Humility and Hills

On Wednesday night, I talked to Matt at the Bike Shop about riding. I had got the new rims and wanted to take them for a serious spin. He tells me that he has been riding a year and would like to ride with me. Sure I say, Saturday at 8:30 AM it is. Matt says he knows a good loop to ride. I don't know any better but like the idea of riding with someone since Christine was in Utah. I did not get out to ride on Thursday due to Location Meetings at work that went late. So I couldn't wait another day to ride on those new rims. Yes, they are ... DUBS if I can quote JD. It felt like a different bike. They rolled real nice and felt solid. Not mushy like the rims I took off. Well, my 20/20 hindsight tells me that my other rims have been bad for a long time and I should have changed them long ago. I know better know. Friday night was 21 miles with 3 x 10 of muscle tension with 5 minutes of rest in between. My heart stayed down around 131, as an average. I did the workout and just cruised, trying to get time on the bike. Saturday morning dawned and I was feeling good and oblvious about what was about to hit me. I rode for over 2 and 1/2 hours, almost 40 miles of hills upon hills. These are not the small rises in the road that can be overcome in a matter of seconds. These were the several mile long hills that got into the legs and stayed there for a while. We climbed so many feet of elevation, I felt like we would soon be in the cloud mist. There was some flats that I could loosen up the legs. Matt was kind to me. He even let me get up a hill first. I got dropped twice but stayed close. I was humbled. The other climbs, I am panting and he is talking to me like it is nothing at all. Then he tells me he is a racer. His season starts next Sunday. Wow! He is going to race in the Juniors as well. He is only 17. Double Wow!! I can suffer. I can ride through pain. I just don't have young legs. He didn't eat or drink much. I was sweating like crazy in 50 degree temperatures. I feel pretty good now. I did it and will do it again. The ride was not only difficult was beautiful. It was breath taking in some areas. Thanks to Matt for the ride and introduction to the area. I needed it. Now I know where to find the pain!!

New Wheels

My back rim has had small cracks for a little while. I did not think anything of it till about two weeks ago when I started to ride and I heard this creaking noise. It did not go away when I stopped pedaling and it got faster as I got faster. I got off of the bike and couldn't find anything after reviewing the bike. The noise went away. I finally talked to someone at the bike shop. They said any cracking around the spokes is not good. Riding last night did not feel right. The back end wobbled. I looked at it when I got done and noticed a larger crack. In one of these pictures is the rim and you can see how the rim is splitting. I bought a new wheelset tonight and put it on. They are a Mavic Ksyrium. I have added a picture of the new set on the bike. I have not rolled on them yet but will tomorrow. Christine asked me if I was going to go after I got done. I am beat after today. A day of swamping windows is hard work. We did about 140 windows. I tooked them from the back of the truck and put them in the garages of the tract homes that were being built. I do not envy those that have to do this every day. My hat goes off to them. I got my weight lifting in for the day. My arm feels like I have been doing bicep curls all day. I will feel better tomorrow, I hope.

Today is my Dad's birthday. He is turning 63 today and will be riding with me in the Seattle-to-Portland ride in July. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to him and good riding.

Another ride

Time on the bike is what it is all about. Nike says "Just do it!" I say, "just ride it!" This is exactly what I did again. I sat on the bike for an hour and did a thirty minute muscle tension workout. It was tough. At fifteen minutes I thought I was done. At twenty I wanted to quit. I just then focused on the music. Once again, U2, pulled me through. The thirty minutes during the muscle tension workout, my heart stayed pretty constant at 140 bpm. The other time, it was around 120, for an average of 131.

Tomorrow, I get to do some real work. I am doing a ride along with a delivery driver. I get to off load windows all day on a delivery route. Part of my training is to understand all aspects of the business, tomorrow I am just the average Joe, riding around "swamping" windows. I don't know why they call it swamping but that is what they call it.

