14,000 Strong

First day of practice, 14,000 Steeler Nation Fans showed up for the first day of practice. Some of the best news for the team was this man being at practice.

"The loudest cheers were for Ben Roethlisberger when he made the walk down onto the field from the locker rooms; there were cheers for things that happened on the field. Clark Haggans even was cheered loudly when he needed to use the porta-john (from www.steelers.com)."

Talk about crazy fans, cheering a player for using the porta-john.

Let's Go Steelers!!

(I know, two posts in a day. I couldn't resist the porta-john remark and big ben in practice.)

Let Me Ride!

"I remember back in the dayz when I used to have to get my stroll on

Didn't nobody wanna speak;

now everybody peepin out they windows when they hear me beatin up the streets

Is it OB1? Is it OB1?

That's what they say, every single day, yo

But I ain't trippin I'm just kickin it

While my deez keep spinnin and these girls keep grinnin

I'll be(Rollin in my six-fo') With everybody sayin

Swing down, sweet chariot stop and, let me ride!!"

Enough about the couch - time to get my ride on!! Let the preview to pain begin.

We were looking through some CD's, trying to find a backup for some pictures from my other laptop when we stumbled upon J.D.'s mix for me. Christine had stored it for transport and forgotten about it. It was a nice to add these songs to the mix. Plus, Saturday was a nice ride in the hills. It was painful but good - bigger gears and faster times. I hadn't rode the Potrero loop in over three months. I beat my best time by over 15 minutes in the 35 miles. It felt good to get out and push up and down the hills. Less than four weeks to the big day, just keep looking out your Milgard windows and let me ride!!

New training regime...

Since Yoda has decided to take the "Couch Potato" routine, I have done some thinking about my current training routine. It is just too rigorous. In searching the Internet, I have found a much better training guide. It is the Fat Albert training program. This entails walking slowly, eating as much as possible, and doing as little exercise as possible. Heck, I might even look like my idol come the end of August.

Hey, hey, hey, its Faaaaat Kenobi..

I think I like it.

Back to the Beach

After a few days of rest, I finally got back on the bike again today. It was going to be hot here in Simi so we decided to go to the beach. I got up, got ready, watched Landis get out of the gate, and then hit the road. I should have spun a little during the week because the legs were stiff for a few miles before letting me get into the groove. I road the first 30 miles in 90 minutes. Then the wind really kicked up into my face. The going got brutal but I made the 44 miles in just a bit over 2 hours 15 minutes. We then sat at the beach for five hours, swam in the water, body surfed, boogie boarded, played in the waves, and tossed the football around. The sea was angry that day my friend. I learned how not to boogie board, several times. The waves pounded me into the sand, spun me around, pegged me with my own board, and said "come back when you have a clue boy!" I called it quits for the day after the fourth try and fourth pounding. But hey, the ride was good. Everything else about the beach was great.

Just a TdF note, Landis has been spectacular! After a bonk, then a terrific ride with heart, daring, and American fight, then the yellow jersey today in the time trial. Wow! I can hear the Star Spangled Banner playing now on the Champ Elyees.

Take note, Landis is from SoCal. It's in the water. I will admit, after riding 200+ miles on last Saturday, today's ride was different. It seemed to pass quickly and without the usual looking at the GPS to see how far I'd gone and had to go. I guess 11 hours 20 minutes on the bike will do that to you. Five weeks to go. Just a note for anyone that has not been on the bike, in this month's Bicycling magazine, there are several plans to get ready for a century in four weeks. Just a little help, no excuses.

More STP fotos and lessons learned

Here are the event photos from the event photographers. It appears that they were out on the first half of the ride and at the finish for 1 day riders. The only photo from the second half is the finishing photo. All of the others are of the first half. I have put them in order from earliest to latest. 202+ miles...what a day.

Lessons Learned:

• Eat early and eat often
• Know the route
• Stay out of your lactate threshold
• Ride with friends or with groups
• Get and stay hydrated
• Prep your bike well
• You need your family's support to succeed

The book will be out soon so look for it at your local bookstore.

Only five weeks till the HHH.

Lodi Dodi, we like to party, we don't cause trouble, we don't bother no body. we're just men that rock the mike, when we rock upon the mike...

Fellow Jedi's, are you ready?

2500 miles later....

It all started on Thursday night, rolling out towards Seattle. It ended today around 1 PM when we returned to Simi. A lot happen in those few days: family reunion/picnic, Matt's house, stranded racoons, 200+ miles on the bike, biker babes, Dunford visit, carne asada, Colin singing, and much more.

11 hours, 20 minutes on the bike. After looking at the numbers, it appears that I rode the 2nd century only a few minutes slower than the 1st century. The weather probably helped by getting a little warmer in the afternoon and my legs getting loose and being able to spin nice and easy. There are so many things that went well: no bike issues, weather, support, food, helpful friendly riders willing to work and take turns pulling, knowing almost half of the route (having rode them previously, including "The Hill") and family. It was great to have them with me.

