Why I am a "daddy"

For all of you Dads or for all of you soon to be Dads, please see The Beecher Street blog to get some clarity on this subject matter. The link is to the right.

Real nice Christine!

Another Day on the Bike

Today was a bit different day on the bike. It wasn't the massive miles or the high intensity riding to boost speed or endurance. It was a stroll with the family, hauling Colin in the trailer for 15 miles. It was a fun ride with some hills. We started by riding over near Milgard and down the trail by the river. The river runs diagonally across town. We chose it to avoid having to ride in or around traffic. As we rode towards LA Ave, the main East/West street in Simi, we saw that it was closed off. The four lane divided street was hosting the Simi Days Parade on the two westbound lanes. We stopped and watched a while. Then decided to ride up the other lanes and see all of the parade. It was fun riding the wrong way on the big street with no cars and no people. The kids loved it. We then rode home, up over the 2 1/2 mile hill I usually ride at the end of the ride. As I am going up the hill, I am thinking about the extra weight I am hauling. I am riding my old steel mountain bike, hauling a trailer, with the 42 pound Colin. All told, at least 50 extra and maybe 60. I got up and over without to much difficulty, mountain bikes have lower gearing. When we got home, we had been gone over 2 hours. A fun outing with the family.

Work is going well. I go to Vegas tomorrow night for a couple of days for a Glass Show and Conference. Next week, I head to Portland for a couple of days. I hope October brings less travel as I have to really get ready for Death Valley. I might just ride the century. It is the fact that I will be riding in Death Valley that entices me. After this, it would be nice to ride to the highest point in the US. There is a ride over three passes in Colorado. This might need to be put on the calendar for 2008, right after the Furnace Creek 508!!

Back on the bike

It has been two weeks since I have seriously been on the bike. I felt it today. On Monday, Dad and I took several loops around Pt. Defiance park. It was a good short ride. Today, I got on the Mulholland Highway after 43 miles to the beach. From there, it was 8 miles of up, with an average grade of 5%. It was tough and I could tell I have missed riding in the hills. Final tally, 60 miles in 3 1/2 hours. The HHH preparation was mostly flat. Now, I have to change my focus. After the HHH, I felt I would not ride in October. After being home for a little while, I am going to Death Valley to ride. This means I have to get to the hills to prepare. There are over 40 miles of hills that translates into more than 9K worth of climbing. Time to get ready to get it done. It will be tough since my schedule has me traveling considerably in the month of September. I have six weeks to get ready. It should work out. If not, I'll only ride the century. Well, keep posted as I prepare for my last organized ride of the year. Monday means back to biking to work.

Final note: how about them Steelers!