Spinning

Yes Neil, I know it has been awhile since I last posted I shall make a concerted effort to post at least weekly.

Spinning at the bike shop has been going great. It is really great to exercise with friends. I look forward to the tuesday night spin not just for the exercise, though I sure could use it, but more so to reconnect with people who share the passion of biking enough to ride indoors on a trainer or exercise bike.

Headwater 08

Racing the Tour: As Madonna put it. What a great weekend for a 100 mile ride/race. For those who raced the race and those who raced the tour: What a tremendous ride. The weather was ideal for the ride and social fire. This event is one of my favorite events...right close with RAGBRAI.

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I felt great on the ride and get pumped for headwaters. Once again the wild rice soup was the best (I had to have two cups). The first cup: Splendid!! The second cup: Even Better!! I sorely missed this last year in the race, so had to race the tour to make the soup a priority this year. I really like all my biking friends. We were there for each other with encouragement and strong pulls. We tour racers specifically got an early early start so we could be back in time to celebrate as the "Racers" came across the finish line.

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What I like about this event is that our group comes together as a family. We are there for each other and that was very evident this weekend. We cheered for each other and cared for each other...(Hemi took a spill caused by another rider infront of the finish line). For me this is the grand finale before the winter season kicks in. Yes there will still be some more miles for the DBR but this event is the last event where a vast majority of us are all together in one place (26 I believe this year), doing what we all enjoy. Hydrating...I mean biking...and socializing.

The banter around the fire was very entertaining again and went into the wee hours of the morning. It all comes down to having fun and as a group we do this very well, on the bike and off. This is why our Trailhead, Team Strong Heart group is special. We come from all walks of life, with varying biking abilities and we gel.

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Thanks for a great year my friends.

Wednesday Night Ride

What great weather for a fall Wednesday night ride. There are a few others not pictured whom seem "ahem" camera shy. Thanks Quang for being the camera guy. Lots of talk about Headwaters this weekend. Looking forward to the wild rice soup and biking Comraderie!

Though the weather is starting to turn cool and yesterday was extremely wet, tonight was picture perfect (see right). It was nice to see such a large group out tonight. I can say that this year has been very successful in getting riders out for the Wednesday bike group. I am proud to be part of a riding group that values the group over the individual, respects the road, enjoys the ride for the ride, and is approachable. Yes we talk alot, and still chew up the miles on the road. I look forward to my next challenges, but am a little saddened to see the season end.

Hope you all have a great ride. Did I mention that the wild rice soup is awsome at headwaters. Ummmm wild rice soup!

Tuesday Night Ride

What a great night for a ride. Wonderful weather and fast riding. I have to give thanks to Bernie for the pulls up the hills. While riding I got to have a good conversation with Bernie about Limitations. I follow the Clint Eastwood philosophy: A mans got to know his limitations. Bernie's was don't let your limitations prevent success. Too True! Knowing and defining are totally different. Press your limitations until you have achieved higher marks. I jokingly replied mine was to suck tire tonight (though that was my goal..which I have never attained) but surpassed that by being in the front (even if it was short) among all the greats. Yes they are greats and this is not idle boasting...Their recovery pace is about my max pace...so they are always pushing me past my limitations... for that I thank you all. My legs however say $&#*! They can only get better.

I also have two other biking rules...never draft behind dave (he just goes faster)...never get in front of dave (he just goes faster). I violated both of those rules tonight (he went faster). Ok they are not rules per say...more like guidelines...Thanks for getting me out of my comfort zone though.

This was a great night of riding with good friends. They even let the King of the downhill keep his crown down the steep one. WooHoo.

Citizen Soldier

Had to "play" armyman this weekend (I call it play because I do enjoy it, so I don't consider it work). Well the cat is out of the bag. Heard the local news reported that our division is going back to the sand box. Now the news is published I can say it's true. Regardless of whom becomes president, the wheels will stay in motion. Any who... found a great video tribute to the national guard and will post the video link. I don't know the band as I am still stuck in the classics but they are "3 doors down" and the song is Citizen Soldier. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. There is a better veiw if you go to the guard web site and click on play the movie. That web site is http://www.1800goguard.com/movie/index2.php . I am not a recruiter so you don't have to peruse the site just click on the movie and enjoy.

A ride in the Dark

I never really had this type of experience for very long...sure maybe 3 miles and not too fast...but tonights ride was a a ride in the dark. I was unable to participate in the Saturday morning ride because of my fantasy football draft and sunday I am home with the kids. This left me with an evening ride. The plan was to be home around 3-4 and ride until sunset. Well, that didn't work out, because someone else had other plans. I wasn't able to get on my bike until 7ish.

I wanted to do my loop from home which is 47.5 miles and knew that I would be finishing in the dark. I did have the front light and a tail light as I was riding on the road. The last 15 miles were different. I couldn't see how fast I was going and couldn't see past my head light (5-10 feet). I have to say I was more focused and aware of my surroundings as reaction time had to be instant. There was a very unique part on the road where the trees on both sides of the road come together and make a tunnel and it was pitch black. I could see the less dark at the end of the tunnel and I actually said out loud "this is cool".

I finished the ride without incident, but have to say the 3 miles of bike trail from stacey to wyoming were the most tormenting, as I came across two walkers and a casual rider all without lights. The biker was going my direction and started to move "into the light" which just happened to be me. I think that he might have been tipsy as he seemed surprised that the light was moving and there was a voice behind the light.

The good news is I was able to burn off some frustration and calories gathered from the great food at the fantasy football draft. The ride was great and I have new admiration for those who spent nights riding on RAAM.

Time flies by

Yes, It has been months since I last posted:( Sorry Neil. I have had some really great times on the bike. Just finished RAGBRAI and can say it was a blast. I will post pictures as soon as I can get them. A week long ride across Iowa (the motherland) is just about right for the glutes. The DBR held up very well with only the need for a minor adjustment. I also finally saw another DBR podium 4 on the road for the first time in 2 years! It was a great site to see as it flew past me in mach 4 as only the DBR could do at the hand of a skilled rider.

I can say that I have enjoyed the summer and all the miles along the way.