I rode around the last turn and quickly sprinted to be at the front of my group so I could go across the line all by myself. The light then turned red and I couldn't go. As I am standing there waiting, I hear the PA announcer say something like, "We'd like to welcome the next finisher of the 2006 STP to Portland, Chris Beecher of Simi Valley, CA." It was cool. Then to ride across and to see my family waiting for me. Even better. They have put up with me and my crazy hours of riding, all for this one day. It really was special. I thought I'd suffer and have to push like mad just to finish. I thought my legs would be in terrible pain. I thought... I thought... None of this happened. I rode, keeping my heart rate in check, eating on schedule, and getting help when needed. What more can I say. Fun.

Finally, thanks to OB12OLD for the inspiration. I'd never had thought about riding or even doing the STP without having an example. Keep on riding!!

Now for the pictures...

The night before, at the park on the Sound, getting right with the right person...

At the halfway point, time to change jerseys, eat, rest, and prepare for the 2nd half.

On the road to Portland, about 30 miles from the finish. I was in a group of five riders, working the rolling hills next to the river. Thanks Craig for the picture.

Finally, at the finish, coming across the line. It was neat with the barricades on both sides and people cheering on both sides.

The support staff, minus Grandma, in Centralia, waiting. Without these guys, the above pictures would not have been possible. Thanks. You look marvelous!!

STP Eve

Here it finally is, the night before the big ride. After taking a short 15 mile ride last night with OB12OLD, I am feeling good. I will let everyone know how it goes tomorrow when I get some internet access again.

If this is my last ride, I just want all of my fans to know that I went down fighting. To my family, that I love them and really appreciated all the support and love. To my boys who where hating and staying away from the ride, y'all better recognize. Even in the next life, I'll be working harder than y'all.

Peace and I'm outta here!

Looking for some inspiration...

Okay, if the Longhorns came beat the team of the century, I can ride 200+ this weekend. Let's go Vince, we are going to put it in the end zone!!

Here it finally is, the last few days before my first 200+ day on the bike. A guy at worked asked me today if I was resting all this week for the ride. Of course not was my reply. I will ride Monday through Wednesday but just not as intense or not as long as I would normally would. Today was 75 minutes of easy spinning with a three 30 second all out efforts with 5 minutes of rest. Tomorrow will probably be the same with Wednesday being a real easy day of about 30 to 45 minutes. I'll rest Thursday and then only loosen the legs up on Friday morning with a very short ride. Saturday is the show.

I am just thankful for Christine and my family. They, especially her, have been tremendously supportive of my insanity and desire to do this. I know that it takes time away from everyone. I am really grateful for the patience and help. Thanks to my dad for the inspiration. Thanks to all of my friends for their support and competitive nature to push me (that's for the Hogg and Yoda). When I get done, I will "honor my hommies" with a pour of the water bottle to the curb in Portland!

Okay Pooh, enough of this, now give me a phat base line. What? Where's the snare? I can't hear the snare in my head phones? Give me a snare? Okay, there it is.

Nothing but time on the bike

My future vacation, at the top of the climb of the Tourmalet!

I'm sitting here watching the World Cup thinking about getting on the bike. That's where I've been every day this week. Whether it is riding with Colin, riding to the beach, riding in the hills with Craig for 9 miles of mountain biking, or pushing my limits for 36 miles on Saturday morning, the bike has been good to me this week. Although I did not get as many miles as I had last week, it was close with over 150 miles. I think I am ready for this Saturday's ride. There was little pain in the legs this week and the legs felt really strong. It was neat yesterday pushing really hard and going faster over 10 miles than I have gone in the past (other than an organized ride).

Only three days of work this week and then it is off to Seattle. It will be nice to see everyone together and spend at least a little time together. The drive is not going to be exciting but it will be okay when we stop and can see all together.

After this weekend, my focus will change on the bike. It will go from long rides to more leg strength and speed. Seven weeks to the HHH.

It was nice to see at least one American have a good time trial. Landis put it together to get to second place in the GC. I am getting tired with the flat stages. It is time to get to the mountains and see the serious contenders for the GC step up and play. I do not have any worries that minutes can be erased in the mountains. It has been good to see T-Mobile step up and win a few stages with Ullrich out. I am just wondering when CSC will show up and do something. DZ has been weak and Julich dropped out with a broken wrist. O'Grady has crashed and lost huge chunks of time. Maybe another on the team can step up and get something done. If you remember from the 2003 TdF, Lance was down over 4 minutes after stage 7, only to make it up in two days in the mountains. Granted, there really isn't any Lance in this year's race but that doesn't mean that Levi can't make up 6 minutes in the mountains either. It will take a major break away to get it done but it can be done. Do I think Landis and Phonak will let that happen, definitely not but if you are down over 6 minutes and you want to win, you have to make things happens. I love the TdF. I found some pictures this guy took while on a bike tour in France during the TdF. This would be a great vacation: ride and watch the tour!

