He finished with 113 miles.
Dallas went off to see if he could find Philip. The rest of us sat around on the carport talking and when Russell left, we talked about him. I told Randall I was not going to ride any long rides if Dallas invited him again. He said Dallas wouldn't be inviting him again and I think this is so.
After all of that ^ I felt pretty dang good. Could of had more food to eat, but I think I did good by starting to hydrate Wednesday and eating well last night. I'm really proud of myself for completing this ride. I've only been really riding for the last month and have done nothing more than 47mi in that time.
I stopped off at Lowes and picked up some french onion dip, Lays Wavy Chips, Jalapeno Doritos & Fresca. I ate some of that while I tried to figure out what I would have for supper and get a shower/cleaned up.......
That's all.
Left at 7am and we ran a nice easy double paceline for the first 25mi. Stopped at a store that Dallas had stopped at yesterday while driving the route and the operators had locked the bathroom and would not let us use it. Not bad for the guys, but I wore bib shorts and needed to take the jersey off in order to get the bibs off. I was sorta pissed cause I NEVER have to pee on a ride, but I did this time and the assholes wouldn't let us. The guys went behind the store....I had to ride over to the tobacco curing barns and take care of business.
But, while waiting for the "person" to come out of the bathroom, Russell said he didn't think we should be stopping every 25mi and he was going to pick the pace up. DH. I could tell that the pace was faster when we started. He doesn't know how to ride in a group. Surging & slowing. Slowing on the declines and surging on the up slopes. Just take it easy up the climbs and the group won't fracture.
I bitched and whined to Dallas and he went and told Russell to ease the pace up and to take the climbs easier. That worked for a little while. Another thing - he can't hold a line worth a shit and no one likes riding behind him. Oh well, enough about him for the moment.
We did pretty well for the next 30mi, reaching another rest stop by 10am (55mi). I was starved by then, as was Randall (and he had already eaten 2 PBJ's). I had up to that point, 2 gels and 1.5 bottles of Perpetuem and 1.5 of water. Randall and I had a cheeseburger, coke & split some Ruffles Cheddar chips.
Everyone told us it was a bad idea, but we knew better.From this point on, we had a headwind and whenever Russell was on the front, my legs were really screaming. I couldn't have cared less about the pace for the ride - I just wanted to finish without hitting the wall at 90mi or cramping. We ended up breaking up into 2 groups - the Russell group and the Dallas (sensible pace) group. Philip started to cramp because he wasn't drinking enough and when he came off the front, we told him to just sit in the draft and rest. He did up until the next rest stop and then got himself into the Russell group....bad idea.
Made it to the next rest stop at 73mi with an 18.7avg. At this point, I was filling my bottles with luke warm water from an outside spigot and then dousing my head & back. The others followed suit.
Russell was hell bent on getting started again and said for us to hurry up. Go The F On then. Since Philip had cramped, he should've stayed with the Dallas group, but he didn't. Dallas pulled for the most part in our group and when he went off, I followed because I was directly behind him. Randall pulled, then off. Then Russell. Then the group split into 5 & 3, as I just could not keep his pace - it was myself, Dallas, & Randall. They left us in the dust on the way to Kenly. When we got to Kenly, Brian had waited on us and the other 4 had gone on. It was good that he did, as he helped Dallas pull.
We have no idea the route the others took, but learned, upon arriving home, that Russell & Cliff dropped Grady & Philip. Grady had dropped Philip. The 4 of us made one more stop for water & Nutter Butters (for me & Randall - we were hungry again!).
So, we finally arrive back to Dallas's house around 2pm (I think) to find just Russell & Cliff. We asked where Grady & Philip were? They shrugged shoulders and said they didn't know. Probably 5-10min later Grady showed up. He was in bad shape.....couldn't really talk and was covered in goosebumps. He was finally able to tell us that Philip was a ways off and cramping up. He finished with 113 miles.
Dallas went off to see if he could find Philip. The rest of us sat around on the carport talking and when Russell left, we talked about him.
I told Randall I was not going to ride any long rides if Dallas invited him again. He said Dallas wouldn't be inviting him again and I think this is so.After all of that ^ I felt pretty dang good. Could of had more food to eat, but I think I did good by starting to hydrate Wednesday and eating well last night. I'm really proud of myself for completing this ride. I've only been really riding for the last month and have done nothing more than 47mi in that time.
I stopped off at Lowes and picked up some french onion dip, Lays Wavy Chips, Jalapeno Doritos & Fresca. I ate some of that while I tried to figure out what I would have for supper and get a shower/cleaned up.......
That's all.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Going Solo - South Mountains State Park.
Well, I have decided that since I'm not "into" cycling nearly as much as I was this time last year, I would, maybe pick up another hobby. I used to go hiking/backpacking to the Uwharrie's quite a bit in the late 90's/early 00's and I really enjoyed it.
So, I decided that would be my next hobby because I liked it and I already had some gear. Boy, was I in for a surprise....I knew I wanted to get a new backpack - what I used to use was the old external frame pack - I wanted a new & improved internal frame pack. Picked up an Osprey Ariel a couple of weeks ago and a few other items. I "thought" I could just use most of the stuff I already had....
So, earlier this week, I decided to just go ahead and try this out...Picked out South Mtns because it's close to my Dad's house and I planned on visiting him this weekend (his birthday is tomorrow). Packed up the gear I had along with the rented sleeping bag from REI and put the pack on. OMFG. Heavy. I decided to stop at REI in Durham on the way and see about a few "lighter" items. Replaced the heavy (1.5#) pots with a 10.7oz set, replaced the 2 # Thermarest with a 16oz one, ditched all the clothing except a shirt & clean undies, ditched all the food except a meal for supper & breakfast. Put the pack on after doing this. Wow, that's much better! :)
Then I put the REI Half Dome tent inside.........holy cow! Now the pack is heavy again! Oh well, not much I can do about that now because the tent I wanted is on backorder. So, I go with what I have. BTW, the tent weighs in at SIX POUNDS!!
