I wrote a letter to the editor at Bicycling magazine. Here is my note:
A few months ago I read the article "Peak Twice" by Michael Frank. I laughed when he suggested to take a week off the bike to have a stronger second season. Two weeks ago when I was out on a long Saturday ride and my legs were dead, Mike's words rang in my ears - take the week off. I did just that. I went to water polo games, soccer games, watched some football, and did almost nothing with the bike except apologize to the bike as it hung on the wall in the garage. When I got back on the bike tonight for the first time in 10 days, I felt excited just like a spring ride after a long, indoor winter but with the beauty of fall colors. Thanks Mike for the tip.
Maybe I'll get the free tools - then again, maybe not.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Zero and Water Polo
As I sat and rode my 65 miles last Saturday through the cold and the rain, my legs where heavy and not responsive. I usually get out and hit it hard for the first 90minutes, really pushing the pace. Then I take a 15-20 minutes lesser intensity break and then go back at it again for another 90. The was no pop in the legs. I just rode. My mind went back to an article I read in Bicycling Magazine a few months ago about taking a midseason break to restart motivation and fitness. I shrugged it off and kept going.
On Monday, I had planned on getting back on the bike. I get a call from Christine asking about my plans after work. Cassie had a game. I decided to heed the article's advice and take a week off. I went to Cassie's game and watched her team win. I went to her game again on Wednesday night and watched them win again. Christine and I traveled to Modesto and have enjoyed watching her compete and play in the Western States Invitational. Special thanks to my parents for watching the boys as we have been out of town. Supporting Cassie is important to us and being in Modesto is part of that support process. While we were here, we took advantage of being in Cali - like the sun and the food.
Nothing like a Double/Double with cheese animal style, side of fries, and a strawberry shake!
As I got up on Saturday, I could feel the body start to get that desire back, that need to ride. The week off the bike has proven to be a good thing mentally and physically plus I got to watch my daughter compete. It is all good. On Monday, I start getting ready for TdTucson in earnest.
On Monday, I had planned on getting back on the bike. I get a call from Christine asking about my plans after work. Cassie had a game. I decided to heed the article's advice and take a week off. I went to Cassie's game and watched her team win. I went to her game again on Wednesday night and watched them win again. Christine and I traveled to Modesto and have enjoyed watching her compete and play in the Western States Invitational. Special thanks to my parents for watching the boys as we have been out of town. Supporting Cassie is important to us and being in Modesto is part of that support process. While we were here, we took advantage of being in Cali - like the sun and the food.
Nothing like a Double/Double with cheese animal style, side of fries, and a strawberry shake!
As I got up on Saturday, I could feel the body start to get that desire back, that need to ride. The week off the bike has proven to be a good thing mentally and physically plus I got to watch my daughter compete. It is all good. On Monday, I start getting ready for TdTucson in earnest.
Joy in Suffering
Would you ride if there were no hills?
A few days ago, my boss and I were talking about cycling in the area and how we appreciated the variety of routes that the area provided - rolling hills, steep short climbs, long climbs, flats, and all this in a wide variety of weather. He asked me if I'd continue to ride if there were no hills. He stated that when he moved to Ohio, he stopped because there were no hills and cycling became just pedaling with little challenge. I told him that I didn't know, there is a joy in suffering that comes from sitting on a long climb. There is something almost spiritual about sitting on a long climb. There is a peace and calm that comes when you start to suffer and know that it won't be over anytime soon.
Usually my mind begins to wander at first, thinking such things as - you've got to be serious, are you a moron, why do you punish yourself in this way, didn't we come up this hill a few days ago, you'r going to suffer bad today, can we only go halfway up, can we go at half pace this time - as if the mind is going through the various stages of grief until it realizes that the body is not relenting. The rhythm of the pedals calms down the thoughts and the mind gets focused. At some point, it all goes silent in the control room. All I hear then is the deep rythmic breathing, the turning of the pedals, the chain running against the cogs, the tires rolling against the pavement - I realize that it is me, the bike, and the road - Peace!