Today, #7 wore black and gold

Wow!! Three road victories to get into SuperBowl XL. One more road victory and the Steelers will be champions of the NFL. It was good to see the Bus get into the end zone and big Ben throw two into the end zone for touchdowns. The hard part will be the media hype for the next two weeks, can't we just play the game like Thursday and forget about the crazy media blitz? It wouldn't be sports without all the analysts getting their two cents in.

To go from 7-5, searching for a victory to a berth in the Super Bowl. Wow! The job is not done yet. We can't be happy to only get there. We have to win it also.

Go STEELERS!!

"Salty" Bennett Throwdown

The schedule called out for 2 hrs 15 minutes of riding with 3 x 3 fast pedal with 3 minutes rest between. I got on the bike at 8 and after a nice warm up, I got the workout portion done and rode for fun. After studying the map last night of Ventura county bike lanes and routes, I decided to try Thousand Oaks. I thought it would be like Simi Valley. I was wrong. I rode more hills than the Cielo Vista Loop in SA. In some cases, I looked at my incline percentage and it was bouncing between 6 and 10%. This was not for a couple hundred feet but for several miles and on several hills. There were two on Westlake, one on Ebres, the slow up on Olsen, and the long moderate hill up First Street. Even with all of the hills, I still averaged 15.6 MPH with an average heart rate of 143 BPM. I would offer the route profile but I have not downloaded it from my Garmin yet. That will come later, after tomorrow when I have some time. Tomorrow will be all flat and easier, do the workout portion and get some time on the bike.

At the end, a car slowly rolls up to me and I look over, its Christine! I had been on the bike almost two hours and it was good to see her. She surprised me. She had gone to the salon for what women got to salons for. When I got home, we got ready and went to the beach. It was nice to sit and do nothing for a while. We just hung out and didn't get home till after 6 PM. While we were out, I got a call from my "salty" friend Mark Bennett. I use the term salty in jest. He told me about his blog. He thinks that the Hotter 'N Hell is going to be his coming out party. I just want him to ride and learn what it feels like to be ridden off of someone's wheel. I have added his link to the list. I wish him well in his preparation. But as I have learned, nothing replaces time on the bike and having done it before. I hope to ride several more events before August. I am already registered for the Conejo Valley Century and the STP Double Plus Century. I might ride one more before then.

Adjustments

In Texas, once outside of 1604, there was very little traffic to contend with and worry about. Getting up scenic loop, out upper Balcones, hitting 211, or out to Castroville, not too many cars. Simi is a bit different. I am never alone it seems. Cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles come whizzing by all of the time. I am starting to get used to it. At least it is flat for the most part and I can get some speed and really prepare for flat courses. Something that did not really happen in the hill country.

Tonight was another 95 minutes on the bike for a little over 24 miles. I did a muscle tension workout, 4 x 5 minutes with 2 minutes rest. The hills were not bad. My heart was racing for the last 2 minutes of each, hitting about 160 bpm. I averaged 142 bpm. I think this is partly due to the cold. I am glad I have some cold weather gear or I would not be making it. I need the ride. I seem to find so much clarity when I am done. Cycling also removes a lot of agression. This is good.

Work is progressing well. I was assigned to read a book about weaknesses. It was called The Five Temptations of a CEO. I liked it. The temptations are choosing status over results, choosing popularity over accountability, choosing certainty over clarity, choosing harmony over productive conflict, and choose invulnerability over trust. It is a good read. I am learning a bunch about the business. The difficulty lies in not having responsibility. I want to jump in and push, making things happen or start to make things happen. I just need to remain patient and continue to seek ways to learn more and ask the right questions. All in time.

And by the way....GO STEELERS!!

On the road again..

Tonight started the training in earnest. I have been taking it easy for the last two weeks, not riding a lot, just enjoying the time and family. There are some rides in early April that I want to do. They are hilly rides so I need to get ready and lose some pounds. Bicycling magazine is helping me get prepared. I am riding the crush it century plan. Tonight was the 90 minutes of fun with 20 minutes of tempo. It went well. The streets of Simi are not bad. The only tricky part is the railroad tracks. They are too close to cars and at an angle. Otherwise, it is a good ride from one side to another, all told 23 miles.

