What did you see on the way to work today?

I am always amazed at what I see when ride my bike to work instead of drive. In particular the wildlife, although most of it is in the form of road kill(don't look ronnie). I have seen skunks, armadillos, squirrels, rabbits, turtles, field mice, deer, buffalo, beaver, porcupine, sand hill cranes, snakes, goats(that's for you honey), frogs, toads, emu, camels(if your not from here don't ask), coyotes, prairie dogs, domestic dogs, domestic cats, and my all time favorite the albatross of them all mosquitoes that could carry away a small child. So as you can see I am not easily surprised when I come across wildlife while on a bike; however this morning would be the exception to that. I have ridden 162 miles this week and taught one spin class, so because of "just being plain tired" I decided to take it is on they way to work. Cruising along at about 16 MPH w/ heart rate at about 105 it was business as usual. Until came to the curve where the swamp was a week ago(read my last blog) Much to my surprise and a heart rate jump to about 180, a bobcat was hovered over his recently demised breakfast (e.g. a rabbit). It must have been particularly tasty rabbit because he was obviously not happy to see me. It was a little unnerving to see a bobcat (my tabby bulked up with about 20 more pounds of muscle) hovered over its kill hissing at me for disturbing its breakfast. After my nerves settled a bit, I thought well that was a little scary but not as scary as driving to work and seeing gas at $2.91 a gallon.

Noah's Bike: DO NOT DRIVE CARS(or ride bikes) INTO FLOODED AREAS.

Now that we are back to the normal work week, I have been very excited about being able to ride my bike to work (especially w/ gas prices as they are) however it seems like it has been raining for 40 days and 40 nights so I haven't been able to ride to work.

Today was the glorious day. The rains have stopped, the clouds have gone away, the sun is shining, but the river is still rising. I start my work trek as I always do. Down Barnett, around the lake to our beautiful bike trail and our giant mound of dirt(still haven't figured that out! No topography we'll just make our own). I'm riding and all of a sudden the lake is part of the trail or maybe the trail is part of the lake not sure which one but nonetheless the trail and lake have merged. So being a good roadie (can't stand the Mountain Bike) I jump off take my bike so it doesn't get wet or muddy(just washed it you know) and I go around the water only to get back on ride a little ways to find more water. [take a breath this story is long] So I jump off again go around the water again and get back on my bike only to come to another body of water. So I know you're saying it this point turn around go back home and drive to work. But no no I am the original glass is half full guy(comment for you Jeff). So instead of getting off and going around again this time I say to hell with the bike being clean and I go through it. Its only about an inch to an inch and a half deep not too bad. So here we go again off and away only to come upon what I can only describe as a swamp. The only thing missing was alligators and some toothless wonder saying squeal like a pig. So I stop and ponder(not leslee or scott just the normal kind) and decide I can't go around it, can't go over it, can't go under it got to go through it. Well first the trail is completely submerged so I can't actually see the trail, I know its a curve but I don't know how sharp it is, I don't know how deep the water is and I can't see where the trail comes back up out of the water. So my little voice kicks in and I remember the weatherman saying DO NOT DRIVE CARS INTO FLOODED AREAS. REMEMBER...IT TAKES ONLY TWO FEET OF WATER TO FLOAT MOST AUTOMOBILES...INCLUDING SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. TURN AROUND...DON'T DROWN. He did say cars not bike and really how deep could it be. So I back up so I can get a running start at this jump on my bike and hurl myself into the water. Now remember I'm on a bike with my feet clipped into my pedals (much like ski bindings) going into the water and as I turn the pedals around my feet are completely submerged about four inches above my ankle. At any point I could plunge off the edge of the trail locked into my bicycle plunging into the lake and drowning. So I make it through the swamp relatively unscathed and inventing a new work out "fluid resistance training". I go across the dam to the spill way only to watch two feet of water plunging over into a giant foaming river that is raging under the state hospital road like the Colorado river. I arrive safely at work to shower and get dressed and I'm behind the desk at 7:45. What did you do for breakfast this morning? Me, well I rode my bike to work.

P.S. The HHH mountain bike time trial trail is under between 8 and 12 feet of water right now. Yes feet not inches.

Make Hay while the Sun Shines (the last Friday ride)

What a way to end Friday rides. We started out with a whopping 14 people. Some went short, Some went medium, Some went long.

The short group was made up of all the people that went with us that had to work and be back at a certain time.

The medium group was made up of the usual suspects plus some tag a longs that have got a lot to learn about group riding.

