New Year

As 2010 ends it is hard to believe that it is over 1 year since we biked cross country. However, to this day, I must think about it every few days or so or at least every time I ride my bike. I did not think that it would be such a life changing experience, but just thinking about it brings a smile to my face and an inner feeling of happiness. Even when you want to forget about it someone will introduce you at work as that crazy person who biked cross country. At our year-end party my boss referred to me as the companies Forrest Gump. I am not quite there yet as he crossed the country 3 times, but I still have at least one more bike adventure in me.

I have even been able to get together with some of my fellow XC09 this year, spoke to some on the phone, followed them on their bike adventures in 2010 and even rode with them as well.

When I first returned from my trip in 2009, I really had a tough time getting motivated to get on the bike, but eventually the feeling of the freedom of biking returned. When I explained to people that I rode 12,000 miles in 2009 there response would be "But you rode cross country". They were right, but is was the preparation and training that enabled me to ride all of those miles. The cross country trip was easy in comparison to that and no doubt due to the fellow riders. This year my initial mileage goal was 6,000 miles. When I passed that I thought it would be nice to ride as many miles excluding the cross country trip. With the rain in my area it made it exceedingly difficult to bike, but I managed to achieve that goal.

As I write this I do not have any specific bike goals in mind in 2011, but I do know two things:

1) One pedal stroke at a time

2) Every day riding a bike is a good day

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

All in all another brick in the wall

Today was a beautiful day to ride. It is December 11 and close to 80 degrees. As I only ride on the weekends it was great that today turned out to be so nice. Another 84 miles today. My new goal was to ride as many miles excluding the cross country trip. I am a little less than 125 miles from that goal.

This past Sunday, a friend let me know that he had a ticket to The Wall. I had worn out my turn table listening to that album (yes Album, not CD or digital download and turntable) over and over and although I had not listened to the album for 30 years when they started playing the songs it was like yesterday. The concert was great and for 2 hours I was in music heaven.

Below are some pictures from the concert (in no particular order)

Million Dollars

The days are getting shorter and the weather getting a little cooler. More running and jump rope these days. The last month and half seems to be a blur as was a litte busy at work so this is the first time in awhile that I have been able to post an entry to my blog. I still dream about XC09, but sometimes it really does seem like a dream.

I will close this blog, with a photo from one of the shows my company is producing. It is scheduled to air on December 20 on Fox. And yes, the amount of money I am in front of is real cash.

Hot !!!!!!!!!!

Today Jim and I met up at Santa Monica. Nancy from XC09 has been riding down the coast from Oregon and we decided to bike up to Malibu and meet her as she was biking from Oxnard, CA and heading south towards Malibu on her way to Marina Del Rey. We ate at Malibu Seafood which is across the street from the Pacific Ocean and which you can see from your table (you eat at picnic tables which are outdoors)
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In front of the menu and Jim and Nancy at Santa Monica (I had already left for home)

We talked about our fellow XC09 and Nancy's many adventures over the past year. Believe it or not she is planning to bike cross country next year with her daughter. She is going to take the Northern route. If I ever have the chance to bike cross country that is the route I would like to try.

After our lunch we biked back towards Santa Monica. One final farewell and I biked home. Today was one of the hottest days that I can remember. I live in the Valley and it was probably over 100 degrees for the last 10 miles of my ride today. Lots of cold water and lemonade upon my return home.

Hello Darkness my old Friend....

Each day the sun rises later and sets earlier. That means less day light to commute to work. I am riding 4 days a week, but this will most likely be changing soon.

One thing that does not change is my inability to change my tire and tubes. I am still struggling and still puncturing tubes. I am not a bike mechanic.

This week I will ride over 300 miles. The most miles in a week this year. I have achieved my goal for miles ridden this year and still have a few more months to go.

Return to Latigo and of hot weather

It has been almost 6 weeks since I had rode in the DR. Since that time I have gone back to easier (re: less climbing rides). One, I was not training for any particular ride, and two, I was a little nervous that my legs would cramp.

As to number one,I think I may have found a ride. According to Bicycling Magazine on October 24 there will be a Gran Fondo which is a one day 100 mile ride. The reason I say is that for the last month, every time I check the website, I received the message below (including two seconds ago):

Please pardon our dust,we’re preparing to launch our October 24, 2010 Event website.
Check back in a few weeks,when the new site is launched.

So maybe I will not be riding in the above.

As to number two, I decided that I would climb Latigo Canyon which was one of my training rides. It was rather hot today and that might be the reason that I was the only person climbing up in my direction. After the DR, this was a much easier climb. In fact, all my so called "climbing rides" have been so much easier in comparison after the DR. No leg problems and no cramps. However, the heat took its toll on me (I lost a little over 4 lbs). Each time when I return home, I pass an in' and out burger. I always think it would be nice to order a chocolate shake and ride the last 10 miles home. Today I stopped by and the sales person was a little confused as I guess not too many people bike up to the sales window. I purchased the shake and poured it into one of my empty water bottles and continued on my way. It was the extra energy that I needed to get back home.

Bike + Car = Accident

During my bike commute this past Thursday I had come to a stop at an intersection. I started to bike and I noticed to my right a car coming to a stop at his stop sign. Or I should say, I thought he was stopping. Before I knew it he is heading towards me and all I am thinking is he is going to run me over. I was able to brake and turn my wheel so I crashed into his car door. I fell and had some rode rash and re-injured my right hand wrist, but other than that I was (and am) fine. He stopped and asked if I was okay and he told me that he did not see me. I thought that was strange as their was another car next to him at the same stop sign who did not start

driving because he did see me. Fortunately, I was not going fast and neither was the driver or I would be writing this blog from a hospital bed.

Even with my sore wrist I managed to ride 96 miles today.

Harry, Tom and Peter left last Sunday on their ride from tip to tip in the UK. Apparently, a Dalton from Meade, Kansas have made their way to the UK.