Why I ride...

About three and half years ago, I started to ride and haven't stopped since. I have been asked many times why I do it. Typically, I respond something along the lines of "because it feels so good when I stop." This is partially true. I thought I would write a bit more tonight and explain myself a little better.

I weighed about 243 pounds and was very inactive. I was an angry person with no outlet. All my life had been around sports or outdoor activities. At the time, I had none, no participation in sports or active outdoor activities. There had been several of the "Biggest Loser" contests at work that I did not join. A good friend at work, Cole Trickle, got under my skin and challenged me to join. Hey, I am always up for a good challenge. I was determined not to lose. I started eating differently and running. After a month of running, my knees, ankles, and shins were not going to make it under the pounding. All the years on the football field, basketball court, and Army games had taken the toll on the body. Running was not an option for me. I had a mountain bike and took inspiration from my Pops. I started to ride. I remember that first, dark morning well, 5 AM and I am doing laps around our neighborhood. I felt proud that I rode 3 miles and my legs were sore but not hurting. It felt good. I soon raised my mileage, getting to 20 and 30 mile rides on the weekends after about six weeks. The pounds started falling off. I felt better about myself. I felt healthier and had more energy. Best of all, the anger seemed to diminish after the rides. I told myself if I ride this mountain bike for six months, I'd buy a real road bike. I kept at it and bought a Trek 1500 with my Pops while they were in SA. Thanks Dad for the inspiration. Partly, I ride to show my Dad appreciation for the help.

I began to talk about riding with everyone I met. I told my Home Teaching companion and it opened up further conversations. He got a bike. We decided to ride together and he did some searching for a route. I was not adventurous and stuck to the 1604. I still remember that grey Saturday morning going up Scenic Loop Drive with JD - riding, talking, sharing. It was the start of wonderful friendship that continues today. We went on to ride all over them hills. We even set a goal to ride our first century together in Texas in August at the Hotter 'N Hell 100. We should have known it would be torture by the name. We decided to skip a hotel and slept outside in the 90+ degree heat and rode a spectacular first century. We have since rode more together. Thanks JD for the friendship. I ride and remember all the good times together, waiting for more down the road to come.

Cole even got interested and rode the HH100 the next year with us - a grueling century in 105+ degree heat that we all wanted to quit. I lost to him in the wieght loss contest but he got me on the bike since I could not run. Thanks Cole for the competition. I ride and remember another good friend.

Finally, I do ride because it feels so good when I stop. One and a half years ago at my first One Day STP ride in which I put down 204 miles in 11 hours on the bike, I put my foot down in Portland having accomplished the goal I set for myself to do it. It boosted my confidence and self-esteem. I could accomplish difficult things if I applied myself, set intermediate goals, and stuck to it, even if it really sucked from time-to-time. On the long rides, when there seems to be no end, the mind turns to family and loved ones. In those times, I thought of my family, my wife, my children, and was able to look deep inside me and come face-to-face with who I was - I didn't like it but I was able to slowly make some changes. I am no where near perfect but I am trying to be more loving and kind daily. I ride to look deep inside me in order to change to be who I should be - pain and suffering does that to an individual. So when I say I ride because it feels so good when I stop, I really mean to say it has made me a better person - a better friend with some great friends, a better son, a better father, and a better husband.

It really isn't about the bike...

Early morning ride

I have been asked several times why I get up and ride so early in the day.

If you could have seen it this morning, you'd know why.

As I got over and through the fog over the Willamette river bridge and turned towards Champoeg, there it was. The sun coming over the horizon, the mist sitting among the trees in the valley, the colors of the trees, grass, and vegetation, the clear blue sky above - amazing. How can you not recognize a higher being when out among scenery and beauty like this. It was inspiring.

All-in-all it was a good day - a little over 70 miles in 4+ hours and the weather was great. Another 100+ mile week for me. Definitely I am putting in more miles this year than last and the scale saw a little movement in the right direction this week. Good trends.

That's some bad hat Harry

I was rolling home and decided to give OB12OLD a call. It was good to talk to him. He reminded me that the Tour of California was going on. Tonight was the time trial in Solvang. Sweet! When I got home, I made sure it was going to record so I could catch it later. After picking up the C's car from the shop, getting some food, we headed home, just in time for me to get changed, sit down on the bike, and watch some TofC. Levi had just left the start line for the time trial. I rode it with him. The last half of the time trial is part of the Solvang ride. I remember the names written on the road last year and thinking I was riding on the same route that the pros rolled over. Nice! Only two more stages of the TofC to go - tomorrow they will ride through my old grounds near Simi Valley. Oh the colors of the Peleton!

The week has been flying by again. I did get in some time on the bike this week plus some basketball. I got out on Monday night for the hour of pain, taking on Coral Creek. Wednesday and Friday was spent in the garage, spinning. Tomorrow is going to be a fun one. I'll let y'all know how I rolled.

Go Levi! Get 'er done...

From here the ultimate adventure begins

After a week in NoCal, it was nice to be back at home. Being on a Kaizen event with 5 other PM's can be challenging. We got a lot accomplished plus it was good to get to know better some of my peers from other locations but it was better to be home.

This week was also my first of over 100 miles for the year. I topped it off with three hours of riding today with an hour of basketball sandwiched in between. I got up and rode over to the Stake Center in McMinnville. Thanks to Christine for bringing and taking back my basketball clothes. Riding home was tough but worth it. I have two weeks till Solvang. I am excited to be able to ride in SoCal.

Time to go hang with the C.

He's just here for his annual checkup

Flying into San Jose today was beautiful - the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Candlestick Park, and Mt. Hamilton. As I sat there and stared at that observatory, I was amazed at the magnitude of the climb from the air. Amazing! and inspiring. I wish I had brought my bike to climb it. I am going to have to meet JD here and climb it with him.

I could feel my bike beneath me and the climb endured on. The pain and the omnipresent Lick Observatory - mocking me in my ascent on the summit. Thanks to JD for the memories and the pain.

That still only counts as one

The weather let up long enough on Saturday to get in 22 miles of riding fun. It had been two weeks since the wheels had hit the pavement. I was a little winded as I got on the bike. We had a basketball game in the morning, I got home, and hit the road after a bagel. I needed the ride. It was difficult since the legs were worn. I had rode twice in the garage this week and played basketball three times when my butt hit the saddle Saturday morning. After returning home, I felt at peace and real tired.

This weekend I signed up for the Solvang Century in Solvang, CA. I am excited to go back and be able to ride this one again. It is a nice way to start the season off. Not much more to write, I will be riding indoors this week as well since I will be in Hollister all week. I'll need some serious time on the bike next Saturday as the weeks get shorter till the ride. I've ridden more this year than last but I feel less prepared. We'll see shortly...

On a positive note, the days are getting longer and I will be able to get back on the road during the week shortly.

Christine and I had a great time this weekend, hanging out in downtown Portland at a Home Builder's Association awards ceremony. Milgard received a marketing award and we were there to show ourselves. It was good food, good company, and just plain good to be hanging out with the C.

I need you to sleep with Wilson...

After a few days off, I am back in the saddle. Time to get serious about '08 riding. It is early February and although I've ridden more this year already than last year at this time, I am lacking and determined to get back into the calloused saddle mode.

Driving home tonight, it stayed light enough to ride till almost 6. Bam! Viva el tiempo de la bicicleta! Jalle!

JD - how was the mother land? I'll drop you a line this weekend to get the down low on the Solvang.

Until we meet on the road...