Christine asked what I would do if I couldn't ride my bike. I don't know what I would do other than try and find an equally intensive activity that burns as much energy. I feel so much better after riding, plus I am able to focus and think while riding. Also, I think I can ride for a lot longer. As I was driving to work the other day, I saw this gentleman on the bike. He wasn't going very fast, had on bike shorts and a jersey with a nice helmet. He must have been 80+ years old. That's how I see myself, hopefully with Christine right beside me on a bike. What else can I say but...

Vive le Tour!

A mile with Colin

I got home yesterday from work and decided to go for a ride ... with Colin. The kids and I rode down to the park, played a bit, and then came home. I took Colin on the long way to the park. All told, it was over a mile on the bike for him. He didn't seem to mind and did okay. There are a couple of small hills that he complained a bit but otherwise it was okay. Cassie and Craig just took off and rode.

After getting home, I hadn't cleaned the bike in a while so I cleaned it up. The chain and sprocket sparkle again and worked great today on the ride to the beach. It was 54 fast miles. I got to 50 miles at 2:40. The legs felt strong. Definitely different from two days ago when it was a painful go. On the coast, I was catching people left and right, cruising over 25 MPH. My fastest 10 miles was miles 40 to 50 where I averaged over 21 MPH. I could feel the bike accelerate when I'd come up behind someone or a group. Then it was the slingshot around them and continue on. There were a couple who tried to stay on my wheel but to no avail - DROPPED! A couple of riders fought off the challenge but in the end, they were reeled in and disposed of. Flat roads, like the TdF right now, is a big equalizer. It comes down to conditioning, preparation, and leg strength. A couple more days till we leave for the STP. I am ready to go. I have been training for this event for the last six months. It is like the last few days before Christmas, anticipating. Let's go.

We had a real nice time today at the beach. We bathed in the sun, tossed the football around, played in the waves, did some body surfing, and just relaxed. Later, we are going down to a park in Simi to watch the fireworks. It is nice to spend some time with Christine and just relax.


Pink is a nice color for cycling. Since Yoda put me in pink, here I am or here is how it will look in August when I come across in the lead. Get ready, brace yourself, the B-Train is coming and not stopping for any passengers!

The feel of the road

Five straight days of riding has given a good feel of where I am at for the STP. I logged over 200 miles in these five days. I will admit that today was a tough day of riding. The legs were heavy and tired. The 30 miles were not as easy as they should have been but I pushed through. I was trying to get an idea of how it will be in two weeks. This last week was another personal best for me. I rode more miles this last week than I have ever done before. I am hoping to beat that total again this week. I feel ready for the STP.

One of my most favorite things about watching the tour is the scenery: the buildings, the roads, the landscape. It just looks like home to me. There are so many memories of my time in Europe. It would be nice to ride a couple of days in Europe, namely Germany and France. Someday...

Tour de France ride

The TdF was on when I left this morning but I didn't pay attention to the news. It wasn't until I sat down to watch the show at 4 did I realize that Ullrich, Basso, and Vino are not in the Tour. Wow! Now who are they talking about as GC winners, Cadel Evans? What? The media definitely was not ready for the removal of the two Tour favorites. This year's TdF is wide open. George had a great ride today along with Levi and Dave. Floyd would have done better if he could read a watch. Okay, he had a flat but be prepared now. Come on!!

This is turning out to be a great sports summer. With the World Cup going and the TdF, what fun. I hope the Hogg can get to the Tour. That would be great to be a part of the spectacle. Get on with it you big bad boy!! I am glad I woke you up.

Today was a good day. I got up at 5:30 AM and on the road by 6:30 AM. I had planned on brining in the TdF with a ride of my own and I did just that. I rode out to the beach, stopped, watched the waves for a moment and then headed back to Simi for a vuelta around Simi. All told, a little over 100 miles on the bike today. I didn't push hard except for the time when this yayhoo passed me. I jumped on his wheel and said to him, "let's go." He got dropped a few minutes later. Why do people pass you and then slow down. Frustrating. If you bring it, you'd better bring it. After dropping him, he didn't come back to me. It was just at 6 hrs on the bike today. Tomorrow will be another day to put some miles on the bike. I need to get in at least 30 so I can have over 200 for the last five days. It is just a mental thing in preparation for the STP. Today just proved to me that the HHH is not a matter of completion but how fast can we go. With Salty, Hogg, and me working together for the first 99 miles, we could make this a very fast ride. The last mile will be the race. The eighth Saturday from today is the day...Regulators, mount up!