Would I stop riding if there were no hills? If I could find something challenging to movtivate me to get on the bike - sure I would continue to ride but I'd have to spend the time and the miles on the bike to find the hills. There is a joy in the suffering.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
40 in 41
The weather is turning. Last Saturday was 60's, I got up today to ride before Conference and it was 41 degrees - this is OMG cold! Even so, I got on the bike and rode 40, making it 6 1/2 hours on the bike for the week and on track for getting ready for TdT in November.
I rode on a road today that I had not been on before. I found it on the Bicycling website. I had ridden by the road many times and a few times wondered where it went but never put my wheels on it. I had limited time so I figured to try it out since it fit in with my schedule. It was about a 4 mile loop off of the 240 and ties back in with Laughlin road. It is a nice climb for the first 2 1/2 miles. On the climb, I saw three raccoons scurring up the side of the road and then across it. Further up the road I saw several small groups of deer, nibling on leaves before jumping into the trees as I approached. As I crested the top of the climb, I looked to my left and was overcome with the beauty of the scene below. Here I was climbing through this tree lined road creating a tunnel, the leaves in varying colors of green, yellow, and orange. At the top, it opened up so that I could see the valley floor, covered in brilliant white low clouds as the sun was sending rays through breaks in the higher clouds. These rays highlighting greener sides of the hills with the higher clouds painted with blues, reds, pinks, and whites. Magnificent!
As I rode down the hill, I began to feel my legs as I started to get cold. I forgot that at about 1 1/2, the cold starts to creep in and the legs start to become uncooperative. This was the case today as I pushed through the cold the last 45 minutes. Although my body was physically growing colder, my soul and heart was warmed by the beauty I beheld. Even now, several hours later, it continues to warm. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be there.
I rode on a road today that I had not been on before. I found it on the Bicycling website. I had ridden by the road many times and a few times wondered where it went but never put my wheels on it. I had limited time so I figured to try it out since it fit in with my schedule. It was about a 4 mile loop off of the 240 and ties back in with Laughlin road. It is a nice climb for the first 2 1/2 miles. On the climb, I saw three raccoons scurring up the side of the road and then across it. Further up the road I saw several small groups of deer, nibling on leaves before jumping into the trees as I approached. As I crested the top of the climb, I looked to my left and was overcome with the beauty of the scene below. Here I was climbing through this tree lined road creating a tunnel, the leaves in varying colors of green, yellow, and orange. At the top, it opened up so that I could see the valley floor, covered in brilliant white low clouds as the sun was sending rays through breaks in the higher clouds. These rays highlighting greener sides of the hills with the higher clouds painted with blues, reds, pinks, and whites. Magnificent!
As I rode down the hill, I began to feel my legs as I started to get cold. I forgot that at about 1 1/2, the cold starts to creep in and the legs start to become uncooperative. This was the case today as I pushed through the cold the last 45 minutes. Although my body was physically growing colder, my soul and heart was warmed by the beauty I beheld. Even now, several hours later, it continues to warm. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be there.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Samurai Mike speaks...
Here’s a quote I found while reading about the 49ers. Samurai Mike says, “Greatness is not about someone who has the ability to be great. Greatness shows up when someone might not have that ability but finds a way to succeed. They outwork their opponents, they outhit their opponents, they outfight their opponents. They want it more. Don’t give me a guy who’s supposed to be all-world and you’ve got to try to talk him into something. Give me the guy who has maybe just enough talent to be on the field but thinks he’s great, and who’s willing to do whatever he can do to contribute to make his team better.”
From SI, 9/28/2009, p. 56
From SI, 9/28/2009, p. 56
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Success!
The happy bikers relaxing on the front lawn after a good day on the bike. They laid here for over an hour, just gabbing and not moving.
Pic #3
Haag Lake - the water level is low this time of the year, waiting for the rain. There were a lot of folks out on the lake fishing and on the shores fishing.Pic #1 & #2
Craig and Corbin at the halfway mark - still full of energy, having just ate a bunch of food.
