Ride Summary

I do apologize for not updating this post in 2 weeks. Have been dealing with some personal issues. However happy to report that it didn't mean I wasn't out there riding, earning the donations!

Overall Total Miles Ridden: 509.82

June 18th: Grueling uphill course, up deer creek canyon. However the downhill part was great! 47 mpg baby.

Total this trip: 28.66 UPHILL Miles

Ascended: 1971

Descended: 1922

Calories: 1545

June 19th: Cog Snob loop

Total this trip: 33.38 Miles

Ascended: 712

Descended: 709

Calories: 1788

June 25th: Cherry Creek to Morrison and Back

Total this trip: 45.38 Miles

Ascended: 1802

Descended: 1663

Calories: 2613

June 26th: Back with Cog Snob

Total this trip: 28.61 Miles

Ascended: 431

Descended: 372

Calories: 1659

Sunday June 12th - Cog Snob - Single Anyone

Showed up to Sunday's ride 15 minutes late and found that I would be riding by my self. Probably much better as my legs were sore and tender..

This was a good route that Ive ridden before. Was good to get out and get legs stretched out.

Total Miles Ridden: 373.79
This Ride: 29.83

Ascended: 845
Descended: 478
Calories: 1429

Saturday Jun 11 - Oh My

Back on with the team in training team. This time we started up North, closer to home. Didn't have to get up too early.. but luckily I did.

I got up on Saturday morning after getting back from California at midnight on Friday to find that I didn't have the message on where we would be meeting. Its now 7:00am and the ride meets at 8:00am leaving at 8:30am. Sent a quick message to the coach and team, luckily got a response and found out where to go.

This was one of the better rides I have been on. Went from Baseline Rd to Hygiene,CO. Had a lot of great rolling hills along with what some of the veterans we were riding with called "the three bitches". This was an out and back path. So we would be riding the same path out and back. Well on the way out there was one fairly large hill that needed to be climbed, was good but not too bad. then some rolling hills down the other side. Nothing registered in my head...

Finished up to the mid point and well on my way back. Well hit those same "rolling hills" but from this side they weren't so rolling. Coach was yelling at us to get into lower gears prior to the light at the bottom of the hill turning green. I thought I could handle it. The guy I was riding with most of the day turned and looked at me.... the gauntlet had been thrown.

Lights on the opposite traffic turned yellow.

We waited for green

And waited.... damn it seems like a long time...

GREEN.

He takes off. I'm close behind.. one stroke.. no second pedal. DAMN I cant get my foot to click into the damn pedal.. he is pulling away.. Finally I land the foot in the right spot.

I start sprinting across the intersection, he is already 1/2 way up the first hill. I press hard putting everything I had into catching him before the top of the first hill. Success. As I pull abreast of him I hear him yell in agony. His legs decided they were done and cramped up on him.. I pulled ahead an crested the top first, as tired as I have ever been.

Problem....

There were 2 more just like that..... what bitches!!!!


Total Miles Ridden: 343.96 miles
This Ride: 39.72 miles

Ascended: 1113 feet
Descended: 567 feet
Calories: 2467 feet

Sunday June 5th - Cog Snob

Typical Sunday ride with the Cog Snob group. This group went along at a pace that I could keep up with. Believe it had something to do with them completing 59 miles in the mountains the day prior :)

Guess their legs were a bit tired. I'm OK with that! Stayed up with the leader group and picked up my pace to 17.78 miles per hour.

Total Miles Ridden: 304.24
This Ride 33.49 miles

Ascended:634 feet
Descended:624 feet
Calories Burned: 1895

Saturday June 4th - Coach Lies

Road from Cherry Creek to Golden.

Started out on a nice easy bike path along the Platte river in downtown Cherry Creek. Before too long, left the comfort of the bike path. Crossed a bridge and headed out on to the open road. This is the first time that the team will hit 30 miles.

Was a great flattish ride, had some rolling hills, false flat hills, and one steepish hill. Was a great day for a ride. We were able to go directly behind the Coors brewing company before hitting downtown Golden. At the midpoint of this ride some sort of food would have been nice. Unfortunately I didn't carry anything.

Way back seemed much quicker perhaps because there seemed to be more downhills than up. When we rolled up to the cars I immediately checked the bike computer and low and behold we did almost 37 miles. The coach LIES!!! That's 7 more than planned.


Total Miles Ridden: 270.75
This Ride: 36.76 miles

Ascended: 1059 feet
Descended: 1023 feet
Calories Burned: 2156

Mid Week Hell

What a ride...

Went out for quick mid-week ride. But incorrectly picked the hottest day of the week, went out at 10:30, wind gusts at 21mph. Not a good mix of factors to create a successful ride.

