http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TRC/Bike/MAMBikeEvents?pg=peditor&fr_id=9000&px=1946067
this time a one day ride in NH (I think the have mountains there, oooohh nooooo)
Please donate generously
XOXOXOX
Tom
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Nother bike ride
So I haven't posted in ages. Before yesterday I hadn't ridden more than 2 miles since the cape cod getaway. Work, family, new/old rover, life took over.
But yesterday was the 100K ride in NH. Can't find any elevation facts, so I am going to go on record and say it was all hills. If you know me you know I am a very intelligent but totally absent minded goof. I forgot my cycling shorts and socks. Luckily I had a pair of cargo shorts I rode in; cause when I was picked up in the early am I had on jeans and heavy wool socks.
The team was good, but trimmed down. Dave and Rick took the short route, Dave having wiped out on the cape ride not yet back to fighting shape, Rick hanging with him. Pat, Hen, Stef, and me slogging it out. Some hills were straight away visible from a distance, saying "Oh I am a big hill and you are a puny little bike rider" and others were cunningly hidden in the trees, lulling you into thinking "Oh yes, the top of the hill is just around the corner." Those hills are liars and they're lying. They go on and on up and up, twisting the way through the beautiful farmy landscape.
Tough things: poorly marked water stops, bad traffic direction (hey cops, tell the riders and/or the cars what to do, don;t just stand there chatting with your buddies or looking tough in the mirrored shades...do your f'ing job...that said most people were great, you just notice the bad ones cause they almost get you run over), playing some weird leapfrog game with the US mail truck he passes you, you pass him, he stops short right in front, you get pissed, he needs a tune up, you cough and wheeze, hills.
Good things: raised some money for Krissy,
had a good time, feels good to do something helpful and test ones self.
I gotta get some pics
Hope all is well
XOXO
Tom
But yesterday was the 100K ride in NH. Can't find any elevation facts, so I am going to go on record and say it was all hills. If you know me you know I am a very intelligent but totally absent minded goof. I forgot my cycling shorts and socks. Luckily I had a pair of cargo shorts I rode in; cause when I was picked up in the early am I had on jeans and heavy wool socks.
The team was good, but trimmed down. Dave and Rick took the short route, Dave having wiped out on the cape ride not yet back to fighting shape, Rick hanging with him. Pat, Hen, Stef, and me slogging it out. Some hills were straight away visible from a distance, saying "Oh I am a big hill and you are a puny little bike rider" and others were cunningly hidden in the trees, lulling you into thinking "Oh yes, the top of the hill is just around the corner." Those hills are liars and they're lying. They go on and on up and up, twisting the way through the beautiful farmy landscape.
Tough things: poorly marked water stops, bad traffic direction (hey cops, tell the riders and/or the cars what to do, don;t just stand there chatting with your buddies or looking tough in the mirrored shades...do your f'ing job...that said most people were great, you just notice the bad ones cause they almost get you run over), playing some weird leapfrog game with the US mail truck he passes you, you pass him, he stops short right in front, you get pissed, he needs a tune up, you cough and wheeze, hills.
Good things: raised some money for Krissy,
had a good time, feels good to do something helpful and test ones self.
I gotta get some pics
Hope all is well
XOXO
Tom
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
STILL HERE
I STILL NEED DONATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apologies for not blogging.
Two weekends ago did some good riding. 30 miles on sat and 40 on Sunday. Felt good. None this past weekend. Not even close to being in the shape I wanted to be in. But that’s all part of the fun. I ran the Dublin marathon under-trained and so hungover. Not part of the plan but sometimes that stuff just happens.
Going out for a ride later today.
Monday, May 5, 2008
too busy (too lazy!!!)
Have not had a chance to do any riding lately. Went out a week back and got a flat. Haven't fixed it yet. Gotta turn this around.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Aches and Pains
So going from zero fitness to longish rides causes some pain. After a ride and for a day or so thighs, calves, and bum soreness. Understandable, these are the muscles used for the pushing the bike. Bum a bit too from the seat. I have a good seat, but not used to putting all my upper weight on my "sits" bones.
A couple days later from the ride very sore triceps and shoulders. I couldn't reach my hand back to scratch the center of my back. Just would not happen. That stayed for a few days.
Weirdest of all, sore thumbs. I guess from being pressed on the handle bars. They are still sore now, a week later. I really need my hands a lot at work (I am a plumber). And I normally have very strong hands and wrists, but I was a weak little boy this week.
I'm not sure of a long ride this weekend. I was supposed to have family over but that fell through. I should try to catch up on work. We'll see how it goes. Off to the dump.