Another 50 with Craig
We rode another 50 miler today. The difference was this was with the whole troop, not just me and Craig. Lucky for us, I got the "faster" boys - Craig and his friend, Corbin. Craig did better than the other rides. He was still "racing" me up the hills at miles 35 and 44, pushing me to work to pass him. There was no wimpering this time about legs aching from Craig. He was telling Corbin that it is part of the ride to suffer. Craig, the cagey old veteran, helping out the neophyte rider work through the pain.
I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed riding with them.
I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed riding with them.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tour de Tucson
Now that budget time is almost over here at work, the next big thing to hit is my Tour de Tucson ride in November. I took last week off of the bike - that's if you can call riding only 70 miles as time off. This week the intensity has picked up but I am limiting the total time on the bike at one sitting to 2 hours. As I look to the calendar, the plan is to ride 6-8 hours per week in September, with the max time on the bike at 2 hours. October will move the mark up to 8-10 hours per week with the max ride time at 4 hours. In November, I will hit it hard and heavy in the first two week with up to 12 hours on the bike and a few 6 hours of fun before tapering off the last two weeks before the ride.
By doing this, I feel I will be ready to knock out 5 1/2 hours for the 109 miles. The last time, we hit 7 hours total time. I stopped too many times and the pancakes did me in at mile 70. The plan is to get out and get busy, not stopping til Brooklyn or other bladder related issues arise.
I am pumped to be on the bike in the sun. The last few days have been nice and warmer, allowing me to get loose earlier and put in some good times. I have hit under 30 minute 10 mile splits multiple times this last week. The legs are feeling good. The rest has helped as well.
Time to get back to my budget practice.
By doing this, I feel I will be ready to knock out 5 1/2 hours for the 109 miles. The last time, we hit 7 hours total time. I stopped too many times and the pancakes did me in at mile 70. The plan is to get out and get busy, not stopping til Brooklyn or other bladder related issues arise.
I am pumped to be on the bike in the sun. The last few days have been nice and warmer, allowing me to get loose earlier and put in some good times. I have hit under 30 minute 10 mile splits multiple times this last week. The legs are feeling good. The rest has helped as well.
Time to get back to my budget practice.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Pruning
I have gone most of my life avoiding participating in Special Musical Numbers at church. This all changed this last Sunday. My wife and the ward music director finally figured it out and asked me to do a "Music and the Spoken Word" number. I had to find the text and the C would play the piano. In essence, I'd get up and just talk - and I got real nervous before hand. I couldn't understand why since I talk in front of groups all the time. So I got up, introduced the special manner in which my wife and I would do the Special Musical Number. It was a big hit. The young men even gave me a thumbs up. Who knows, maybe I'll inspire others to explore their non-musical, musical talents. I really like the text. It is from the program "Music and the Spoken Word" as found at this website - http://www.musicandthespokenword.com. I read this while Christine played "I Need Thee Every Hour."
Pruning Season
Gardeners know that pruning is one of the best things you can do for your plants, if it’s done the right way. Plants and trees may need to be pruned to remove diseased or damaged branches or to ensure that nutrients from the roots go to producing fruit. Too much pruning, however, can harm or even kill a plant. The gardener must use care and caution to get it just right.
If trees could speak, perhaps they would wonder why it is necessary to prune their branches. They may even complain that pruning is painful or that it stunts their growth. Why not just leave them alone? But eventually it becomes clear that the pruning has made the plant stronger, healthier, and more productive.
In a way, people are like trees. We too can benefit from occasionally examining ourselves and pruning a few things from our lives. Are we holding on to a grudge or resentments that need to be taken out of our soul? Do we think some things about ourselves or others that are negative or limiting that could be removed? Do we harbor in our heart some habits or feelings that we would be better off pruning from our lives?