The ride out was great, wind at back and cruzing along. However the once I made the turn it was full on wind in my face trying to force me to stop.. and stop I did a few times. I have never ridden in the wind nor wind and heat. It's a different animal all together. It just seems to zap your strength trying to push the pedals down while the wind tries to keep you back. Now if you add a hill into the equation = disaster. At one point was in gear 3 for a 21 speed. Haven't been in that gear since i got the bike.

All I can say is WOW.... WOW.... WOW

But hey now total miles is 233+ :)


Total Miles Ridden: 233.99
This Ride: 27.04

Ascended: 1035 ft
Descended: 482 ft
Calories: 1552

Memorial Day Ride - Country Road

Memorial Day Ride.. yes I went out on Memorial Day and slogged it out on my own. Was the trail that Cog Snobs did on Sunday but it looked like rain so I begged out.

The ride was challenging in that it had so many rolling hills along the way, but I was able to keep my pace throughout which was nice. The unfortunate thing was that I had my iPod playing that was synced with the wife's songs..... not a good thing some times. When i was climbing a hill, pushing hard to Metallic and all of a sudden some other music kicks in.. can kill the motivation.

I need to start thinking about food on the bike. Ive gotten so far with just two water bottles filled with water. I should start to figure out what nutrients I should start taking. Ive gotten close to "bonking" or "hitting the wall" when not riding with Cog Snobs.

Total Miles Ridden: 206.95
This Ride: 31.23


Ascended: 845 ft
Decended: 638 ft
Calories: 1847

Saturday Ride 3 w/Team in Training

Saturday 5/28 completed an uneventful ride with Team in Training. In fact came home and felt that it was too easy. May have to try to figure out what I need to do to keep motivating myself without killing myself with the other group.

We rode around Cherry Creek Reservoir, it was a 10 mile loop that we did 2 times. Seems we lost some of the individuals this weekend, but then again it was Memorial Day weekend. But hey at least they left on time.

Total Miles Ridden: 175.72
This Ride: 21.94

Ascended: 524 ft
Descended: 516 ft
Calories: 1439

Sunday - Cog Snob Ride 2

Well, not sure where to start..

Firstly, cant believe that my rear has now gone 154 miles. Kinda un-believable.

Prior to the start of this ride, I have been feeling pretty good about my conditioning, pace, ability to climb hills, etc. After this ride I don't have that feeling anymore.

Pulling up to the parking spot I noticed that none of the riders I have previously ridden with were there. Before there were 2 other riders similarly outfitted as me (Hodge Podge). Not this time, all were outfitted in "cog snob" gear on expensive bike. I pulled into my spot a bit leery but telling myself that all is OK, I've ridden with the group before just not these riders.

Magically pulling my bike out of the car (a feat on its own) I set it up and peddle over to the group of riders to introduce my self. My opening statement is, and I quote "You guys look a lot faster than the previous group I rode with".. they just chuckled. This wasn't gonna go well...

We started out and I immediately realized that their pace as faster than my own. Typically I am able to keep up with the group and by the end near the front. Well by the first light (3/4 miles) I have already dropped off the back of the group and huffing to catch up. OH I forgot to mention that this section was flat.

Stopped at the light.. I told them not to wait up for me. Two said "OK", two others said "I just rode the mountains yesterday my legs are dead.. ill be much slower". Their slow did not equal my fast. Up to the 1/2 way point at 16 miles I could keep them in my sites, not too far ahead. But the ride back consisted of rolling hills but at a constant incline. Well....... I didn't see them from that point forward....

Not feeling so giddy anymore. Not discouraged, just not feeling the superhuman individual I imagined myself to be.

Total Miles Ridden: 153.78
This Ride: 32.54

Ascended: 1005 ft
Descended: 612 ft
Calories: 1700

Ride 2 w/ Team In Training - Saturday May 21

What a great day to get out riding. Was a slightly breezy 65+ degree morning. We again teamed up with the Tahoe team to start out. They were going 75 miles today because they all stopped short at 60 miles during that cold miserable ride.

We met up at 8:45 at Chatfield reservoir trailhead and planned for a trip around the reservior.

Started out mid pack, quickly making my way to the front group. Felt so good I started to charge up each hill, getting off the seat and hitting the hills hard. On the last hill, my cockiness got the better of me. I decided to charge up the last hill and leave all others behind. I did, I struggled, I pressed hard, I drove all the way up the hill and was totally spent. Had a lot of distance between me and the group. But...... Little did I know that there was "hidden" hill that continued up.. I huffed and puffed my way up, no out of the seat, not style, just head down low gear moving up slowly. By the time I hit the top the group were mere seconds behind.... so much for surging ahead!!! I was obviously the brunt of jokes at the top....

