I am very sorry that I haven't posted in the past week. I will make it up with an awesome road trip in the upcoming month, I promise. Honestly, I haven't been riding all that much, but I got some good info. last weekend. First, I am going to address a challenge that was thrown my way by one of the readers, and then I will get to the ride.
The Challenge started last week, when an email was sent out to Lucas and me from Joe. The email basically tested my ability to get into beast mode. He proposed a race to 100 miles. The first biker to ride 100 miles wins. The terms were the two losers will buy the winner a gallon of makers mark and a drink at the bar next time we are together. Emails started going back and forth and we came up with rules, which are: one ride per day, upon completion of the century mark an email will be sent out marking victory, you have to actually pedal these miles [you can't hang on to a car window]. The challenge peaked my interest. I was up for it. I considered leaving work when I got the email and just hammer out 100 miles. For some unknown reason, the challenge was postponed. For me, this was a good thing because I ran into some trouble later this week. So, the challenge has been issued and the pressure is on. Joe is pretty confident. I guess we will see. I did want to post the challenge on here before it ended so if Joe does win then he will get his due in public, but if I win watch out.
On to the actual riding of the past week. Lucas has been riding a lot more than me. I am really impressed by his commitment. He has been knocked down 20 miles like 4 times last week. I went with him last Friday, and I blew out a tube early in the ride. While I was carrying my bike back to the house, I saw the best man ever. Here I am walking down the street, and I see this old guy riding in a hover round [the electric cart/buggy thing that old people ride at walmart]. As he gets closer, I can see he has a 40 oz. in his lap. I was so happy to see a guy drinking a 40 riding in the street in an electric wheel chair. Who am I to judge? Sometimes you got to have a 40. Anyway getting back to the bike, that Saturday Lucas and I drove down to a new bike shop [much closer to my house than the other one]. I wanted to get a tube, look at the bikes, and talk to the guy there. These bike shop guys are loaded with good information, and they are dying to tell someone. All you have to do is ask a few questions, and you can get a ton of helpful info. While I was talking to the guy, I found out that I had been using the wrong size tube. This can account for at least two of my flat tires. Also, I have been using this tool to put the tire back on the rim, and I am not supposed to be doing this because it pinches the tube between the tire and the rim which causes the tube to tear [ three more flats]. Now that I know this should keep me on the road longer.
After I fixed my flat tire, I was ready to go. Yesterday after work, Lucas and I packed the bikes into the back of my truck, and drove to halfway house. We unloaded and set out for Manchac. We kind of got aggressive with our pace. On the way there, we averaged about 16 mph. When we arrived in Manchac, we decided it was necessary to try to make it to the top of the Manchac Bridge. It is a pretty intimidating sight. The bridge is 15 miles into the ride, and it is a wicked incline. As we were passing the Beacon Bar, I yelled to Lucas that we should tame this beast. I shifted to a higher gear and cranked up the pace. The incline hit me like a wave in the surf. I just kept pushing through, and finally, we made it to the top. We stopped at the top for a drink of water and a breather. Now it is the fun part. I shoved off, and turned around. I laid down to be as aerodynamic as possible, and adjusted my grip so I could reach the brake if need be. I was going about 26 mph when I got to the bottom of the bridge. All I could think about was some kind of mechanical failure, and me flying off the bike and eating asphalt. Thank goodness nothing happened, and I glided off for a while then started pedaling again. It was awesome. I really can't wait to do it again. By this time it was late, and bugs were a serious problem. Imagine the bumper of your car after a road trip. This is what my face felt like. It was also pretty creepy riding through Ruddock [an excellent place to dump a body] at night. There is nothing around for miles, and nobody to hear your screams. We didn't have any problem or encounter any UFOs or anything. After a few miles, I could see street lights in the distance. I had this marked to be Peavine rd, which would mean there were only a few miles left. When we finally got close enough to see the lights up close, I realized that it wasn't Peavine rd. I was devastated. As we continued, I finally did see the lights that would be Peavine, and we were home free. About 2 more miles and we were done for the night. Back at halfway house we ate, and went home. 30 miles complete, and today it hurts. I need to be more consistent with the number of rides I make during the week. This will help me tolerate the saddle [I think].