We resist pruning, at times, because it can be painful. It’s not always easy to look deeply at our lives and question who we really are and what our life is really about. But we begin to feel the benefits almost immediately. When we shed our burdens through appropriate pruning, we actually feel lighter and freer, and we allow life’s sunlight to shine on us more fully. Over time, we find we are more able to give and receive love, more compassionate toward ourselves and others, and we see for ourselves that this pruning, this refining, really is one of the best things we can do.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Craig's 1st 50
Today was an early day - I got up at 4:40 AM to go for a ride at 5:30 AM since I had a 7:30 AM meeting with the Bishop. While getting ready, I got to catch some of stage 20. The entire stage, 100+ miles of nothing but up. Granted, there was some descending but very little. The stage profile offered a bit of inspiration as Rob asked me, "So where we going today?" All I could think about was "up!". So we headed up to Bald Peak - 52 minutes later we were at the top. I felt the climb as I was paying for riding up Bell Road yesterday after work. I had never been up Bell Road from the 99. It was 2 miles of up, averaging probably 10% - pain, more pain, and well, pain. I got up the climb but paid for it this morning on the way to Bald Peak. I was able to stay with Rob but it was painful.
After the meeting with the Bishop, Craig and I got ready and headed out to ride his 50 miler to complete the cycling merit badge for him. We rolled out North Valley Road to Gaston, Cornelius, Forrest Grove to the Hagg Lake store. Craig was doing an excellent ride as we averaged 15 MPH. We got some lunch at the store and rested for a couple minutes, and then headed back to Newberg. Craig did his part pulling and keeping up. I thought he would start to ease up about mile 35. It never happened. On the rollers on North Valley as we were coming back in, he was pulling hard on the up. In fact, pulling so hard that I had to work to keep up with him. On one of them, I had to get out of the saddle and give it the gas or I would have been dropped. I could hear Phil Liggett in my head screaming, "And there goes Beecher! Beecher has cracked! He couldn't take the acceleration of Craigus and so he's off the back." I wasn't having any of that so I quickly jumped back on his wheel, wondering if he noticed that he was putting me into the red zone. No excuses but I was feeling Bell Road and Bald Peak. Just like a predator that smells weakness, Craigus was kicking it in. The mini-Pain Train was taking it's maiden voyage and I was it's first passenger! Wow! Doing this was not only rewarding but fun and made a dad proud. We hit 50 miles at 3 hours 20 minutes. I wonder how I did my first 50 that Christmas Day back in 2004. I rode out Bandera Road and suffered that day. I remember the suffering, just not the time. Anyway, Craig did well. I hope this has sparked his interest in cycling and we can continue to ride together. Well see. For now, Congrats to Craig for riding his first half century.
All told for the week, over 130 miles. I have my eye on the Tour de Tucson in November and making sure I can get in the miles. The intensity of the training has been ratched back a few notches as I try to get in some good base miles again.
After the meeting with the Bishop, Craig and I got ready and headed out to ride his 50 miler to complete the cycling merit badge for him. We rolled out North Valley Road to Gaston, Cornelius, Forrest Grove to the Hagg Lake store. Craig was doing an excellent ride as we averaged 15 MPH. We got some lunch at the store and rested for a couple minutes, and then headed back to Newberg. Craig did his part pulling and keeping up. I thought he would start to ease up about mile 35. It never happened. On the rollers on North Valley as we were coming back in, he was pulling hard on the up. In fact, pulling so hard that I had to work to keep up with him. On one of them, I had to get out of the saddle and give it the gas or I would have been dropped. I could hear Phil Liggett in my head screaming, "And there goes Beecher! Beecher has cracked! He couldn't take the acceleration of Craigus and so he's off the back." I wasn't having any of that so I quickly jumped back on his wheel, wondering if he noticed that he was putting me into the red zone. No excuses but I was feeling Bell Road and Bald Peak. Just like a predator that smells weakness, Craigus was kicking it in. The mini-Pain Train was taking it's maiden voyage and I was it's first passenger! Wow! Doing this was not only rewarding but fun and made a dad proud. We hit 50 miles at 3 hours 20 minutes. I wonder how I did my first 50 that Christmas Day back in 2004. I rode out Bandera Road and suffered that day. I remember the suffering, just not the time. Anyway, Craig did well. I hope this has sparked his interest in cycling and we can continue to ride together. Well see. For now, Congrats to Craig for riding his first half century.
All told for the week, over 130 miles. I have my eye on the Tour de Tucson in November and making sure I can get in the miles. The intensity of the training has been ratched back a few notches as I try to get in some good base miles again.