OH well Still Fun!

Total Miles Ridden: 121.24
This Ride: 22.82

Ascended: 442 Feet
Descended: 360 Feet
Calories: 809

Looking forward to Sundays Ride - Supposed to do 30..

Waiting for Good Weather

Completed my first ride with Team In Training on May 14th. We went 15 cold miserable miles.

I hesitated to update as the ride was un-eventful other then being so damn cold. Had to buy full gloves and a jacket however may of us were still cold. We started off the day with the team training for the Tahoe century. They were going 80 miles that day.... so I guess, looking back, we were more fortunate only going 15.

Thought we were only going 20???

I was cautiously optimistic after loading up the car with the bike and equipment. This was the first time I was going to ride with a group from "Cog Snobs". I was rather nervous about my abilities; if I could keep up, if I would have an equipment malfunction, if I would have a flat tire could I fix it. All these thoughts and more were flowing through my head. If you know me you know that I don't like to be the cause of a problem (slow down or otherwise).


I left the house early, planning to be the first to arrive. I reviewed the location and confirmed that we were doing a 20 mile flat route. Well both those things were did not end up being accurate!!! I didn't get there first, pulled into the parking-lot and seeing two other individuals already unloaded and waiting to ride. I just shook my head. Put on the "game face" and introduced myself and we started the small talk. Turns out we were all nervous about the pace. Especially when one individuals states that they did a 29 mile per hour pace a few weeks ago (I'm at 16 mph). We all agreed to petition to be part of the B group and pull up the rear.


Luckily it turns out that we were the only group when the head rider turned up. So we all agreed on a 16 mph pace.


Not to bore you with the details but the course was not 20 miles. It ended up being 36 miles and 2.15 hours in the saddle. I did most of the ride in the back, learning the hand signals, vocal signals (a whole host of new things to learn when you are drafting). However on the way back I moved up the line until I was behind the leader and enjoyed pushing hard up the hills. But as a validation of my lack of conditioning at a couple of points I challenged the leader on the hill (by challenged I mean just to keep up as he kicked up the hill) Never once did I hang on long enough to get 1/2 way up the hill. He just kept pulling away.


Total Miles Ridden: 83.42
This Ride: 35.77


At the end of the ride, I felt spent but good. Wanted to go sit in a corner and recover but ended up going to an unexpected 3 hr brunch.


Ascended: 849 Feet
Descended: 994 Feet
Calories Burned: 2152


I think I'm gonna like this biking thing.

Tuesday May 3rd

Was able to break a way for 1.17 hrs on Tuesday. Was a great day. I set a goal of attempting to 20 miles. While out at 9.5 miles the trail ran out. Ended up having to complete some loops to finally hear the 10 mile mark and turn around and head back to the house.

Total Miles Ridden: 47.65

This Ride: 20.95

Was good to get out and my seat wasn't too sore.

Ascended: 612 Feet

Descended: 324 Feet

Calories Burned: 1417

Weather caused a crash?

Well not a crash really, but with temperatures not hitting the 50 deg mark it put a hamper on getting a ride in this weekend. I was hoping to join a group of riders calling themselves "cog snobs" to do a 20 mile bike ride. Luckily they post their route online that I can do either today or tomorrow on my own.

Saturday: 45 Degree High
Sunday: 49 Degree High

Today: 59 Degree High - Hopeful to get out.
Tomorrow: 69 Degrees

My first meeting with Team in Training is this weekend and should hear more on the official training plans.

It's funny that while I do want to get back on the bike and put miles on, I do have a latent fear of not knowing if I can do 6+ hours. That's a long time on a seat pedaling. During the fitting process the fitter talked about numb hands, numb feet, numb ass. And that position helps a great deal but you will still have to deal with these issues. Well I'm hopeful that the more times I go out the more I get a feeling of what will be happening.

4th Ride - 142 Days To Go

Total Miles Ridden: 26.65
This Ride: 13.65

Got my bike back yesterday from the Bike shop, pedal fixed and now it's also had a "fit" adjustment to meet my "proportions". Not sure how to take that response.

Fingers crossed on this lunch time ride.

Finally, an uneventful ride. No issues with pedals, no walk of shame, no nothing just riding. Thank God! I was afraid that every time I would have an issue. I was most fearful of getting a flat tire at mile 7 and not be able to repair it. Luckily all went well.

Completed a lunch time ride of 1hr went 13.65 miles with an average speed of 13.48 MPH. This include time at stoplights.

Ascended:538 feet
Descended: 313 feet
Calories burned: 834

I realize that this was a relatively boring post, however I was quite happy not to have some issue happen. While quite funny for anyone reading not so funny for me at that moment.