The long group was made up of four souls that unfortunately got to witness a true BONK. Ronnie was also in this group and lets just say everyone wishes for the day that it feels like there is no chain on the bike and I think she had that day.

But what made the ride so special is that the next day we got rained out!
So as my father always says "make hay while the sun shines"!

The Last Friday Ride of the Year

It is that time of year again when everyone in my life starts focusing on the beginning of the new school year. I am even scurrying about making sure everything is ready to go. Jeff is hot and heavy in two a days and recruiting. Kelly is being super mom w/ one on the way. Debbie is being super mom and planning things for our students. However I am a little saddened though because I know tomorrow is the last Friday ride until next summer. Back to the grind of the 5 day work week. No more joy of jumping on the bike while everyone else has to go to work. We had big rides (16) We had little rides (Kevin and I). It helped Debbie build her baseline endurance and muscle mass as well as her lung capacity. I don't think she realizes how much she will improve next year based on what she accomplished this year. So I hope everyone enjoyed our special Friday rides.

Sleep Deprived!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My son is a monster. He has gone from the cute little guy that sleeps through the night to this demonic child (exhibit A: don't let the angelic demeanor fool you) that wakes up every morning between 3:oo & 4:00 AM with the battle cries of chocky milk, giterade, and my personal favorite rock a bibby. Some how I have become the only one that can soothe his needs (exhibit B: Beautiful wife)and I am still expected to get up and go to work in the morning)

Cycling: No Nos or is it No Nose

I have been cycling on & off for about 14 years, but even I can do stupid things on a bike. Let me preface this by saying I did start off having a bad day. I organize a group ride on Friday's and Saturday's during the summer. I missed Friday's ride so I thought I would leave early Saturday and get a few extra miles in before riding with the group. All of 5 miles in I got a flat. No no number 1: I had changed a flat previously using my only tube and hadn't bought another one. Fortunately the cycling gods were smiling on me and I was a block away from a bicycle shop. I barely made it back by 9:00 the group ride start time w/ a whopping 10 extra miles on the bike. We went our traditional Iowa Park Holliday loop ride. When one of the MSU C riders blew passed us. My testosterone wanted to kick in but I said no stay with the group. He slowed down and waited for us in Holliday and we all rode together until the C rider said anyone want to ride to Archer, and like an idiot I said sure I'll go. No no number 2: Never leave the group you are with for something better when you organized the ride. When he and I had reached three way (11 miles to Archer; 14 to Wichita Falls), a little voice said call your wife and ask permission ya big dope. Which I did only to be reminded that my son had a birthday party to go to and I said I would be back in time that Debbie wouldn't have to take both boys. So I said sorry I can't go to Archer I need to head back to WF. He said that's fine I will ride with you. The longer I rode the more guilty I felt A: for leaving my group B: for forgetting about the birthday party & C: for telling this poor guy I would go with him only to say just kidding I need to go back now. The more guilty I felt the faster I rode. No no number 3: Don't drop the guy you said you would ride with because you're scared of your wife. Yes a small gap developed between us the testosterone, guilt, and fear of Debbie kicked in to the point that he was gone no longer to be seen. I arrive safely at home well within the time limit before the Birthday Party. Only to be greeted by my beautiful children saying ooh daddy you stink (cause there ain't no stink like bicycle stink). Wishing they had No Nose! to smell me. Also by my beautiful wife who simply said did you have a nice ride? So yes there is a moral to this story simply put "Don't cut off your Nose to spite your face".

Next Great Crop of American Cyclist

Inspired by watching the end of the tour(yes again) & the Lance Armstrong interview(yes again), I've become one of the numerous parents that has decided to live vicariously through my children with the old Texas adage "start'em young warp'em early". Yes I have started training my oldest son (5 years old) for the 2028 Tour de France(unless you're a bobke fan & then it would be the Tour day France). Yes I drag my son a round on a clamp-on(which he does seem to enjoy) stopping every 5 feet so that he can get off the bike and get a drink of gatorade (or his mothers powerade so that I don't have to waste my gatorade) adjust his wedgee and get back on the bike. I even make him push my lard butt for the last two blocks of the ride to build up his strength and stamina. Ahhh the sound of my 5 year old gasping for breath as if he was going up Mont Ventoux. So here is to the next great crop of American Cyclist.

WELCOME TO ME!

I'm not sure how I got here but here I am. If you like cycling or like me hopefuly you will like my blog. Enjoy!