Twitter vs. Facebook
I have been tweeting for a while now. Actually since I learned that Lance and other professional cyclist use it to communicate with their fans, I signed up and have been following them ever since. At the same time, the rest of my family had been doing facebook. So I decided to try it out.
So what have I learned - Twitter is easier than Facebook and easier to control content. The ability to post content is the same for both applications. If you can get over all of the Twitter lingo and the slightly less social nature of Twitter, you'd find that it is a fun application.
On Twitter, you tweet. On facebook, you share - advantage Twitter.
On Twitter, easy to post pictures and through various means. Same on FB - Wash
Okay, enough. I just like Twitter better but will do both since most of my friends are on FB.
Until all have been converted, happy Facebooking.
So what have I learned - Twitter is easier than Facebook and easier to control content. The ability to post content is the same for both applications. If you can get over all of the Twitter lingo and the slightly less social nature of Twitter, you'd find that it is a fun application.
On Twitter, you tweet. On facebook, you share - advantage Twitter.
On Twitter, easy to post pictures and through various means. Same on FB - Wash
Okay, enough. I just like Twitter better but will do both since most of my friends are on FB.
Until all have been converted, happy Facebooking.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
STP 2009 Recap
I am struggling on where to start. This year's edition of the STP was so satifying on many levels. Several things were different that made the ride sweeter than usual - the day before with Christine, the extreme knee pain the few days before the ride, the many miles before the ride in preparation, almost hitting my total time goal, and reaching a goal that I had set long ago and never achieved - only a pull by JD could have made it better. Let me explain.
On Monday, I woke up barely able to walk. My left knee was extremely tender and tight. I had trouble walking down stairs and putting any weight on my knee. Being a typical male, I convinced myself it was better not to go see a doctor so I spit on my hands, grabbed a handful of dirt, and rubbed it on my knee and decided it was good enough first aid. All I needed was time. Tuesday was only marginally better but at least I started to ice the knee and take some motrin. Wednesday was better and I even got in a short ride that seemed to help. Thursday was almost back to normal and I felt good on the bike Thursday night. I was able to get both my body and my mind back and all it took was a bit of spit, dirt, and time.
Friday was a nice slow day. I got up early (4:30 AM) to take Cassie to the pool for a swim meet trip to Moses Lake, WA. I got home by 5 AM to see the start of stage 7, up the Arcalis. It was so exciting I feel asleep until the decisive climb as was able to see all of the excitement and attacks. We left around 10 AM, just the C and I heading towards Seattle. About Vancouver, I realized that I had left my registration packet with numbers at home. Luckily the C thinks fast and reminded me that friends were coming up and to give them a call. Bingo, Craig was able to walk the packet down the street and we saved two hours of driving and a potentially day changing event. We stopped for lunch just South of Tacoma, got to the hotel in Seattle, and unloaded. We hung out in the room for a little bit, deciding what the rest of the day was going to look like. We got our bearings and a list of places to go within walking distance of the hotel. We spent the next few hours just wandering around the U district. We found this great little Italian restaurant and said a nice dinner. We got back to the hotel and relaxed. I got in bed around 8 PM - a record for the night before the STP for me. To spend a day just hanging out with the one you love the most - priceless.
The morning of the ride started about 3:45 AM with the usual bagel, yogurt, and banana. At a little bit before the ride start, I met up with Mark and Ben and we headed out with the first group. The first ten miles was the usual - tense, avoiding crashes, rough roads, but the beautiful view of Lake Washington as the sun comes up. The first 100 miles was fast. We got on a few pacelines, led out a few pacelines, and rolled into Centralia in less than 5 hours (4 hrs 51 minutes was the actual time). In looking at the GPS data, all the ten mile splits after the first 10 miles were above 20 MPH. I have talked about doing a century in less than 5 hours and I finally did it with the help of quite a few other people.