Sitting here in my Steelers jersey, I am excited for Sunday's game. It will need to take a great game again from the team to win. Let's see the Steeler Nation rise up and support this team.

All in all, Milgard is going well. A lot to learn and a lot of work to do to get up to speed. Challenges abound but solutions are available.

Euphoria Monday

Can you believe it? They did it! Big Ben and the Steel Curtain took it to the indoor playing wimps from Indy. It is going to be a tough game at Mile High but it will be fun to play yet another week. Can we hope that big Jake "the Snake" Plummer will choke in his first big game? Can the Steelers play another complete game? All will be known come Sunday afternoon. Let's go Steelers!!

The first step of the journey

It is said that the journey starts with a single step. I think I am ready to talk about my first step to Cali. I got up Sunday morning, intent on packing the car and getting gone by 9 AM. It didn't go that way. It was hard to focus and think about all that I should take and all that I had to do. This is evident also by how much I forgot to bring with me.

The time that I spent in Texas was special for several reasons. Having lived the most number of years of my life in Texas, it was a sort of homecoming for me. It felt like home and because of that I think I tried harder. Tried harder to accept myself and my faults as well as trust. I got lucky and found a couple of friends that made me feel comfortable. It had been since Germany in high school that I had trusted friends like this.

I wanted to stay in Texas. But life calls us in different directions. I was called West. I know I have been called here and to go down this path. This doesn't make it any easier. It is noon. I am standing in the garage that Sunday. The car is packed and ready to go and my shoes feel like cement bricks. I don't want to leave but I know I must. I cried for the first time in many years. Leaving doesn't mean that friendship is lost. It just means that I can't call Jens up on Thursday night and say, "how about Saturday, we riding?" or hang out watching football or playing cards. Or complain to Mark about the unethical actions of our boss or talk smack about whatever. Or all of the other things that made it all work and brought a lot of happiness. Even now, after over a week in Cali, I miss the Lone Star State. I miss the interaction with my friends. August will come but maybe not soon enough!

Keep riding or suffer the pain!

It has been a long road...

It has been a busy week plus. I have been busy riding and moving the last few days. My last rides in Texas were 30 and 55. They were great rides for several reasons. The rides were with good friends, in fact, my best friends and over my favorite routes. The last day was most memorable. I did a 211 with Jens. It was cold but a good ride. That ride has all you ever want in a ride, rollers, long hills, flats, and speed. It works cardio and strengthens the legs. It was good to be out with Jens, just cruising along and riding hard. The second to last hill, the long one, he caught me. The week of riding just caught me and I had to push through it all.

After that, I got back to Roger Solers in Helotes and rode another hour or so with Mark. We rode up Scenic Loop and almost to Cielo Vista. We turned around and went back down and cruised around Helotes. It was good to be out with him on his first real ride. It will be interesting to see the HH100 in August and how he does. It will be fun. Between him, Jens, and myself, we should be able to set a good pace for the 100 miles.

Cally has been busy. I only got to get out a couple of times this week. Starting a new job is always hard. With all that has been going on, I was lucky to get out at all. The first week has went well and I have a bunch more to learn. Simi is beautiful and clean. It was a great ride on Saturday. I got out for two hours and rode the hills. The air was crisp and the ride tough. I am looking forward to getting to know the area and the rides around here. There are plenty I am sure.

Finally, the boys got it done today! The Steelers went into Cincy and took care of business. It will be good to bask in the warmth of a playoff victory for a week. Indy will be tough, especially in Indy, in the dome.

It is good to be settled in and getting organized. Go Pittsburgh!!

Road U2

It has been a fun week so far. All it seems I have been doing is riding and getting ready to move. I have rode each day this week except Wednesday. I needed the rest. My legs felt really heavy on Tuesday. I have been riding all of my favorite rides this week while listening to my new MP3 player. Today was especially inspirational. I made it up Scenic Loop in less than 40 minutes. A personal best time, all to the sound of U2. It again was almost surreal during the ride. Here is U2 playing in my ears and the beautiful South Texas scenery of the hill country passing me by. I plan on riding 50+ miles tomorrow and Saturday. Castroville is tomorrow and Boerne is Saturday. I pull out of SA on Sunday morning with the family soon to follow after. There is still some painting, sorting, and a few last minute items to do but basically we are ready to go.