A couple days later from the ride very sore triceps and shoulders. I couldn't reach my hand back to scratch the center of my back. Just would not happen. That stayed for a few days.
Weirdest of all, sore thumbs. I guess from being pressed on the handle bars. They are still sore now, a week later. I really need my hands a lot at work (I am a plumber). And I normally have very strong hands and wrists, but I was a weak little boy this week.
I'm not sure of a long ride this weekend. I was supposed to have family over but that fell through. I should try to catch up on work. We'll see how it goes. Off to the dump.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
52 MILES
Saturday, cloudy, mid to high 40's
Wearing bike shorts, thin long underwear, nylon camp pants, t-shirt, long underwear top, wind breaker, thin wool hat, wool socks. All clothes not wool were poly something or other, cotton is no good for this sort of thing.
Plan, ride to Chuck's house (originally Justin's house, but he was the object of a surprise party at his house, and Chuck lives about 10 miles closer), about 50 miles away. Gave some clothes and a gift to Will to bring down (he's also the ride home).
Wasted time looking for camelbak pak. Left about 12:30 or so
Weather had been, sunshine, cloudy, rain with lightning, cleared up; all within an hour or so. So why not. Rte 3A to Sagamore bridge, then 6A.
Felt tired soon into the ride. (Last week felt good for quite a while, this ride followed that one for about 12 miles) About 5 miles into it, took off my hat and insulating shirt. Felt better, through Marshfield, into Duxbury, hit Duxbury town hall (13 miles or so) in an hour. Marshfield has some hills, Duxbury has windy, thin roads. Next into Kingston, cruising along, bit tired, but in a good groove. Kingston has some malls and busy areas, had to be mindful. Nice to get to Plymouth, America's hometown. Lots of cool old houses and buildings along this route. Drivers all seemed courteous enough.
Funny thing is, I had no idea if 3A was going right up to the bridge, I have never actually been here in a car. I stopped at a store after two hours, bought a MetRX BIG 100 Colossal bar, peanut butter caramel crunch, new and improved!!! $3. Filled me up a bit. I think Plymouth may be the longest town int he country, I would guess 387 miles at least. And the hills were like Nepal. (Not really) Hit some big hills, starting to get pretty beat. Knowing I bit off a bit much. Oh well, tough luck.
Then it rained. Poured for about 4 minutes, then slowed to nothing in about 15. Forearms were freezing. Put hat back on. Toes a bit numb. Next few miles were tough. Tired, wet cold, it got windy, no real idea I was going in the right direction. Passed one bike shop at the top of a hill, stopped in at one a few miles later. Bought some orange flavored Sport Beans, $1. Chatted a bit with the guy there, said the bridge was 3 miles away. He was a nice guy. Talked about all sorts of bike stuff. I'm not even close to knowing much about bikes or biking.
Revived a bit, to the bridge. Still tired and beat but feeling good about how it's going.
Bridge, yay, walk the bike over. Safety is key in a lot of this. Plus it was a bit of a nice break, and though it was foggy and drizzley had a good view. Made a couple calls, mom and Hammy. Back on the bike for the about 12 miles to Chuck's. Got caught in some more rain, steady.
Going across train tracks in Sandwich, big sign says "BIKERS DISMOUNT AND WALK BIKES ACROSS TRACKS" I was beaten and tired and drunk with pain (how's that from melodrama) I ignored this sign. When my front wheel hit the second track my bike flew away. It leapt from the earth, defying gravity, like being called to heaven. My hands stayed on the bars, my feet on the pedals. I landed, smack, on the from left side of my head. If I didn't have a helmet on I would have surely opened up my head and would now be in the hospital. Also whacked my left arm a bit and my knee and the left break/shifter has a new scar on it. Picking myself and the bike up a car pulls up and the lady says "Thank the Lord Jesus we weren't right behind you. Are you okay?" I told her I was. Surprisingly I was telling the truth. My helmet is a cheapo. But it totally saved the day. It has a scratch on it, no internal damage. Get on the bike and go.
About 10 seconds later a car from New York (big surprise) swerves right in front of me to get into a store. Oh well. I take a break, call Chuck and Will and go on about 15 more minutes to the end of my ride.
Made it to Chuck's house, took about four and a half hours. Greatly desired a good beer (Harpoon IPA...) but not for me. Had a smoothie, went to a rockin' party, glad not to ride home, but stayed up til 2 am.
Tired and sore today but, for those of you keeping score, not impotent.
Wearing bike shorts, thin long underwear, nylon camp pants, t-shirt, long underwear top, wind breaker, thin wool hat, wool socks. All clothes not wool were poly something or other, cotton is no good for this sort of thing.