The second century was little more difficult. We picked up a head wind the last 85 miles or so that made the going touch. I probably overexerted myself the first 100 and paid for it on the second. We had a SAG that was a big help. We'd call and say what we needed, a few miles up the road there they were waiting for us. No big rest stop to go into and wade through the other riders. We'd eat, refill, and go - wasting little time getting back onto the road. The Brady's were a big help on the road and I appreciated it greatly. The coke at mile 152 was huge. The last 30 miles into Portland was tough. Ben had rode on. He has a will like few people I know. Mark and I slugged it out together the final 30, taking turns at the front, pulling each other home. As we went over the 200 mile mark, I thanked him for the help. I could not have done it alone. We hit the line 12 hours and 5 minutes after we started, missing the mark by 5 minutes. It's all good. It was 75 minutes better than last year and my best STP finishing time yet - awesome and incredible. We had a plan and worked the plan - the prep, the SAG, the ride. Granted, there are always ways to improve and we will but this was the best for me yet.
Thanks to all who helped with this year's STP - it was memorable. Put it on your calendar's for next year's edition - July 10, 2010 (I believe).
On Monday, I woke up barely able to walk. My left knee was extremely tender and tight. I had trouble walking down stairs and putting any weight on my knee. Being a typical male, I convinced myself it was better not to go see a doctor so I spit on my hands, grabbed a handful of dirt, and rubbed it on my knee and decided it was good enough first aid. All I needed was time. Tuesday was only marginally better but at least I started to ice the knee and take some motrin. Wednesday was better and I even got in a short ride that seemed to help. Thursday was almost back to normal and I felt good on the bike Thursday night. I was able to get both my body and my mind back and all it took was a bit of spit, dirt, and time.
Friday was a nice slow day. I got up early (4:30 AM) to take Cassie to the pool for a swim meet trip to Moses Lake, WA. I got home by 5 AM to see the start of stage 7, up the Arcalis. It was so exciting I feel asleep until the decisive climb as was able to see all of the excitement and attacks. We left around 10 AM, just the C and I heading towards Seattle. About Vancouver, I realized that I had left my registration packet with numbers at home. Luckily the C thinks fast and reminded me that friends were coming up and to give them a call. Bingo, Craig was able to walk the packet down the street and we saved two hours of driving and a potentially day changing event. We stopped for lunch just South of Tacoma, got to the hotel in Seattle, and unloaded. We hung out in the room for a little bit, deciding what the rest of the day was going to look like. We got our bearings and a list of places to go within walking distance of the hotel. We spent the next few hours just wandering around the U district. We found this great little Italian restaurant and said a nice dinner. We got back to the hotel and relaxed. I got in bed around 8 PM - a record for the night before the STP for me. To spend a day just hanging out with the one you love the most - priceless.
The morning of the ride started about 3:45 AM with the usual bagel, yogurt, and banana. At a little bit before the ride start, I met up with Mark and Ben and we headed out with the first group. The first ten miles was the usual - tense, avoiding crashes, rough roads, but the beautiful view of Lake Washington as the sun comes up. The first 100 miles was fast. We got on a few pacelines, led out a few pacelines, and rolled into Centralia in less than 5 hours (4 hrs 51 minutes was the actual time). In looking at the GPS data, all the ten mile splits after the first 10 miles were above 20 MPH. I have talked about doing a century in less than 5 hours and I finally did it with the help of quite a few other people.
The second century was little more difficult. We picked up a head wind the last 85 miles or so that made the going touch. I probably overexerted myself the first 100 and paid for it on the second. We had a SAG that was a big help. We'd call and say what we needed, a few miles up the road there they were waiting for us. No big rest stop to go into and wade through the other riders. We'd eat, refill, and go - wasting little time getting back onto the road. The Brady's were a big help on the road and I appreciated it greatly. The coke at mile 152 was huge. The last 30 miles into Portland was tough. Ben had rode on. He has a will like few people I know. Mark and I slugged it out together the final 30, taking turns at the front, pulling each other home. As we went over the 200 mile mark, I thanked him for the help. I could not have done it alone. We hit the line 12 hours and 5 minutes after we started, missing the mark by 5 minutes. It's all good. It was 75 minutes better than last year and my best STP finishing time yet - awesome and incredible. We had a plan and worked the plan - the prep, the SAG, the ride. Granted, there are always ways to improve and we will but this was the best for me yet.
Thanks to all who helped with this year's STP - it was memorable. Put it on your calendar's for next year's edition - July 10, 2010 (I believe).
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