I arrived at South Mtns later than I planned (a couple things to take care of for my son caused delays), but thought I could get to camp in 1.5hr. I didn't plan on the whole 4 miles being pretty much UPHILL. Followed the creek for a while, then crossed it at the lower waterfalls. Then the trail went UP. OMG. This was strenuous for a first time out hiking in ages. But, I motored on. Finally, I reached the top of a really long climb (shadow picture) then headed down, thinking it's not much further.
Wrong. More uphills, a few flats, but the majority was uphill. I was seriously wondering what the hell I got myself into....I finally reach the trail to the Jacobs Branch campsites after2hr. I set the tent up, go down this really steep trail to the water source, climb back up...Boiled the water for my meal - at this time, I'm lightheaded from not eating since 11:30am - and it seems like it takes forever. Finally, get the meal ready and while waiting on this to "cook", I start my campfire. I'm actually doing pretty well with this solo thing.
Eat my supper, let the boiled water cool off and add that to my water bottle. Another couple arrive around 8pm and set up across the field. I'm pooped, so I went on to bed around 9pm. It was windy the whole night, got just a tad chilly. I know one thing - I do not like these mummy style sleeping bags. I don't like my feet so close together - I like to spread out. I'll have to find something with a larger toe box...
Up around 7am, eat breakfast and begin packing up around 8am. It starts to sprinkle, so I hurry up & get things packed up. My hips and right knee are hurting before I head out and only get worse as I head back. I thought the downhills would be easier, but they weren't. Actually made my hips and knee hurt more. By the time I reached the waterfalls and traversed down the steep stairs, my legs were shaking. I didn't think I'd ever get back to the car, but I did.
I'm going to replace the heavy Whisperlite stove with a Snow Peak GigaPower stove and that heavy assed tent is being replaced with a Big Agnes FlyCreek UL2. Also, I need to pick up a pair of trekking poles - I think those will help too.
That's about it. I'm thinking of going to Eno or someother park either next week or the week after.....
It was great fun! I sorta wish I had someone to go with me - might be a little more fun, but overall, I did have a great time. :)
So, I decided that would be my next hobby because I liked it and I already had some gear. Boy, was I in for a surprise....I knew I wanted to get a new backpack - what I used to use was the old external frame pack - I wanted a new & improved internal frame pack. Picked up an Osprey Ariel a couple of weeks ago and a few other items. I "thought" I could just use most of the stuff I already had....
So, earlier this week, I decided to just go ahead and try this out...Picked out South Mtns because it's close to my Dad's house and I planned on visiting him this weekend (his birthday is tomorrow). Packed up the gear I had along with the rented sleeping bag from REI and put the pack on. OMFG. Heavy. I decided to stop at REI in Durham on the way and see about a few "lighter" items. Replaced the heavy (1.5#) pots with a 10.7oz set, replaced the 2 # Thermarest with a 16oz one, ditched all the clothing except a shirt & clean undies, ditched all the food except a meal for supper & breakfast. Put the pack on after doing this. Wow, that's much better! :)
Then I put the REI Half Dome tent inside.........holy cow! Now the pack is heavy again! Oh well, not much I can do about that now because the tent I wanted is on backorder. So, I go with what I have. BTW, the tent weighs in at SIX POUNDS!!
I arrived at South Mtns later than I planned (a couple things to take care of for my son caused delays), but thought I could get to camp in 1.5hr. I didn't plan on the whole 4 miles being pretty much UPHILL. Followed the creek for a while, then crossed it at the lower waterfalls. Then the trail went UP. OMG. This was strenuous for a first time out hiking in ages. But, I motored on. Finally, I reached the top of a really long climb (shadow picture) then headed down, thinking it's not much further.
Wrong. More uphills, a few flats, but the majority was uphill. I was seriously wondering what the hell I got myself into....I finally reach the trail to the Jacobs Branch campsites after2hr. I set the tent up, go down this really steep trail to the water source, climb back up...Boiled the water for my meal - at this time, I'm lightheaded from not eating since 11:30am - and it seems like it takes forever. Finally, get the meal ready and while waiting on this to "cook", I start my campfire. I'm actually doing pretty well with this solo thing.
Eat my supper, let the boiled water cool off and add that to my water bottle. Another couple arrive around 8pm and set up across the field. I'm pooped, so I went on to bed around 9pm. It was windy the whole night, got just a tad chilly. I know one thing - I do not like these mummy style sleeping bags. I don't like my feet so close together - I like to spread out. I'll have to find something with a larger toe box...
Up around 7am, eat breakfast and begin packing up around 8am. It starts to sprinkle, so I hurry up & get things packed up. My hips and right knee are hurting before I head out and only get worse as I head back. I thought the downhills would be easier, but they weren't. Actually made my hips and knee hurt more. By the time I reached the waterfalls and traversed down the steep stairs, my legs were shaking. I didn't think I'd ever get back to the car, but I did.
I'm going to replace the heavy Whisperlite stove with a Snow Peak GigaPower stove and that heavy assed tent is being replaced with a Big Agnes FlyCreek UL2. Also, I need to pick up a pair of trekking poles - I think those will help too.
That's about it. I'm thinking of going to Eno or someother park either next week or the week after.....
It was great fun! I sorta wish I had someone to go with me - might be a little more fun, but overall, I did have a great time. :)
Linky for pictures until I can add them here, once I get home tomorrow....
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