Back on the Bike, with Santa

After recovering from being sick and then in California for four days, it was good to get back on the bike. I rode the stairmaster two days in Cali. It felt good and when I got out of the saddle to peddle, it felt identical to the stairmaster. At least I had the opportunity to get some cardio in and get back slowly into the riding after being sick. Babcock was open so I rode the 25 mile loop. It is a good combination of hills and flats. It felt good. Today was terribly windy. One of those days that with the wind it was 30+ MPH without peddling hard and barely 10 MPH into the wind. Another two hours on the bike today, with the wind, I stayed flat and it felt good. I just let the wind determine the intervals.

I finally have seen some movement on the scale. The last two times on the scale, I have put down 2 pounds to 218. If I can keep this up, 210 or lower will be easy to attain.

It looks like Pittsburgh will get into the playoffs. Here we go Steelers!

Sick

There has been no riding for the last few days. I got sick on Friday and am only now recovering. The flu really sucks, for the lack of a better term. We are currently in Califas looking for a home. Last night, we had a nice dinner at the ocean. It was great with the waves, the smell of salty ocean water, and the food. It just feels right. In a week the packers show up to start moving us this way. The truck arrives on Thursday.

And by the way, the Vikings were the next team to feel the wrath of the Steelers, 18-3. Two more games and we are in the playoffs. The only problem, how much will be left to compete. Working so much harder this earlier might leave the team with little in the tank. We can only wait and see. First things first, we have to qualify for it. This week, the Browns.

U2...

Riding to U2 was great! It was too cold to ride outside so I stayed in. I put on my U2 DVD and rode. Before I knew it, I had ridden for over 45 minutes. It was great. Singing and riding. I didn't even feel the pain. It kept my mind off of everything else.

Today was my last day at work. It was an odd day, leaving a place where I learned so much about management and people. So many people expressed sadness in seeing me go. The rest who were rude or dealt with it differently can continue to deal with it differently. I didn't want a lot of fanfare or extravegance in my departure so there wasn't any but not even a thank you after working for seven plus years. Maybe I should have said thank you and just moved on but I am being stubborn as well. Time will heal all wounds.

Wind and cold

I decided to get on the road last night. It ended up being cold and windy all the way around the loop. My final heart rate was 153. Yeah, it was windy. It was a cross wind and that is not fun trying to keep the bike upright with cars whizzing past. I got it done. Three days in a row this week. Tonight I hook up with Mr. Carmichael again for some pain and suffering, just not for hill climbing repeats.

Chris does it again

Hill climbing was the order of the day last night. From my previous attempts to do the work out, I noticed the riders would elevate their front tire higher with wood blocks. I decided to do the same with the ladder. I raised my front wheel an additional 6". It was most painful. I did the workout and then rode for another 20 minutes after. It really put the screws to me. It makes a difference raising the front wheel. Tonight should be an hour of easy, recovery riding. My legs were still tired this morning from the time last night. It just goes to show that I still have much room for improvement.

On another note, Bennett took a beating last night. I finally figured out a defensive strategy to get to him. My offense was mediocre but did the job. 24-6 was the final. It feels good to be on the winning side again after two consecutive losses. My all-time record needs some help, I am still only 9-11. Hey, I'm ranked 4569th. That is a start!!

Get on the Bus!!