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Riding Solo
Last week, I didn't really ride a whole bunch. I am kind of bummed out about it. I need to lock it up, and get back on the bike here. I did get a couple of comments about weight loss, but I am not sure if it is flattery or genuine. I guess I will have to get a scale. I also wanted to thank everyone for reading, the blog has had 309 views, 4 views in the U.K., 3 in Canada, and 302 in the U.S. I am really excited. Thank you all who have been checking it out, and Thank you to all who told there friends that are into this kind of thing. Thanks again.
SUNDAY: The day after my big ride, I got up early, and hit the road. Lucas didn't make it on this voyage. I road from my house to river road (hwy. 44), and then on to the Bonne Carre Spillway. The spillway was cool because I road up the levee, and I had a sweet view of the river. The benefit of riding this way is the fact that you can ride up on the levee. They have a paved road on top that is pretty nice, and it goes from Ormand subdivision in Destrehan, La to Audubon park in New Orleans, La. The portion of trail that I rode was pretty flat. Once I got to the leg of the ride that was on the levee, I immediately noticed that this was a different world up here. These people were well equipped. Every rider that I encountered had an expensive bike, some kind of a jersey [outside of wind resistance I do not know what the benefit is], multiple water bottles. I also noticed that they travel in packs. I am assuming that they are drafting each other for a better personal performance. Given our track record from the last two postings, Lucas and I don't need to worry about this yet.
On my way out, I passed this lady [riding a Cannondale which is an expensive bike], who zoomed pass me a few minutes later. After she passed me she took a pretty good spill. I thought it was awesome. I didn't really see what happened, but she went down hard. Just so you guys know when I do fall I will tell you about it. I am sure it will happen to me sooner or later, hopefully it is funny. When I passed by, I asked her if she was OK, she was, and I was on my way. I didn't really have a destination in mind, so I just kept going. I decided to turn around when I got to St. Rose, La. I stopped at a local bar that has been there since the beginning of time. It's called "St. Rose Tavern". It is a really cool little place. Now I am on my way back, and I stopped at a gas station under the I-310 bridge. I picked up some water, and rode back to the levee. Once I was back on the levee, my chain came off and wedged between the gears on my back wheel and the rim. The caused my back wheel to freeze up, and I almost fell. I got off the bike, and put the chain back on. For some reason, my rear tire was rubbing on the frame. I was sure that I bent the rim, so I call my Uncle Russell to come pick me up because he lives near by. Lucas came pick me up from my uncle's house. Later, I realized that my rim wasn't bent. The chain had pulled the wheel out of alignment with the frame. Had I realized this earlier I could have completed my ride. I was kind of mad about it. All in all a good day. 22 miles complete.
WEDNESDAY: Nothing really fun about this ride. Lucas and I rode around a few neighborhoods in Laplace. Knocked out about 11 miles. We had a pretty good pace going, but unfortunately nothing happened. We just kind of rode around without falling or anything.
Saturday: Lucas went to Fl. for the weekend to ride with Joe, so I am riding solo again. I decided to go for a long ride. I didn't leave really early in the morning, but it was kind of cool so I didn't have to. My goal for the day was to conquer the Manchac bridge. When we went to Manchac last week, I sized it up a little, and I am not intimidated. Right before I left, my sister called and asked me to go to my moms house, so I figured I would just ride by on the bike. I made it there, no problem it is near by. I sat a talked a while with my sister and mom. Then I left [this changes my route to get to Manchac which extends my trip].
Down Belle Terre blvd, left on a side street that brings me to Carrolwood, across Hwy 61 and down Hemlock, over on West 5th, down Main st. to Hwy 51. It was pretty uneventful. There were plenty of people fishing. I guess because it was so much later in the day than last week. I made it to Ruddock, and I wasn't feeling good at all. I decided to turn back and call for a ride. I made it back to LaPlace without a problem, only now I am feeling worse. My plan was to ride to my grandmothers house, and just leave my bike there. So, I was riding on Hwy 51, feeling terrible. All of the sudden it hit, projectile vomit. I just kept pedaling. I only had about a quarter mile left, and I probably threw up like 10 times in that span. I went home took a nap and watched some football. Outside of almost throwing up again several times during the LSU game, I was good to go.