Plan, ride to Chuck's house (originally Justin's house, but he was the object of a surprise party at his house, and Chuck lives about 10 miles closer), about 50 miles away. Gave some clothes and a gift to Will to bring down (he's also the ride home).
Wasted time looking for camelbak pak. Left about 12:30 or so
Weather had been, sunshine, cloudy, rain with lightning, cleared up; all within an hour or so. So why not. Rte 3A to Sagamore bridge, then 6A.
Felt tired soon into the ride. (Last week felt good for quite a while, this ride followed that one for about 12 miles) About 5 miles into it, took off my hat and insulating shirt. Felt better, through Marshfield, into Duxbury, hit Duxbury town hall (13 miles or so) in an hour. Marshfield has some hills, Duxbury has windy, thin roads. Next into Kingston, cruising along, bit tired, but in a good groove. Kingston has some malls and busy areas, had to be mindful. Nice to get to Plymouth, America's hometown. Lots of cool old houses and buildings along this route. Drivers all seemed courteous enough.
Funny thing is, I had no idea if 3A was going right up to the bridge, I have never actually been here in a car. I stopped at a store after two hours, bought a MetRX BIG 100 Colossal bar, peanut butter caramel crunch, new and improved!!! $3. Filled me up a bit. I think Plymouth may be the longest town int he country, I would guess 387 miles at least. And the hills were like Nepal. (Not really) Hit some big hills, starting to get pretty beat. Knowing I bit off a bit much. Oh well, tough luck.
Then it rained. Poured for about 4 minutes, then slowed to nothing in about 15. Forearms were freezing. Put hat back on. Toes a bit numb. Next few miles were tough. Tired, wet cold, it got windy, no real idea I was going in the right direction. Passed one bike shop at the top of a hill, stopped in at one a few miles later. Bought some orange flavored Sport Beans, $1. Chatted a bit with the guy there, said the bridge was 3 miles away. He was a nice guy. Talked about all sorts of bike stuff. I'm not even close to knowing much about bikes or biking.
Revived a bit, to the bridge. Still tired and beat but feeling good about how it's going.
Bridge, yay, walk the bike over. Safety is key in a lot of this. Plus it was a bit of a nice break, and though it was foggy and drizzley had a good view. Made a couple calls, mom and Hammy. Back on the bike for the about 12 miles to Chuck's. Got caught in some more rain, steady.
Going across train tracks in Sandwich, big sign says "BIKERS DISMOUNT AND WALK BIKES ACROSS TRACKS" I was beaten and tired and drunk with pain (how's that from melodrama) I ignored this sign. When my front wheel hit the second track my bike flew away. It leapt from the earth, defying gravity, like being called to heaven. My hands stayed on the bars, my feet on the pedals. I landed, smack, on the from left side of my head. If I didn't have a helmet on I would have surely opened up my head and would now be in the hospital. Also whacked my left arm a bit and my knee and the left break/shifter has a new scar on it. Picking myself and the bike up a car pulls up and the lady says "Thank the Lord Jesus we weren't right behind you. Are you okay?" I told her I was. Surprisingly I was telling the truth. My helmet is a cheapo. But it totally saved the day. It has a scratch on it, no internal damage. Get on the bike and go.
About 10 seconds later a car from New York (big surprise) swerves right in front of me to get into a store. Oh well. I take a break, call Chuck and Will and go on about 15 more minutes to the end of my ride.
Made it to Chuck's house, took about four and a half hours. Greatly desired a good beer (Harpoon IPA...) but not for me. Had a smoothie, went to a rockin' party, glad not to ride home, but stayed up til 2 am.
Tired and sore today but, for those of you keeping score, not impotent.
Monday, April 7, 2008
monday
Don't feel near as sore as I thought I would.
I think I need a new front derailleur. Mine didn't want to shift about half the time. I just had it tuned up at REI, the guy said something like "it was as good as they were new, but the new ones are so much better." Not sure if it was the hard sell or he's just being honest. He seemed trustworthy, steered me away from buying another seat.
I will try to figure out how to get some pics up. New to this blogging thing.
Just out walking with Wallace and he ran out of the woods covered in some kind of poo. If this blog becomes my life story, a good part of it will be "Things My Dog Ate."
I think I need a new front derailleur. Mine didn't want to shift about half the time. I just had it tuned up at REI, the guy said something like "it was as good as they were new, but the new ones are so much better." Not sure if it was the hard sell or he's just being honest. He seemed trustworthy, steered me away from buying another seat.
I will try to figure out how to get some pics up. New to this blogging thing.
Just out walking with Wallace and he ran out of the woods covered in some kind of poo. If this blog becomes my life story, a good part of it will be "Things My Dog Ate."
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