"The field was soft and the snow was thick and the footing was iffy, but to Bettis these were perfect conditions in which to ply his trade. Bettis is the NFL's No. 5 career rusher, but this season he has been serving as a backup, as a change-of-pace for starter Willie Parker. But in a game that screamed for a snow-plow instead of a sports car, Bettis churned out two touchdowns and 101 yards rushing to help the Steelers win a game and right themselves at least temporarily in a season that has three more ultra-competitive weekends to go." (Bob Labriola, steelers.com)

"He was classic Jerome Bettis. [It was] a great field for him today. He is what he is. He’s a warrior. He’s such a powerful runner. I can’t say enough about him and what he means to this team." (Coach Bill Cowher on Jerome Bettis)

What more can you say.

Way to go Steelers!!

Cielo Vista

The last time I rode Cielo Vista, my dad and I were preparing for the Rides for the Roses. It was the Monday before the ride and I used it to cap off our couple of weeks of preparation. When I rode over the Jens' house yesterday morning, I was thinking of a easy ride, something flat and fast. I hadn't been up Scenic Loop on a bike in a while and when Jens mentioned it, what the heck, let's ride. I rode it the best I probably ever have ridden it. In fact, my gearing was higher than it has ever been but so was my heart rate although it didn't feel that way. We spun for over two hours. The only thing was I didn't bring any food with me and when we finished, I knew I had not brought any food. I didn't bonk on the ride. I bonked after the ride. It is that empty feeling in your stomach that feels like a drain sucking the last bit of water out of the tub, searching for every last bit to go down.

We went out to eat with Jens and Kristen latter in the afternoon. It was fun and we really enjoyed the company. They are such good friends. It is already difficult thinking of what is going to happen over the next few weeks without it really happening. Good people are hard to find. Good people that "fit" are even more difficult. After dinner, Christine and I had a good time shopping for the kids for Christmas. I think we got almost everything. Just some stocking stuffers and few items is what is left to do. Tomorrow is the day. "What would you do if you didn't fear!"

Lastly, Chicago is in Pittsburgh today. It is time for the Steelers to get it done. Let's go!

Spin the pain away

Hitting the road can be a fun thing. Just not when you have a bunch of good people that you have to leave. I am having a hard time with this venture. I am have really made some good friends here. Friends that I want to be here for a while, not just tomorrow. The miles and hours spent with Jens on the bike, at each others home, eating out, taking care of kids, etc. Mark and all of his stuff from work and the eating out, the Madden online, and the sports blowouts. Wow! It is hard. Driving to work today was not easy. I know there is time but oh so little time remains. The only thing that helps is to get on the bike and ride. Make it hurt till there is nothing left but me, the bike, and the pain. When the pains subsides, then all there is left is me. It is all coming together so quickly. A trip to Cally on the 19th, movers the last week of the year, and the drive out. All this in the next three weeks. It will be difficult to go but I am sure that within a matter of time, we will be back to Texas. It is home. I have ridden the road in the picture. It was a few weeks before last years Hotter 'N Hell. It was the most difficult ride I have done so far. It was really windy, the hills were intense, the weather humid, and no shoulder to speak of to ride on. We almost got into a fight. Memories. I hope that soon enough grass will grow under my feet and I can stay planted.

New torture routine

I have found a new way to torture myself on the trainer. In the latest Bicycling magazine, it speaks of ways to improve your workout onthe trainer. I tried some of those ways last night. I started in the lowest gear and gradually went up in gears, riding in each for five minutes. I started in the middle ring in front. I went up seven gears. Then clicked to the big ring, down three in back, and then moved up the gears again. The last three big gears were painful. I was sweating terrifically. Before I did the last and biggest gear, I rode five minutes in a small gear. Also, I only did 3 to 4 minutes in the last three gears. After this, I just rode the final ten minutes easy to cool down. During the cool down, I did some one legged pedaling, 30 seconds a side. It is not as easy as you think but I can see the reason to do them. It really helps on the pedaling motion, working all of the leg. The average heart rate was 135 for the 80 minutes. I like this workout. The heart rate gradually raised until maxing out at about 154. It reminded me of the workout I used to do in the wee hours of the morning at Ft. Polk when Big Joe and I would meet at the gym at 5 AM to lift and do cardio. The stair climber had a fat burning workout that would slowly raise the intensity over the forty minutes. Big Joe, another good friend.