Hopefully I will have a long trip next weekend.
SUNDAY: The day after my big ride, I got up early, and hit the road. Lucas didn't make it on this voyage. I road from my house to river road (hwy. 44), and then on to the Bonne Carre Spillway. The spillway was cool because I road up the levee, and I had a sweet view of the river. The benefit of riding this way is the fact that you can ride up on the levee. They have a paved road on top that is pretty nice, and it goes from Ormand subdivision in Destrehan, La to Audubon park in New Orleans, La. The portion of trail that I rode was pretty flat. Once I got to the leg of the ride that was on the levee, I immediately noticed that this was a different world up here. These people were well equipped. Every rider that I encountered had an expensive bike, some kind of a jersey [outside of wind resistance I do not know what the benefit is], multiple water bottles. I also noticed that they travel in packs. I am assuming that they are drafting each other for a better personal performance. Given our track record from the last two postings, Lucas and I don't need to worry about this yet.
On my way out, I passed this lady [riding a Cannondale which is an expensive bike], who zoomed pass me a few minutes later. After she passed me she took a pretty good spill. I thought it was awesome. I didn't really see what happened, but she went down hard. Just so you guys know when I do fall I will tell you about it. I am sure it will happen to me sooner or later, hopefully it is funny. When I passed by, I asked her if she was OK, she was, and I was on my way. I didn't really have a destination in mind, so I just kept going. I decided to turn around when I got to St. Rose, La. I stopped at a local bar that has been there since the beginning of time. It's called "St. Rose Tavern". It is a really cool little place. Now I am on my way back, and I stopped at a gas station under the I-310 bridge. I picked up some water, and rode back to the levee. Once I was back on the levee, my chain came off and wedged between the gears on my back wheel and the rim. The caused my back wheel to freeze up, and I almost fell. I got off the bike, and put the chain back on. For some reason, my rear tire was rubbing on the frame. I was sure that I bent the rim, so I call my Uncle Russell to come pick me up because he lives near by. Lucas came pick me up from my uncle's house. Later, I realized that my rim wasn't bent. The chain had pulled the wheel out of alignment with the frame. Had I realized this earlier I could have completed my ride. I was kind of mad about it. All in all a good day. 22 miles complete.
WEDNESDAY: Nothing really fun about this ride. Lucas and I rode around a few neighborhoods in Laplace. Knocked out about 11 miles. We had a pretty good pace going, but unfortunately nothing happened. We just kind of rode around without falling or anything.
Saturday: Lucas went to Fl. for the weekend to ride with Joe, so I am riding solo again. I decided to go for a long ride. I didn't leave really early in the morning, but it was kind of cool so I didn't have to. My goal for the day was to conquer the Manchac bridge. When we went to Manchac last week, I sized it up a little, and I am not intimidated. Right before I left, my sister called and asked me to go to my moms house, so I figured I would just ride by on the bike. I made it there, no problem it is near by. I sat a talked a while with my sister and mom. Then I left [this changes my route to get to Manchac which extends my trip].
Down Belle Terre blvd, left on a side street that brings me to Carrolwood, across Hwy 61 and down Hemlock, over on West 5th, down Main st. to Hwy 51. It was pretty uneventful. There were plenty of people fishing. I guess because it was so much later in the day than last week. I made it to Ruddock, and I wasn't feeling good at all. I decided to turn back and call for a ride. I made it back to LaPlace without a problem, only now I am feeling worse. My plan was to ride to my grandmothers house, and just leave my bike there. So, I was riding on Hwy 51, feeling terrible. All of the sudden it hit, projectile vomit. I just kept pedaling. I only had about a quarter mile left, and I probably threw up like 10 times in that span. I went home took a nap and watched some football. Outside of almost throwing up again several times during the LSU game, I was good to go.
Hopefully I will have a long trip next weekend.
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