INTERESTING ASIDE: Did you know that it is recommended not to wear anything under bike shorts? Due to chaffing! Also any ride over 25 miles they recommend lubing up that nether region as well. Hmmmm that will be interesting when I cross that point.

Do you think they have chaffing issues? Im just saying......

3rd Ride was on the same Saturday before Easter.

I made another attempt after the dreadful frigid outing earlier in the morning. This time being a bit better planned, I wore the same clothing and planned my route. I logged onto mapmyride.com picked out a 20mi trip using some local bike paths.

The great part of the area I live is that the initial part of any ride is a decent, so I get to coast for a bit. Starting out later in the day when it was warm, the decent was great. Made it there in record time. I had turned on the tracking function and was eager to checkout the cadence when I got back. Well at about mile 4, following my layed out path.. it turns out that google maps doesn't account if a path is paved or gravel. Well after rounding a bend found that the trail quickly ended rather abruptly. So much so that I had to hit the breaks pretty hard. If you are not familiar with clipless pedals you are required to "twist" your foot prior to being able to take it out, otherwise you are locked into the bike. I neglected to twist when breaking so suddenly and ended up on my side.. lying there like a complete tool. Face red from embarrassment and not exhaustion as it should have been.

Had my ride ended there this blog post would have been funny. But I still had to get back home, I was still 4 miles away. And it wasn't an un-eventful ride unfortunately. I thought I could alter my route and still get 10-15 miles in. I turned around and started out. About a mile into it my left foot goes catiewhompus (you try spelling that word). Turns out that because I didn't seat my pedals the left one worked itself out and when I pressed down on it it cross threaded itself and locked. Ie no longer ridable. I had a beautiful hour long walk in bike shoes (clicking with each step) and bike shorts (with bike pad looking like a misplaced depends).. yea wasnt fun at all.. But hey I'm loving this???? perhaps...

2nd Ride - 145 Days to go

2nd ride happened on Saturday. The day before Easter.

Looked outside on Saturday morning, no sun no blue sky just clouds and cold. Opened the door could easily see my breath. I thought that if I can just get out and get in a hill I'll be warm enough to continue.

Went back inside and donned my spandex armor in hopes that tight inappropriate shorts, tight undershirt, tight jersey would help protect me from the cold. Why again the need to wear such tight clothing. It's not like I'm Lance Armstrong shaving legs and requiring tightness to shave off milliseconds, it's an out of shape guy in his 40's now displaying his package to the world. I digress.....

Hit the road at 9 am and started coasting down the hill in our neighborhood. Wanted to get to the bottom to turnaround and get the blood pumping on the climb back up.... Thinking warm thoughts. Well didn't get that far.. Cause it was FUCKING cold. I mean if it was 30 out you add a 15 mile wind that I created and it's 15 degrees out. My fingers were the first to go numb. Took only a few seconds to get down the hill, had to pause to blow hot breath on my hands. I was afraid I wouldnt be able to shift or break. Remember those movies that the people were so cold that they touched something and their fingers just broke off. Well that's how cold I felt my fingers were.

Turned around and headed up the hill, hitting it hard to get the blood and breath pumping. Well it worked,my blood was pumping and I was breathing hard by the time I was back near the house,,,,,, issue is that my fingers were still frozen and now hurt like crazy.

Sore = 1 to zero. Weather is ahead

Suffice it to say, I was so close to the house I decided to head back in the hopes to try later.

Plan was to end this post here but thought I should add the ridicule I received on my "outfit" once I walked in the door. All I heard was "that's not OK"

Day 1 Ride - 148 to go

Catching up this blog to today.

Purpose of this blog is to describe my journey for all of you that have donated you hard earned money and are interested to see my suffering.

My first ride was on Friday. Let me back up, you have to realize since we completed a marathon in 2001 I have had a desire to do a Century (100 mi) ride. I'm not quite sure why I've had that thought all these years. Perhaps its to accomplish the absurd? Or check off a bucket list item? I don't know. But I'm finally in a position to make a go at it.

Ok back to the first ride. Received my bike via UPS on Thursday and quickly put it together. Did some research in the Internet to make understand how to fine tune the different aspects of the bike (ie the derailleur front and rear, wheels etc). And put on the pedals by hand. Tis will become important in the near future.

Finally got out for a quick break-in ride, went only 8 miles, down a steep hill, followed a bike path and then turned around and headed back home. I quickly headed to the computer to map my route and see what I logged. After mapping out the exact path turns out that steep hill averaged on a 2.2% grade and here I felt like a lung was gonna pop out of my throat. I felt that short ride... Wonder how painful this will be......