Steelers wax Niners

It is not my line. I stole it from www.espn.com but it is the truth as the Steelers put it to them 37 - 16 at Heinz Field this afternoon. Willie Parker was a big part of it as he rushed for 133 yards. The Steelers scored with all three disciplines - offense, defense, and special teams. Thanks to the Niners for being #501.

I'd like to express a special thanks to the Steelers for winning - it would have been rough for the next year or so with Yoda in my ear.

Double Baldy Week

It wasn't a century week but the intensity was there. I got up early and hit the road as the sun was just peaking over the horizon. I figured that since Thursday was a day in the hills - it would be a flat 50 today. As I crossed the bridge, I hear the all to familiar hissing coming from my back tire. Luckily, I was close to a large spot on the bridge so I didn't have to stand a few feet from the traffic. I had a spare tube but not enough CO2 to completely fill my tire. I headed home to get another spare tube, new CO2 cartridge, and pump up my tire. While I was riding home hoping to not get another flat, I thought, "what the heck, let's go back up Baldy and see how the legs feel." It was one heck of a climb back up - my legs told me about it repeatively. I got to top, rode down the other side two miles, turned around, and headed back up to the top. Punishment, doing the body good.

All told for the week, 55 miles with 5200 feet of climbing.

Baldy Birthday

Just another normal day except for it being 9/20 - 38 years since I entered the world kicking and screaming. It started that day with a slap in the pants and today ended with a kick in the pants.

I got home at 5, changed, filled the bottles, and got on the bike. I thought about the ride up Bald Peak all day but not the normal way. We took Chehalem Road to Bald Peak. The difference between Chehalem Road and the normal road is the steepness. Chehalem goes to 17% in a few parts and leaves you thinking about walking the bike. Christine kept saying "I am going to kick you in the pants when we get done." It took a little while to get up Baldy, not the 41 minutes I did a few weeks ago but still challenging. We got to the top, stopped for a drink of our tasty beverages, and strolled on down. I hit 50 MPH on the way down. Nice!

It was a good climb that I needed. I had been off the bike for over a week and needed to be challenged. Work has gotten all too stressful these last few weeks and a good ride does the brother good. Thanks to Christine for the ride and the kick in the pants. It was a smooth birthday.

On another note, thanks to all for the phone calls, notes, thoughts, and birthday wishes, and birthday cards.

Livestrong Party!

Another great Virgo turns 36 today!

HBD Lance!

Listen Up Yoda...

The 2-0 Niners visit the five-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. I just wanted to thank the San Francisco franchise ahead of time for aiding the Steelers get to 501 franchise victories. We all know the strength of the Niners schedule is suspect having beaten the Judson Rockets and the Southlake Carroll Dragons. It is time to be humbled by some real NFL competition. By the way, the NFL does have an EAP if the players need counseling after the game.

Go Steelers!

Some New Names

The C started this thing but I thought I'd follow suit with the new name list...
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: Mopsy 4Runner
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: Vanilla Macadamia Nut
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: C-Bee
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: Black Polar Bear
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: Jason Kengawa-Ken
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: BeeCh
7. SUPERHERO NAME: The Blue Pepper
8. NASCAR NAME: Glenn Paul
9. STRIPPER NAME: Aqua Velvet Snickers
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: Ann Paul
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: Allen Atlanta
12. SPY NAME: Fall Snapdragon
13. CARTOON NAME: Orange Underpantsy
14. HIPPY NAME: Hot Cereal Oak
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: The Cycling Sunshine Tour

Other than the making up of funny names for myself, I did not get on the bike at all this week. It was a very interesting week for me. I spent two days in Tacoma at a conference but the highlight was being able to have dinner with my mom on her birthday. It was nice to sit and talk with my parents and be there with my mom. Being with my mom on her birthday hasn't happened in years. The rest of the week was basically spent working 12+ hours a day for budget prep. Fun, fun, fun. I am ready to get this over with but I have still a week till the actual preso. I have never had butterflies for two weeks. At least this week I am not traveling and can spend some time on my bike and with my family.

One highlight was going back to Tacoma and getting some furniture from my parents. We drove up Saturday and picked up a table and 9 chairs. This is helping to fill out some rooms in our house that we have yet to fill since giving away some furniture befor leaving Texas. All in due time...

On another note, Pittsburgh won its 500th win today, the most out of any AFC team. Congrats to the Steel City franchise. All of us life long Steeler supporters are looking for another trophy. We need to get a ring for the other hand.

Oden Out?*)#$!#@

Thanks Greg for the knee surgery. We all here in Portland remember 1984. We all thought you'd be different. Your not Sam Bowie - your Sam Bowie Redux, knee and all.

Anyone want to buy my season tickets? I don't need to see Greg doing what he is doing in this picture - sitting.

By the way, Saturday was 35 miles of into the wind. Not a full century this week but a good week at my average for the year. Nothing like heading for home into a 25+ wind, cranking at 12-15 MPH. Nice!

I needed this ride...

I am driving back from a quick lunch, where I read the new Bicycling and got inspired, and called the C - "we are riding tonight," I said. "I will be ready," was the reply. It has been a stressful week after the holiday. Budget prep, strategy sessions, distribution concerns, service concerns, new product launch concerns, Best of EFY, Scout Leader Training, Ward Conference preparation, etc. I needed some time on the bike - some serious pain time.

With only an hour of ride time available, it was the double Wilsonville loop with a Coral Creek in between. The pain train pulled away from the station and made the legs burn and the heart pound - 9'05" - only a second off my fastest time. It felt good to work so hard. I need to find the sub 9 minute time. I can see where to go faster... I just need to get there.

52 miles down this week - only a Saturday ride away from the weekly century...a couple more weeks and I will cross the 4K threshold for the year.

Just me and the road...

Century #7 started early Saturday morning on the hills around Newberg - Haugen Road (1100 feet over 3 miles), Gibb Cemetary (1000 feet over 3.5 miles, and Bald Peak (1300 feet over 6 miles). There is a peace, a comfort that comes over me sitting on the bike, suffering on a climb - just me and the road. It is difficult to explain but as many of you already know how this feels. Take a moment, close your eyes and picture it.

The balance of the ride was with my dad - down the Willamette river, across the Wheatland ferry, and back up familiar roads. It was warm, comfortable, and nice to be one step closer to the goal of 8 centuries.

Number 8 is just around the corner, but first, the romantic get away with the C.